TRIBUTE TO LATE FATHER GILBERT.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 19238, 27 November 1930, Page 16

TRIBUTE TO LATE FATHER GILBERT.

SOLEMN REQUIEM MASS AT ST BEDE’S COLLEGE. With reverence and in sadness, pupils of St Bede’s College assembled 3*esterday morning at the College Chapel to pay their respects in the passing of their beloved rector, the Very Rev Father Gilbert, S.M. The celebration of Solemn Requiem Mass was the chief feature in a day of sadness in the life of the college, and it was fitting that opportunity should be given to the boys to honour their head in death as they had honoured him in life. The body lay in state before the altar, with the emblems of the priesthood on the lid of the coffin. Throughout the day, following the' celebration of Mass, the Chapel was visited by pupils, old boys, and clerg> r , who offered prayers for the repose of the late rector’s soul. To-day the body of. Father Gilbert will be laid to rest with all the solemn rites which the Catholic Church observes on the death of her sons of the sacred ministry. The celebrants at the Requiem were the Rev Father Burger, acting-rector, the Deacon, Father Blake, and the Sub-Deacon Father Daly. The Deacon and Sub-Deacon were the first two old boys of the college to be ordained priests. Father M. Dowling carried out the duties of Master of Ceremonies, in a devotional manner. The sad and impressive music of the Mass was rendered b\' a choir of pupils. Relatives of the late Father Gilbert were present and many visiting clerg\*. Bishop Brodie’s Tribute. The ceremony of the last Absolutions of the Dead was performed by Bishop Brodie. The text, “I have chosen 3*oll and appointed you that 3 r ou should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain,” was selected b3 r the Bishop for his sermon/ “How eloquently were these words fulfilled in the life of the rector of St Bede’s. Thomas Gilbert,” said the Bishop in his paneg\*ric. “He was chosen'by God to spend his life in the cause of Catholic education, and in the course of time his great talents as scholar, teacher and leader gained for him a foremost position among educationists. He did not labour in vain, but brought forth fruit in abundance. For over twent3 r 3 r ears he was engaged in the work of training Catholic 3'ouths, a work most dear to his heart, and one for which he was eminently' fitted by his talents and nobleness of character. No single man laboured more assiduousl>* or with greater success for the 3'outh of this fair land. And what was the secret of his success? Vh>* had he been called God to do this great work ? Why had he spent himself and gone down to an early grave in the service of God? It was due to his pietv. God chose him because with natural talent he combined piety* with noble devotion to his duty. He worked for no mere earthly reward; but it was a joy and a source of just pride for him to see the fruit of his labours, to see the boys pass from under his fatherly °are to go forth into the world to acquit themselves as true Catholic gentlemen should. His own example was ever an inspiration to others, and if the bo}-s would honour his memory they'- must follow his example. Therein would lie the highest honour to the dear and noble departed. Therein would lie the greatest profit to themselves.”

AT THE CATHEDRAL.

In the evening the body of Father Gilbert was conveyed from the College to the Cathedral in Barbadoes Street, arriving there at seven o’clock. At the entrance to the Cathedral the body was received by a group of surpliced clergy and conveyed inside the building to the Sanctuary' gates. The Rosary was said and the solemn Office of the Dead was chanted by the clergy, Bishop Brodie presiding. The body lay in state in the Cathedral during the night. Solemn High Requiem Mass will be celebrated at ten o’clock this morning prior to the departure of the funeral cortege from the Cathedral for the Waimairi Cemetery, where the burial will take place.