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G.P.O., Registered at the Perth, for transmissiot by post as a newspaper. NO. 2,447.
PHONE BA2837 (2 Lines)
THURSDAY,
MAY 25, 1950. Seventy-sixth Year. Price Threepence.
Over 600 Pilgrims Set Out For Rome Stirring Scenes at Cathedral and Fremantle Long before the appointed hour, bus -load after bus -load of pilgrims from the "Strathaird" began arriving at St. Mary' s Cathedral, and by 10.30 a.m., the entire nave was packed, and the rest of the Cathedral overflowing to the main doors. Preceded by cross -bearer and acolytes, His Grcice the Archbishop,followed by Most Rev. Dr. Gleeson C.SS.R. (Bishop of Maitland), Rt. Rev. Dr- Catalan O.S.B. (Lord Abbot of New Norcia), Most Rev. Dr. J. Duhig (Archbishop of Brisbane and leader of the National Pilgrimage) came in procession through the aisle of the Cathedral The altar burned in the blaze of poinsettias, while the centre of the prie-dieu, in sanctuary was occupied by the archiepiscopc1 draped green and the coat -of -arms of the See. s'
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The Rosary was then recited ter's historic destiny to set up by all present, led by Rev. Fr. the centre of the ChriMian reThomas, National Director of the ligion of which he was appoinPilgrimage. After the singing of ed Chief by his Divine Master. "Hail, Queen of Heaven," Dr. "thou art, Peter, and on this Duhig addressed the pilgrims. Rock I will build my Church, and the gates of Hell shall not
They would remember that there were three Romes-pagan Rome, Christian Rome and modern Rome. But the Rome that they were going to see was the Christian Rome. As they walked its pavements, they would reprevail against it.' member that they had been His Grace said that it was St. Peter soon made friends blessed and consecrated by the Prelates en route to the Cathedral for the Solemn Hineran historic day for the Catholics with the few Christians who Holy Fathers. They would go of Australia. That day our were in the place. They gather into its ancient churches and arium. His Grace the Archbishop is followed by ArchbishPilgrimage said good-bye to ed secretly together and in times kneel at the tombs of Saints and op Duhig, Bishop Gleeson and Lord Abbot Catalan O.S.B. the beloved shores of our nat- of persecution descended into Martyrs who are the glory of ional or adopted country. They the Catacombs. The first Chris- our faith. Above all, they would proclaim their faith in Christ, the spiritual were setting out on the largest tian pilgrim who made his way go and kneel at the tombs of their proud membership of the to that See. blessings brought had good pilgrimage that had ever left on foot, weary and worn, towards the Apostles, at the tomb cf the Church which Peter had set up. reason to go andThey thank the Holy Australia. the gates of the imperial seat of Blessed Peter himself. They had come as penitents to Father for the early missioLittle by little they would be Rome, was St. Peter. He came Outside the walls, they would make their offerings at the tomb naries had sent to Australia, approaching the shores of Eur- from the East, only seven years find the magnificent basilica of of the Apostles. Some of them for ourhefirst Bishop Poldope, and as they got 'nearer after the Ascension of Christ. St. Paul and they would re- never returned; they gave ,their ing), and for the others(Dr. all down and nearer to the Eternal City, His coming to Rome was more member that glorious Apostle lives as martyrs. through the years for all the the hearts of all would beat significant that what was very who walked as a pilgrim to care they had taken of the and glow with greater fervour great in the history of that city, Rome and who was destined to At Rome they would find Church. and love, with higher hope and for he was destined to set up set up there with St. Peter that those chapels where the Early were going to tell the deeper charity. there a throne that would last which would never end: "Be- Christians received the Sacra- TheyFather of the fruitfulness There would be a pilgrimage for longer than the throne of hold, I am with you all days, ments. They would reach the Holy and hopefulness of the young from every country in the the Caesars. He was destined to even to the consummation of Catacombs. But their first visit Church of Australia, of the great world this year towards Rome. set up there the source and the the world." They would stand would be to the tombs of the things that had been done here in this new nation for God and for souls. They would be able to tell him of our great religious communities carrying on the works of education and charity. It would rejoice the Holy Father's heart with gladness to hear the great news of the vigorous new churches here at the ends of the earth. The Holy Father had repeated to Archbishop Duhig and to other Australian bishops that Australia had a "big young Church." He was reminded of what was said to the Apostles "You shall be witnesses to Me to the ends of the earth." They had borne witness to Christ in the towns and villages, in the shearing sheds and mining camps. In all sincerity, and humility, therefore, they had a glorious story to carry before the Holy Father. They were going as penitents, for the Holy Father had called this year the year of the Great Return. They were not going merely for themselves, but for their country. They were going in a spirit of humility, penance, joy and hope. In conclusion, Dr. Duhig expressed his regret that he had not been with them befcre. He thanked the Hierarchy for having appointed him to lead the Pilgrimage and the Cardinal and Archbishops of the capital cities for having placed their cathedrals at the disposal of the pilgrims. The pilgrims would be A section of the pilgrims in the nave of St. Mary's happy wherever they went beInset: Dr. Duhig making his address. cause they would be honouring But no pilgrimage from any head place of the Christian re- it that Rome, every foot of Apostles, where the martyrs God, His Blessed Mother, their country would give 'the Holy ligion. which consecrated by the blood lived and died and to which all Faith and their native land. Father greater joy and consola- "You will be able to visua- of martyrs. pilgrims came. For once the Following the sermon, the tion than that one from the lise," continued Dr. Duhig, They were going as pilgrims, Gospel 'had been preached, the Solemn Itinerarium was intoned youngest of the Christian nat- "where St. Peter died; you will continued Archbishop Duhig, exec of the people turned to by the Archbishop, while the ions, from the ends of the see the very altar on which he and it were well not to forget Rome. They came with loving other prelates and the many earth. celebrated the Holy Sacrifice of the spirit of the pilgrimage; of gratitude to thank God for the priests present chanted the res"Already," continued His the Mass. You will see the magn- how in former times the pil- Faith. ponses. Grace, "they know in Rome ificent Basilica of St. Paul grims came on foot. They bad In the very same spirit, our that you are coming. They are outside the walls, the house and a profound respect for Rome, pilgrimage would go to Rome, The ceremony concluded with expecting you, r.nd you, wits church of St. Cecilia-some of and after walking miles and "to their Father's house," as Benediction of the Blessed Sathe highest hopes, are looking these shrines *with memories miles they went down on their Pius XI said so very appropria- crament, given by the Lord forward to your experiences in going back well over two knees at the very sight of it. tely. They, too, would show Abbot of New Norcia, assisted that city where it was St. Pe - thousand years." What had they come for? To gratitude to the See of Peter for by Fathers Hogan and Hope.