THE LORD ABBOT OF MOUNT MELLERAY.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXI, Issue 48, 30 March 1894, Page 17

THE LORD ABBOT OF MOUNT MELLERAY.

'• Till vacm cy in the exalted and important position of Lord Abbot of tl>« fistercan Mooasti ry. Mount Melleray, caured by tbe lamented death of the Ui^ht P.ev Dr Kil/.patrick." B ay 9 the Irish Catholic, " has been tilled by the election of Father Delacey, who has discharged the duties of Prior for tb« last M years. The Abbot-elect is a native of the County Lon»f ird, and after completing bis studies in the monastery, joinrd the Cstercian Order, and waa subsequently ordained pui'st. His traiacnt abilities were early recognised, and during his long tenure of the Pnorship he had to act as first superior and representative of iht; Lord Abbot whenever the latter was personally incapaci a'ed from tbe discharge of his duties through absence o t illness." The new Loid Abbot of the famous Monastery of Mount Melleray, County Waterford, Ireland, was born in the parish of Casbel, County Longford, in May, 1836. Like most of the saints in the calendar, be was bleeeed with a saintly mother. In bis youth he gave indications of a more exalted state than tbat in which he was then liviDg. To this day his memory is revered in Cashel by all wbo had the honour of knowing him in bis youth. When bis parents decided tbat their "John " had a vecation to the pries' hood, they entrusted their Becret to the present Very Bey Canon Kearney, of Moate, County WestmeatK Ireland. He was then C.C. of Killashee, County Longford. In accordance with Canon Kearney's decision John Delaney was sent to Mr Kelly's classical school at Roscommon. In a short time the late lamented Canon Menaghan, then Administrator of the parish of Laoeeborougb, expressed a wish that John Delaoey should be sent to Mount Melleray seminary. It was then tbe heartiest wish of Canon Monaghan and of Dr Delaney 's parents that tbe young man should become a secular priest, and labour for the salvation of souls in bis Dative diucese. God decreed otherwise* Scarcely Lad tie tniered Mount Melleray Collegiate Seminary tban the First Prondem of the Institute, Bro F. X.vier Mulvibill, wished to s.-e " Join am.inbrr of the "Order." After due deliberation John deeded to gr < i y iecular life and joined the "Order." In a

few years he was ordained priest, and ultimate y chosen as Prior— a position which he haa held for upwards of thiity years. This is a brief epitome of the life of one who has so long won by merit the highest honours his brethren could confer on him. A few years ago he was elected Lord Abbot of Mount St Joseph Monastery, Koscrea, but tbengh Borne with all its authority urged him to accept the position and dignity, he declined. No doubt be did so on the advice of hie confessor, tte late lamented acd holy Father Paul known to many in New Zealand emigrating from Ireland, aod following his words of advice to serve our Lord in bis vineyard ; and no doubt the new Lord Abbot haa accepted his present position as she last request of Father Paul. After remaining with her parents til sbe saw them dead for upwards of fifty yesrs his eieter Anne died «t Hnly Cr< eg Convent, Wimbornp, Dorset, Englaod, as a professed religeuse of the Order. The Right Sev Prelate has a brother (Br Joseph) in Mount St. Joseph, Roscres, and a Depbew, Very Rev Father Mulvihill, Hawert, labouring in New Zealand. We wish the Right Rpv Prelate many long years of success in bis new sphere.