It was the 1st Feb 1940 and a Eucharistic Congress was taking place in
New Zealand.
To mark this occasion Pius XII sent a radio message in English
addressed to this nation's Catholics inviting them to draw from the fountains of grace
in the Eucharistic ministry: "We rejoice", the Pope said, " that you are celebrating
the first century of the Catholic Church in New Zealand with a Eucharistic Congress.
In so doing, you announce your longing and your hope that Christ may rule over the
whole life of your nation, over the life of each one as over social life: that His
Spirit, His Will, His Word, may fill those who guide your destiny and make your laws
: that His Love may smooth out difficulties among you, and heal the wounds of the
past: that His Peace may descend upon your common life, and mercifully protect you
from the horrors of the war".... A programme produced by Veronica Scarisbrick for
the series: " A Scrap Book in Sound".