FUNERAL HELD OF FATHER GILBERT.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 19238, 27 November 1930, Page 9

FUNERAL HELD OF FATHER GILBERT.

SOLEMN REQUIEM MASS AT THE CATHEDRAL. The funeral of the late Rev Father T. A. Gilbert, Rector of St Bede’s College, took place to-day at Waimairi Cemetery, after Solemn Requiem Mass at the Cathedral. The cortege was one of the longest seen in Christchurch. A crowded congregation witnessed the Mass at the Cathedral, where Bishop Brodie pronounced an eloquent eulogy of the life of the late rector. The route from the Cathedral to the hearse was lined by scholars and members of church schools and other organisations. Bishop's Panegyric. In his panegyric at the Requiem Mass, Bishop Brodie said that they had assembled to unite in prayer for the eternal repose of the soul of Rev Father Thomas Gilbert, late rector of St Bede’s College. “ ‘Blessed is he whom, when the Lord shall come, He shall find so doing.' I wish to apply these words in an especial manner to the closing years of Father Gilbert’s life. Early in 1929 Father Gilbert was appointed by religious obedience to be rector of St Bede’s College. My close association with his work enabled me to see his remarkable gifts, his unbounded zeal, his whole-souled devotion to his work. His one ambition seemed to be ‘to spend himself and to be spent in the service of souls, especially in the interests of Catholic education.' I will refer to one eventful day, but yet a typical day in his active life, November 24, 1929, when he had the joy of seeing the solemn opening of the devotional new college chapel at St Bede’s. Day and night he had supervised the work of construction, guiding, by his artistic taste, .every step leading to the effectiveness of the whole structure. Many Activities. “Yet this was only one of his many activities; his duties as rector of the college prompted him to widen his sphere of helpfulness. The Newman Society for the guidance of Catholic university students was his own foundation, the Summer School of Catholic Studies at Timaru was under his special direction, he was in close association ■with the Golden Jubilee celebrations of the Convent of the Sacred Heart at Timaru. Most important of all, at that very same time, he had been appointed by the Catholic Hierarchy to be their representative to compile a statement of the Catholic education position with a view to placing it before the Parliamentary Recess Education Committee. These duties he discharged to the complete satisfaction of the Hierarchy and with the greatest credit to himself. “It can readily be realised that the religious and social functions in connection with the opening of the college chapel, associated with such a remarkable accumulation of other activities, proved too great a strain, and brought on a seizure caused by a rupture of a blood vessel on the brain, an indication that his strength had been overtaxed, and an unwelcome symptom which told his medical adviser that the future, from the health point of view, was,not promising. An Undaunted Will. “However, after a short rest, Father Gilbert resumed work, passing through periods of extreme weakness and suffering spasms of intense pain, his great heart and undaunted will sustaining him through all. For the last three months he had to seek rest, and his strength gradually failed until November 24, 1930, the anniversary of the opening of the college chapel, when his earthly life came to its close. A faithful son of the Society of Mary had persevered to the end in his loyalty to his loved institute; a devoted servant had fulfilled his mission; a champion in the cause of Catholic education had given his life in the work so dear to his heart. Of such a death it may be said, ‘Blessed be that servant whom, when the Lord shall come, He shall find so doing.’ “As Bishop of the Diocese of Christchurch, I convey my sincerest sympathy to .the staff and students of St Bede’s College; as the death of martyrs has l>een the seed of Christians, may the death of their revered rector be an augury of the richest blessings in the future of the college. To the Superiors, Very Rev Father Provincial and all the Fathers of Mary my sympathy goes out, my prayer will be that God will compensate for this loss by renewed and redoubled blessings on all the activities of the society. I offer my thanks to all kind friends who have shown such kind sympathy at the death of Father Gilbert.” REQUIEM MASS AT AUCKLAND CATHEDRAL. (Special to the “Star.”) AUCKLAND, November 27. A Requiem Mass for the repose of the soul of the late Father Gilbert was celebrated at St Patrick’s Cathedral this morning. It was arranged by the Auckland branch of the St Patrick’s College Old Boys’ Association. There was a large congregation, including the staff and students of the Sacred Heart College. The celebrant was Father O'Leary, the deacon the Rev Dr Buxton (Adm.), the sub-deacon Father M’Grath, S.M., and the Master of Ceremonies Father Menardall, S.M. A choir of city clergy sang the Mass.