THE LATE CHAPLAIN M’MENAMIN.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17529, 12 July 1917, Page 3

THE LATE CHAPLAIN M’MENAMIN.

REQUIEM MASS CELEBRATED,

TRIBUTE BY BISHOP BRODIE.

A solemn requiem mass for the reposo of the soul of the late Chaplain Al’Alenamin was conducted at the Roman Catholic Cathedral yesterday morning by Bishop Brodie, practically the wholn of the clergy of the diocese participating in the service. There was a very large congregation. Bishop Brodie took his text from St John xvii., 4, “I have glorified Thee on earth; I have finished the work that Thou gavest mo to do.” He said that he had sometimes asked himself whether the priests of .to-day would emulate the example of those, chaplains of whom veterans of the old wars spoke with such deep affection. -There was-n story of ono chaplain who when found in the fighting lino by the commanding officer said" he had promised the men lie would bo with them in danger and with them in death. The question had been answered in the present- war. There was no longer any question that the present generation of Catholic priests were, acquitting themselves us nobly as those craplairs who had gone before. Of the New Zealand priests, Father M’Menamiu was tiie first to make the supreme sacrifice in the cause of duty and religion. Father M’Mena-, min was early placed under the duty of supporting his parents, and the call to the priesthood bad for a time to be deferred to tho call of duly to hri family. However, young M’Menumin was enabled to take up his studies f t the Holy Cross College, Mosgiel, and was ordained in 1909. God had speci-

ally fitted him for tho work of a chaplaiu not only by Ins holy office as a priest but by his natural gifts. He was an accomplished musician, and a man who readily made friends. After the Gallipoli campaign Father MjMenamin was practically a physical wreck, but after a rest in New Zealand his strength camp back, and with the permission of his ecclesiastical superiors he went out again, to England, as Now Zealand’s senior Catholic chaplain. Ho had gone to Franco, and ho had paid the supreme sacrifice of his devotion to duty, His men were separated into two divisions, and on the eve of a Vreat battle lie conducted a three days’ mission in each division to prepare his men for death. These were the last missions lie was to conduct on earth. It might be said of him, “ A worthy priest, a worthy chaplain. Well done thou good and faithful servant.”