A PRIEST’S BURIAL.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXIV, Issue 945, 15 December 1933, Page 7

A PRIEST’S BURIAL.

Bishop Celebrates Mass at St Mary’s. The solemn obsequies that attend j the burial of a priest of the Roman Catholic Church were enacted Mary's, Manchester Street, when Solemn Pontifical High Mass was celebrated for the repose of the soul of the Rev Father James Hickson, S.M. Father Hickson, who has been attached to St Mary's parish for several years past, died in Lewisham Hospital on Tuesday. “ Now Father Hickson has come to the end of his priestship, to the end of a life that has done much for God —a priest, finishing his earthly career, has gone before the High Priest to receive his Heavenly reward." Using these words, his Lordship Bishop Brodie spoke from the altar in praise of the late Father Hickson. Father Hickson, he said, had been 48 years in the religious life, 39 years as a priest. He spoke with particular feeling because of the hallowed association he himself had had with the departed priest. Thirty-seven years before, when the speaker had approached his ordination Mass, he had been fortunate in having the help of Father Hickson as his assistant priest. Father Hickson had been a devoted priest, and his fixity of purpose and determination had been evident even in his declining years.

The funeral was very largely attended, St Mary’s Church being packed to the doors with mourners, and a long cortege followed the hearse to the Linwood Cemetery. Mass was celebrated by Bishop Brodie. who had assisting him the Rev Dr Kennedy as assisting priest. Fathers J. Roach, S.M., as deacon, P. Timoney, as sub-deacon, M. Dowling, as master of ceremonies, and B. Blake, S.M.. as assistant master of ceremonies. Priests representing every parish, including the Rev Fathers H. M’Donald and P. Smyth, of Wellington, were present, and following the Mass formed a guard of honour outside the doors of the church. Representatives of the Marist Brothers, and of the Mission, Nazareth, Lewisham, Mercy, and Good Shepherd orders of sisters were also in attendance. Messrs H. M'Keown, J. Walsh, D. NiettoHollander, J. Fay. P. Young and L. Moss acted as pall-bearers.