THE UNVEILING OF THE MONUMENT TO THE LATE BROTHER JOSEPH.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXIV, Issue 34, 25 December 1896, Page 11

THE UNVEILING OF THE MONUMENT TO THE LATE BROTHER JOSEPH.

(From an occasional correspondent.)

On Sunday, December 6, the beautiful monument erected to the memory of the late Brother Joseph, was unveiled at Panmure, and the large concourse of people that journeyed the nine or ten miles from the city to witness the ceremony, shows the esteem in which the dear departed was held by the Auckland Catholics, who bad already learned to know and appreciate his worth ere the ruthless hand of death snatched him from their midst. To feel that this ■champion in the noble cause of Catholic education has found a last resting-place amongst a not ungrateful people must be a matter of •consolation to his numerous friends in Australia and New Zealand, but especially to the two zealous promoters of the movement which had its fitting termination to-day. As their self-imposed task was one of love, they must excuse me for a breach of trust in revealing that these kind friends are Mr. M\ J . Sheahan of Auckland, and Mr. M. Nolan of Christehurch — gentlemen with true patriotic love for the dear old land that claims a Daniel O'Connell and a Robert Emmet as its own, and whose golden pens are ever ready to espouse a holy and noble cause. The nominal ceremony of unveiling the monument or the real and more substantial one of blessing it. was performed by his Lordship Right Rev. Dr. Lenihan. assisted by Monsignor McDonald, Dr. Egan. Father Buckley and Father Croke. Amongst those who surrounded the grave, reverently joining with his Lordship in pray for the deceased, were noticed — Members of the Marist Order, Mr. and Mrs. M. J. Sheahan. Mr. and Mrs. W. Mahoney, Mr. and Mrs. Nerheny, Mr. and Mrs. Stephenson. Mr. aid Mrs. Little, Mr. and Mrs. Kearns, Mr. and Mrs. Duffin. Mr. and Mrs. Quinlan ; Mesdames Creig, Cullen, Grace. Butler. Twohill (Wellington). Hackett, Dervan, Kyle, Martin, Lardner : Misses N. Mahoney. Koefoed (2), K. Ryan, M. Quinn, M. Swarm, T. Coffey. Thorn (2). M. Cullen, Maher, M. Keenan. M. Ormond. L. Cavanagh, Casnidy ; Messrs. Daly, Wright (2). Leahy, J. P. Grace, Noonan. Martin, O'Brien. Tooman. R. Keenan. F. Guscott. P. Holley, and students of the Brothers, etc. His Lordship spoke in the most eulogistic terms of the work done by Brother Joseph during the twelve months he had been in our midst. He dwelt in particular on those traits of character which won for the deceased the e«teem of all who knew him. " I think I do not err." said bis Lordship, '• when I say that under God the Marist Brothers owe, in a great measure, the public esteem in which they are held to the many excellent qualities of the late Brother Joseph." He also referred to a strange coincidence respecting three who now rest side by side in that pretty Panmure cemetery — Dr. McDonald, Father Cuthbert Downey, 0.5.8.. and Brother Joseph. Dr. McDonald, brother of the revered and respected Monsignor McDonald, devoted his life and talents to missionary work amongst the Maoris. Death found him at the post of duty, but would not allow him the tender ministrations of a brother priest. Yet as in spirit we stand beside this Xavier of the South, while death V dark shadows steal across his now livid brow, and theli^ht ot those once undimmed eyes fades at the dawn of eternity, we feel we are witnessing the death rf a saint — a martyr to duty. The next whom this cold, stealthy hand touches and bids become the companion of Dr. McDonald is the saintly Father Cuthbert Downey. The morning finds him obedient to the promptings of his self-sacrificing zeal, but the evening finds that death has claimed another victim. Brother Joseph, the third of this little group, on the morning of the memorable ISth December. lS'.i.i. assisted at Mk>«. apparently looking as strong and healthy as e\er. and received his Eucharistic Saviour, but scarcely had the sacred species been consumed within his breast than he was called to the dread tribunal — called whilst on the public street — called with naught but a stranger's hand to support him as he gasped his last request. But the holy «ouls in whom he had such childlike confidence, and to whom ho was tenderly devoted, did not forget him at that last hour. A priest was by his side in an instant (he had not yet left the vicinity ol the church) and. though speechless and unconscious, he received all the rites of Holy Church. A moment after the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass was offered at a privileged altar for the repose of his soul. To fill the gap made by the death of these three loyal devoted sons of Holy Church will, we trust, be the pride and privilege of some of the gifted youth of this, fair land. At the termination of the ceremony Monsignor McDonald thanked his Lordship on the part of the Marist Brothers for the honour conferred on them by his presence there that afternoon. " This," added the Monsignor, '• is his Lordship's third appearance in his episcopal capacity, the two previous visits having been made to the Sisters of the Poor and the orphanage.'" A fitting beginning for a Bishop who, whilst still in the ranks of the priesthood, was the friend of the poor and the orphan. The speaker congratulated the energetic secretary and prime promoter, Mr. M. J. Sheahan. as well as the sculptors, Messrs. Bousklll and McNab. for the design and workmanship of the monument. He concluded by inviting all to accept Panmure hospitality, Some 'MM profited by the invitation. The monument, which is of pure white marble, consists of a massive square pedestal, with corniced architrave, above which stands a smaller octagonal pedestal, surmounted by a Celtic cross. The initials " J. M. J." (Jesus. Mary. Joseph) peer from beneath the shamrock sprays that relieve the cross. The whole, being beautifully proportioned and symmetrical, reflects the highest credit on the sculptors and designers. It bears the following inscription :—: — " Of your charity pray for the repose ot the soul of Rev. Brother Joseph Francis Xavier, born, Sydney. X.S.W., 2(>th April. 1800 ; entered Society of the Marist Brothers, 14th May. 1878 ; died. 18th December, 189."}. ' They that are learned shall shine as the brightness of the firmament ; and they that instruct many unto justice as stars for all eternity ' (Dan., xii-3 ). This monument has been erected in loving memory of Urother Joseph by his numerous friends in Auckland, Napier and Christchurch."

I regret a worthier pen has not been called upon to chronicle the life and merits of this true friend of Catholic youth — a friend in word but doubly one in deed. Aye, one who, despite the advances, smiles and applause of the gay, youthful society he had just commeticed to move in, offered the band of fellowship and brotherhood to the few devoted men who then formed the nucleus of the Marist Order in Sydney ; and who, under the humble garb of a Marist Brother, hid a heart whose every fibre pulsated to generous and noble sentiments, to sentiments of respect, with its handmaids, love and devotedness. for the many sterling qualities that adorn our New Zealand youth.

To these latter one parting word : Let not such an example as that of our dear departed friend be lost upon us. Let us, while youth with its bright future smiles upon us, prove that we are not unworthy of such guides and teachers ; that the cause for which they battle and labour, is a noble one, one fraught with possibilities of the gravest moment to ourselves, and finally one deserving of that full measure of co-operation on our parts which will alone evolve perfect fruition. — R.I.P.