DEATH OF THE REV. BR. PATRICK CANICE BUTLER.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XIX, Issue 49, 11 September 1891, Page 20

DEATH OF THE REV. BR. PATRICK CANICE BUTLER.

(Melbourne Advocate, August 20.) BY the death of Br. Butler, which sad event occurred early on Wednesday morning last in Sydney, the Christian Brothers have lost one of their best workers, and the orphan his truest friend . He was born within eight miles of the city of Kilkenny, and belonged to one of the best Roman Catholic families of the county, whether we consider their social position or tieir fidelity to the principles of the Catholic religion. Oat of the ten children in Br. Butler's family three boys and four girls consecrated themselves to the service of God, either in the sanctuary or in the cloister. The subject of our notice want to school to the Christian Brothers, and was so impressed by the example of his teachers that he resolved to embrace tlnir life, and consequently entered the novitiate in Dublin in Januiry, 1864, whan only seventean years of age. Here, after some time, his health gave way. He was obliged to return to his native air, and remained at home for two years, during which time no persuasion could induce him to part with his religious dress which the Superior General of the society permitted him to wear. In 1866 he re-entered the novitiate, and after eight years of most efficient echool work in Ireland, was pent to Australia for the benefit of his health, and reached Melbourne in May, 1874. He taught successively in the Bchools at St. Francis' and the Victoria Parade. Of the latter establishment he was local superior for about twelve months. In 1879 the late Archbishop Goold and the Yen Archdeacon Slattery wers most anxious that the Christian Brothers should take charge of St Augustine's Orphanage, Geelong. After some consideration the Provincial, Rev Br Tracey, complied with the request, and selected Br Butler as the most suitable to take charge of that mission of charity. There has been the scene of his labours tor the last thirteen years, and with the exception of his kind friend, the Yen Archdeacon Slattery, and a few of the Brothers, no one under God knows all the energy, devotion, and self-sacrifice he has exhibited in promoting the welfare of his charge. He himself did the work of at least three persons. With the assistance of many generous contributors, not only Catholic, but als > of other denominations, he completed the building accoid ing to the original design, addiDg schools and workshops, these latter bein^ intended to exercise the boys in various trades, so that the institution is now a very creditable one to the whole Catholic body. Al! Bro Butler's pupils in St Augustine's during those past thirteen years, who have experienced his watchful care, on their behalf, wherever they may be placed throughout Victoria or elsewhere, will deeply feel the sa 1 news of his death, and will, no doubt, offer a ferment prayer for (he repose of his soul. It was about the begi ning of last June that Br Butler complained of his state of health. There were signs of a break-up in his constitution and these rapidly developed, so much so that his medical advisers recommended an immediate change to a warmer climate. He left for Brisbaie on 21st July, but could not proceed beyond Sydney, where he stayed at the Christian Brothers' residence, Petersham. There night and day he was since assiduously attended by two nursing sisters of the order of the 81. ssed Viigin until hia holy and happy death on last Wednesday morning at four o'clock.— R.l. P.