LATE FATHER RYAN.
THE FUNERAL.
[THZ PBZSa Special Scrrlea ] WELLINGTON, June 14. The funeral of the late Rev. Father B. J. Eyan, S.M., Ree:or of !» Patrick's College, took place today, and was very largely attended. The casket was brought from St. Patrick's to St. Mary of the Angels Church, Bouloott street, whore Solemn Requiem Mas? w:is celebrated. The church was crowded. Archbishop Redwood, Archbishop OShea, and a representative gathering of the Catholic clergy were present. The celebrant was the Rev. Dr. David Kennedy, Provincial of the Marist Order for Australia and New Zealand. The Rev. Father Connolly (Kilbirnie) was deacon, and the Rev. Father Robinson (Superior of the Redemptcrist Commcnity, Wellington) was sub-deacon. The Rev. Father Kennedy (St. Patrick's College) was Master of Ceremonies. The altar-boys were students of St. Patrick's College, and the choir consisted of college students. The chief mourners were the father and mother of the deceased, Mr and Mrs John Ryan, and the late Father Ryan's three sisters and two brothers. Speaking on the text. ''Blessed are the d ad who die in the Lord," the Rev. Father T. A. Gilbert, S.M., Rector of St. Bede's College, said they were met that morning for a very sad purpose. They were met to offer u> God a sacrifice of honour to His name for the repose of the soul of Bernard Ryan, a priest of the Society of Mary. They were met also to offer a aaerifl e of thanksgiving to God for a noble life, and they were met to honour the name and work of the departed priest. "Here was a man," said the preacher, "endowed by Nature with gifts beyond the ordinary—gifts of heart and gifts of mind. His natural gifts and the gifts of God made it possible for him in his younger days to give promise of great fruit, and that promise was not long in coming. And here only a few days ago this gifted man was using every part of his being in the work that God had given him. Cruel, indeed, would we have to regard this tragic death, were it not that we know that even the least of God's creatures u in His keeping, and surely in such a tragedy as this there must be some noble purpose in death, as there was certainly a noble purpose in life, and today you, my dear boys of the eollege, have brought him home—home here to the Church of St. Mary, the Church of his baptism, the church of his childhood, and you, his best beloved nearest relatives, have brought him sorrowfully and lovingly here to-day." The prer.cher then referred to the guiding loyalty to Christ of the deceased and his decision to be a member of the priesthood. It was that loyalty that made him the success he had been. To that loyalty was added another loyalty —that of the pride and devotion he had in his chosen profession as a Catholic teacher. Ajd many a time it was his boast that Be woold not have chosen another, for he felt that in being a priest and a teacher he had the noblest of loyalties to guide and raise him. These ideals made him one of whom they were all proud. Never did a man put more of his best and his noblest into his work than did Bernard Ryan in the fulness of his life. He lived in affection for his schooL Anything that touched its honour touched him. Anything that brought eredit to the school of his childhood brought honour and pride to him. His memory would be a tradition of St. Patrick's College, and although he had gone from us his name and influence would live as a Benediction as long aa the old school remained. "Therefore, while we thank God for a generous life, and a noble death, while we honour the mortal remains of a man respected by every section in the community, let ns as Catholic* remember that it is our duty and our privilege to extend to him whom we have loved, the charity of our prayers. May he and the souls of the faithful departed in God's mercy rest in everlasting peace." At the conclusion of the Mass absolution was given by hia Grace Arch* bishop Redwood and the Dead March in "Saul" was played as the monrnera left the church The cortege then moved off to Karori Cemetery, via Lambton Quay. Archbishop O'Shea conducted the service at the graveside.
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Bibliographic details
Press, Volume LXV, Issue 19646, 15 June 1929, Page 5
Word Count
750LATE FATHER RYAN. Press, Volume LXV, Issue 19646, 15 June 1929, Page 5
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