Archivist

This week I decided to include three hymn books as part of the Archive collection  as they link to the 1840 publication of Ako Marama and illustrate regional differences in this national Catholic anthem Mo Maria. In the 1970s the dioceses of Christchurch, Auckland and Wellington produced hymnals which included the legendary hymn Mo Maria, written by Bishop Pompallier and published in Ako Marama. This is the Christchurch publication Tenei Matou. Here is the Auckland version in Sing to the Lord. There are slight variations in the tune and in the rhythm. When the Wellington diocese printed their hymn book …
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The fifth Bishop of Auckland was a Benedictine from England. Between 1879 and 1882 George Lenihan was in Spain at the English College of Valladolid completing his studies for the priesthood. He returned for a visit in 1909 and was the first alumnus of the college in 300 years to preside as Bishop at Mass there (See Founders and Keepers by Nicholas Reed, 2011) Linkedin is a great way to make contact with colleagues around the world. I received a message from a New Zealander working as an Archivist in Ireland: …..just thought I’d pass on an interesting portrait I’ve …
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The archives have a series of trowels presented to various bishops at the commencement of important buildings. Here are three of the trowels and photographs of the building from the photograph collection. The inscription on the trowel: Presented to His Lordship Bishop Luck on the occasion of laying the Foundation Stone of St Patrick’s Cathedral Auckland May 1884 The inscription on the trowel:   Corner Stone All Souls Devonport Laid by Bishop Cleary Feb 16th 1919 Inside Devonport Church pre 1926 now known as St Francis de Sales and All Souls Inscription on trowel Presented to His Lordship Bishop Liston …
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A monstrance is an open or transparent receptacle in which the consecrated Host is displayed for veneration and benediction. This photograph is from the centenary celebrations of the Auckland Diocese in 1938. The monstrance is being raised for Benediction of the crowd. The celebrations took place in the Auckland Domain.   The archives has a collection of monstrances that have been transferred due to damage, updating or missing pieces. Here is a closer look at some of the items in the collection.         The most important monstrance in our collection is this sliver monstrance that was given …
Read More about Monstrance – an amazing collection of designs and sizes….

Last ANZAC day the blog highlighted items of Bishop Cleary, chaplain during World War I. This year we are highlighting items in the collection from two of our World War II chaplains Fr John Pierce Fr James Henley Fr James Henley, born 10 September 1903, ordained 1926. He joined the army soon after the outbreak of the Second World War and went on to become the longest serving chaplain of any denomination. Fr Henley served in the Dunedin Diocese but retired to Auckland. He died in 1981 We have his portable alter. Fr John Pierce, born 2 July 1910, ordained …
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Last week I had the opportunity to drive a minibus of pilgrims to significant sites in Northland from the beginnings of the Catholic Church in New Zealand. This gave me a deeper appreciation for items in the collection, where they had been, where they were written and the places they describe. Here are some of sites and the items in the collection that relate to them. Totara Point The site of the first mass celebrated by Bishop Pompallier. The mass was celebrated in the home of Thomas and Mary Poynton on January 13 1838. We have his travelling altar and …
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Ash Wednesday, 5 March saw the completion of two projects for the archives. In the afternoon Bishop Steve blessed Ronald Morris’ grave 102 years after his death. You can read more of Ronald’s story and how the headstone came to be here –https://www.aucklandcatholic.org.nz/2024/10/29/all-souls-day-1-november-remembering-ronald-morris/ The blessing was attended by staff of the Pompallier centre and four Sisters of Mercy, one of whom talked about how her own father had been admitted to St Joseph’s Orphanage at the age of 4 in the same year as the fire. We talked about archives holding the traces of those marginalised and powerless in our …
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Our General Manager recently heard a story about one of the items in our collection and asked if it could be put on display for the Jubilee year. The item was the pectoral cross that was worn by Bishop Luck. Bishop Luck On 11 May 1902 Mother Mary MacKillop suffered a stroke while in Rotorua. The events of this time are narrated in a letter from Sr Patricia Campbell to Sr La Merci Mahony. Saint Mary MacKillop           The Bishop Referred to is Bishop George Lenihan. He had accompanied Bishop Luck from England to New Zealand …
Read More about A symbol for the Jubilee Year: Pilgrims of Hope