DEATH OF A SAINTLY PASSIONIST.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXI, Issue 20, 3 March 1893, Page 15

DEATH OF A SAINTLY PASSIONIST.

It is with feelings of profound regret that we announce the demise of the much-beloved Passionist, Rev Fathei Charles, which took place at twenty minutes to six on Thursday morning, January 5, at St Paul's Retreat, Mount Argup, Dublin. The name of the deceased clergyman is a household word in Ireland, r.ch and poor alike having ever found in him a true friend and a wise counsellor. Hia woiks of self-sacrifice and con'inued austerity were on every tongue, and crowds from far and near flocked daily to Mount Argus in order to obtain the benediction of the saintly father who was ever at their service, despite his increasing infirmities and the burden of his years. The clients of Father Charles were not confined to these countries, for he waß frequently in receipt of letters from America and o her lands, seeking his advice and Imploring his spiritual assistance Many, too, wrote expressing their gratitude for favours which they imputed to the prayers of the humble Passioaiet. In order tha' some idea may be gleaned of the daily life of tbe deceased priest it may be well to outline the nature of the reli^iou^ observances wh cc v i fire adhered to in Passionist Retreats. At 2 a.ra the religious are summoned to Matins, and those who live in ihe vicinity of Mount Argus, are well accustomed to the tolling of the midnight bell. Long hourb are devoted to prayer during tbe day, and the several canonical hours are chanted in choir. The f-ists, too, are severe, and these, together with prolonged vigils and the wearing of sandals, make the life of the Passionist a truly penitential one. Father Charles did not upare himself in the exact observance of the constitution of the socitty to which he belonged. His example preached stronger tbsn words. Until increasing years prevented his attendance in the confessional he was exceedingly assiduous in administering the Sacrament of Penarce. In the celebration of the Holy Sacr fice he invariably exhibited deep emotioD. His obedience to his eupencrs was proropt, even in the minutest dptails. Hia charity in tvtry sense was unbounded, and one of his grandest traits was that he made no^distinc. tion of persons, being equally ready to succour the poor as to assist the great and the wealthy. His fellow-religious ever looked up to him as their model in the observance of the rules of their Order. He was always a shioing light to those around him — a typical priest — a model Passionist — a faithful son of the Church. Father Charles was not free from bodily suffering, for he had been for a long time the victim of disease ; Deverthrless, he never complained, but ever prayed for the spirit of patience and resignation. He was accustomed to celebrate Msa daily in one of the Oratories of the Ketreat, but D cember 8, tbe Feast of the Immaculate Conception, was the last occasion on which he had the privilege of offering the Holy Sacrifice, for on the following day he was obliged to take to bis bed, from which he never a^ain rose. During his illness his nnanner was that of a sainr. His death was calm and peaceful; he departed this life in one gentle figb, surrounded by his brethren in religion, and strengthened by all the consolations which Holy Cr.urch fffords to her djing childien. Father Charles of St Andrew was born in ftlatterg-bund, Hollaud, on December 11, 1821. His secular ni.m r ; was John Andrew Honben.

At the completion of his early education he pcrved in the army, and on Decsmber 1, 1845, b» iog then nearly 24 years of agf, joined the Passiovsfs, wVn Father D iminic wa? B»pri>r of that Province. After hia ptilosophical and theological s'udies he was ordained. Later on he wai appointed Vic< -Master of Novice-, etc., and on the foundation of th« Rp'reat Ht Mount Argnq ho whs sent to Dublin, where he lived and ministered from 185(5 to the prcnent, wi h the exception of three years, during which he was attached tj one <f the houaes of his Order in England — Exchange.