DEATH OF PERE GARAVEL.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XIII, Issue 28, 6 November 1885, Page 7

DEATH OF PERE GARAVEL.

(Sydney Freeman's Journal, October 17.) GARAVEL. — October 9, at St. Thomas's Presbytery, Petersham, Rev. Joseph M. Garavel, aged 61 years.— R.l.P. One who for over twenty years occupied a singular place in the affections of the priests and people of the archdiocese, and of whom — so great was the reverence for his goodness, his gentleness, his charity, and his simplicity — no living soul was ever heard to say a hard word, ended his days in the peace of a holy death, at the close of last week. There was no priest better known in the archdiocese, and no priest better loved than poor Pore Garavel. He was loved and reverenced for his cheerful self-sacrifice and devotion to duty, for his genial charity of heart and mind, and for a gracioußnesa of manner and Bweetness of disposition which characterised his long, eventful, and blameless life. The melancholy announcement on Saturday last was a painful surprise for many, for so silently and bo submissively had he borne his illness that it waa known to a few only that his end was approaching ; and the expressions of affectionate regret heard on all sides showed that the death of this good, gentle Frenchman, the beloved pastor of Petersham, had touched the community deeply and tenderly. Pere Garavel was 61 years of ace. Thirty-six years ago — it was m 1849 — ho commenced his missionary career among the Maoris in New Zealand, with whom he spent fifteen years, and the mention of this enrly period of his priestly life revives memories of those first labours of his and of those heroic sacrifices and services too little known. Ordained in Auckland, New Zealand, by Bishop Pompallier, whom he had accompanied thither from France, Father Garavel at once entered upon his difficult and dangerous mission in the Waikato district. At thai time there was not even a worn track to travel by, and riding was both difficult and perilous. He had not entered upon his duties long before he tasted a little of what was so amply provided for him in

time to come. Travelling day and night, often with o- meal in twenty-four hours— and that of a very meagre description— havine on hw journeys, to cross swollen rivers and swim rapids, he would retire to rest sometimes on a pallet of straw or a heap of ti-tree cut from a neighbouring thicket, with nothing but the cooopy of heaven for a roof, and the pale moon to serve as a lamp to light him to bed He would rise, next morning, stiff in the joints from the effects of the falling dews. After having offered a prayer to God for His mercy and goodness, he would bathe in the nearest stream ; then, breakfasting on a biscuit and a drink of water, woald move on to his duties. Days and days might pass, during which he would not see the face of a white person, for his energy and devotion had cut him off from all Europeans. To him the Maori was everything. He carei for nothing but to direct them in the manner of their living, and to divert their attention from their cannibalistic practices to those of a more civilised character. Never did he forget the reason why he was sent amongst them, and ever did he seek to do his duty towards them ; and it is no exaggeration to say that he h»B left his name engraven on their hearts and memories. Hia hardships and sufferings, during his twelve years' residence among the native tribes of the Waikato, have in few cases been equalled, and an account of them would form, if collected, ample matter for a work of several volumes. He was appointed secretary of the diocese, and performed the duty of Foreign Vicar for some time. He travelled through the whole of the interior, visiting every village, not only before, but also subsequent to the King movement. Daring the war Governor Brown instructed the officers to allow the beloved priest ro pass to and fro between their camp and that of the enemy. Father Garavel would stay all night with the Maoris, hearing their confessions, and doing other good and holy things. At daylight, having passed over to the British camp, he would do likewise for the soldiers. His work at this time was ene of unceasing toil. He alone was the privileged person allowed to act in such a manner, and to hold intercourse of any description with the Maoris. Several missionaries were refused the same liberty, amongst whom was the late Bishop Selwyn, of the Anglican Church. Father Garavel was undoubtedly esteemed by all ' who knew him. And one great reason for hia popularity among the Maoris was that he never made use of the natives for his own benefit, like many Protestant missionaries ; hence the magnitude of his' influence with them, and the liberties allowed him by the Government He was known so well that he was trusted. He was particularly useful in his endeavours to prohibit the Maoris from murdering and ill-treating their prisoners, a very old custom which which they retained at that time. In 1864, he left Auckland for Sydney. His health was breaking, and he required rest from the fatigue which he had undergone before and after the war. It mac be mentioned here that Father Garavel was in the Taranaki as well as the Waikato war. He was also present at a majority of the engagements. When he arrived in Sydney, Archbishop Polding pressed him to stay, and the iaintly Archbishop arranged with Bishop Pompallier to have him transferred to Sydney. He was placed in charge of Newtown, and during his administration the beautiful chuich of St. Joseph was erected, at the cost of £6000. He left on a visit to Rome in 1869, and was ordered by the " Propaganda of the Faith "to return to New Zealaud. On passing through Sydney, the Archbishop once more persuaded him to remain, and appointed him to take charge of St. Charles's, Waverley. For nine years he was the pastor of St. Charles's, Waverley, and by Archbishop Vaughan be was removed to tit. Bede's, Pyrmont. In both Parishes he won the perfect confidence and affection of the people, especially the poor. About eighteen months ago Father Garavel paid a visit to New Zealand for the benefit of his health, and he received a warm welcome, and especially from King Tawhiao and his old friends among the Maoris. Shortly after his return to Sydney he was appointed to the care of the important mission of Petersham, and one of his first acts was to set about building a church at Leichhardt, which is now almost completed. As pastor of St. Thomas's, Petersham, he remained till his death. In hia illness the Very Rev. Dr. Sheridan attended him, and it was from the hands of his old friend that the dying priest received the last consolations of religion. Ihe Fathers of the Sacred Heart, Botany, the Marist Fathers, and the Sisters of Cbaiity, the Gocd Samaritan, and St. Joseph, all show their deep and kindly sympathy. Dp to Monday week, although suffering acutely, Pere Gar*vei determined to attend the annual ckrical retreat at Villa Maria, but his illness assuming a most penous Rspect, he resigned himself to God's holy will, lingering only five days In the whole aichdioce9e no priest ever so completely surrendered himself to duty, or ever manifested a keener pleabuie in the performance ot kiualy acts, however arduous and fatiguiug, for his brother priests than poor Fere Garavel, and it must have been the crowning consolation of his life and of bis death to know and to feel that tne whole of the diocesan clergy solemnly assembled iv Retreat were, in gratitude, in love, and in chanty, praying to God with one heart on hia behalf, while he himself waa preparing with meekness and humility to go before his divine Master. The Retreat ended on Saturday morniog, and almost without exception the priests hurried off to Petersham to attend the obsequies. Bt. Thomas's Church wai unable to hold all who assembled to pay the last tribute of respect. The Very Rev. J. J. Carroll, Administrator, presided over the lorty or fifty priests who took pait in the solemn offices, and the Very Rer. P6re Joly, S.M., born in the same part of Fiance as the lamented priest, and a life-long tnund, officiated at tue Requiem High Mass, and at the ceremonies at the grave. Father M'lntyre was the deacon at the Mass, Father Cassidy the sub-deacon, Father Cove, S,M., and Father H. B. Callachor, tue principal chanters, and Faiher Moynagh the master of ceremonies. Dr. Shtridau had general charge of the arrangements, and the solemnities ended with ibo impressive burial rite in the little plot in the Petersham cemetery, adjoining the church, which is tacred as the resting place of main devoted priests who have passed to their heavenly reward.