THE LATE DEAN GINATY, S.M., V.G.

New Zealand Tablet, 15 June 1911, Page 1098

THE LATE DEAN GINATY, S.M., V.G.

'V/; THE FUNERAL OBSEQUIES ["•■■■ (From our Christchurch correspondent.) /- The loss sustained by the diocese, and indeed by the whole Church in New Zealand, by the death of Dean Ginaty is keenly felt and deeply deplored by the whole community. The loss to his Lordship the Bishop personally is very great. That this is widely understood may be inferred by the fact that great numbers of sympathetic letters’ and telegrams have reached him since the sad event. Among those from whom telegrams in eloquently expressive terms were received were the following : —His Grace Archbishop Redwood, his Lordship Bishop Verdon, his Lordship Bishop Cleary, the ... Irish . envoys, Hon. D. Buddo, ■ M.P., Mr. G. Witty, M.P., Right Rev. Mgr. Gillan (Auckland), Very Rev Dean Regnault, S.M. (Provincial), Very Rev. Father Murray, C.SS.R. (Superior, Wellington), Very Rev. Rector and staff of St, Patrick’s College (Wellington), Marist Fathers’ Ecclesiastical Seminary (Maryvale, Greenmeadows), Sisters of the Sacred Heart (Timayu), the Provincial of the Sisters of St. Joseph (Auckland), Convents at Hokitika, Greymouth, Kumafa, Rangiora, Ashburton, Tenuika, Wal-

mate, Bendigo, Victoria (Nuns of the Good Shepherd), Nelson, Petone, Rev. Father Coffey, ■ Adm. (Dunedin), - and priestsAf the south who were unable to attend the funeral. Very Rev. Dean Carew, S.M. (Greymouth), Rev. Father Clancy, S.M. (Hokitika), Rev. Father' 5 liePetit,.;; S.M. [ (Albury),. clergy of Christchurch diocese, who Also' attended the funeral, and others unable to be present, Very Rev. 1 Dean Hackett (Paeroa), Very- Rev. Dean McKenna (New Plymouth), Very Rev. Dean McKenna (Masterton), Very Rev. Father Keogh, S.M. (Hastings), Very Rev. Father Lane (Butt), Rev. Fathers Hunt, C.SS.R. [ (Devonport), W. - Goggan, S.M, (Nelson), Hills, S.M. (Blenheim), J. Goggan, r (Te Arp, Wellington), McKenna (Pahiatua), Hickson, S.M.,- Adm. (Wellington), Holley, S.M., and Moloney, S.M. (Wanganui), Kerley,, S.M. (Hastings), O’Connell, S.M. (Marist * Missionary, Tasmania), Costello (Palmerston North), McDonnell, S.M., and O’Connor, S.M. (Napier), Le Pretre, S.M. (Wairoa), and O’Dwyer, president of the H.A.C.B. Society (Wellington), president of the H.A.C.B. Society (Lincoln), Mr. and: Mrs. T. C. McCarthy (Wellington), Mr. M. Kennedy and. family (Wellington), and many others. P Letters of condolence were received from .the Sisters of Nazareth (Christchurch), Catholic Club, St. Patrick’s branch of the H.A.C.B. Society (Christchurch), Marist Brothers’ Old Boys’ Association, Society of . St. Vincent de Paul (Particular Council, Christchurch), Mr. T. H. Davey, M.P., Mr. ,T. Archey (Director Burnham Industrial School), ■ Messrs. Taylor and Oakleyq,. J. W. Smith, T. Brown, E. O’Connor, and many others. ■ The late Very Rev. Dean Ginaty, S.M., V.G., was born seventy-six years, ago (November 14, 1835) , near Dundalk, Ireland. In youth and early , manhood he received a ['commercial training, - which was reflected - in his shrewd and business-like methods in after life. He studied for the ecclesiastical state mainly at the great Marist Missionary College of Dundalk, and made his profession in the Society of Mary on December 8, 1865, shortly after, attaining his thirtieth birthday. He spent,•some time in England and France, and joined the mission in New Zealand in 1877, when he was appointed to Christchurch, where he acted as missionary rector for many years - afterwards, being ... succeeded, shortly before the arrival of the Right Rev., Dr. Grimes as first Bishop of Christchurch, by the Very Rev. Father (now Dean) Smyth, S.M., the present rector of Maryvale Seminary, Greenmeadows. Endowed with an iron constitution, and immense energy, Father Ginaty set to work with a zeal that characterised his every action through life. Besides the works accomplished as previously mentioned, he enlarged and decorated the then parish .church, supplied . beautiful stained glass windows that are, now objects, of admiration in the Cathedral, and furnished it with sanctuary requirements, vestments, etc. in . so complete a manner that for long years it was recognised as the best equipped church in the Dominion. He rebuilt' and enlarged the parochial schools, and established St. Leo’s High School for the higher education of boys which, under competent teachers, flourished for many years. Undoubtedly the greatest of all his achievements was that of establishing the Mount Magdala Magdalen Asyluma noble and enduring charity to which may be fittingly applied the words used by, Father Ginaty himself, ‘ If there be a labor more divine I for one know it not;’ The foundation stone of this institution was laid by Cardinal Moran on February 18, 1886, and it was opened by the Right Rev. Dr. Grimes on July 22, 1888. The late Dean Ginaty was located at Mount Magdala as manager, and chaplain for, many years, succeeding the Rev. Father Goutenoire,. S.M., as chaplain.; About two years ago, on the death of Rev. Father Marnane, he accepted the pastorate of; St., Mary’s, Christchurch, and was appointed Vicar-general in succession to. the late Ven. Archpriest Le Mejiant des Chesnais, S.M., filling both positions with conspicuous ability and success. until -his death. He was the first person to , meet and greet his Lordshin Bishop Grimes on the latter’s arrival in New Zealand. Both were very old acquaintances and . friends, having met previously at various times in Ireland, England, France, and elsewhere. V . . . - . ; [ -■ v , . ■ -’THE. FUNERAL. -[[.•// / [/i// 1 // : Prior to the funeral .procession leaving. St. -Mary’s, Manchester Street North, -Masses of Requiem were ' celebrated, and a special service : conducted in St. . Mary’s Church. At half past 9 o’clock the cortege proceeded to the Cathedral, members of , St. Patrick’s branch of the H.A G B. Society being pall-bearers. . At the Cathedral a [large gathering awaited, and double rows of the convent pupils and other children of the Catholic schools formed an i avenue from the street to the Cathedral entrance, ,through which the coffin was borne,- and the remains were received at the mam entrance by his Lordship the Bishop . and attendant clergy, and placed on the catafalque immediately in front of the sanctuary, Chopin’s ‘Funeral March’ being .meanwhile played. by■ Mr. A. W .Bunz (organist). ? On the coffin were placed the chalice and the Dean’s cape and biretta. The office for the Dead having been sung by the choir of clergy, the solemn Pontifical Requiem Mass was commenced at 10 o’clock in the presence of a very large congregation. The celebrant of the Mass was his Lordship Bishop Grimes, with ; Very Rev. Dean Regnault,- S.M., Provincial, as assistant priest ; * Ven. . Archdeacon Devoy, h.M., of South Wellington, and. the Very Rev. Dean O’Donnell ’ ,of Ashburton, two former curates . r/ ; . Dean Ginatv when he was missionary rector of Christchurch, assistant priests at the Throne;. Rev, Fathers ; Hoare, S.M.. < and Dignan, S.M., curates of the late - Dean, -deacon . and sub-

deacon of i the Mass' respectively'; Very Rev. Father Price, Adm., master of S ceremonies. 'There.' were' also present" the .Very, K Rev. Father O’Shea, j S.M., V.G.‘, Wellington; Very Rev. Father Murray, . C.SS.R., , Superior f Very Rev. Bean Bowers, Geraldine; Rev. I. Father Tubman, S.M., )Timaru ; Rev. Father Fay, S.M., Temuka; Rev. Father Aubry, S.M., Waimate; Rev. Father « Richards, Hawarden; * Rev. Fathers Hyland ,and Leen, Rangiora; Rev., Father Haull, S.M.A., Lyttelton ; Rev. . Father Bonetto, Akaroa ; Rev. Father Orphan ,v M.S.H., Barfield ; ' Row. „ Father. Kerley, S-M., Hastings; Rev. Father Taylor, S.M., Leeston ; Rev. Father O’Hare, ..Ashburton / Rev. Fathers Graham, S.M.,' and Quinn, SIM., St. Bede’s 'Collegiate School;. Rev. Dr. Kennedy and Rev. Fathers M’Bonnell and Hanrahan, Christchurch Cathedral. 'A' : I'?., ■ ■■••'.' V ' V.. .('jur-niJ/ •/i:t The Funeral Oration. The funeral oration' was delivered by his Grace Archbishop Redwood. / They were gathered together, said his Grace, 'to pay their last tribute of respect and homage to tile sacred remains of one who had been called suddenly from .them to go to his eternal reward. He sympathised with his : Lordship .Bishop ‘ Grimes in his loss of such an able right-hand • ill the ' administration of the diocese; he sympathised with the clergy in their loss of. a great friend adviser,' and father with his late congregation,' and with the people of Christchurch generally, the Catholic people and nonCatholic people, ;A great number of whom had' known and admired the late Bean. ■ It seemed appropriate, though it. was a sad task, and very painful, ■ that he should ; be the one’to'say a few words’"to the memory of Bean Ginatv. He had; known him for nearly half a century—for oyer forty-seven years. He knew him as a young, aspiring student, and as a novice preparing to become a member of the .great Society of Mary. Even then he had been a 1 wonderful example of zeal and virtue ,burning with charity towards his companions, always ready to take the worst for himself and give the best to others. He was an example of what a student in an ecclesiastical college; and a' novice preparing for Holy Orders, should be. ‘ I do not remember one occasion,’ his Grace said, ‘on which he ever committed any serious breach of the ecclesiastical or religious rules. He took to his studies and preparations for a religious life with great , earnestness and great zeal. Of Father Ginatv it could be said, as was said of St. John the Baptist ‘He was a light, burning and shining.’ His characteristics were zeal and love for his -God; fidelity hi the discharge of his duty to God as a priest and -a man, And after that a great love for his fellow-men. He was endued with the spirit of the' priesthood, which was one of sacrifice. He gave himself heart and soul for the good of his flock, and to assist them to obtain eternal salvation. When he first came to New Zealand I was the bishop of this part of the Dominion, and I well remember him. He was so ardent that he seemed to boil over with zeal. He was of all things a zealous priest, and he did a great deal '.if good by his example, for example is a thousand times more efficacious than:precept. In this,’ said the Archbishop, ‘the late . Bean Ginatv was a life long abstainer. g But Dean Ginaty was also eloquent both in the pulpit and in conversation. He was also a wonderful correspondent, having great power with the pen. , In Dundalk, Ireland, he made the arch-confraternity of St.' Joseph famous throughout the country by his writings, and he retained the gift to the time of his death. He /was zealous, indeed, and of him it could be said" that, likeSt. Paul, he joined the service of God “to spend be spent.” As a missionary priest Dean /Ginaty .did noble work in Auckland '‘and. 'Wellington, and then be was appointed Vicar-general a few years ago. Even then lie continued to work unceasingly when he might have rested. He died in harness, nreaching on the day he died. ;It was After the service that he retired to Ids room to rest because lie did not feel well, Mid during his rest TA was suddenly called by God. - But it was not an unprovided death. Dean Ginaty had lived his life so as to be prepared always, and perhaps it was a blessing that he ,was fi spared the sufferings and temptations of a death-bed. I do y not think we should speak too much of the loss., Perhaps it was for the best. Bean Ginaty has-been taken ■■from- ns, -but he will meet the souls that he has saved and brought to salvation; When I w-as Bishop of this city a legacy w-as left the Church to be expended in the manner iwe -thought' best. T suggested to Father-Ginaty, as he was 'th«n, that’ we should establish a Magdalen asylum to assist fallen humanity. Dean • Ginaty entered into the -scheme ■ heartily, and all knew what the result was, and now it is ;on!v/ right -that; he should be' buried there, wbpre so much -of his work was done. There are many who wore -disgraces to society and are now good and useful people, who may ■ pay him the tribute of their love and remember him.’ His Grace 1 exhorted the congregation to learn the lesson from him of . helping their neighbor and sacrificing themselves for the. good of ; others. K Yon all .knew him, so that , I cannot say more. and. it only remains for us to say farewell to him. We av 11 take him to Mount Magdala and deposit him in the bosom of the earth.* where he will sleep, resting, waiting the glorious resurrection. . . i; ir . ; ••. -1 The solemn music was sung mainly by the choir of 'clergy, hut in /parts -by members of the ordinary choir also, -the/ whole ceremony being deeply impressive and intensified : bv the mourning drapings■ of the sanctuary, the pulpit;- and - other portions of ; the - Cathedral. 1 ' As the coffin was : borne from the Cathedral the organist played the Dead March from ‘ Saul.’

-..-. The Cortege. ’-‘v XXI - At’ the -conclusion of Mass his Lordship the . Bishop ‘ gave the Absolution at the coffin, whilst the ; clergy, in the choir sang the; - Dies • Ira:.’ The funeral cortege on, being reformed, was a very lengthy one. as it left the , Cathedral and proceeded along Moorehouse avenue. When Lincoln road as'reached, over - one hundred vehicles were iii the procession.. Among many prominent , citizens : of ‘ nonCatholic denominations, were Mr. G. W. Russell, M.P., Rev. F. Rule (Presbyterian), Br. Orchard, Dr. GojyJ Mr. T. J. Smail XCity Missioner), Messrs. S'., and L. Luttrell, J. E. March, T. Brown, T. Arclicy (director Biirnharu Industrial School), G. Hulme, AY. E. D .Bishop, F. Sisson, and a large number of Catholics from all parts of the ' province. Many persons took the tram to the terminus and walked the rest of the distance. From the surrounding districts many attended, until the number at Mount Magdala was several thousands. The reverent bearing of the; crowds along the route and at the burial service showed the deep feeling of esteem and affection for the late Beap, both as a citizen and a priest. Lined up along a part r.x Lincoln road, were children and their teachers. from the Addington Catholic School, and, close to the gates of the Mount Magdala estate those of the Halswell Catholic School. At the entrance to the main drive, the procession was met by the children of the Sacred Heart Orphanage, Who preceded it to the main building. There the chaplain (Rev. Father Bell, S.M.), the inmates, and Sisters of Mount Magdala joined in the procession. His Lordship Bishop Grimes conducted the obsequies at the graveside, and Archbishop Redwood and all the clergy Were in Attendance. The plot selected for the interment is under the shadow of the large mortuary cross in the little cemetery - of the community. " ■ ■ A; , . It is hoped that on the completion of the new .chapel, that is now an the course of erection: the remains : of, the deceased Bfean will be re-interred under the sanctuary. At the main entrance gate and at intervals along which the procession passed to the cemetery, drapings.and..archways of; mourning were displayed, whilst across the portals of the asylum a streamer was stretched bearing in white letters the text ‘ Eternal rest give to him, 0 Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him.’ ,/ i The whole community at Mount Magdala were .deeply affected as the' remains of their dearest friend,’ was borne into their midst, four short days after being there, in the full'vigor of health, on one of his almost drily visits. Words fail to describe the sense of loss felt by the community;,ln the death of Bean Ginaty. There are none who deserve greater sympathy at the present moment than the devoted Sisters of the Good Shepherd, the ‘ children ’ of Mount Magdala, and the little orphans of the Sacred Heart Orphanage. The task of replying individually to the numerous telegrams and letters so kindly and thoughtfully sent being so great, his Lordship the Bishop and ;; clergy of Christchurch desire by medium of the 'Tablet to thank the Bishops and priests of New Zealand, the Hon. Ministers of the Cabinet and Members of Parliament, the various clubs, associations, and heads of communities and institutes, the locali newspapers and the press of the Dominion, and the many other friends for their sympathetic telegrams and letters ion a. the occasion of the death of the late-Bean Ginaty, S.M., VicarGeneral of the diocese. -. : / ,’rWf . In the Cathedral, and St. Mary’s Church, Christchurch North, on Sunday, feeling reference was made to the death of Bean Ginaty. At the half past 9 o’clock Mass': in the Cathedral ; his Lordship the Bishop - said they- were still reeling; under the. heavy blow; which had befallen the city of Christchurch, the diocese, and the whole of New Zealand, in the sudden death of the late Dean. He had died as he would‘have liked to die, in harness, having said Mass and preached on the very day of his death. -' The ; Bishop said that he had been, informed, for several months the theme of the late Dean’s instructions turned upon death,, and the. necessity of being .prepared, for it. Tho Bean' bad said At the altar that he might not be I allowed to finish the exercises in which he was engaged, and that death might come to him at any moment. Having that before his mind -he was as prepared as any human being could be, but it, was a debt of charity on the part of his people to be mindful of him in their prayers before the throne of God.: ; Many .of them owed , that .remembrance of him as a debt of justice, because they had received from him a great many blessings.. All w-ere bound by ties of. charity to pray: ‘ Eternal rest give him, 0 Lord) G and let perpetual light shine upon him. May his soul;’/ and- the souls of all the faithful departed, through the- mercy-of God, rest in peace.’ His Lordship added that At the Beginning of next month there would be in St. Mary’s' the .‘Month’s Mind,’ in which there would be a memorial setvice for the late Bean. • fjvtyff- : The Very Rev. Father Price, Adm., at the 7 o’clock Mass, and Rev. Father Hanrahan at the ■ eleven ' paid eloquent tribute to the memory of the deceased;— ! '/