Journey with the Archivist
While entering accessions into our electronic catalogue, this record caught my eye- A4023 – Eugene O’Sullivan 1 Correspondence to Eugene O’Sullivan from James K Baxter. Photo from https://nzhistory.govt.nz/media/photo/james-k-baxter-1971 James K Baxter was a poet I remember reading and hearing stories about. For those unfamiliar with him here is some information from Wikipedia- James Keir Baxter (29 June 1926 – 22 October 1972) was a New Zealand poet and playwright. He was also known as an activist for the preservation of Māori culture. He is one of New Zealand’s most well-known and controversial literary figures. He was a prolific writer who produced numerous …
Read More about A controversial literary figure…
On 24 April 1976, Bishop Patrick Dunn was ordained to the priesthood by Bishop John Mackey.. The Pompallier Centre held a morning tea to celebrate the occasion of his golden jubilee and Bishop Steve presented letters of congratulations, including a letter from Pope Leo XIV. Last week Bishop Pat transferred the letter to the archive. As Bishop Pat is now our emeritus bishop, his records are already in the care of the archive. So it made sense for him to send this letter to us for safe keeping straight away. From the Archives – Congratulations Bishop Pat
A book that has travelled from across time and the world now rests in the Auckland Catholic Diocese Archives. In 1844, an Irish Catholic and leader in the Wellington community presented Bishop Pompallier with a Book of Hours dating back to the 16th century. A Book of Hours was a popular medieval Christian devotional book, featuring prayers for specific times of day. Our book is one of two brought to New Zealand by Walter Mantell in 1840. Mantell gave one book to John Fitzgerald in 1842 who then gifted it to Pompallier. It is in Latin and French and includes …
Read More about The Mantell Book of Hours
Before being ordained in 1970, William Jordan served with distinction in WWII. Here is his obituary from the Zealandia in 1983. We also have a copy of his military record. Here is the citation for the Military Cross- William Jordan wrote of his experiences during the war – published in 1969.
In April 1850 Pompallier returned from a trip to Europe. He left New Zealand in 1847 as Vicar Apostolic and returned as Bishop. The Auckland Diocese was formed in 1848. Here is the first page of his pastoral letter issued on his return home. His focus on peace is particularly apt for this time. At Easter, Pompallier would have celebrated the Easter mass using this missal. The Roman Missal is the book containing the prescribed prayers, chants and instructions for the celebration of Mass. We know that he used this missal as his signature is on the inside cover. The …
Read More about Easter 1850
As well as archives and ephemera relating to bishops, priests and religious, Auckland Catholic Diocesan Archive holds some items relating to significant lay people who have contributed to the diocese. While entering accession records I came across an unusual item – a conductor’s baton. The engraving reads: Presented to Mr P F Hiscocks Conductor St Patrick’s Cathedral Choir By Members and Friends In Grateful Recognition Of his valuable services 25-12-93 Further research discovered more information about the Hiscocks family The Month, November 1931, pg. 33 In the collection are two compositions written by Harry, the organist.
Pope Leo XIV has proclaimed a special Jubilee Year coinciding with the 800th anniversary of the death of St. Francis of Assisi, OSV News reports. In 1926 the Church in New Zealand celebrated the 700th anniversary. Here is the front page from the Month, a journal founded by Bishop Cleary. The Franciscan friars first arrived in New Zealand in 1860. Here is the story of that foundation from the Month in 1929. Vaggioli’s History is part of the Auckland Catholic Diocese Collection (POM 40-2) Here is part of the table of contents- Here is a copy of the original list …
Read More about 800th anniversary of the death of St. Francis of Assisi
The Treaty of Waitangi exists in both English and Te Reo. Bishop Pompallier wrote of the importance of learning both English and Te Reo in his account of the mission. Bishop Pompallier Early History of the Catholic Church in Oceania 1888 p. 36 The absolute necessity of a knowledge of Te Reo, or Māori as referred to by Pompallier, is reflected in the Auckland Catholic Diocese Archive collection, and in my opinion some of the most significant items in our collection are the early printed items in Te Reo. There are the Catholic catechisms that I have referred to in …
Read More about Waitangi Day – the importance of Te Reo for the early missionaries