Longreach Leader (Qld. : 1923 - 1954), Friday 21 September 1928, page 26


Holy Name Cathedral

FOUNDATION STONE LAID.

BY PAPAL LEGATE.

Cardinal Cerretti, the Papal Legate, ar-

rived in Brisbane from Sydney last Friday night accompanied by members of the Australian Hierarchy and distinguished delegates from overseas, after a triumphal journey from, the border. Cardinal Cerretti and his party were driven through the crowded city streets to St. Stephen's Cathe-dral, where they were cordially welcomed by Archbishop Duhig.

80,000 PEOPLE AT FOUNDATION LAYING

CEREMONY.

Never before has such a gathering of high ecclesiastical dignitaries been witness-

ed in Queensland as that which assembled on Darra Hill, Brisbane; last Sunday after-noon for the blessing: and laying of the foundation stone by the Papal Legate of the new Roman Catholic Cathedral to be erected at a cost of nearly £1,000,000. Arch-bishops and Bishops from all parts of the world who had come to Australia for the Eucharistic Congress were present, and the

function took place in the presence of a crowd of 35,000 people. Under the founda-tion stone was placed, in a copper vessel,

earth from the catacombs of Rome and stone

from the tomb of the Popes, which was a

special gift from the Pope. Under a second

stone was placed some earth from Ireland. TRIBUTE TO QUEENSLAND'S FALLEN

SOLDIERS.

On Monday Cardinal Cerretti paid a tri-bute to Queenslanders who made the sup-reme sacrifice in the great war when, with great reverence, he placed a wreath upon the stone of remembrance at the Toowong cemetery. Cardinal Cerretti was accom-panied by the Archbishop of Sydney (Dr. Kelly), Archbishop Duhig, and Monsignor Curran, and the visitors were met at the cemetery gates by the Premier (Mr. Mc-Cormack), the Anglican Archbishop of Bris-bane (Dr. Sharp), and members of the Anzac Memorial Committee. After the

ceremony the last post was sounded by three buglers.

AMAZING UNDERTAKING.

When speaking at the laying of the found-ation stone of the Holy Name Cathedral on Sunday Cardinal Cerretti said the ceremony just performed was the most remarkable one ever held.in the southern hemisphere. They had blessed the foundation of the Cathedral, which, when completed, would compare favourably with the Roman Basilica and all other great Cathedrals throughout the world. All over the old world people stood and mar-

velled at the great Cathedrals in Italy, France, Spain, Germany, England and other countries. They stood in reverential wonder and were filled with dreams of joy unspeak-

POPE PIUS XI

able. Future generations entering this great city would experience the same domes crowning this Cathedral. Their undertaking was amazing, but he was confident that they

would see the building completed. He went on to say that the Pope was well informed of

the progress of Queensland and its schools, convents and parishes. Not only had His Holiness sent him as his personal represen-tative as Legate, but he had also sent a

precious gift to be used in the blessing of the foundations. He had sent some earth

from the catacombs of Italy and stones from the tomb of the Popes. He had thought they would realise the great privilege which His Holiness had passed on to them.

At the conclusion of the ceremony, which extended until 6 o'clock, many hundreds of people passed in procession before the

throne and laid their donations before His Eminence. A procession was then formed, with the Cardinal in full robes and mitre in the lead, and on the way back to All Hal-low's Convent, His Eminence blessed the assembled people. The procession was made in absolute silence and was remarkably im-pressive.

Dr. Duhig announced that collections with promises, at Sunday afternoon's func-tion totalled £20,000. The amount subscrib-ed to date, including promised donations, was £60,000.

MAYORAL WELCOME.

TheM ayor of Brisbane (Ald. Jolly), on Sunday afternoon, in welcoming His Emi-nence and the distinguished churchmen who had come to Brisbane said that aa Mayor of the city he esteemed it a privilege to be pre-sent to witness the historic ceremony. He congratulated the members of the Roman Catholic Church upon laying the foundation stone of the1new Cathedral which would be

an adornment to the city of Brisbane. He particularly congratulated. Dr. Duhig, to

whose vision, energy and enthusiasm it was largely due that they were there that day.

There were present representatives of every section of the community. Brisbane people

were happily free from sectarian bitterness which, after all, was as it should be. The new Cathedral was evidence that, while they were making progress materially, they, were

not neglecting the spiritual side of the com-munity.