By an open air altar, and with Archbishop King, Bishop of Portsmouth, listening, Field Marshal Viscount Montgomery speaks at the formal opening of the American Convent of St. Lucy at Mcdstead Manor.
SEVERAL hundred people gathered on Tuesday in the bright sunshine of a May even
ing for the opening and dedication of the Isabel Carden Griffin Foundation at Medstead in Hampshire, the first house in England of the Pontifical institute of St. Lucy.
Archbishop King. Bishop of Portsmouth. performed the ceremony and gave Benediction. A telegram of blessing was received from the Holy Father.
A telegram expressing regret that he was unable to be present was received from the Apostolic Delegate, Archbishop O'Hara.
Among the many distinguished people present were Field-Marshal Viscount Montgomery. the Duke of Wellington. Lord-Lieutenant of Hampshire, Sir Doughty and Lady 'I ichbourne. Mr. William Griffin, K.B.E., president of the EnglishSpeaking Union in the United States and donor of the convent in memory of his wife who died in 1954. Wing-Commander Gerald Constable Maxwell, of Alresford House, who opened the proceedings. and Fr. Martin D'Arcy, S.J.
Lord Montgomery, a close friend of Mr. Griffin and his late wife. said he had come to pay his tribute to a very noble lady who was a true friend.
" I understand." he continued. " that the work of the Sisters will mainly he concerned with teaching the young. Several things seem to me to be important in doing this. First, they have to give to the young a background of religious truth. Then there is the importance of the human approach, and finally the importance of impressing. upon them the principles of integrity, moral courage and enthusiasm."
Fr. D'Arcy said that the coming of the Sisters to England is a happy and providential occasion, and " we are grateful to Archbishop King. who has so welcomed them and taken them to his heart."