Death of Very Rev. Father 0 Farrell, C.SS.R.

New Zealand Tablet, 7 November 1912, Page 43

Death of Very Rev. Father 0 Farrell, C.SS.R.

: As briefly stated in our last issue, a cable message from LimencK was received on October 29 at the Kedemptorist Monastery,. Wellington, conveying the sad news of 1 tie death 01 Very Rev. Father Thomas o'Farreii, C.SS.R. On Thursday, October 31, a Solemn Requiem Mass for the repose of the soul of the deceased was celebrated in the Redemptorist Church, Wellington. The celebrant was the Rev. G. A. McDermott, C.SS.R.; deacon, Rev. Father Tuohey, C.SS.R.; subcieacon, Rev. James Murray, C.SS.R.; master of ceremonies, "Very Rev. Thos. Roche, C.SS.R. (Rector). The ciioir was conducted by the Rev. P. J. Lynch, C.SS.R. mere was a large congregation, and many received Holy Communion before and after the Mass.

The late Very Rev. Father o'Farrell was born on December 29, 1845, at Longford, Ireland. Having made his junior studies at the diocesan seminary, he entered Maynooth, where, after a distinguished course, he was ordained priest on March 14, 18b9. His Grace the Archbishop of Melbourne and his Lordship Bishop Gallagher, of Goulburn, were in the college at that time. Having spent ten years on the secular mission, during which time he erected many churches and schools, and was much sought after as an occasional preacher owing to his great gift of oratory, he left all and entered the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer in 1879, and after a year's novitiate was professed on April 23, 1880. After his profession he was sent to Limerick) where he was appointed sub-director of the Holy Family Confraternity. The Right Rev. Dr. Murray, Bishop of Maitland, having obtained from the Father-General of the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer a foundation in his diocese, Father O'Farrell was amongst those chosen for that distant mission. On February 9, 1882, the first band of Redemptorists set sail from London for Australia. They were Very Rev. Father Vaughan, Rev. Father Halson, Rev. Father Hegherty, and Rev. Father Thomas O'Farrell, with Brothers Laurence and

Daniel. On arriving in Australia, Father Farrell went to Singleton (N.S.W.), where he remained for five years. On the opening of the monastery at Waratah (N.S.W.) he with the community left Singleton. In December, 1888, Father O’Farrell was sent to make the foundation at Ballarat. He was accompanied by Brothers Laurence and Joachim. There he erected a magnificent monastery and church by Lake Wendouree. He was appointed Vice-Provincial of Australasia in 1898. In that office he was most successful in furthering the interests of his congregation, foundations in West Australia and New Zealand quickly following his appointment. He was beloved by his confreres, and at the same time was the trusted friend and counsellor of the late Cardinal and many of the Bishops of Australasia. In 1910, Father O’Farrell, while giving a mission with Father McDermott in St. Francis’ Church, Sydney, was stricken down by paralysis of the tongue. He was saying the Rosary for the people when the stroke came. This was his last public act. He was removed to St. Vincent’s Hospital, where, under the gentle, skilful care of the good Sisters of Charity, ho made a temporary improvement in health. The first to visit him at St. Vincent’s was his Eminence the late Cardinal Moran and Right Rev. Mgr. O’Haran, Having left St. Vincent’s, he went to the Monastery at Waratah. Not making the improvement that his physician, Dr. McCarthy, expected, a change of climate was suggested, and as his heart yearned towards the Emerald Isle, the Father-General cabled that he was to start for Ireland with Rev. Father McDermott as his companion. On leaving Australia ho was the guest of the late Cardinal, who went to Sydney to see him off. His Lordship Bishop Cleary of Auckland, who was a dear friend of his, being in Sydney, spent some time with him and was on the wharf as he left. Before the departure of the steamer,' a number of young priests from Manly College presented a beautiful address to the one who had opened their college. At Melbourne he was met by the carriage of his Grace

the- Archbishop, and at Perth by" his : Lordship Bishop Clune. "On arriving in London, \ the ' Father-General received him with great affection, and whilst there he received many messages from Bishops and priests in Ireland urging an early return to his loved native land.—R.l.P. "\ '" ' 1: