FROM THE ARCHIVES:The death of Pope Pius XII in 1958 sent Dublin into a state of mourning, as this front page report recorded. –
JOE JOYCE
WHILE SOLEMN Pontifical Requiem Mass was celebrated in the Pro-Cathedral, and special Requiem Masses in many other city churches, for the repose of the soul of the late Pope Pius XII, Dublin was a city of mourning yesterday.
Shops, offices, factories, public-houses, restaurants and other businesses were closed until the afternoon to enable the staffs to attend the Masses.
Most of the city schools were closed for the day, and thousands of children attended special children’s Masses. Cinemas and theatres were closed. In the main thoroughfares of the city, flags were flown at half-mast. Although Government offices remained open, the staffs were given permission to attend Mass.
The President, the Taoiseach, members of the Government and Diplomatic Corps and the Lord Mayor of Dublin, Councillor Mrs. Catherine Byrne, attended the main ceremony – the Solemn Pontifical Requiem Mass in the Pro-Cathedral. The Most Rev. Dr. J. C. McQuaid, Archbishop of Dublin and Primate of Ireland, was the celebrant.
Large crowds gathered at Marlboro street. Hundreds who failed to gain admission to the Pro-Cathedral followed the Mass from the precincts. Black and gold drapes hung from the pillars, and a black and gild draped catafalque, on which a golden replica of the papal tiara was placed, stood in front of the altar.
Distinguished public and diplomatic representatives occupied the centre of the Pro-Cathedral, and the side aisles were reserved for the public. The President and Mrs. O’Kelly, and the Taoiseach and Mrs. de Valera occupied prie dieux near the high altar. The Bishop of Nara, the Most Rev. Dr. Dunne, the Bishop of Bathurst, New South Wales, the Most Rev. Dr. Norton, members of the Dublin Diocesan Chapter, heads of religious orders and superiors of religious houses were in the sanctuary.
The Right Rev. Mgr. John Horgan, D.D., University College, Dublin, was deacon; the Very Rev. John Canon Kelly, P.P., D.D., Marino, sub-deacon, and the Right Rev. Mgr. Patrick Boylan, V.G., P.P., Dún Laoghaire, was assistant priest. The Rev. J.A. MacMahon, D.C.I., Archbishop’s House, was master of ceremonies.
The music was sung by the Dublin Priests’ Choir under the direction of the Rev. Brendan Lawless, C.C., Terenure. Mr. Oliver O’Brien, B.Mus., was at the organ. The attendance included several members of the judiciary and representatives of the business and professional life of the city.
Dublin deep sea dockers, and other port workers, assembled at the North Wall Extension at 9.30 a.m. and marched to City Quay Church and to St. Laurence O’Toole’s Church for Mass at 10 a.m. Several hundred employees of Messrs. Arthur Guinness, Son and Co. Ltd., attended Mass in St. James’s Church, James’s street. Solemn Requiem Mass was offered in the Franciscan Church, Merchants’ Quay at noon.
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