ORATION DELIVERED AT THE FUNERAL OF THE VERY REV. FATHER FOREST. S.M.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XII, Issue 26, 17 October 1884, Page 22

ORATION DELIVERED AT THE FUNERAL OF THE VERY REV. FATHER FOREST. S.M.

The following is a verbatim report of the funeral sermon preached by the Very Rev. Father Sauzeau, S.M., in St. Mary's Church, Napier, on Wednesday, October 1, in connection with the obsequies of the late Very Rev. Father Forest, S.M., who died at Napier on Sunday, 28th September, in the 80th year of his age. The report has been kindly furnished to this journal by Mr. John W. McOougsll, of the Sa'Kke'i Bay Herald staff : —

'• As my Father hath sent me, I also send you." Here, my dear brethren, in the midst of us, in this decorate! church.— a church that hai been many times adorned by the zeal and virtues of the late ttev. Father Forest — lies his mortal body in this coffin. His last remains lie where he worked in life, and are but waiting to be carried to their last abode. They are surrounded and covered with flowers fit emblems of his virtue, and testimonies also of the gratitude, love, and respect of all his spiritual children and of so many others to whom that term does noc apply. Chateaubriand, my dear brethren, a great French writer, says, " Come and see a just man and a Christian dying." Now I say to you, ' Come and see a great man first live, and then die in the midst of yon ; a Christian man, a holy priest, and a moat zealous supporter of the Chu-ch." Our Lord said to bis disciples "As my Father hath sent me, I also send you.*' Every one of us has a vocation. From the moment we are born we are destined for some certain work in this world. Let us see, my dear brethren, how your late reverend pastor wa3 called to the ministry ; how also he had fulfilled the duties of the priesthood among you ; how also he has finished his career on earth. The late Rev. Father Forest was born near Lyons, in France, on the 31st of October, 1801. He was born of a patriarchal family living in the neighbourhood of Lyons, more favoured with grace and with Christian virtues than with fortune, although they enjoyed sufficie «t prosperity to enable them to bring up their children properly. Bding brought up by a Christian father and mother, he had- before his eyes examples of ■virtue, and received lessons which still further led him in the paths of virtue. Soon, like David, he was sent to watch over the flock belonging to the family, and then, by degrees, the vocation Almighty God had called him to, was rooted, germinated, and went on to perfection. The youth Jean Forest, after receiving lessons of virtue from his parents, was sent to a primary school, as a preparation for the Christian seminary. There, my dear brethren, he began at once to show himself what he has been ever since through life— firm and determined in the way of duty. He shunned always all those of his companions who were less disposed to virtue than he was and who otherwise might perhaps have misled him, by their example aad conversation. After being for some time in this school, a model and example for all his companions, he was s-nt to the seminary. There he prepared himself by the study of theology and philosophy for the discharge of his priestly duties, and there alsi, my dear brethren, he learned that solidity of doctrine, that soundness and clearness of spirituality which have been many times admired in him by you, his people. The late Father Forest, as is known to you, always preached with soundness and soi liity of doctrine, and that is seen best by the stale of the people here who knew him, and were brougnt up by him, and who as a result know so well their religious duties. By thisyou will know that the late Father Forest when he was yet in the seminary, and before the priesthood, prepared himself by the practice of virtue to afterwards fulfil the duties of his vocation. He was ordained priest at last on the 6th of June, 1830, by the Archbishop of Lyons, He had prepared himself for this great dignity, and then, my dear brethren, when he received the grace of ordination, he heard the wordß that our Saviour said to His Apostles, "As my Father hath sent me, I also send you." The late Father Forest undertook the duties of the priesthood with generous zeal. He was at first sent for some time to a small parish, where he fulfilled his vocation with z ;al and energetic conscientiousness. He well looked after the charge entrusted to his care, and worked zealously to lead his people under the guidance of their parish priest to heaven. He also undertook the work of catechist, a duty which he fulfilled with zeal and success till the end of his life. After having worked for a few years in this part of the vineyard in which Almighty God had placed him. he heard the voice of God saying, "Go and preach to all nations, bapt : zing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost." The field in which he was was too narrow, too small for hia zeal. Gregory 16th, looking on the map of the world, saw that most of the nations of the earth had already received the good news of the Gospel. But he saw that the people of the lands on the map of Oceanica had never had the faith preached to them there, so he sent priests to preach to these people the good news. The Society of Mary, to which the late Reverend Forest belonged which, in fact, he was one of the founders of, and in which he made his profession — had entrusted to it these missions in the South seas, and Father Viard and others had been already sent to these ebores to preach the Gospel. At the end of the year 1841 the late Father Forest waß sent by hi* superiors of the Society of Mary, with the Reverend Father Beignier, Father Lampila (not then a priest), Father Grange, Father Chanel and others. Father Chanel was killed at Futuna shortly after his arrival in Oceanican, and so reaped the crown of martyrdom at tbe beginning of the mission. Father Forest landed at Wellington in April, 1842, after being many months at Bea. Navigation was not then so easy and so certain as it in now, aud a proof of the difference will be gathered from the fact, that the party, though bound for Nelson, had to call in at Wellingt n to find out the way where they wanted to go to. Ihe party afterwards directed their course to Auckland, the voyage to that place lasting many days, owing to the boisterous weather encountered Upon arrival at Auckland the party were received with great kindness by the handful of Catholics already there. Father Foreßt was anxious to place himself under the guidance and direction of Bishop Viard who wan then residing at the Bay of Islands, and there they went' remaining here about 15 months. Great were their privations and

sufferings. Before leaving for New Zealand the party placed a sum of money in a London Bank. The bank failed, and of conrse their money was lost, and for months these poor priests had to submit to great privation aud suffering. Our life, my dear brethren, is like a river. Sometimes it flows on smoothly through rich and level places and at other times through rocky and precipitous country. Sj it wa* with the late Father Forest. Sometimes he experienced ease and facility in the discharge of his ministry, and at other times he suffered great privatious. When they were in Auckland, or rather in the Bay of Islands, these poor priests bad great trouble and difficulty in providing for themselves a mis arable existence. So they took advice given by Father Forest, and dispersed themselves throughout the islands, in order that they might do more good, and also find for themeives means of subsistence. Father Forest's lot was Auckland, he being entrusted with the mission there. Great difficulty was experienced for some time. The priests were poor, having hardly any means at all, and they spoke the English language very imperfectly, and they also had many other obstacles thrown in their way. For some time they were compelled to cook their scanty provisions in a small bell, which they used to fi<c up over a few stones for a fireplace ; and yet, my dear brethren, the work commence i under such difficulty was greatly blessed by Almighty God. Never, my dear brethren, pay mach regard to work that is commenced all at once, as it were, or that is commenced without tribulation. By tribulation Almighty God shows us thab the ultimate success of a work is his own, and not His minister's work. Before Father Forest had been long in Auckland, aud as soon as an effort could be made, he looked around, md saw the children running in the streets without education. He remembered that our Lord, when one day the little children were brought to Him by their mothers, blessed and caressed them with great delight— partly because of their purity, and pirtly because they would be, as it were, the support of the Church in after days. And so Father Forest, as soon as possible, erected schools, and afterwards convents, where the children were given a good, sound, aad religious education. Then he erected in Auckland what was for some time a temporary Church. But, my dear brethren, the late Rev. Father Forest was devoured, a 9 it were, with aeai for the house^ of God, and, of course, could not think of having a house to enjoy for < himself whilst his Lord and Master was, so to speak, houseless in the place. Soon Father Forest infused the fire of his own zeal into the breasts of his people, and soon was laid in Auckland the foundation of tbe present St. Patrick's Cathedral, the first church dedicated to ths great Apostle of Ireland that has been built in this Colony. When the church was being built, and as me ins were limited, Father Forest himself laboured as a workman, until, when he was one day lifting a stone, he hurt himself so seriously that he was given np for a long time, and it was thought that he would never recover at all. By the blessing of Almighty God, however, he recovered, and returned to his priestly duties. For many years Father Forest remained in charge of the city of Auckland, and now that he is dead, the people of Auckland, by a telegram sent through their head priest, testified their sweet remembrance of his holy memory. The telegram referred to the misfortune sustained by Napier in the taking away of Father Forest, and was a tribute to his memory and his usefulness. After staying some yoara in Auckland, Father Forest went to Wellington when that new diocess was formed by the Holy See. It was found that to aid tha faith and to implant it in the South Island, it was necessary that a diocese should be formed at Wellington— the late Dr. Viard afterwards bishop of the Wellington diocese, being sent there to administer it. A few miles from Wellington there is a small place in a beautiful little valley, and called the Hutt. In that place the Hon. Mr. Petre had settled, and had gathered around him a number of Oitholics. For a long time Mass used to be celebrated at this little sattlement by Father O'Reilly, of Wellington, but a resident priest was petitioned for, and Father Forest was sent m response to the application. As soon as he found himself at the head of a new pariah he begged of Almighty God to help him t j lead his people ia the right wav of salvation. He worked there as he had done everywhere, and fulfilled his duties as priest with the greatest regularity. Always, when he was in go id health, he rose early in the morning, anl made j his meditaton and priyer, and every day of his life, unless prevented by sickness, he celebrated the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, to call|down the blessing of Almighty God npon himsalf, bis works, and his spiritual children. Oh! my dear brethren, how many times he has knelt down before tbe holy altar of God, there to commend all big people, and especially to commend poor sinners, that they might see their wretched state, and, like the prodigal son, return to thek* heavenly Father, and be? mercy and forgiveness. A short time afteft Father Forest came to the Hutt, he opened a eohool there for the benefit of the children. He knew well that without the school, humanly speaking, the church was not much good, because unless the schools j are near the church, and the children are brought up in tbe rudiments of religion, they will not be of much use to the Church afterwards. So he, of course, considered that the schools were as necessary as the church itself, so to speak, and the school was built. Then before long a beautiful little chnrch was erected, where divine servica was celebrated every Sunday and holiday, and Mass every day of the year. The people who had the happiness of being under "the spiritual guidance of Father Forest testified to his zeal and to his great care and prudence, and admired him for his counsel and advice to those under his direction. He was always in the church on Saturday and on the days before festivals to hear the confessing of his people, to prepare them for the worthy celebiation of the festivals. In the discharge of his priestly duties he did not spare himself at all. Like a good pastor he was ready to lay down his life for his flock. Our Master Himself laid down Hib life for us all, and many of His faithful priests, sent by Him, have not spared their lives, but have reckoned them, as i". were, nothing at all. These priesis are those who are only satisfied so that they may procure the salvation of the goals entrusted to their care. Father Forest was one of these. Now he Hutt, thongh a beautiful place, is rather damp, and» there the late Father contracted a serious illness which obliged hioi to abandon

for a time, his dear flock. He was sent by the Bishop for a time to Kelson, where he was cared for by friends. It was afterwards found necessary to seek a change of air and he was sent to Sydney, and there his health and strength were renewed. He conld not remain long idle, for he was anxious to return to his work of caring for souls, so he came back to Wellington. He then wrote to the Rev? Father Reiemer, who was the first apostle of this province of Hawke's Bay. Father Beignier had'built a little church, the first built in Hawke's Bay. Father Forest wrote, asking if he could be found work here, and in response to Father Reignier's letter the dear Father came to Napier. He was entrusted with the charge of the town. He lived for a time partly ma private house, and partly in the sacristy of the church, in which he cooked his own provisions. In this part of his life also, my dear brethren, it Would be difficult to realize his privations. It is difficult, looking at the progress that has been made in New Zealand, to realize what difficulties the aposties and pioneers of the faith had to put up with in the early days of the mission. In Napier when the late Father Forest came ,*he found only a handful of civilian Catholics. There were, however, the soldiets in the barracks, and they showed love and respect for Father Forest and helped him to form his little mission-station, as he used to call it. From the moment he took charge of Napier he threw himself body and soul into the work, for the dear Father never did things by halves, and his zeal had no measure at all. In 1861 he founded the first Catholic school in this town. The school was held in ffif I'tt?f,?burch1 ' tt ?f,? burch where now th e Marist Brothers have their school. The building was then used as a church on Sundays and as a school on week-days. A short time afterwards he found it necessary to establish the convent, where the little girls might receive a Christian education, and be fitted for their dnties in the world. So the Sisters of the Missions were sent for by the dear Father, and they lived in the convent, from which so many blessinga have been showered down SREs^fi Pe °f P^ \ will never be able, my dear brethren, to sufficiently thank your late Rev. pastor for the blessings he baß been the means of showering upon you, and for the works he has established in this place. The convent having been built for the girls, the little boys required educating. So the new church was erected, and the little church was transformed into 4ftw boyBUn v e u rt ]' e J? b ! e direction of thejMarist Brothers. When that was accomplished Father Forest was used to say : « I can die ra peace now ; I have done my work, and have given to my people a good church where they can come and pray and hear the word of God andreceive the sacraments of the Church. My people fhTwlS^ »O» O K gO °l £Ch £ft undert aegnidance of the Brothers and Jw V?^ f I ?? < ?v! ldr^ ll can receive not only all tQ e learning that can be taught in _ the Government schools, but where they art also grounded m religion and in virtue." The Right Rev. Dr. Moran was Administrator of the Diocese after the death of Dr. Viard. When Dr. Moran officially visited this Parish the Bishop stated that he had examined every thing in the parish carefully. He told how he admixed the beautiful little church ;so clean, so tidy, so well kept ; and he said after inspecting the schools: "I am delighted with everything I have seen m this parish " This testimony showed how truly the late Father Forest was a faithful priest. During the years he remained m this place he made many converts, and was always ready to offer consolation to those who had recourse to him. Ah ! how many came to him with broken hearts and were comforted ; how many were quietly assisted by the worthy Father ; how many were able to renew their peace of conscience in the Sacrament of S^s V, a jf. ho " many , comforted by the zealous preaching of the Word of God! The work of Father Forest will not die with him. His work will preach f( r him, now that he himself has gone. After many generations— when this genenation has passed away and succeeding ones also— the words of the good Father will speak of the prudence, the zeal, and the virtues exemplified by him. After Father Forest had been several years in charge of Nrpier. he was entrusted for some time with the administration of the diocese, but he was always anxious to return to his "dear little station," as he used to call it. But I must come to a conclusion, my dear brethren: I must now view him on his death-bed. About twelve months ago he felt his health fniling, and although struggling manfully and not sparing himself at all, he bad at last to write to the Bishop saying, « I feel lam done ; I cannot work and shall have to be replaced. He tried to do what he could, but at last he had to enter upon that complete repose from which he never again rose. He was seized by his last illness, and knew it, and did not attempt to deceive himself. As soon as he lay down, he said :" I shall never get up again. But as the soldier ;as the captain who must fight valiantly, he was ready to surrender his life, and was resigned to the will of Almighty God. "Thy will be done," he said; "and not I mine ; and although for a long time he suffered very much yet he did not complain, neither did he murmur at all. Looking now and then upon the crucifix he recommended himself to the Blessed Virgin, for whom he had always great devotion, and thus he bore the long days and nights of his sufferings with fortitude. He was treated with great care and kindness by those around him, and especially by your beloved pastor the good father successor, and by the Sisters, and by father Cassidy and by those around him generally. Yet his days and his nights must have been long, tedious, and wearying indeed, being never without pain, but suffering with patience. Like St. Martin, he did not refuse to remain, but was also ready to depart into nia eternal house. He had no presumption. He had no doubt been guilty of some human frailties, but he trusted in the mercy of Almighty God. He hoped in the Lord and knew that he would not be confounded. And so he lay patiently waiting for his last moments, and by degrees, they came although they must have seemed long delayed to the poor sufferer. At last the cold hand of death came. A short time before the good Father died he received the last sacraments of the Church with great piety and devotion. Then, my dear brethren, he edified all those present by begging forgiveness from any whom he might have offended during his life, and then he said ; " Ask forgiveness for me from all my people." He went on to say, " I may have offended unintentionally, I may have unwillingly been a little hard upon some of them, beg of them also to forgive me.'

He was told, of course, that be bad no enemies in the world and that all were only anxious to remember the great good he had done for his people, and that all these knew how good his intentions had ever been. He continued to practise the virtue of patience, and prayed for his people until his last moment came. The day before his death he renewed his vows of religion and recited many prayers. These he recited in his heart and not aloud, because he could not pronounce them distinctly. So, sweetly and gently, last Sunday, at abont 10 minutes to 7 o'clock in the morning, he breathed his last quietly and like a child who goes to sleep on the bosom of bis mother. He had heard, no doubt, the angel of God breathe into his ear the words, " Come, good and faithful servant— Well done. You have suffered much during your life, but have fought manfully and courageously. You have been faithful to your Lord. Come and share His joys for all eternity." Now, my dear brethren, our very dear friend has gone to his last: abode. Like the late Pope Pius IX., who chose to be buried among his own people in the Church of St. Lawrence beyond the walls of Rome, because he wanted to be among his children in death as he had been in life, bo Father Forest asked that he might be allowed to rest in peace in the midst of his children. So every time you go through the cemetery you may kneel down and say a prayer for him, and may remember all the good he has done for you—how many times he has felt an anxiety for yon and prayed for you and worked so zealously for the salvation of yourselves and your children. The memory of the good Father must remain long among you, and I hope now and then when you kneel down at night in the midst of your children you will say a prayer for the repose of his soul. Still, although it is our duty to pray for all, we hope he is already receiving the reward of his labours, so that we may also hope that he will have recourse to the throne of Almighty God for us. Let us, my dear brethren, in conclusion, store up in our minds the virtue, the regularity , and zeal and the spirit of prayer and devotion that animated the late Father Forest, and let us beg o£ Almighty God the grace to die the death of the just that we may one day rejoice with Father Forest and all the angels and saints and ping the praise of Almighty God for all eternity, which is a blessing I wish you all in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.