ANNIVERSARY OF MGR. O’LEARY’S DEATH

New Zealand Tablet, 6 December 1917, Page 21

ANNIVERSARY OF MGR. O’LEARY’S DEATH

On Saturday, the Ist instant, a Solemn High Mass of Requiem was celebrated in the Church of the Sacred Heart, Waikiwi, for the repose of the soul of the late Monsignor O'Leary. The Rev. Father Farthing (Gore) was celebrant, Very Rev. Father O'Donnell (Gore) deacon, and Very Rev. Father O'Neill subcleacon. The | music of the Mass was rendered in a devotional manner ■■; by the church choir, assisted by the priests present. Considering the inconvenient day there was a goodly gathering of the faithful, including the boarders of St. Catharine's Convent. Mr. C. O'Leary, of the Railway Department (brother of the late Monsignor), came down from Aramoho, and was present at the solemn ceremonies. After the Gospel Very Rev. Father O'Neill referred to the object of their presence in the church—viz., to keep the anniversary of Monsignor O'Leary death, and renew their prayers for his eternal welfare. It was a time-honored custom in the Church to observe the anniversaries of her prelates. In Rome the annual recurrence of the day on which the preceding Sovereign Pontiff died was commemorated by a Solemn High Mass, at which the ruling Pontiff was always present. The bishop.of each diocese in the Christian world was under an obligation to remember the date of his predecessor's demise and offer the Holy Sacrifice, with all the solemnity that circumstances permitted, for the repose of the soul of the former ruler of the see. The departed prelate, whose first anniversary they were keeping in the church where he celebrated the Holy "Sacrifice for the last time, was a man of marked characteristics. A devoted pastor, knowing and loving his flock and beloved in turn by them, and as deeply lamented by them to-day as on the day when the news of his death caused them to be stricken with profound grief; a kind friend to his fellow-priests and a loving father to his assistants in the work of the Lawrence parish. Those who have lived with him, and whom he always referred to as his colleagues, know, perhaps, better than any what his kindliness of heart was and how thoughtful and considerate for others. Sharing with them the burdens of the mission, and edifying them by his deep religious spirit, he made them love him with an affection which will last while gratitude remains amongst their priestly qualities. How he was revered by his brother priests of old times was proved on the occasion of the lamented death of Bishop Moran, when every inducement was tried by them to prevail on him to relax his determined opposition to be nominated for successor to the departed prelate. Notwithstanding his unwillingness, which was prompted by the exalted idea he rightly entertained of the outstanding qualifications which should be found in a successor of the Apostles, they gave him a very large number of votes as an indication of their desire. His tastes were for the simple duties of the ministry, and all attempts, to induce him to accept promotion' to a better parish met with a steady refusal. In Goldsmith's well-known couplet, '" Remote from towns he ran his godly race, And ne'er had changed, nor wished to 'change his place." There is no doubt that had he consented years ago to accept a more populous and important parish, his work would be seen there also in monuments to his zeal, such as the fine solid .presbytery, convent, and beautiful Gothic church which are' among his memorials *in Lawrence. ~ ~ To the people qf Lawrence especially, our sympathy to-day goes out. There he will be remembered with ;; affection for years to come. There his gentlemanly bearing and kindness of heart made him respected by % all classes. and intensely loved by his flock. I . Father O'Neill expressed his appreciation of the | kindness of the priests who had come, at considerable ::; inconvenience, to be present at the anniversary cereI monies. To the choir, who, at short notice, had done |so well, and the congregation who had assembled at | equally short notice, to pray for the deceased, the revg speaker expressed <= his gratitude. A ■{s£} --'','■

Father. O- Neill asked the - prayers of the congregations at AVaikiwi and Rakahouka on Sunday for the late Monsignoi, and spoke at length on the priestly qualities of him whom the old people still remembered as officiating in Southland in the far back days, when all Southland constituted one parish.