DEATH OF A MARIST BROTHER

New Zealand Tablet, 2 November 1916, Page 15

DEATH OF A MARIST BROTHER

There passed away at Mittagong, New South Wales, on October 16, after a long illness, which engendered much debility, patiently . borne, Brother Matthew, one of the Marist Brothers, who for nearly a quarter of a century labored in the Catholic schools of the Dominion. Of an unassuming nature, genial temperament, and unstinted devotedness, he passed his days doing good quietly, winning the affection of the young people among whom and for whom he worked, and the respect and abiding friendship of those who made his acquaintance. Born in the bosom of a good Catholic family in County Donegal, 57 years ago, he grew up imbued with the strong faith and religious attachment that are so characteristic of the Ulster Catholics. When a young man, he crossed the Atlantic to try his fortune in America, and labored for many years in Canada and the States. His trials were numerous, and his experiences various, and many were the incidents he loved to relate of those first years of his adventures. He returned to Ireland, but did not stay there long, for a desire for travel again possessed him, and having relatives in New Zealand, he resolved to try his luck at the Antipodes. Whilst engaged as a farm hand in South Canterbury he made the spiritual acquaintance of the saintly Father Fauvel, then in charge of Temuka, who soon detected in his penitent virtues that fitted him for better work than manual labor, for a higher vocation than a mere toiler in the world. He advised him to become a religious, directed him to the Marist Brothers, to the Superiors of whom he applied for admission, and was readily accepted. His earnest piety and love of work soon gained for him the confidence of his superiors, to whom he rendered loyal service ; the esteem of his confreres, for whom he spent himself, and the affection of the children, whom he taught to be virtuous and good. About five years ago, he became a victim of diabetes, which soon undermined his health and brought on such weakness, as enforced him to abandon the duties he loved to perform, and to seek needed and well-earned rest at the Provincial House of the Order, which he served so faithfully ; and where, after two years passed in silence, meditation, and prayer, he was called to receive the rich reward of a hidden and laborious life spent in teaching the little ones to know, love, and serve God.— R.I.