THE LATE VERY REV. DR. WATTERS, S.M.

New Zealand Tablet, 6 July 1916, Page 11

THE LATE VERY REV. DR. WATTERS, S.M.

• : v- - HOW HE MET HIS DEATH. The following letter has been received by his Grace Archbishop Redwood from the Rev. Francis McYicar, S.M., Catholic University School, Dublin: f - Catholic University School, : ' - Lower Leeson St., Dublin, " 19th May, 1916. - - My Lord Archbishop,—On the morrow 'of the funeral of our late Superior, Dr. Watters, your letter with handsome' gift— £ s—towards the liquidation of the debt on our new schools reached us. If I have not written sooner to acknowledge it and to give ex- - pression to our sincere thanks you will not, I am. sure, attribute my delay to ungratefulness or even oversight; but rather to the rush of work and general upset of all routine consequent on the untimely death of Dr. Watters and the re-opening of the schools after the insane and disastrous insurrection of Irish Socialists and soreheads. I managed to have the papers containing an account of his death and funeral sent you, but even before they will have reached you you will have heard the sad news, for Father Provincial asked the Agent-General in London to send the bare fact of his death to the New Zealand press. Before giving a detailed account of the tragic end of the Doctor, allow me to thank you for your generosity on the part of the dear dead, on my own behalf, and on behalf of the Fathers of the Community. Our gratitude is all the greater from the knowledge of the fact conveyed in your letter, that your Grace is engaged on costly works in the interests of your own diocese. Now for the detail of circumstances in connection with the accident to Dr. Watters and his consequent death. The insurrection was started on Easter Monday. The awful week we lived through cannot be imagined by anyone who was not on the spot. At . the peril of our lives we priests were out night and day attending the wounded and the dying. Dr. Watters did his share. By Monday, May 1, the back of the rebellion was broken, but the danger to life was if anything increased, owing to ‘ sniping ’ both on the part of the military and the rebels. ..That day we heard of the death of a secular priest attached to Haddington Road Church. About 8 j&m., Dr. Watters made his way to* the presbytery to express sympathy and to enquire about the funeral. The last sentry allowed him through, and gave him a quarter of an hour to remain in the priest’s house. He stayedaccording to himself and to the priest in charge— seven minutes. He had just issued from the priest’s garden when he smelt powder and felt a sting in the right groin. Feeling a second stingthe bullet was travellinghe put his hand into his trousers pocket, and on taking it out he saw blood. He then made for Baggot Street Hospital close by, and succeeded in reaching it. ■ When he entered he collapsed. It was then 9.5 p.m. We only heard the sad tidings next morning at 5.30 a.m. After Mass, I hurried off prepared to give him all the Sacraments. Arrived, I found him in a common ward and suffering a good deal of pain. lat once administered all the Sacraments. I then asked to have him removed up here to St. Vincent’s Home in Leeson street. The doctors would .not allow me for another 12 hours. At 6 p.m. on Tuesday I was allowed to remove him, and at 7.15 p.m. he reached the Home, 96 Lower Leeson street. Surgeon Blaney, the most emim . ent surgeon- in town, was in attendance. At once he pronounced his case hopeless unless an operation was '• at once performed, and then the* chances were 99 against him. I called in .another surgeon, who agreed. They two then announced their decision to the poor sufferer. Without flinching, he asked to see me. He made his confession .again to- me, and gave me all the information he could about business affairs. Father ■ Yj * • i j_T_ • t i • " !_ ! •j' , ri.x"iOvinClcli tiHo.il 3»iilVeu, anci in our prossuoo no renewed his vows. All the spiritual aid I could give being ' given, the operation took place at 9 p.m., exactly 24 hours after the . accident. Peritonitis had developed

to "an alarming extent. .: He bora the operation tvcll operation tfcll, so well indeed- that the surgeons thought he had a good sporting chance. _ His intestines were perforated in two places. No search was made for the bullet. .Wednesday, he was as well as could be expected. Thursday we had hopes of recovery, though Surgeon Blaney had hardly any from the first. Friday, Saturday, and Sunday removed all hope. It was a matter of time. All through these days he was perfectly clear and conscious. He spoke to me of all his desires, all his affairs, and faced death like a soldier. Prayer was ever on his lips. He knew well he was done for, and made all# possible preparation for the inevitable. Owing to vomiting I could not give him Holy Viaticum a second time, but absolution was asked for and given many times, not alone •by me but by other priest friends. On Sunday night I told him I would like to remain with him. He said no; confessed again, and after absolution I returned here at 11.30 p.m. to be called at 1 a.m. on Monday, Bth inst. When I-reached his room he recognised me, made a short confession, and repeated aloud all the prayers for the dying. ' He even answered the Litany. He had half uttered Pray for me’ when, in a fit of retching, he breathed forth his soul at 1.30 a.m. Such praying, such preparation, such resignation would excite the admiration of saints. I have assisted at the death of five- or six Marist Fathers and of others, and I can safely say the death of Dr. Watters was by far the most edifying of all.— R. I. P. The account of his funeral I have sent you. There were upwards of 150 priests at it, and practically all the respectable laity of Dublin. Such a demonstration of sympathy I have never witnessed. Last Sunday a public meeting was held here to inaugurate a movement to establish some memorial to him. A strong committee has been formed for the work. Your Grace will probably hear further of this. As yet his successor is not named. When you return to Dublin you will not recognise it. All around one as you cross O'Connell Bridge is one vast ruin— can understand Jeremias weeping over the city now. The rebellion is over, thank God, and I hate to think of it. So do all sane men. I . hope this long epistle will not fatigue you. With renewed thanks, I am, Your Grace’s faithful servant, "Francis McVicar, S.M.