THE LATE FATHER CHARLES E. BELL, S.M.

New Zealand Tablet, 8 April 1920, Page 33

THE LATE FATHER CHARLES E. BELL, S.M.

The funeral of the late Father Charles Edmond Bell, S.M., which took place at Mount Magdala, ~ Christchurch, was attended by 24 priests from the different parts of New Zealand, as well as a large attendance of the public, and all the inmates of the Mount Magdalai institution, who assembled to pay a last tribute of respect to a muchbeloved and most devoted priest. Commencing at 10 a.m., there was Solemn Requiem Mass in the beautiful chapel of the institution. His Lordship Bishop Brodie was celebrant, Very Rev. Dean O'Donnell, V.G., assistant priest, Very Rev. Dean Regnault, S.M., and Very Rev. Father Aubry, S.M., deacons at the throne. Very Rev. Father O'Connell, S.M., and Rev. Father Murphy deacon and subdeacon respectively of the Mass, and Very Rev. Dr. Kennedy, Adm., master of ceremonies. The incidental music was impressively sung by a choir of the clergy. At the conclusion of the solemn ceremony, his Lordship Bishop Brodie touchingly referred to the life of the late Father Bell in the following terms : The solemn ceremony at which we have just assisted directs our attention to the life and career of tin departed priest. His life was one where length of years had been enriched by privileged associations. Living to the great age of 8(5, his memory could carry him back to the days of the illustrious Cardinal Wiseman, that great prince of the Church who would seem to have been specially raised up by God to guide the Catholics of England amidst the great difficulties which preceded and accompanied the reestablishment of the Hierarchy in-England. In a very great measure it was due to Cardinal Wiseman's scholarly defence of our holy faith that the celebrated Oxford Movement was set on foot, a movement which led thousands of converts back to the fold. Father Bell enjoyed the privilege of being ordained to the priesthood by Cardinal Wiseman, who, in 1865, was succeeded by Cardinal Manning, a noted convert who did much to complete the work of his great predecessor. Father Bell spent the first 2."> years of his priesthood under Cardinal Mainline, until in the late eighties the call to missionary work directed Ids steps to the Society of Mary, of which Society he became a member in 1890. Two years later he came to New Zealand with Bishop Grimes, and was stationed at the Cathedral in Christchurch. The record of his work is still preserved, and many still remember his zeal and activity in his priestly duties in this his first sphere of labor in the diocese. In 1899 Father Bell was asked to undertake the chaplaincy of the Convent of the Good Shepherd at Mount Magdala, Christchurch; though in his 76th year, he set himself to work with even a youthful vigor to continue what Father Ginaty had so successfully begun. Mount Magdala has now grown into a vast institution. and in its development we see many evidences of the Divine favor; but the extensive buildings and spacious grounds are only a secondary consideration in the good work being accomplished; the Sisters of the Good Shepherd aim especially at the sanctification of the children entrusted to their care; hero it is that the work of the chaplain becomes an indispensable factor in the life at Mount Magdala ; Father Bell has. proved himself a zealous chaplain, untiring in his duties, ever ready with his priestly ministrations and burning with zeal to encourage in virtue his spiritual children. A visit to-Mount Magdala for daily Mass wll afford a proof of this, and each morning one can witness the edifying sight of nearly 300 approaching Holy Communion—truly a si "lit to "ive ample proof of the zeal of Father Bell' and the success of his work. , Father Bell's success at Mount Magdala brings to a worthy close a long life of 86 years and a priesthood of 56 years. His brother-priests and his in religion will be joined by his Bishop in humble and earnest prayer that Jesus Christ, his Divine Master, will errant eternal reward to the departed soul; and in this Convent of the Good She rd the Sisters and the children will gratefully remember Father Bell and in daily prayer will commend the soul of their chaplain to God, asking in grateful prayer that the Good Shepherd -may receive into His eternal fold the soul of him who had done so much II S , a «? encourage the great work of the Sisters of the Good Shepherd at Mount Magdala. The procession to the Magdala Cemetery was a lencthv one and the burial service aTid. prayers were said by the Bishop, while the priests chanted the "Benedictus" at the graveside.—R.l.P.