FUNERAL OF THE LATE FATHER VEREKER.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXV, Issue 43, 25 February 1898, Page 4

FUNERAL OF THE LATE FATHER VEREKER.

Seldom in the history of Dunedin — and never since the death of the lamented Bishop Moran — have such marks of public honour been extended to the memory of any deceased person as those which, last week, surrounded the obsequies of the late Father Vereker.

The body of the deceased priest was conveyed from Winton to Dunedin on Wednesday evening, the 16th. It was met at the railway station by a great concourse of people, including a large number of the clergy of the dioceso, the members of the various confraternities, and the children of the Catholic schools. A procession was formed headed by the children, and the remains escorted to the Cathedral where they lay in state until the following day. On Thursday morning solemn Requiem Mass was celebrated. His Lordship the Bishop was celebrant ; the Very Rev. P. O'Leary, deacon ; the Rev. P. O'Donnell, sub-deacon ; Very Rev. Daan Mackay assistant priest ; Rev. P. Murphy, master of ceremonies. The Very Rev. Dean Mackay and Rev. J. O'Neill were chanters at the office. With two unavoidable exceptions, all the clergy of the diocese were present. The Kt/ric, Dies Irae, and other portions of the solemn music of the llequiem Mass were sung with deep feeling and devotion by the Dominican Convent choir. DEAN BURKES ADDEESS. An eloquent and touching panegyric of the deceased was preached by the Very Rev. Dean Burke, of Invercargill, who took for his text the words of 11. Tim. iv., (5-7 : " For I am even now ready to be sacrificed ; and the time of my dissolution is at hand. I have fought a good fight, 1 have finished my course, I have kept the faith." These words of glorious hope, said the Very Rev. preacher, ever since the fitting testament of every laborious and faithful missionary, are the last we hear from the great St. Paul. When he wrote them he was a lonely prisoner awaiting a malefactor's death. In a few days his life would be shorn away beneath the flash of the Roman soldier's sword. But looking back over his apostolic career, recalling his many efforts — that fidelity which never wavered amid life's severest trials, that courageous hope which never dimmed amid bitterest disappointments, then looking forward to the crown eternal unspeakably splendid which should be his reward — his heart burst into that psalm of victory : " The day is well nigh done ; I have fought a good fight ; I have been faithful to the end, and as for the rest, yonder there is my reward 1 " And he adds that this reward was not peculiar to him ; it awaits all found faithful to duty and fruitful in works — '• not to me alone, but to all who love His coming." Now we can, I believe, apply, without misgiving, the test of the fight well fought and of duties imposed faithfully fulfilled, to the good ecclesiastic whose early death the diocese mourns over to-day. From a review of his life we can conclude that he has received or will soon receive " the crown of justice." True, HIS CAREER was comparatively short, but his days were " full days " and, " made periect in a hhort space, he fulfilled a long time." Thirty-five years ago Father Vereker was born in South Kilkenny of parents remarkable for their piety. Common family prayer was never omitted by them. In the evening it was their custom to add a chapter from some pious book or go over a part of the catechism — the mother being the examiner, the father sitting amongbt his children and taking up his answer in his turn. When the boy was between three and four years old, his mother took him to the village church to Mass. He asked what was that man in the strange dress / She replied : " That is the priest saying Mass." After a little time he again interrupted her with the remark : " Mother, I should like to be a priest and to say Mass." Taking up the thought, his mother there and then resolved to do what lay in her power so that some day his idea might be realised. Six years later, as she lay dying, she took the boy for the last time into her arms, kissed him and bade him to be good, to mind his books and never to forget that wish of his " to be a priest and to say Mass." He did not forget it. Soon THE CLERICAL INSTINCT appeared in him. When eleven years old it was his wont to leave home for school fifteen or twenty minutes before the others left, in order to read a portion of the Imitation of Chri.it for a poor old woman living by the roadside who loved that book, but was unable, through age, to read it. He so endeared himself to the teachers of the primary and intermediate schools by his thoughtfulness, quiet behaviour, and application, that the very words of regret expressed by them in parting with him, as he advanced higher, are still remembered by his family. In the old College of St. John's at Waterford he was remarkable for his studious habits and his unassuming manners, and so successful was he that in theology he Beaured the second place — no small distinction in a class of sixty competitors. Ordained in 1885, he came to this diocese, where he has laboured for the past thirteen years, at first in Dunedin. then at Riverton, later on at Invercargill, and finally at Winton. where he died. In these missions his prudence, tact, and skill in the management of Church affairs appear in the solid results which followed upon his efforts. In Invercargill especially, he cleared away in a short time a debt heavy for that place ; he purchased sites and built two churches which, for long years, will keep his memory fresh among the people. The improvements, too, whioh in a short time he effected at Winton, and the plans which he purposed realising in the near future, showed that his zeal was not abating, and that he would go on in the calm and steady tenor of his hitherto fruitful cureor. But

HIS BEST EULOGIUM consists in the deep esteem and veneration in which the people of the parishes in which he laboured held him, and in the words of warmest commendation which they were always ready to speak of him. Evidently they saw in him the picture of the true pastor drawn by St. Paul : — " Blameless, sober, prudent, of good behaviour, chaste, given to hospitality, a teacher, not given to wine, no striker, but modest, not quarrelsome, not covetous Moreover, having <i good testimony of them who are without." So, when a few days ago word of his death spread, people hastened from long distances, and, gathered round his remains, I saw them, in the dim light of the chamber of death, conveying with tears in their eyes their regrets to one another. Indeed, in Father Vereker's death, the Bishop of the diocese has cause to lament the loss of a lieutenant who could be fully trusted in work far removed from the tye of authority. In Father Vereker's death the priests have cause to regret the disappearance from their conferences and meetings of a brother meek, prudeut, unpretending. The people of his parish have cuuse to mourn a pastor whose solicitude for their welfare always pressed upon him, and we have reason to think, prematurely wore out his body and mind. THE LITTLE CHILDREN of his parish have cause to weep for one who was so careful in preparing them for the sacraments, and whose words of reprimand were tempered with a sweetness suited to their years. The young men and maidens will miss one who mingled advice so cautious and prudent with correction, showing anxiety for their future. Those good old people who find it their delight to gather round the altars of the Most High have reason to lament the loss of one who loved to beautify the place of His dwelling and make it helpful to their devotion. The people of the diocese have cause for sorrow at seeing one of the best soldiers on the the watch-towers of their local Sion struck down in early manhood. Good and zealous and edifying in his office "of pastor was our departed priest. But, brethren, the office of priest and pastor is a high, difficult, and very responsible one. St. Ambrose calls ours Deifica Professio, a divine profession — higher than any other on earth because engaged with higher interests — higher than that of legislators or princes— higher, in some respects, than that of the angels! Prcetulit ros, O saeerdotes, regibus et iviperatoribus ; imo pratulit vosangelix I In a state of life demanding sanctity so high and peculiar ; amid responsibilities so varied and far - reaching ; amid ministrations demanding attention proportioned to their sublimity, it is easy for poor human nature to fail even in many things. Therefore, whilst standing around the mortal remains of Father Vereker, let us not forget to pray for his soul's happy repose. Indeed, for that purpose chiefly are we engaged in this solemn requiem. Pray, then, ye of the clergy for a friend and fellow-labourer so unexpectedly fallen from your ranks. Pray, ye, his relatives, for one whose occasional visit was sunshine to your home, and whose affection for you was deeper than stranger lips might tell. Pray for him, ye, his parishioners of Winton, whose respect for his memory has brought you this long distance in his funeral train. Pray for him, ye people of Dunedin. many of the graves of whose departed friends his hands did bless. Pray for him all ye good souls, secular and religious, whose habit of life it is to remember at the daily Mass those who people the mysterious regions of purgatory, and whose priviltg-e it is, through your communions and sacrifices, often to lift up the sceptred hand of the Eternal King and wave it in blessing and conilort over those wniting there in mute helpless expectation. Pray for him ought I beyond others, I who knew him from his student days ; who, as his next neighbour, have been lately enjoying, week by week, his companionship and conversation, and whose path has been made smooth by the labours of his five most fruitful years. Wherefore, 0 meek and gentle spirit, we recommend thee. this day, to God the Father Who created thee, to God the Son Who redeemed thee, to God, the Holy Ghost, Who sanctified thee. May the great Shepherd of souls, acknowledging thee for one of his flock, and absolving thee from every relic and stain of sin, place thee among those who are predestined to stand in the light of His countenance for ever and ever. May the sweet Mother and the angels of God ! come to thy assistance and conduct thee to thy rest. May the court of the Apostles and the white-robed army of the martyrs receive thee. May the glorious company of confessors and the joyful band of virgins encompass thee. May thy place be this day in peace and thy dwelling in the holy Sion. Amen, amen. THE FUNERAL. The funeral cortege was an imposing one. The Bishop and the clergy of the diocese, in closed carriage-*, ltd the solemn procession. They were followed by the children of all tne Catholic schools in the city and South Dunedin ; next c.»me the hearse and an immense concourse of people, amongst whom we noticed the following from Winton : — Mr. and Mrs. P. Deegan, Mr. and Mrs. J. Deegan, Mr. and Mrs. M'Tavish. Mr. and Mrs. Kerr, Mr. and Mrs. John Ford, Mr. and Mrs. James Ford, Mrs. R. Taylor. Mr. P. Ryan and Miss Ryan, Mr. E. Reilly, Mr. George Flanniyan. Messrs J. Ryan, John M*Crae, W. Butler, M. O'Brien, P. 0 Shannasy. Mr. and Mrs. T. Harming. From Gore — Mr. and Mrs. Hanley. From Invercargill — Messrs. J. Shepheard, John Maher, M'Caulift, and Gilfedder. From the Bluff — Mrs. Barron. From Milton — Mr. Scanlan. From Lovell's -Flat — Mr. T. Halpin. The Hibernian Society, Catholic Literary Society, and the several confraternities were also represented. Over 40 persons forwarded costly and beautiful wreaths. Several thousand persons lined the streets through which the funeral passed. The earthly remains of Father Vereker were interred beside those of Father Fitzgerald, close to the noble monument which was raised to the memory of the late lamented Bishop Moran.