DEATH of MONSIGNOR O’LEARY LAWRENCE

New Zealand Tablet, 7 December 1916, Page 27

DEATH of MONSIGNOR O’LEARY LAWRENCE

; / . Seldom,’ if ever (says the Tnupeka Times , has the Lawrence community received such a shock as when the tolling of the Catholic church bell on Thursday evening announced that Monsignor , O’Leary had passed away. Though , in failing health for some time, his hosts of friends trusted that his naturally robust constitution • ‘ • ‘ • ' ■ ■ ■ . •--s '*' ' • ---

he saw , the need for pronipt.action : and, with the consent; ■- of pi*... Sutherland, had; Dr. Marshall McDonald ■ wired * for. : On ;. the : arrival of ,Dr. - McDonald a consultation took -place, : and -it ; was found r too' late to do any per- . manent benefit to the patient. ;• He passed . peacefully ; away a little after ’ half-past six, being conscious to the x;• . * ° end. ... • r :

The late . Monsignor was born 69 years ago in the parish of Clondrohid, some three miles from Macroom, County Cork, Ireland. : His first tutor in the ancient classics’ was a noted -teacher (Mr. Scaulan), of whom

would enable him to struggle on for many days.-. The improvement that was manifest in his appearance, on his return some two months ago from Southland, where he had been visiting his intimate friend, Father. O’Neill, .encouraged the hope of his recovery. But a sudden change for the worse set in on Wednesday morning, ,and on Father O’Neill’s arrival by (the midday train

he always spoke in terms of highest praise and admiration. Passing into the - Cloyne Diocesan College at Fermoy, he successfully competed for. a position in the Irish College, Paris, and remained in France until the ‘war of ’7O compelled the withdrawal of the Irish students, He completed his theological studies in St. John’s College, Waterford, which has supplied many

priests to the diocese of Dunedin as well as Australia and-America. Coming to Dunedin in 1874 at the invitation of the late Monsignor Coleman, who was sent by Bishop Moran to get clerical recruits for the recentlyformed diocese of -Dunedin, he did missionary work in Oamaru, Invercargill, Dunedin, and Cromwell, and in 1882, on the departure of Father Crowley fox* Ireland, the deceased was appointed pastor of Lawrence, where he had remained ever since. He celebrated the silver jubilee of his ordination in September, 1898. At the Diocesan ’Synod, 1899, Bishop Verdon appointed him Rural Dean of the Diocese. Monsignor O’Leary had a singularly amiable disposition and was not long in charge befbi’e he had won a permanent niace in the reverence, esteem, and love of his own people and the respect and admiration of the entire community. Frank, open, manly, he had no time for humbugs in any walk of life and was no respecter of persons. Human respect formed no portion of his character, and his outspoken utterances whenever occasion required showed that ho always had the courage of his convictions. Yet a kindlier soul in his dealings with his spiritual flock could not be imagined. He sorrowed with them in their griefs, he rejoiced with them in their joys; he cheerfully took upon himself their temporal concerns, with never a thought of the worry and bother (hat such complaisance invariably entailed. At the bedsides of the sick and dying his deep faith, his warm pastoral love for them, and. his anxiety to leave nothing undone to help them to cross the bar without risk of mischance often deeply affected the writer of these lines, who was occasionally privileged to witness such sacred scenes. His devotion to duty was doubtless the reason of the illness that ended in his death. For nearly forty years his Sunday work, involving long journeys in all weathers and the delivery of earnest discourses, fasting all the time, as his Church prescribed and breakfasting most frequently at 2 p.m., told with inevitable effect on his splendid constitution. In vain his friends tried to induce him to lessen his exertions. His zeal for souls would never .permit him to spare himself while he had strength to move. Besides the constant and unwearying attention to the spiritual care of his flock, the material edifice of the Church received at his hands every consideration, and, as a result, we see the fine church and presbytery that ornament the town, besides the home for the Dominican Sisters engaged in the work of education. Other portions of his scattered district claimed his attention ; hence the erection of (he church at Millers Flat, improvements of a substantial character in Roxburgh, and the enlargement and adornment of the Waitahuna church soon to be superseded by an entirely new and commodious building. His anxiety for the welfare of the younger members of his flock prompted him to teach Christian doctrine daily in the Catholic school. Generations of children have passed through St. Patrick’s School and are scattered over the Dominion and outside, and wherever a Lawrence-taught Catholic is found the mark of the training of their loved old pastor is easily discerned and readily acknowledged by the clergy of the parish in which they take up their abode. Amongst his fellow priests Monsignor O’Leary occupied a position which was unique. No priest ever did or ever will gain their affections as he did. The older priests of the diocese had come to look upon him more as an institution than an individual, and the snapping of the link that held him amongst them has been most eloquently expressed in the wires of sympathy that pour in on the friend whom he loved with an affection that not even death could lessen. In relation to the younger generation of priests he has been guide, philosopher, and friend to a considerable number who assisted him in the work of the parish and all, without exception, retain, and will retain to the end of their days, a loving remembrance of his unvarying kindness, consideration and desire to fit them for the work of the sacred ministry, when in other locations, they would be deprived of his paternal guidance. The young priests had unique opportunities of studying at close range the life of an ideal priest and of benefitting by the vast stores of varied learning, accumulated during a life of

continuous study.- His love for his native land, founded on an intimate knowledge of; her history, genius, and adaptability, formed a marked feature in his character. The Irishman or descendant; of an Irishman who could not feel His pulse ’ beat more' quickly and imbibe a deeper love for that land of varied and thrilling ‘vicissitudes after listening to the impassioned utterances of the dear old man, must be hopeless. As- a citizen af New Zealand he was glad to testify to the fine spirit of camaraderie that existed amongst all classes in the Dominion and made such a marked contrast to the state of affairs to be found in some of the older countries. He loved.' New, Zealand with an intelligent and appreciative affection,-and never missed an opportunity of infusing into the minds of others the ideas he entertained of the advantages of life in the Dominion. Take him for all in all we shall not look upon his like again. May the sod lie lightly on his manly heart and may the memories of his manifold virtues be a beacon , light to guide us through the mazes of life to that higher destiny which ho kept ever in view. FUNERAL OBSEQUIES. The last tribute of respectful love was paid to Monsignor O’Leary at Lawrence on Tuesday amid scenes of sorrow unparalleled in the memory of the oldest resident of Tuapeka. The presence of the Bishop of the diocese, of twenty-eight priests, and the whole Catholic population of the parish, and of numerous non-Cath-olics, bore eloquent‘testimony to the place held, by the Mousignor in the hearts of all.

Assisting his Lordship the Bishop at the obsequies were the' following priests Very Rev. Dean Tubman, S.M. (Timaru) and Very Rev. Dean O’Donnell (Ashburton), representing the Bishop and priests of the diocese of Christchurch; Very Rev. Fathers Hunt, P. O'Donnell, Coffey, and the Rev. Fathers J. O’Neill, Murphy, McMullan, O’Dea, P. O’Neill, J. F. O’Donnell, James Lynch, Howard, Delany, John Lynch, O’Reilly, Buckley, Corcoran, D. O’Neill, Morkane, Collins, Scanlan, E. Lynch, Liston, Woods, O’Connell, Kaveney, Graham. Right Rev. Monsignor Mackay and Very Rev. Dean Burke were prevented from attending by illness, and Rev. Fathers Kavanagh, Foley, and Tobin by parochial duties. The Office for the Dead was chanted by the clergy at 10 a.in. His Lordship the Bishop . pontificated at the Solemn Requiem Mass, Rev. Father Buckley (a cousin of the Monsignor) being deacon, Rev. Father Woods subdeacon, and Very Rev. Father Coffey, master of ceremonies. The music of the Mass was sung by a choir of priests. Rev. Father O’Neill, of Waikiwi, the lifelong friend of the deceased prelate, spoke in most touching terms to the packed congregation of their late pastor. Lie referred to Monsignor O’Leary’s heroic devotion to priestly duty for the long space of forty-two years, his skilful instruction of the young, his anxious care for the dying, his untiring zeal for the spiritual welfare of his people and sage guidance of many of their temporal affairs, his sincere, .noble, character, and the inspiring example of his blameless life, and of the deep affection entertained for him by Bishop and priests.

The funeral procession left the church at 1.30 p.m. The former curates of the late Monsignor carried the coffin from the sanctuary to the door of the church, whence it was borne to the hearse by the following gentlemen of the parish—Messrs, H. Hart and R. Barron (Lawrence), M. McMullan (Roxburgh), J. Sheehy (Millers Flat), E. Fahey (Evans Flat), R. McInerney (Kanoni), F. Whelan (Waitahuna), J. Kelleher (Dunedin). Mr. Con. O’Leary, of Wanganui, a brother of Monsignor O’Leary, was the chief mourner. The school children, the Children of Mary, the parishioners, and the clergy walked in procession to the cemetery, reciting the Rosary, the Monsignor’s favorite prayer, as they went. . Every shop in the town was closed, and a great number of non-Catholics followed the hearse to the graveside. It was the largest funeral ever witnessed in Lawrence, whilst the presence of so many priests, the recitation of the Rosary, the prayerful attitude of the parishioners as well as the respectful

demeanour of the whole town made it a truly impressive and moving sight. His Lordship the Bishop officiated at the grave. Thus was laid to rest the body of Monsignor O’Leary amid his own people whom lie had served so long and so well, and who loved him so tenderly. Peace be to his gentle soul! At the request of several members of the congregation, Rev. Father O’Neill, of Waikiwi, presided, over a meeting of the parishioners on Sunday in order to consider the best way of perpetuating the memory of their late parish priest. v lt was decided to erect a fitting monument over the grave, and to found a scholarship burse at Holy Cross College, Mosgiel, for the education of a youthful aspirant to the priesthood. It was thought that no more worthy memorial of the late Monsignor could be devised than to secure for all time the education of v a succession of ecclesiastical students, who in due time would ascend the altar to offer the Holy- Sacrifice for the living and the dead. The sum of =£soo has already been subscribed by the priests of the diocese and the parishioners of Tuapeka for this object, and ho doubt the sympathetic help of Monsignor O’Leary’s numerous'friends throughout New Zealand will soon complete the good work thus begun. The new church about to be erected at Waitahuna, one of the districts of Lawrence parish, at a cost of £IOOO, is also to be dedicated to Monsignor’s memory.

AN APPRECIATION. (By Rev. J. M. Liston.) Life is but a series of the parting of friends. One by one they hurry past us, stretching out their hands in long farewell. We whisper good-bye to themgoodbye till we meet again in heavenand as we turn once more to our unfinished tasks, try to win some comfort out of words. In some such spirit as this, in the spirit of reverent sorrow for a vanished presence, the writer of these lines would fain offer a tribute of respect and esteem in his own name, and, happily, in that of his fellows, the younger generation of priests, to one whom they and he cherished as father, brother, and friend.

In their eyes Monsignor O’Leary was always the priest. His outlook was that of a priest, his life-work that of a priest, his innocent pleasures were taken in the company of his brother priests. To them he always seemed the true churchman, faithful to the spouse of Christ, the outstanding manliness and independence of his character making his loyal service of his Bishop the very flower of sacerdotal obedience. Ever the good pastor, knowing his sheep and loved by them. . Their tears tell how deeply his parishioners loved him. It was easy for them to respect his transparent character, and long years of zealous service taught them to admire his single eye for their welfare. To them he was the safe counsellor, the messenger of mercy at the bed of death, the perfect exemplar of the ideal parish priest whom the Irish fondly call in the language he loved so well: Say art a rain! We knew Monsignor to be a man of prayer. That a priest is called to be, and prayer to him was as the marrow of his bones. His long life was full of fervent prayer, and so far as one could judge, the prayer was ever inspired by the most serene confidence. And it must have been easy for him to pray, for his days were lived in an atmosphere of faith, and the very mainspring of his life was the keen sense of an unseen Presence. He had inherited in full measure the strong faith of his Irish forefathers. His the living faith of the child confidently clasping its father’s hand. It was in this faith that forty-two years ago he hurried out from his own dear land and sweet home to the rim of the earth. It was in that faith he lived among his people for more than three decades, declaring to them with tireless lips the whole counsel of God, and by his stainless life bearing witness to better things. The same faith enabled him to meet death with simple dignity. It was only turning the corner into his Father’s house, and faith lit up the way till the everlasting day dawned in the unclouded splendor of sight.

The Monsignor had a place all his own in the hearts of his brother priests. Most men are at home only with those of their own age and generation, but he could find room and make warm welcome in his big heart for the youngest of us. His courteous, thoughtful, generous, genial hospitality made the most diffident feel at home. He was a man of infinite lovableness, with the endearing simplicity of a patriarch. A prince among men, with a character sincere, fearless, greathearted, simple. , A true priest, a saintly soul. The grace of God worked easily in him because his nature was made of the finest of fine gold. But why multiply the lines in a sketch that even a skilful hand would leave inadequate ? Perhaps no finer summary of his character can be given than that found in St. Paul’s golden description of perfect love: ‘Charity is patient, is kind ; charity envieth not, is not pretentious, is not puffed up, behaveth not amiss, seckcth not her own, is not provoked, regardeth not evil, rejoice!h not, over wickedness, but rejoiceth with truth; bareth all things, believetli all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. Charity faileth never: whereas prophesyings, they shall have an end ; tongues, they shall cease ; knowledge, it shall have an end.’ It would be.difficult to write of Monsignor O’Leary without referring to his love of Ireland. Faith and fatherland-with him were one, and he dearly loved the Irish language, because he felt with Spencer: If the tongue be Irish, the heart must needs he Irish, too.’ We of the younger generation will always be grateful to him for making us see the pathos, the beauty, and the glory of Ireland’s history. May the earth lie softly on his gentle bosom, and may his spirit find that surpassing peace which God gives lo his faithful servants.