Historical information

The photograph shows Cardinal MacRory in full regalia accompanied by diginitaries walking beside a crowd of mostly women in an open garden setting. This event was one of the many that took place during the National Eucharistic Congress which took place from Sunday 2 to Sunday 9 December 1934. An initiative of the Roman Catholic Church, it was their contribution to Melbourne’s Centenary Celebrations. 200,000 Catholics resided in Melbourne at this time – one quarter of the city’s population. While the Congress was aimed at Catholics, and acted as an opportunity to reinforce their living faith and homage, it contained a variety of events of splendour, solemnity and significance designed to appeal to Melbournians, and would additionally provide incentive for people to travel to Victoria, thereby creating an economic benefit to the state.

Physical description

Glass plate negative

Inscriptions & markings

Photographer notations on slide: Cardinal MacRory at Convent of Sacre Coeur B61