Glittering even under leaden skies, the ancient pomp of the appointed time. Lowering Roman rite was carried out at New Norcia, Oct. 6, when the Lord skies and a freshening breeze continued throughAbbot of New Norcia, the Rt. Rev. Dr. Gregory Gomez, was sol- out the ceremony, but ' no emnly blessed and enthroned in the presence of eight prelates, a rain of consequence fell. To the pealing of the Calarge number of priests, and some thousands of the laity. thedral bells, the scarlet This rare ceremony, occu- decked in the papal colours. Abbot's altar on the clad prelates, the officiating pying more tha two and a On the gospel side, in scar- side, mingled its colourepistle with ministers in splendid vesthalf hours, was performed let and gold, was the can- the harmony of the splen- ment, and the monks in on a raised dais erected be- opy and throne of the offi- did sanctuary. sombre black, came in proside the pro -Cathedral of ciating prelate, the Most After discouraging rain cessional order and the solthe Blessed Trinity. Rev. Dr. J. D. Simonds, showers, when the arena emn rite commenced. The high altar, surmount- Coadjutor Archbishop of had to be abandoned, at 10 After the reading of the ed by a silver monogram of Melbourne. o'clock sharply the sun Mandate, the Abthe Holy Name and the Like the mantle of the broke through and the pro- Apostolic bot was examined inBenedictine motto, was Virgin, the canopy over the cession commenced at the terrogation similar intoanthat
No. 2,519
Perth, Thursday, October 11, 1951
Price: 6d. of the consecration of bis-
hops. Then the Mass commenced, at which Archbishop
THE SOLEMN MOMENT immedi-
Simonds was assisted by the Rev. E. O'Halloran, the ately before the imposition of hands. ArchRev. B. Barranco, O.S.B., bishop Simonds has commenced the Preface and the Rev. M. Enjuanes, of the Mass, and shortly after its comO.S.B. After the Epistle, the Penitential Psalms and mencement laid his outspread hands upon the Litany of the Saints the Abbot's head, invoking the divine blesswere chanted, while the Abbot lay prostrate at the ing upon him. altar steps. On his return to the Mass continued to the secrate at his altar, receivHoly Communion from throne, all the monks of the Preface, when the Archbis- ing the hands of the Abbey Archbisto make hop imposed his hands on After this the mitre their obedience, receiving in the new Abbot, imparting hop. and gloves were blessed and return the kiss of peace. the Divine blessing. invested. The new prelate then imThen, in turn, the Abbot Now fully clothed in his parted his solemn blessing received the Rule book of robes of office, the Abbot and the unique occasion St. Benedict, the crozier, was led by the Archbishop drew to a close. and the ring. At the Of- and enthroned while His Lordship, Dr. Gregfertory, a very ancient cus- monastic bells pealed the for ory, was attended by the tom was reenacted, when joy. Most Rev. Dr. A. J. Gumthe Abbot and some senior The "Te Deum" was in- mer, Bishop of Geraldton, monks presented to the toned and taken up by the and the Ri. Rev. Dr. A. CatArchbishop two small casks monastic choir, the while alan, O.S.B. of wine, two loaves of the Abbot and his assistants bread, ancr two candles. walked through the congreThe Mass was resumed, gation bestowing his blessbut the Abbot did not con - ing.
PERHAPS THE MOST MOVING PORTION of the ceremony occurred when the Abbot, having been invested with all the insignia of his office and 'enthroned, received the Obedience of his monks. Each in turn knelt before him, receiving in reTHE ACTION OF THE MASS is delayed while the Peniten turn the Kiss of Peace. Pictured is the Rev. Peter Garbayo, tial Psalms and the Litany of the Saints are chanted, the while Ai O.S.B., making his Obedience. Abbot lies prostrate at the predella. CALL, 'PHONE *or WRITE
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