Media Advisory

18 May 2017

First World War Chalice Returns to Belgium Battlefield

The chalice of First World War chaplain Father James Joseph McMenamin will be handed over to New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) chaplains during a Mass at Sacred Heart Church, Petone […].

The NZDF will take to the chalice to Belgium where it will be used in services in Nieppe and Mesen/Messines as part of the commemorations to mark the centenary of New Zealand’s involvement in the Battle of Messines.

Members of the Lower Hutt Catholic community will travel to Belgium and attend the New Zealand commemorations and the commemorative services for Father McMenamin.

Father McMenamin, a New Zealand Expeditionary Force Catholic chaplain and Parish Priest of Sacred Heart, was killed while conducting battlefield burials near Messines on 8 June 1917. His chalice, a gift from the Petone parish, was returned to Sacred Heart Church in Petone, Lower Hutt. The chalice has been used during services ever since.

Sacred Heart Church, and the stained glass window positioned behind the altar, were dedicated to Father McMenamin when it was rebuilt in the 1930s. Archbishop Francis Redwood, Archbishop of Wellington 1887-1935, described Father McMenamin as a “great hero and a great Christian who died discharging his duties as a priest”.

A graveside service will take place at Nieppe Communal Cemetery at 4pm on 8 June in Nieppe, Belgium, followed by a Mass for Father McMenamin in St Nicholas’ Church, Mesen/Messines at 7.30pm.

New Zealand will mark its involvement in the Battle of Messines with two services on 7 June 2017. The National Commemorative Service will take place at Messines Ridge British Cemetery at 8am and the Sunset Ceremony will take place at the New Zealand Battlefield Memorial at 7.30pm. The New Zealand Defence Force will also take part in the Menin Gate Last Post ceremony in Ieper at 8pm on 6 June.

ENDS

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