Showing 453 results

Born: 25 May 1815, Leighlinbridge, County Carlow
Entered: 01 September 1843, Frederick, MD, USA - Marylandiae Province (MAR)
Final vows: 15 August 1859
Died: 13 June 1883, Holy Cross College, Worcester, MA, USA - Marylandiae Neo-Eboracensis Province (MARNEB)

Born: 28 February 1901, Kilsallagh, Fethard, County Tipperary
Entered: 21 October 1939, St Mary's, Emo, County Laois
Final Vows: 02 February 1950, Milltown Park, Dublin
Died: 05 March 1958, St Vincent’s Hospital, Dublin

Part of St Mary’s community, Emo, County Laois at time of his death.

◆ Fr Francis Finegan : Admissions 1859-1948 - Farmer before entry

◆ Irish Province News
Province News 33rd Year No 2 1958
Obituary :
Br James O’Neill (1901-1958)
Br. James O'Neill died at St. Vincent's Private Hospital on 5th March after a lingering and fairly painful illness of nearly five months. He had been sent into hospital in October and about Christmas he. was allowed to go to a Nursing Home; but he was not restored to health. He had to return to hospital after about a week for an operation, which was not expected to make him well but which saved him from severe pain for the remaining time of his illness. For weeks he grew steadily worse and as he could take practically no food he was reduced at the end to the last stage of emaciation. But during all these weeks he displayed unfailing patience and a holy resignation to God's will. Al who came to visit him were struck by his genuine Catholic spirit; and the nurses were edified by the virtuous way in which he met his sufferings and growing weakness and especially the strong simple Faith in which he approached his death.
He was a late vocation, being thirty-eight when he entered Emo in 1939, He was born at Fethard in County Tipperary, where he owned a farm left him by his father, which he worked with the assistance of his brother. For a good length of time he had a feeling that God wanted him in religious life. He spoke of this to the curate of his parish, Fr. Meaney, a past pupil of the Crescent College, Limerick, who advised him to enter the Society as a Brother and brought him to meet Fr. Gubbins, who at that time was Rector of the Crescent. Fr. Gubbins agreed at once with the opinion of Fr. Meaney and wrote recommending him to the Provincial, Fr. Kieran. When some time after, Fr. Kieran went to Emo on Visitation, Fr. Meaney brought James O'Neill to meet him and Fr. Provincial promptly admitted him to the Society. When James left home he made over his farm to his brother.
From the first he fitted into the new life on which he had entered much older in years than the companions he found in the noviceship. Straight away he showed a real affinity with the religious life; he was humble, docile, hard working, devout. He felt that he was where God wished him to be and had from the beginning peace in his vocation. During all his life in the Society he was given the work he bad been trained for and which he liked-work on the land. In 1943, shortly after his First Vows, he was sent to Rathfarnham Castle to take charge of the farm, where he worked for nearly seven years. In 1949 he was appointed to the same office in Milltown Park. After some years his health began to fail and he was changed again to Emo in 1956, where he was appointed to help in the running of the farm. But the change did not restore his health, He found that he had not his old energy - that he quickly grew tired. These were the first unrecognised symptoms of the disease which was to be fatal. But in spite of his weakness he worked on uncomplainingly until he could work no longer. Br. O'Neill remained all his life long what he had been in his noviceship, a humble devout Religious. He was always industrious and was devoted to his work as a farmer. Wherever he went he won the esteem and liking of his lay-helpers. He was always just and considerate with them, and he set them an example of hard work. With the different communities of Brothers he was always a favourite as he was invariably kind, friendly and easy to get on with. Indeed, with all members of the communities to which he was attached he was esteemed for his humility and devotion to work, and his religious duties.
His Religious life was relatively brief, lasting only 18 years; but he showed that he had a true Jesuit vocation; be gave all he had to God and the Society. He gave the years of quiet conscientious work; but he gave something more valuable in the example of simple, unobtrusive piety and religious observance which his life presented. May he rest in peace.

◆ James B Stephenson SJ Menologies 1973

Brother James O’Neill SJ 1901-1958
Br James O’Neill was a late vocation, being 38 when he entered Emo in 1939. Born at Fethard County Tipperary, he was the owner of a farm inherited from his father. But feeling the call to follow the Lord closer, he resigned his farm in favour of his brother and became a Jesuit.

In the Society he worked on the farms attached to our houses, first in Rathfarnham, then in Milltown and finally in Emo. But ill-health overtook him and he died after a painful illness on March 5th 1958.

He was only 18 years a Jesuit, but he showed he had a genuine Jesuit vocation – he gave all he had to God and the Society, years of quiet conscientious work, and an example of simple, unobtrusive piety and religious observance.

Born: 01 October 1793, Ballyroe, County Kerry
Entered:14 October 1836, Florissant MO, USA - Missouriana Province (MIS)
Final vows: 01 November 1847
Died: 10 January 1873, Florissant MO, USA - Missouriana Province (MIS)

Born: 13 May 1823, Drum, County Roscommon
Entered: 01 February 1855, Frederick, MD, USA - Marylandiae Province (MAR)
Final vows: 15 August 1865
Died: 05 March 1881, Boston College, Boston, MA, USA - Marylandiae Neo-Eboracensis Province (MAR NEB)

Born: 11 December 1825, Baronscourt, County Tyrone
Entered: 18 July 1848, Frederick, MD, USA - Marylandiae Province (MAR)
Final vows: 15 August 1858
Died: 27 July 1904, Woodstock College, MD, USA - Marylandiae Neo-Eboracensis Province (MAR)

Born: 13 October 1775, Dublin City, County Dublin
Entered: 11 July 1808 - Marylandiae Province (MAR)
Final Vows: 02 February 1821
Died: 19 May 1842, St Inigo’s, Maryland, USA - Marylandiae Province (MAR)

Born: 20 May 1848, Aclare, County Sligo
Entered: 30 July 1875, Milltown Park, Dublin
Final vows: 02 February 1888
Died: 02 July 1927, Milltown Park, Dublin

◆ HIB Menologies SJ :
Canon O'Grady, PP of Behola in Achonry, and Father O'Grady a Salesian of Warrenstown were his brothers.

He was a farm steward, 12 years at Clongowes, 12 years in Tullabeg and six years at Mungret. He was reputedly a very able man of business.
He died at Milltown 02 July 1927

◆ Irish Province News
Irish Province News 2nd Year No 4 1927
Obituary :
Br James O’Grady :
After a strenuous life, Br. O'Grady went to his rest and reward last July.
Two of his brothers were priests, and, when he was thinking of entering the Society as a lay-brother, I was suggested to him by one of our Fathers that he was still young enough and had brains enough to study for the priesthood. But the life of a lay-brother had stronger attraction for him, and he began his noviceship at Milltown on the goth July, 1875. This story is told on the authority of his brother, the late Canon O'Grady. In the domestic order he filled nearly every office that a lay-brother could fill, Infirmarian, Sacristan, Refectorian, etc., but it was as farm-steward that his big work was done. He held that important post for thirty years, twelve in Clongowes, twelve in Tullabeg, and six. in Mungret. He threw himself with his whole heart into his duties, and with remarkable success. A shrewd business man in Dublin declared that one of the best judges of cattle in Ireland was the Jesuit, Br O'Grady. And it was said that the Clongowes brand on a. beast, when the brother was in the College, was bound to raise the price. About the year 1919 his health failed, and he had to undergo a severe operation. From that date his suffering was, at times, intense, but it never lessened his confidence in God, or the high spirits that characterized him. He continued to be the life and soul of the brothers' recreation, enjoying with a boy's delight every bit of fun that came in his way. When nearing eighty he often shouldered his spade or his fork and worked for hours in a way that would shame a younger man. Indeed it was said that over-exertion while hay-making brought on the stroke that killed him. His holy and peaceful death took place at Milltown Park on July 2nd 1927, in his eightieth year. He was born 20th May, 1848. RIP

◆ James B Stephenson SJ Menologies 1973

Brother James O’Grady 1848-1927
Br O’Grady was a well known and popular figure in the Province for many years. Born in May 1848, he entered the novitiate in 1875.

He filled many posts in the course of his useful life, but it was as farm steward at Clongowes that his big work was done. Thirty years in all he acted in that capacity, and he acquired a reputation for judging cattle second to none in Ireland.

About 1919 his health failed and he underwent a severe operation. From then onwards his suffering at time was intense. Nevertheless he carried on, the life and soul of the Brother’s recreation, with a cheery word for everyone, admirable in his handling of the house staff, and dear tot all the theologians in Milltown Park. He still maintained his interest in the farm and at eighty years of age, often shouldered his spade or fork and worked for hours. Indeed it was said that over exertion at haymaking brought on the stroke that killed him.

He died a holy death at Milltown Park on July 3rd 1927 in his eightieth year.

Born: 18 October 1858, Dublin City, County Dublin
Entered: 05 January 1879, Milltown Park, Dublin
Final Vows: 02 February 1891, Clongowes Wood College SJ
Died: 15 December 1943, Clongowes Wood College, Naas, County Kildare

◆ Fr Francis Finegan : Admissions 1859-1948 - Had a brother a scholastic in the Missouri Mission

◆ Irish Province News
Irish Province News 4th Year No 2 1929
Jubilee :
Br. O'Grady celebrated his Golden Jubilee in the Society on Jan. 10th. He spent 42 out of the 50 years in Clongowes, intimately connected with that important department on which, in great measure the material, and, to some extent, the spiritual progress of a Community depends. On the 10th a big crowd of his Brother friends assembled at Clongowes to wish him many more years of health, holiness and active service.

Irish Province News 19th Year No 2 1944
Obituary :
Brother James J O'Grady SJ (1858-1943)

On December 14th a very peaceful death brought to a fitting end the long and saintly life of Brother O'Grady. He was born in Dublin on the 18th October, 1858, and was educated by the Christian Brothers. After a short time in business he entered the Society at Milltown Park, January 5th, 1879. Immediately after his noviceship he was sent to Clongowes where, with the exception of three years (1895-6 and 1903-5) in St. Ignatius College, Galway, and one year (1896-7) in Tullabeg, he was to spend the rest of his life. He was cook and dispenser there until a couple of years before his death, and during that time it would be impossible to estimate his value to the College, whether as an exemplary religious or an efficient and painstaking official. Those who served under him, cooks and servants, had the highest esteem and regard for him. He was always most courteous and even-tempered in his dealings with them, and always most anxious to help them in every way, and many who afterwards got good positions in hotels and elsewhere owned that they owed their success to what they had learned from Br, O'Grady in Clongowes.
As a religious, Brother O'Grady was a model, being always most regular in his observance of rule, most hardworking and most charitable when speaking of others. Clongowes feels that it has in Br. O'Grady a most eloquent advocate before the throne of the Master whom he served so long and so loyally. R.I.P.

◆ The Clongownian, 1944

Obituary

Brother James O'Grady SJ
In “The Clongownian” of 1910, under “Choir Notes”, there is the following item, dated May 25th : “At 5.30 our less fortunate companions went to the study to discuss wall building with old Balbus or feast on Algebraical factors. We remained below to enjoy the fine menu provided by Br O'Grady. The table was very artistically decorated by Br Brady, who left nothing undone that could conduce to our comfort”.

There is something especially pathetic in this entry of thirty-three years ago, as both those mentioned have this year gone to their reward after lives spent in just those occupations that are mentioned in the entry.

With the exception of four years, Br O'Grady had been continuously in Clongowes from 1882 until his death last December. In spite, however, of that long connection of over sixty years, he was but little known to the boys of the school, though many, at least of the older generation, will remember him on the ice as a graceful and accomplished skater. His work was confined mostly to the kitchen and its environments where he laboured unostentatiously, but most efficiently, during all those years. With the preparation of how many “feeds” he must have been connected! How many enjoyed the good things that he prepared without, perhaps, giving a thought to the hand that had prepared them and the care that had been lavished upon them ! But it was not for the thanks of those who benefited by his work that Br O'Grady laboured. He was a true religious and worked for a Master Who never fails to reward His faithful servants. Clongowes and its interests will be better served by Br O'Grady in heaven even than they were when he lived and worked amongst us.

Br Brady's connection with Clongowes was very much shorter than that of Br O'Grady, but it brought him into closer con tact with the boys, as he was for many years in charge of the refectory. He took a deep interest in them and in everything connected with them, even their games, especially the Line Matches. He possessed a great sense of humour, and a joke was ever ready to his lips.

Many will remember how his answer to the question “What second-course to-day, Brother?” was invariably “Plums”, whether or not these dainties were to appear ! For many years before his death he suffered from deafness, but that did not affect his cheerfulness, nor did even the ill-health of his last few years which he bore with great patience and resignation to the will of God.
May they rest in peace.

Born: 1593, Pallas, County Longford
Entered: 1611, Coimbra, Portugal - Lusitania Province (LUS)
Died: 09 August 1615, Irish College, Lisbon, Portugal - Lusitania Province (LUS)

Alias O’Feril

1614 at Irish College Lisbon, a Lay Brother

◆ Fr Edmund Hogan SJ “Catalogica Chronologica” :
1611 Was in Irish College Lisbon

◆ Fr Francis Finegan SJ :
After his First Vows he was sent to Irish College Lisbon, and nothing further is known

Born: 25 December 1820, Adare, County Limerick
Entered: 21 August 1842, St Stanislaus, Florissant, MO, USA - Missourianae Province (MIS)
Final Vows: 15 August 1855
Died: 24 October 1877, Osage Mission, Neosho, KS, USA - Missourianae Province (MIS)

Born: 01 July 1825, Gurtnahoe, County Tipperary
Entered: 23 June 1855, St John’s, Fordham, NY, USA - Franciae Province (FRA)
Final vows: 15 August 1865
Died: 25 December 1870, Fordham College , NY, USA - Neo-Eboracensis-Canadensis Province (NEBCAN)

Born: 21 December 1819, Dingle, County Kerry
Entered: 02 May 1851, Frederick, MD, USA (MAR)
Professed: 15 August 1861
Died: 22 May 1880, Georgetown College, Washington DC, USA - Neo-Eboracensis Province (NEB)

Born: 12 July 1921, Dolphin's Barn, Dublin
Entered: 09 April 1939, St Mary’s, Emo, County Laois
Final Vows: 15 August 1951, Milltown Park, Dublin
Died: 06 January 1971, Milltown Park, Dublin

◆ Irish Province News
Irish Province News 46th Year No 2 1971
Obituary :
Br Kevin O’Connor SJ
The Province has had to suffer more than one shock from death during the past two months; none it would appear, was more severe or more sudden than the death on January 6th, from a heart attack, of Brother O'Connor, little more than two hours after the Requium Mass in Gonzaga chapel for the repose of Fr W Prendergast - a Mass for which Br O'Connor had made all the preparations in his capacity as sacristan at Milltown Park.
For almost 29 years Br O’Connor had devoted himself, heart and soul to the service of the Altar, and in addition gave in valuable service to the house which, with his adaptable nature, became from the beginning, his home. His external life was for $0 many years uneventful and most of his work so unobstrusive in the community that it is fitting that the final tribute should come from one who was with Brother Kevin in the Noviceship more than 30 years ago and who was with him in his last moments, joining with him in prayer. Br Frank Roe writes as follows:
“Br Kevin O’Connor entered the Noviceship on April 9th, 1939, aged 18.. having given up his job as apprentice in the body-building trade. His very young appearance made us think he was a boy of 14; straight away he settled into the routine of the noviceship, taking his part in all the duties of everyday life in a happy contented way. After his vows on September 18th, 1941, he was sent to Tullabeg to learn the tailoring trade under the grand old man John Ryan, remaining in Tullabeg until, with the status of 1942, he was listed for Milltown Park as sacristan and assistant tailor to Br Canty, thus beginning his 29 years in Milltown. Having been an altar-boy in his parish church, Dolphin's Barn, he soon became very efficient as a sacristan and excelled in exacting occasions as a guide and help to successive Masters of Ceremonies. Ordination was Brother Kevin's great day, his artistic sense evidencing itself with the flowers and general décor of the altar. Letters of ordination amply testify to their appreciation of his care. Another activity where his helpfulness was conspicuous was in providing clothes for members of the community who patronised his tailor's shop; their needs were almost invariably satisfactorily provided for.
The fire of February 1949 caused him a great shock resulting in a slight nervous indisposition which continued some time but which he finally threw off. When the Building Fund was being organised he took a keen interest in its success and was actively concerned in practically every venture to promote its object - Whist Drives, Garden Fêtes, Jumble Sales, etc. He was a great favourite with the committee members, a fact confirmed by the remarkably large attendance at his funeral.
He was, as we have seen, ever ready to oblige, inside or outside the house; his success lay in his simple straight-forward character, unpretentious, about his work, cheerful, even. His religious life was for him the centre whence everything emanated; it is difficult to realise his loss. R.I.P.”
Brother J Rogers who worked with Br O’Connor for longer than any other member of the Milltown Park Community adds some details to Br. Roe's account: he remarks in particular the keen interest which Br O’Connor took in the young boys who, under the old liturgical customs came to serve in the side chapels of Milltown Park every morning and the great pleasure it gave him to see some of the boys passing through noviciate or seminary on their way to the priesthood and apostolate. Two priests of the Irish Province began their first close contact with the altar in this way, one in Zambia, the other here in Ireland; and at least one of the Dublin diocesan priests also passed through Br. O'Connor's hands. Br. Rogers, infirmarian over so many years at Milltown adds that he never remembers Br. O'Connor as an invalid under any illness; On the day of his death he was dressed and ready for his daily cycle ride when he was stricken down by what must have been a massive heart attack which was soon ended in death,
Another section of the community have special reason to re member Br O’Connor with gratitude for his personal sympathy and many little acts of thoughtful kindness. If one of the older Fathers was tired or discouraged and unable even to say his daily Mass. Br Kevin was often there with a kind word of encouragement and an offer of most welcome help. If another had let his personal appearance become untidy or whose clothes were in obvious need of repair Br Kevin ceased at once to be sacristan and became the tailor from whose mysterious cupboard coats or trousers or Jesuit gowns would be brought and tried on in his best professional manner. If another knew of a family that was in need of sympathy and help, but was himself unable to go and visit the house, Br Kevin would either go himself or ask one of the Fathers who had experience in this form of pastoral work to go and attend a sick boy or a helpless invalid.
All those who knew this aspect of Br O’Connor's life noted his special gift for friendship with young children. His own character had, to the end, a childlike simplicity which helped him to under stand children and win their sympathies. He was also singularly devout and those who knew how deeply he was attached to old ways of prayer and what are now old-fashioned ceremonies, were edified to see how quick he was to see the advantages of a con celebrated Mass or what can be gained by an altar no longer in the old familiar place in the chapel.
If he complained from time to time of the confusion caused by some who were careless and thoughtless in their insistence on new ways who could blame him? No words of blame must have been spoken to him by our Lord when Br. Kevin was called so suddenly to face his judge who was also his redeemer, but rather words that must have been familiar to him in many a morning meditation: Well done, thou good and faithful servant", R.I.P.

Born: 27 October 1780, Tullamore, County Offaly
Entered: 13 November 1813 - Missouriana Province (MIS)
Final vows: 02 February 1826
Died: 07 January 1862, St Louis, Missouri, USA - Missouriana Province (MIS)

Born: 24 June 1832, Durha, Kilrush, County Clare
Entered: 15 June 1860, Santa Clara, CA, USA - Taurensis Province (TAUR)
Final Vows: 02 February 1872
Died: 28 January 1911, Los Gatos, CA, USA - Californiae Province (CAL)

Born: 05 March 1818, Ireland
Entered: 14 August 1848, Florissant MO, USA - Missouriana Province (MIS)
Final Vows: 15 August 1859
Died: 10 April 1861, Ste Marie, Bardstown, KY, USA - Missouriana Province (MIS)

Born: 15 March 1808, Ballyclough, County Cork
Entered: 12 September 1835, Frederick, MD, USA - Marylandiae Province (MAR)
Final vows: 15 August 1846
Died: 14 November 1883, Loyola College, Baltimore, MD, USA - Marylandiae Neo-Eboracensis Province (MARNEB)

Born: 01 June 1814, Moyne, County Tipperary
Entered: 01 February 1855, Sault-au-Rècollet Canada - Franciae Province (FRA)
Final vows: 02 February 1865
Died: 16 January 1876, Sault-au-Récollet, Montréal, Québec, Canada - Neo-Eboracensis-Canadensis Province (NEBCAN)

Born: 14 June 1895, Toolamba, Victoria, Australia
Entered: 30 March 1916, Loyola Greenwich, Australia (HIB)
Final Vows 02 February 1927, Xavier College, Kew, Melbourne, Australia
Died: 16 May 1973, Xavier College, Kew, Melbourne, Australia - Australiae Province (ASL)

Transcribed HIB to ASL 05 April 1931

◆ David Strong SJ “The Australian Dictionary of Jesuit Biography 1848-2015”, 2nd Edition, Halstead Press, Ultimo NSW, Australia, 2017 - ISBN : 9781925043280
Joseph O’Callaghan educated at St Ambrose primary school, Brunswick, Vic., and was a clerk for some years before entering the Society at Loyola College, Greenwich, 30 March 1916. His first appointment was to Xavier College, 1919-21, to perform domestic duties, and he spent the rest of his life doing the many odd jobs that crop up daily in any community.
He was at Burke Hall, 1921-36; Kostka Hall, 1937-39; and at the senior school of Xavier College, 1940-72. During this latter time, he was at various times, sacristan, in charge of the
garden, infirmarian, storekeeper, refectorian, caring for the farm, and assistant procurator. For many years he kept the boys' accounts and was a model of neatness and accuracy He also organised the annual Xavier villa.
At Burke Hall he was in charge of the staff, grounds, accounts and sacristy, as well as being buyer, and helper with prefecting. He was responsible for the building of the main oval, and also helped build the oval at Kostka Hall, a few years later.
He was a faithful worker, sometimes too direct for some people, but he was determined that any job had to be completed as well as possible. He was a keen Carlton football supporter. His daily walk around Kew was a feature of his life. He would rise at 5 am, and attend Mass at 6 am, either at Xavier or in the parish church. His health had been precarious with cancer for several years before his death, which he sustained with characteristic resoluteness.

Born: 01 February 1789, Dublin City, County Dublin
Entered: 12 November 1825, St Stanislaus College, Tullabeg, County Offaly
Died: 02 July 1832, Sisters of Charity Hospital, Grangegorman, Dublin

Part of the St Francis Xavier's, Upper Gardiner Street, Dublin at the time of death

by 1829 in Clongowes

◆ Fr Edmund Hogan SJ “Catalogica Chronologica” :
He superintended in great part the building of St Francis Xavier, Gardiner St, Dublin. He died of cholera while working there 02 July 1832.

◆ HIB Menologies SJ :
A carpenter by trade. He spent three years Probation at Clongowes and then his Novitiate at Tullabeg.
He was stationed at Gardiner St while the Church was being erected.
Cholera had come to Dublin, and he contracted it. he was cared for by the Sisters of Charity in hospital and died 02 July 1832.

◆ George Oliver Towards Illustrating the Biography of the Scotch, English and Irish Members SJ
O’BRIEN, TERENCE. In this lay-brother were united superior talents, as a carpenter and builder, with singular modesty and humility. He superintended in great part the erection of the beautiful Church of St. Francis Xavier in Dublin, and was thus employed till, seized with Cholera, he was called on the 2nd of July, 1832, to the Tabernacles not made with hands, eternal in Heaven.

Born: 11 October 1888, County Meath
Entered: 14 August 1916, Loyola Greenwich, Australia (HIB)
Final vows: 02 February 1938
Died: 31 July 1957, St Ignatius College, Riverview, Sydney, Australia - Australiae Province (ASL)

Transcribed HIB to ASL : 05 April 1931

◆ David Strong SJ “The Australian Dictionary of Jesuit Biography 1848-2015”, 2nd Edition, Halstead Press, Ultimo NSW, Australia, 2017 - ISBN : 9781925043280
Michael O'Brien entered the Society at Loyola College, Greenwich, 14 August 1916, and after his noviciate was sent to Sevenhill, where he worked in the winery, performed domestic duties, and cared for the Church.
In 1921 he went to Xavier College for three years, engaged in domestic duties, and then began 32 years at St Ignatius' College, Riverview, where he had many responsibilities. There was little that he could not manage. Whether it was mending watches or digging drains, building walls or tending the cattle, it was the same to O’Brien. Plumbing, masonry, carpentry were all within his capacity Through his whole life he was busy about one or another activity only taking time off early in the morning or late at night to feed his fowls. Except for Mass in the morning he was usually seen in his working clothes.
He will be remembered for many years for his great feats of strength. Alone he could move loads that two other men together would hesitate to attempt. He had a wonderful gift of summing up a situation, or a person, in a few succinct words that had a character all of their own.
He did not take kindly to Charles Fraser shooting his cows in the rose garden, nor in William Lockington showing him how to do his work. One recreation he enjoyed was to attend meetings of the Irish in Sydney, details of which he kept close to himself.
But he will be remembered even longer for his great devotion to serving Mass. For all the years he spent at the college he served one or more of the early Masses except on the very few occasions when he was ill. Even in his last years when rising from his knees was difficult, he insisted on serving and omitting no part of his role. He took a poor view of any priest who ventured to help him by changing the missal at the Gospel. Night after night, before he retired, he spent time in private prayer in the chapel. Overall, O’Brien's contribution to the material wellbeing of Riverview was inestimable.

Born: 01 January 1839, Clare Island, County Mayo
Entered: 30 December 1864, Milltown Park, Dublin
Final vows: 02 February 1875
Died: 20 March 1915, St Ignatius, Lower Leeson Street, Dublin

◆ HIB Menologies SJ :
He made his Novitiate under Luigi Sturzo and remained at Milltown as a cook for a while afterwards.
1868 He was sent to Tullabeg as cook, where he did excellent work under Father William Delany, who was 10 years Rector there.
He was then moved to Belvedere for a while, and after a short interval at Gardiner St, he went to UCD, where he worked for a long period. He died leaving a fine record of work at Leeson St 20 March 1915

It may not be out of place to mention that Edmund Hogan stated that the Italian Fathers told James Butler, of Clongowes fame, in 1805, that an Irish Jesuit Synnott was the last to leave off the Jesuit habit worn at the time of the Suppression in 1773 - “Go and tell His Holiness that it was an Irishman was the last member to put aside the habit”. So, Brother O’Brien was the last Brother to put aside the tall-hat in 1892 in obedience to the order of the Provincial Timothy Kenny.

Note from Michael O’Reilly Entry :
Towards the end of his life he was sent to Leeson St, and just before his death to Milltown, where he died 16 September 1915 - six months after John O’Brien.

◆ Fr Francis Finegan : Admissions 1859-1948 - DOB 12 March 1840 Killaloe, Co Clare; Ent 04 January 1865; Cooper before entry

◆ James B Stephenson SJ Menologies 1973
Brother John O’Brien SJ 1840-1915
Br John O’Brien was born in Killaloe on March 12th 1840. He did his noviceship in Milltown Park under Fr Sturzo in 1865.

He was faithful and efficient as a cook in many of our houses, notably in Tullabeg, where Fr Delaney was Rector for 10 years. He was then moved to Belvedere and finally to University College, where he worked a for a long period. He died on March 20th 1915, leaving a fine record of useful and hidden labour.

It may not be out of place to record here a fact stated by Fr Hogan, that the Italian Fathers told Fr James Butler, of Clongowes fame, that an Irish Jesuit names Synott, was the last to leave off the Jesuit habit worn at the time of the Suppression 1773 : “Go and tell His Holiness that it was an Irishman was the last member to lay aside the habit”. So, Br O’Brien was that last Irish Brother to lay aside the tall-hat, in obedience to Fr Timothy Kenny, Provincial of Ireland from 1888 to 1894.

Born: 10 January 1723, Dublin City, County Dublin
Entered: 05 November 1751, St Andrea, Rome, Italy - Romanae Province (ROM)
Final Vows: 02 February 1764
Died: 04 December 1771, College of Perugia, Perugia, Italy - Romanae Province (ROM)

1756 At Irish College Rome, seems to have been in charge (writer seems to think he was a Priest and Procurator. There are notes of items of clothing for various Irish Jesuits. His accounts are in English and Italian
1758-1762 At Irish College Poitiers - Rector being Stephen Usher

◆ Fr Edmund Hogan SJ “Catalogica Chronologica” :
1763 Was “dépensier” at Irish College Poitiers (Arrêt de la Cour 1763).

◆ Fr Francis Finegan SJ :
After First Vows he spent the next four years working at the Irish College and Professed Houses in Rome. He was then sent to the Irish College Poitiers until the dissolution of the Society in France.
1762-1767 He was recalled to ROM and once more at the Irish College there. He was later sent to Teramo and then to Perugia, where he died 04 December 1771

Born: 26 June 1780, County Carlow
Entered: 23 January 1816, Clongowes Wood College SJ, County KIldare
Final vows: 08 September 1837, Clongowes Wood College SJ, County KIldare
Died 22 April 1862, Clongowes Wood College SJ, County KIldare

◆ HIB Menologies SJ :
He was a tailor by trade. As a young man he went to England for work, and eventually found work as a servant in Stonyhurst. On hearing that the Society had been restored, he returned to Ireland, and Entered at Clongowes 23 January 1816.
At Clongowes he was put in charge of the “Magazine and tailor’s shop. he got on so well that he soon became one of the most useful and obliging Brothers. He was never seen idle. A few years before his death, his Superior released him from all responsibilities, as he was in advance years, and he wished to allow him his final years in devotion to God.
he died a holy death, full of faith and confidence 22 April 1862. He is buried in the College Cemetery.
Note from John Nelson Entry :
He took his Final Vows 02 February 1837 along with eleven others, being the first to whom Final Vows were given since the Restoration in Ireland. The others were : Philip Reilly of “Palermo fame”; Nowlan, Cleary, Mulligan, Michael Gallagher, Pexton Sr, Toole, Egan, Ginivan, Patrick Doyle and Plunkett.

Born: 23 September 1904, Dublin City, County Dublin
Entered: 12 November 1924, St Stanislaus College, Tullabeg, County Offaly
Final Vows: 02 February 1935, Clongowes Wood College SJ
Died: 25 March 1967, Gonzaga College, Dublin

◆ Irish Province News
Irish Province News 42nd Year No 3 1967
Obituary :

Br Patrick Nolan SJ (1905-1967)

Br. Patrick Nolan was born in Dublin on 23rd September 1905 He received his early education at the National School, Haddington Road, and then went on to the Christian Brothers at Westland Row. A young boy at the time of the 1916 Rising, he could give you a pretty full account of the doings around Mount Street Bridge, and the Haddington Road area in general. He came to have strong views on the political upheaval of those times, but it was always interesting to hear him relate his experiences of his childhood in Dublin. For five years, 1919-24, he was an apprentice in the business of Messrs P. Conway & Co., Exchequer Street, Dublin. He entered the Society on 1st May 1924 at Tullabeg. After his First Vows he remained on at Tullabeg as Manuductor from 1928-31. He was then sent as cook to Clongowes Wood where he had a long spell, from 1931-45. These included the war years which was a very trying time for anybody grappling with the problems of fuel and food, and hungry boys.
We next find him at the Crescent College, Limerick, where he was cook and dispenser from 1945-52. His next appointment took him to St. Ignatius' College, Galway, where he was cook, dispenser, and in charge of staff from 1952-60.
In 1960 he went to Gonzaga College, where was cook and in charge of staff until his death on 25th March 1967.
What most struck one about Br. Patrick was probably his versatility. He had a very enquiring mind and many interests. Dealing with the domestic staff can be a very frustrating experience. He had long years of it. It must be very disheartening to take a boy who knows nothing, train him as a cook for several years, then watch him move on to a higher paid job, and begin all over again with somebody else. This is a regular pattern in our houses. To his great credit Br. Patrick never tried to hold a domestic staff member by any argument of gratitude. He liked to see them move on to a job where they could afford to marry and settle down to a normal life.
In spite of the time-consuming nature of his job. Br. Patrick managed to cultivate side-lines. He got interested in music, and was quite capable of re-stringing a broken-down piano if need be. He had a real appreciation of classical music. Of late years he became interested in the repair of broken-down radios. He became quite an expert in this field. He often regretted the lack of technical training which forced on him a hit-and-miss method. But it is really remarkable how expert he became in the field. He was extremely intelligent and would have profited greatly from a wider education followed by technical training. One can only rejoice in the long overdue re-appraisal of the vocation of the Brothers which the Society has recently undertaken. In a rejuvenated Society with full education and proper technical training of the Brothers, one feels that Br. Nolan would have contributed outstanding service to the Society and the Church. On one issue he became rather unbalanced. He had no love for the “sons of Israel” and was inclined to see them as sinister figures behind most modern social movements. One learned to keep off the subject with him. But he could be a very pleasant companion, was a good religious, and under the most trying circumstances no community in which he worked ever saw the Minister put up a notice saying : “No dinner today”. Do we all take this simple daily routine of our meals too much for granted?
Br. Patrick had not been very well for some years. He suffered a good deal from nervous tension and exhaustion. But he learned to live with it, and carried on his full day's work. His death came as a great shock. And there is many a poor person outside the Society who will miss his cheerful arrival to fix up a radio or T.V. that has broken down. May he rest in peace.

Born: 23 May 1799, Kilrush, County Kildare
Entered: 15 April 1845, Frederick, MD, USA - Marylandiae Province (MAR)
Final vows: 15 August 1860
Died: 13 January 1862, Newtown, MD, USA - Marylandiae Province (MAR)

Born: 28 September 1778, Armagh, County Armagh
Entered: 01 February 1817, Stonyhurst, England - Angliae Province (ANG)
Professed: 08 September 1837
Died: 16 September 1843, Clongowes Wood College, Naas, County Kildare

in Clongowes 1817 - hospitality

◆ Fr Edmund Hogan SJ “Catalogica Chronologica” :
A native of Armagh, and in his early life he was a tradesman there, using his own and his mother’s names. At the time of the 1798 Rising he suffered great losses because he refused to join the insurgents, and his business was plundered daily by the soldiers.
He left Armagh and settled in Manchester where he again established a comfortable life. His regularity and piety drew the attention of Fr Bromhead there, and though his influence Ent the Society at Stonyhurst.

A few years later he was transferred to Clongowes, where he lived the rest of his life.
(cf copy of eulogy which Hogan possessed)

His life an Clongowes edified a large community, where again, his regularity and piety were the distinguishing characteristics and ornaments of his career. He suffered apoplexy on 16 September 1843 and died the following day.

◆ HIB Menologies SJ :
He took his Final Vows 02 February 1838 along with eleven others, being the first to whom Final Vows were given since the Restoration in Ireland. The others were : Philip Reilly of “Palermo fame”; Nowlan, Cleary, Mulligan, Michael Gallagher, Pexton Sr, Toole, Egan, Ginivan, Patrick Doyle and Plunkett.
In 1840, he was Dispenser and carpenter at Hardwicke St. He was a very humble and obedient religious. He died at Clongowes 16 September 1843.

Note from John Cleary Entry :
He took his First Vows at Clongowes 02 February 1819, and Charles Aylmer said the Mass. There were six others with him : Brothers Egan, Nelson, Plunkett, Mulligan, Bennett and Sherlock, all who persevered happily in the Society to the end.

Born: 09 February 1868, Athlone, County Westmeath
Entered: 07 September 1902, St Stanislaus College, Tullabeg, County Offaly
Final Vows: 02 February 1913, Milltown Park, Dublin
Died: 26 February 1933, St Vincent's Hospital, Dublin

Part of the Milltown Park, Dublin community at the time of death

◆ Irish Province News
Irish Province News 8th Year No 2 1933
Obituary :
Brother Michael Naughton
Death has been busy of late in Ireland and Australia. The latest to record is that of Brother Naughton which took place at St. Vincents' on Sunday, 26th February. Probably no one will fund fault with saying that if Father John Sullivan was a model for the priests of the Province, Brother Naughton was the same for the Brothers. He was a man wholly given up to his prayers, his work, to helping others.
All that will be attempted in this number is to give a summary of his life, and that is soon told. He was born in Athlone 9th February, 1868. Fourteen years of his early days were spent in America, and soon after his return to Ireland he went to Tullabeg, 7th September, 1902. Immediately after the novitiate, a portion of which was spent in Gardiner Street, he was sent to Milltown Park. There he remained until his death in 1933, and in Catalogue after Catalogue the invariable entry after his name was “Hortul, Excit, Ad Dom.” Cancer was the cause of his death. Brother Naughton will be missed not only in Milltown itself, but in the convents all round about, and by many an individual as well, for he was kindliness itself.

Irish Province News 8th Year No 3 1933
Obituary :
Brother Michael Naughton - continued
When as a young man he went to America where he worked as a gardener, he was able to assist his family at home, brought some of his brothers and sisters to America and set them up in a small business. He then returned to Ireland and became a Brother. Reflecting on the blessing of his vocation. he remarked . “It” (what he had done for others) “must have been acceptable to Almighty God”.
One had not to be long in Milltown before being struck by this retiring Brother. Going about his work in the garden, and meeting a Father or theologian he invariably saluted. Even slight acquaintance showed him to be a humble, kindly, religious man, devoted to his prayers and to his work.
His duties started by ringing the call bell, and going the rounds of the rooms. It was remarked, humorously but truly : He called us gently, he was unfailingly punctual with his slow knock, and monastic “Benedicamus Domino.”
Hearing in his last illness that a Father of our Province abroad was remembering him specially at Mass, he was deeply touched, and said with emotion “Oh, please tell him I am very, very thankful.”
Having learned that he had no chance of recovery, he asked a theologian to write a letter for him to a Father in a foreign Province who had done his theology in Milltown twenty-five years ago. He wanted to thank this Father for the last time for the help and kindness of years, “to me” (and then whisper to himself) “the nothing that I am”.
About the same time he asked, now that death was near, how he should prepare for his last confession. With the same child-like simplicity he used to ask about prayer - what is the best way to pray? Yet, one of the men who worked with him in the garden said “No one could speak of the efficacy of prayer like Brother Naughton. If a person could have Brother Naughton's outlook on life he had the right thing”. Referring gratefully to those who visited him, he said “So many come that I can hardly get time to say my prayers”. Considering the short time that visitors would stay with one so sick, this remark shows how constant his prayer must have been.
Father Hannon, our late Rector, remembers him chiefly as a most humble and devoted Brother, who used to impress profoundly the workmen who came under his influence. One
man, who had. worked under him as a boy, said : “I remember the day when Brother Naughton put his own coat round me to keep me from the cold”.

Born: 01 November 1820, Askeaton, County Limerick
Entered: 28 September 1859, Frederick, MD, USA - Marylandiae-NeoEboracsnsis Province (MARNEB)
Professed: 02 February 1871
Died: 20 February 1893, St Joseph's, Willing's Alley, Philadelphia, PA, USA - Marylandiae-NeoEboracsnsis Province (MARNEB)

Born: 1610: Drogheda, County Louth
Entered: 1641: Villagarcía, Galicia, Spain - Castellanae Province (CAST)
Died: 24 August 1660: Bergara College, Gipuzkoa, Spain - Castellanae Province (CAST)

1642 A Novice coadjutor at Villagarcía Age 32
1645 At Salamanca College “adjutor procuratoris”
1649 In Spain
1651 At Burgos, companion of the Procurator
1658 At Bergara College CAST

◆ Fr Edmund Hogan SJ “Catalogica Chronologica” :
His letters of 1647 and 1651 are at Salamanca

◆ Fr Francis Finegan SJ ;
After First Vows at Villagarcía he was Sent as assistant to the Procurator at the Royal College Salamanca, and over the next fifteen years he held similar posts at Burgos and lastly Vergara (Bergara), where he died 24 August 1660

Born 01 July 1831, County Cavan
Entered 26 August 1852, St John’s, Fordham, NY, USA - Franciae Province (FRA)
Died 18 February 1855, Sault-au-Récollet, Montréal, Québec, Canada - Franciae Province (FRA)

Born: 03 June 1877, Elphin, County Roscommon
Entered: 03 June 1917, St Stanislaus College, Tullabeg, County Offaly
Final Vows: 02 February 1928, Clongowes Wood College SJ
Died: 01 February 1942, Clongowes Wood College, Naas, County Kildare

◆ Fr Francis Finegan : Admissions 1859-1948 - Merchant before entry
◆ Irish Province News

Irish Province News 17th Year No 2 1942
Obituary :
Brother Patrick Murray

Brother Murray died at Clongowes on February 1st. He had only left the College infirmary three days previously in the best of form after a fortnight's rest treatment, and was to resume work on the following Tuesday. Passing the chapel on the way to lunch at 12 o’clock, he entered to pay a visit to the Blessed Sacrament. There while saying his prayers, he got a sudden heart attack. Fr. Rector administered Extreme Unction, and within five minutes, Brother Murray had passed peacefully away.
Though his sudden death caused such a shock to the Community the boys, and great numbers of people around the College, with whom he was a very popular figure, it was eminently the kind of death that he himself would have desired. For many years, he had been intricately associated with the chapels at Clongowes as sacristan. fact, it was almost impossible to go to any of the chapels without meeting Brother Murray there, and seeing him- and indeed hearing him - praying. His fervent ejaculations - often aloud when he thought no one was present - were an almost continual feature of his life. Whether he was working in the magazine where the boys keep their clothes, or in the sacristy, or driving the car, prayer was very seldom absent from his lips. He was indeed a men of prayer, and it was a fitting end that he should have died while praying before Our Lord in the Tabernacle.
Brother Murray in early life adopted the drapery business as his vocation. Having spent some years in Messrs. Pim & Co., Dublin he carried on a successful business of his own in Delvin, Co. Westmeath. After seven years of happy married life, his wife died. From that moment, he made up his mind to dispose of his business, and devote his life to the service of God. This resolution he put into effect a few years later when he entered Tullabeg on June 3rd, 1917 on his 40th birthday. He presented one of his motor cars to Tullabeg and a second - the Krit - to Clongowes. After five years, spent in Tullabeg and. Milltown, Brother Murray came to Clongowes where he remained for the last 17 years.
Three qualities endeared Brother Murray to all who knew him. His genial good humour, his readiness to do anything for everyone and his transparent piety. We shall miss him very much in Clongowes. His familiar figure, in the People's Church serving Mass after Mass, as he loved to do when occasion arose, doing a hundred and one jobs for the boys, rushing out to the laundry, or the garage, driving the car in his own inimitable and somewhat nerve-racking way, his hearty and utterly spontaneous laugh, his anxiety to give clothes and
boots to the poor, even his reading in the refectory - all seemed part and parcel of Clongowes life. But he has gone to the Master, Whom before all and above all, he loved and served, R.I.P.
On Tuesday, February 3rd, after Requiem Mass in the Boys chapel, in the presence of his three brothers, the Community, boys, and many people from the neighbourhood, the funeral procession led by the Community, followed by the whole school, and the public took place to the College Cemetery. The choir sang the Benedictus and Fr. Provincial said the last prayers. Very Rev. Frs. Fergal McGrath and P. Kenny were also present.

◆ James B Stephenson SJ Menologies 1973

Brother Patrick Murray SJ 1877-1942
As he passed the chapel in Clongowes on his way to lunch on February 1st 1942, Br Patrick Murray dropped in for a short visit to Our Lord, and there in the presence of the Master he had loved and served so well, he died.

It was a fitting and beautiful end to a holy and cheerful life. Having been a successful draper in Delvin County Westmeath, Patrick Murray, on the death of his wife, sold all his goods and gave the proceeds to the poor. His two cars he gave to the Society, one to Tullabeg, and the other, known as the “Krit”, to Clongowes. He was truly liked by all, the boys, the people, the Community. He was ever easy to do all kinds of odd jobs, to drive the car, or best of all to him, serve at Mass. Many Jesuits will remember him for his reading in the refectory, a task he loved and in which he was inimitable.

Truly happy both naturally and supernaturally in his life, he is to be envied in the manner of his death.

Born: 06 January 1898, Headford, County Galway
Entered: 31 October 1920, St Stanislaus College, Tullabeg, County Offaly
Final Vows 02 February 1933, Milltown Park, Dublin
Died: 09 October 1964, St Francis Xavier's, Upper Gardiner Street, Dublin

◆ Fr Francis Finegan : Admissions 1859-1948 - Farmer before entry

◆ Irish Province News
Irish Province News 40th Year No 1 1965

Obituary :
Br Patrick Murray SJ (1898-1964)
Br. Patrick Murray was born in Headford, Co. Galway, on 6th January, 1898, and went to the local National School. When he finished there he worked for a number of years on his father's farm in Headford. At the age of twenty-two he decided to enter the noviceship at Tullabeg and he did his noviceship under Fr. G. Byrne. His career in the Society was for the most part spent in the trying and monotonous task of refectorian, From 1923 till 1935 he was at Milltown Park. He then went back to Tullabeg where he lived until 1950. He returned to Milltown and became connected with fund-raising at Gardiner Street and it was with this work that he spent the reminder of his life.
Fr. Peter Troddyn writes of him :
“I was associated with Br. Murray during the last ten years or so of his life, when he was working on the St. Francis Xavier Draw - when in fact it might be said that as its only full time worker he ‘was’ the St. Francis Xavier Draw. It was largely thanks to his constant application to a considerable amount of sheer drudgery that that enterprise was able to contribute very substantially to the building-fund of the St. Francis Xavier Hall, and to a lesser degree to those of Milltown Park and of the Catholic Workers' College. Latterly he would sometimes call it ‘my draw’, with a little touch of justifiable pride : so it truly was. It was Bishop James Corboy, then Rector of Milltown, for whom the Brother had a great respect and affection, who first suggested that he should take up this work, after the Milltown ‘Golden Circle’ had been absorbed by the SFX draw. For a number of years Brother worked long office hours at the draw office, but returned to Milltown each night. On his cross-city trips he inveigled many bus-conductors into becoming draw promoters and he used ‘innocently’ leave advertising handbills behind him to trap a few more clients: meanwhile he kept in touch with his friends of the Milltown Tuesday night whist drives, and saw to it that they were “in” the draw. He was always delighted when one of them won a prize, and made sure that the fact got the maximum of local publicity. He loved to play in the whist drives himself and those games, and a few with other Brothers, were practically his sole recreation. One of these, indeed, has given me a delightful account of what must have been his last game - after last summer's retreat in Clongowes - when Brother's droll humour made a memorable evening for his fellow-players,
Anyone who has any dealings with ‘the public’ over a counter will know how trying they can be, but Br. Murray was invariably patient and courteous to all those with whom he dealt - although he might say what he thought afterwards - as in the case of the wide-awake if semi-illiterate man who asked that we first pay him a £100 so that afterwards he could attract subscribers! The loyal band of voluntary helpers of the draw were extremely attached to the Brother as was shown by the large number of them who attended his funeral - and latterly, when his health was failing, did everything they could to lessen his work. One, indeed, Hubert Donohue, whom he called his right-hand man, was present, much moved, with Brother Ryan when he died. It might be thought that these last ten years of the Brother's work in the Society were very interesting: In fact they involved mostly steady application to such tedious tasks as addressing envelopes (on an ancient electric machine which had even more aches and pains than its often far from well operator); sorting address-plates, checking wrongly filled-in cards, and so on. It was mostly a lonely task, too, but Brother kept it up to the end, to the limits of his physical abilities. He was a man of simple loyalties - to his native County Galway, to his family, to many Superiors in the Society : he greatly appreciated in them even the smallest signs of under standing and affection. He was a shrewd judge of character, although of uncomplicated make-up himself, and he could be remarkably discerning in speaking of the vocation and training of a Brother in the Society. I am sure that for his own life as a Jesuit Brother he has won a very big prize in the Eternal Draw.

Born: 29 February 1912, Aughrim Street, Stoneybatter, Dublin
Entered: 26 May 1937, St Mary's, Emo, County Laois
Final Vows: 15 August 1947, Sacred Heart College SJ, Limerick
Died: 09 January 2008, Cherryfield Lodge, Dublin

Part of the St Francis Xavier, Gardiner St, Dublin community at the time of death.

Transcribed HIB to ZAM: 30 July 1970; ZAM to HIB : 31 July 1982

by 1941 at Rome Italy (ROM) working at Curia

29th February 1912 Born in Dublin
Early education at CBS, St. Mary’s Place and Bolton Street Technical College
1929-1936 Worked at French Polishing
26th March 1937 Entered the Society at Emo
1st April 1939 First Vows at Emo
1939-1940 Milltown Park – Book binding and French Polishing
1940-1946 Roman Curia – Secretary
1946-1958 Crescent College, Limerick – sub-sacristan; in charge of staff and Infirmarian 15th August 1947 Final Vows at Crescent College
1958-1960 Loyola House – Provincial’s secretary
1960-1961 Manresa House – Secretary to Editor of Madonna
1961-1963 Curia Rome – Mission Secretariat
1963-1970 Zambia – Assistant Secretary : Bishop of Monze
1970 Transcribed to Zambia Province
1970-1979 Bursar – Canisius College & Community, Chikuni
1979-1984 Milltown Park – ‘Messenger’ Office administration
1982 Transcribed to Irish Province
1984-2008 St. Francis Xavier’s, Gardiner Street –
1984-1993 Bursar
1993-1995 Assistant Treasurer; House Chapel Sacristan.
1995-2002 House Chapel Sacristan
2002-2008 Cherryfield Lodge – Prayed for the Church and the Society
9th January 2008 Died at Cherryfield Lodge, Dublin.

◆ Companions in Mission 1880- Zambia-Malawi (ZAM) Obituaries :
Brother Christopher Murray, known to his fellow Jesuits as Christy, but always to his family as Kit, was born on 29 February 1912. He was always ready for a joke or wisecrack about the fact that he had a birthday only once every four years and so was still only in his 23rd year when he went to Cherryfield at the age of 90!. During that long life he was to live in close proximity to some of the great drama of the 20th century both in Ireland and in Europe. He was born about six weeks before the Titanic foundered in the Atlantic, and two years before World War 1 broke out. He was too young to join his elder brothers and sisters who walked a mile down North Circular Road from their Aughrim Street home to say the Rosary outside Mountjoy Jail as Kevin Barry was being hanged. As a boy he saw Michael Collins walk past the Christian Brothers' School beside the Black Church at the head of the funeral cortege of Arthur Griffith. A short week later he saw Collins' own funeral pass the same spot on its way to Glasnevin Cemetery.

He did his early schooling at the Christian Brothers School in St. Mary’s Place and got a two year scholarship to Bolton St. College of Technology but only stayed for one year. He worked for seven years apprenticed to a French polisher of furniture. He was an official in the Trade Unions. Those who knew him will not be surprised to know that he led at least two strikes! At the age of 27 he entered the novitiate (1937) having made what he said was a ‘mature decision’. Later his mother said she was surprised at the decision but he saw no problem once he made his mind up.

Shortly after he ended his novitiate, he was posted to Rome in 1940. While en route he had barely passed through Paris when it fell to the Germans. The day he arrived in Rome was the time Mussolini declared war. As long as he stayed in the house he was technically in the Vatican but if he walked out the front door he was in Italy! It was a difficult time since on arrival he was asked to type a letter in Latin. He had no idea of Latin and never typed in his life. However he soon mastered the necessary skills with his usual intelligence and determination. While he was in Rome the food shortages became desperately severe. The situation took such a toll on his health that he was on a milk diet for a whole year after the war ended. One thing that upset him very much afterwards was the suggestion that Pope Pius XII had abandoned the Jews to their fate during the war. He himself had run messages on behalf of the Holy Father to Jewish families in hiding around the city, bringing them food and other supplies. He rarely traveled twice by the same route lest he was under surveillance. Christy worked with Monsignor Hugh O'Flaherty, the legendary "Vatican Pimpernel" who did so much for the Jews and whose life was portrayed by Gregory Peck in a major feature film. He did two stints at Rome 1940-46 in the secretariat of the English Assistant and 1961-63 at the Mission Secretariat.

Back in Ireland he did various jobs in the Crescent both in the Church and the community from 1946 to 1958, before being appointed secretary to the Provincial from 1958 to 1960. He also worked as secretary to the editor of The Madonna from Manresa House in 1960/61.

While in Rome he volunteered for the Zambian mission and for seven years (1963-70) he was secretary to Bishop Corboy, whom he had known as a novice. These were the heady years of post-independence. At the end of his life it was these years with Bishop Corboy that always came to his mind. He then was bursar at Canisius Secondary School from 1970 to 1979.

He returned to Ireland in 1979 and worked from Milltown Park in the Messenger Office up to 1984 from where he went to Gardiner Street where he spent his remaining years (1984-2002) before he went to the Nursing Unit of Cherryfield. His work always included looking after the finances and the sacristy.

Christy was gifted with a high IQ as was evident in his ease in dealing with figures and accounts. He was widely read and well informed. This led to his holding a very definite position on a variety of matters. In any discussion it was not long before this was made clear with the words ‘the facts of the matter are’. Naturally this ensured lively and occasionally heated discussions on a variety of topics. An inveterate walker, he must have known every street in Dublin. Until he was into his 90s he did a four mile walk every Wednesday up and down the North Circular Road to visit Stephanie, his youngest sister, still living in the family home. She herself categorized him as a "man of will". We, in John Austin House, noticed his pace slacken towards the end until at last he had to give it up.

◆ Jesuits in Ireland : https://www.jesuit.ie/news/christy-murray-rip/

Christy Murray RIP
Please pray for Rev. Brother Christopher Murray, S.J. who died at Cherryfield Lodge on 9 January 2008, aged 95 years. May he rest in peace.

https://www.jesuit.ie/news/from-french-polisher-to-roman-secretary/

From French Polisher to Roman Secretary
An interview with Christy Murray on Nov, 10, 2005
First published in Interfuse
Interfuse: I was amazed when I found out that you were born in 1912 – on February 29! You are one of those special people.
Christy Murray: Yes. A birthday only every four years.
That’s why you have lived so long, probably! Sure you’re only 23 years old! 1912 – that was before the First World War. Have you any interesting memories from those early days?
I can’t really say I have. I didn’t start school until I was nine.
Was the school in Dublin?
Yes. I didn’t go to Junior School. I went to a med Miss Ryan on the Berkeley Road, and only spent a year there. Otherwise I got taught until I was nine at home. And then I went to the Christian Brothers in St. Mary’s Place near the Black Church.
How many years were you there?
All my school life – until I was 14 or 15. I did the exam for Bolton Street Tech and got a scholarship there. So I was there for a couple of years, catching up on some of the things I was short on in my education. I got a scholarship for two years, but I didn’t stay the two years. I went as an apprentice to a trade. I was a French polisher.
A French polisher! That’s very interesting.
I worked for seven or eight years at French polishing before I entered the Society.
So you were a late vocation?
Yes. I was 27 when I entered. One of the things I decided was that I must qualify in something before I enter religious life. It was a planned thing, you know, and then I was interviewed in Gardiner Street by the Provincial there. When I went to Emo I wanted to feel that, if I didn’t like what I met with there, I could go back to the trade. As well as being a qualified tradesman I was an official in the trade union.
Was Gardiner Street your church, or how did you come into contact with the Jesuits?
No, Berkeley Road was my parish church. But I went down to Gardiner Street to have an interview. Since I was thinking of entering the religious order there, I had to be interviewed by a Jesuit, so that’s what brought me to Gardiner Street.
And you met the Provincial. Who was the Provincial then?
I don’t remember. I thought at that time that it was the Superior of Gardiner Street who interviewed me.
You went to Emo in 1936, and finished your novitiate about 1939. What was your first assignment?
My first assignment was to Rome. I was sent directly to our head house in Rome. I was secretary to the Assistant General – the English assistant.
So, instead of polishing wood you were writing letters.
I had to learn to use a typewriter there. When I was sent out I hadn’t any experience of doing secretarial work. So in Rome they had to give me time to learn how to use a typewriter, and so on. I remember that well because I felt very awkward then, arriving. And, you see, I couldn’t come back from Rome because I arrived in Italy the day that country entered the war alongside Germany, so there was no question of coming back.
So you spent all the war years there. And when you went there the General was Fr. Ledochowski. He died during the war.
Yes. He died the second year I was there.
I see. And then you had Father Janssens.
That’s right.
It must have been interesting knowing both of those men. Any memories of those times?
Well, I can’t say I can remember clearly now, but the fact was that I found them both very encouraging. I was doing a type of work I had never done before and they were giving me time to get used to doing it. There were fifteen assistants – general assistants. When I arrived I didn’t know anything about typing or anything like that and they gave me time to learn it. It was a Canadian brother who taught me.
You were there till the end of the war. And then in 1946 you came back to Ireland. Had you been away all seven years without coming back?
There was no question of coming back. I was locked in Italy. I was one of the enemy, so I couldn’t travel. And, of course, there wasn’t any question of Mussolini giving permission to anybody but himself. It was a hard time, because we hadn’t enough to eat. We were living on Vatican territory. The Curia of the Jesuits was on Vatican land. When we stepped outside of the house we were in Italy, but when we were in the house we were in the Vatican. And therefore, the police couldn’t come into the house to arrest anyone. Once you stepped outside the hall door you were officially in Italy, but once you remained in the house you were a Vatican citizen.
What kind of work did you do in Ireland when you came back at the end of the war? Were you in Gardiner Street?
Yes. I was in Gardiner Street. Brother Priest was the sacristan there and I was his assistant.
Brother Priest?
That’s right. A funny name, but I found him very good. He helped me along.
You were assistant there. And did you stay in Gardiner Street for many years?
To tell you the truth, I forget.
You didn’t go to any other place? Were you in Gardiner Street for the rest of your days?
I forget the sequence, but I know I volunteered to go to Zambia.
Oh, so you went to Zambia?
Yes. It was the time that Father Corboy was made bishop. I knew him in his noviceship. Later he became Bishop Corboy. I volunteered to go because I had secretarial experience.
So you volunteered to work as secretary to Bishop Corboy.
That’s right. I spent fifteen years in Zambia with him.
And that was secretarial work, too.
Yes. I was in Rome at the time I volunteered to go to Zambia. I had a chat with the General at the time that Bishop Corboy was created bishop, and I had a chat with the General about going and joining him. He invited me to go and do the same kind of work as I had been doing.
You went back to Rome on a visit and when you were there you talked to the General about going with Bishop Corboy?
Yes. I was appointed to Rome at the time. I had been in Rome a number of years. It was my second time in Rome.
Oh, you went back a second time, after the war?
Yes. I was invited back.
That was after time as assistant sacristan in Gardiner Street?
That’s right.
That was a good few years afterwards because Bishop Corboy didn’t go until well into the 50s. You had quite a few years then in Zambia, did you?
I had fifteen years there. I got leave every five years – this is how I know. I just got leave once in five years…
Back to Dublin?
I was on my third leave back to Dublin when someone else was placed in my job.
I see. And were you then back in Gardiner Street again? You didn’t have any other assignment?
No, not that I remember.
So you’ve had a very varied career – Rome and Zambia and Ireland. And of course you came here to Cherryfield from Gardiner Street, so that was your last assignment there. And how do you find it here in Cherryfield?
The fact of the matter is that I was over 90 when I came here. Actually it was my 90th birthday the day I came in here. The 29th of February. I’ve been here over a year. I’m close to two years here.
And are you comfortable here?
In fact I’m surprised I’m so comfortable, because I had some experience of being in hospital, in care, before. I was in a ward with five or six others. Then I come here and I have my own room. This place is a great idea, I think. We’re really blessed to have this place. We’re one of the few Orders that has a good organised house for the aged.
The changes that have taken place in your time in the Society are tremendous. Especially, there were a lot more brothers when you entered.
Yes. Hadn’t got the same chances, you might say.
They had larger communities of brothers in the society.
Yes. There were a bigger number of brothers then than now. The brothers did a lot of work taking care of the houses and the farms. There were far more vocations then. In fact, it was nearly a fight to get into the Society then. Personally, I think I had an exceptionally happy time in all my years in the Society and in all the different jobs I was doing, and I got a fair amount of travel done.
Would you have a word of advice or a special message you’d like to give to the Province as you celebrate nearly 94 years?
I would like to say that they should keep the Brothers’ vocations in Ireland. They shouldn’t be sent to England. And even if they are few, they’ve a better chance of increasing their number by keeping them at home. I think that parents get preoccupied if they can’t visit them. I remember the impression I got from the first visit from my family in the novitiate in Emo. When I got talking to my mother – six people came to see me – she said that she expected to be bringing me back home, that I really wasn’t a person who was a likely Religious, and she thought she’d be taking me back home. She told me afterwards, “I didn’t expect you to be so happy; I thought you’d be coming back home, that you’d made a mistake”.
But you hadn’t made a mistake.
That’s the thing. I was thinking the opposite – that I was old enough to decide at that point in my life what my future was going to be, because I had already served my time at French polishing and as a trade union official.
You never felt like giving up. You were happy in your vocation.
I thought I was deciding when I was mature enough to decide. I felt that I had made it quite clear that I wasn’t making a mistake. I was surprised when she told me that.
That satisfaction with your vocation seems to have continued over the years.
Yes. When I was working in Rome, for example, everything went so well that I couldn’t believe it.
It’s great to be able to say in your nineties that you have no regrets about the way you chose.

◆ Fr Francis Finegan : Admissions 1859-1948 - Polisher before entry
Quite the reverse.

◆ Irish Province News
Irish Province News 15th Year No 2 1940

Milltown Park :
Rev. Fr. Assistant (P. A. Dugré) reached Dublin 21 December 1939, and stayed with until 30 January, when he left for Scotland via Belfast. He counted on reaching Rome on 1 March. He was accompanied from London by our Brother Christopher Murray who has taken up the duties of amanuensis in the Curia at 5 Borgo Santo Spirito.

◆ Interfuse

Interfuse No 135 : Spring 2008

Obituary

Br Christopher (Christy) Murray (1912-2007)

Homily preached by Barney McGuckian at the Funeral Mass at St. Francis Xavier's, Gardiner St., on Jan. 11th, 2008
On a headstone in one of the catacombs of Rome, where Brother Christopher Murray spent a number of challenging years, there is an inscription which reads “He has completed his baptism”. This short statement reveals something of how the early Christians understood Baptism. For them it was not a simple rite of passage or a brief passing ceremony. It was the first step in a process that would only end with death. Just as in show business it takes a life-time to become an over-night success, so it takes a whole life time to become a fully baptized Christian. This completion came for our Brother Christy two days ago in the Nursing Home at Cherryfield Lodge. He was holding the hand of Rachel McNeill, and, evidently, was quite conscious right up until the end. I, exceptionally, was among the concelebrants at Mass in the chapel across the corridor. As we had been told that Christy was very low, we commended his soul to the Lord. We do so again today strengthened by the encouraging text from the book of Maccabees that it is a holy and a wholesome thought to pray for the dead, including even those “who make a pious end” that they may be released from their sins. cf II Maccabees 12:43-45.

Jesus Himself was baptised in the River Jordan at the beginning of his public life as we will hear at Mass on Sunday next. But this was only the first of many Baptisms that he would undergo. When Jesus referred to Baptism he seemed to become tense. “There is a baptism I must receive, and what a constraint I am under until it is completed” (Luke, 12:50). His complete Baptism came on Calvary when he finally gave up the ghost, after taking the vinegar, surely symbolic of everything distasteful in life and bowing his head in acceptance. (Cf John 19, 29-30). As his followers, who have been baptized into Christ Jesus, as St Paul puts it, we are all called to follow a similar path.

If Brother Christopher, known to his fellow Jesuits as Christy, but always to his family as Kit, had lived until February 296 of this year he would have been 96. He was always ready for a joke or wisecrack about the fact that he was still only in his 23 year while in Cherryfield. During that long life he was to live in close proximity to some of the great drama of the 20th century both in Ireland and in Europe. He was born about six weeks before the Titanic foundered in the Atlantic, and two years before World War 1 broke out. He was too young to join his elder brothers and sisters who walked a mile down North Circular Road from their Aughrim Street home to say the Rosary outside Mountjoy Jail as Kevin Barry was being hanged. As a boy he saw Michael Collins walk past the Christian Brothers' School beside the Black Church at the head of the funeral cortege of Arthur Griffith. A short week later he saw Collins' own funeral pass the same spot on its way to Glasnevin Cemetery. Shortly after he ended his novitiate, he was posted to Rome in 1940. While en route he had barely passed through Paris when it fell to the Germans. On arrival, he was in time to see Mussolini declare war. However, when in 1963 he went to join Bishop Corboy in the Diocese of Monze in Zambia, it was to the relative stability of the newly-won independence of the country. While there he was a most conscientious worker. As assistant secretary for education at Canisius Secondary School in Chikuni, he is still remembered as someone dedicated to his work, carrying it out meticulously to the last detail.

Christy won a scholarship to Bolton Street College of Technology on leaving primary school and became a French Polisher. Many of us still remember the beautiful finish of the doors in the Chapel at Emo, a testimony to the quality of his workmanship. Before entering the Jesuits he was active in the Trade Unions. Those who knew him will not be surprised to know that he led at least two strikes! After working for seven years at his trade he decided to embrace religious life. He may have been influenced in this by the example of two of his elder sisters who had joined the Sisters of St Joseph of the Sacred Heart, and headed off for Australia and New Zealand respectively. One of them, Sister Lua is still alive at 98 in New Zealand.

Christy took his first vows on April 1st, 1939 at Emo. Realizing that he had “turned pro" that day he took the implications of what he had done with the utmost seriousness for the rest of his life. His commitment, particularly his obedience, was sorely tried very shortly afterwards. He had only arrived a few days in Rome when he was told to type an important letter in Latin. Not only did he not know the basics of Latin, he had never ever typed a word in any language in his life! The kindness of Fr, General Ledochowski, one of his great heroes, helped him survive this and other trials. While he was in Rome the food shortages became desperate. The situation took such a toll on his health that he was on a milk diet for a whole year after the war ended.

One thing that upset him very much afterwards was the suggestion that Pope Pius XII had abandoned the Jews to their fate during the war. He himself had run messages on behalf of the Holy Father to Jewish families in hiding around the city, bringing them food and other supplies. He rarely travelled twice by the same route lest he was under surveillance. Christy worked with Monsignor Hugh O'Flaherty, the legendary “Vatican Pimpernel” who did so much for the Jews and whose life was portrayed by Gregory Peck in a major feature film. Another of his friends was Mrs Thomas Kiernan, wife of the Irish Ambassador to the Holy See, better known for her renderings of "If I were a blackbird" and “The three lovely lassies from Banyon" as Delia Murphy. Her relationship with non-Nazi German officers through the Irish Embassy, the only English-speaking Embassy in Rome after the U.S. entered the war, proved a life-saver for many endangered young Italians. Christy remembered her arriving at the Borgo Santo Spirito with the gift for the starving community of a much appreciated pig in the boot of the ambassadorial car,

Christy was gifted with a high IQ. This was evident in his ease in dealing with figures and accounts. He was widely read and well informed. This led to his holding a very definite position on a variety of matters. In any discussion it was not long before this was made clear with the pronouncement “the facts of the matter are”. Naturally, this ensured lively and occasionally heated discussions on a variety of topics. However once he entered the chapel he moved into a different mode. His recollection and silence here was very evident. Most of his life in religion was spent either in finances or in the sacristy of our churches. He is still remembered with great affection in Limerick, where he was sacristan for 12 years from 1946-58.

An inveterate walker, he must have known every street in Dublin. Until he was into his 90s he did a four mile walk every Wednesday up and down the North Circular Road to visit Stephanie, his youngest sister, still living in the family home. She herself categorized him as a “man of will”. We, in John Austin House, noticed his pace slacken towards the end until he had to give it up. Shortly afterwards, we heard that he had moved to Cherryfield. He was remarkably regular in both his religious observance and his physical exercise right up until he was confined to a wheel-chair in Cherryfield.

As a disciple of Ignatius of Loyola, Christy would have learned to begin his daily prayer with the same formula; that all my intentions, actions and operations may be directed solely to the service and praise of the divine majesty. This is a prayer for holiness and one that is only fully answered at the hour of death. Indeed it could be described as a prayer for the fullness of baptism into Christ Jesus. We hope that it was fully answered for our brother Christy when the time came. Like Ignatius he was a man small in stature and, indeed, in death his features reminded me very much of the death-mask of our Holy Founder that has come down to us. As we pray today for the repose of Christy's soul there is nothing to prevent us also praying to him.

Born: 21 September 1894, Dublin City, County Dublin
Entered: 30 June 1916, ST Stanislaus College, Tullabeg, County Offaly
Final Vows: 02 February 1927, Mungret College SJ, Limerick
Died: 02 October 1968, St Camillus' Hospital, Shelbourne Road, Limerick

Part of the Mungret College, Co Limerick community at the time of death

◆ Irish Province News
Irish Province News 44th Year No 1 1969
Obituary :
Br Thomas Murphy SJ (1894-1968)
On Wednesday, October 2nd at about 1.15 p.m. Brother Murphy passed peacefully to his reward. It was a happy and blessed ending to a happy and holy life, but his loss leaves us all poorer. We miss his cheerful, holy and ever helpful presence around the House.
He was a patient of the Regional Hospital, Limerick for some weeks till August when he was transferred to St. Camillus Hospital. In both hospitals the nursing staff were very fond of him. He never gave any trouble and was always good humoured. Thanks be to God he did not seem to have pain at any time. On Wednesday morning the 2nd October he failed rapidly. Fr. Rector returned to him immediately and received his last breath. He was fortified with all the rites of the Church.
The remains were removed to the Boys' Chapel on Thursday evening, The President and Secretary of the Union, other past pupils and teachers from the College were present. It was 2 memorable sight as the hearse and cars moved through the boys drawn up on either side of the avenue. On Friday morning the Chapel was packed to over-flowing with priests, brothers, boys, friends and neighbours. We had past pupils from Limerick, Tipperary and even Australia. It was a most impressive ceremony; sung lauds followed by Concelebrated Requiem Mass and a sermon by Fr. Kerr who was Rector here until July last. It is thought it was the biggest funeral ever seen here; ič is easy to believe it. In many ways it was a very joyous occasion because we all felt that Brother Murphy had gone home to God. His beloved flag was at half mast. In all, over fifty priests and brothers were present including Fr. Vice-Provincial (Fr. Provincial was in Rome his Secretary, Fr. Rectors of Belvedere, Crescent and Clongowes, and priests and brothers from Galway, Tullabeg, Clongowes, Crescent, Rathfarn ham, Milltown Park, Gonzaga, Gardiner St. and Belvedere.
The Brothers of his own Community saw him as “a humble and simple man” who had a great devotion to Our Lady and the Rosary, who was to be found either praying in the Domestic Chapel or going about his work.
May God rest his lovable soul. We all thought as much of him as he did of Mungret. Nobody who heard it will ever forget the beautiful tribute paid by Fr. Kerr when he addressed the congregation after the Gospel. We are very grateful to him for allowing us to reproduce it here :
“It is not customary to have a homily or panegyric preached at the funeral of an Irish Jesuit, but Fr. Rector suggested to me, that when a man has served one house for 48 years as Brother Murphy served Mungret it was only fitting that some tribute should be paid.
In 1962 the then General of the Society of Jesus sent a Visitator to the Irish Province. The Visitor, not knowing any of the men, asked each of us to write a brief account of what we had done in the Society. This is what Brother Murphy wrote: ‘From 1918-1919 I was in Belvedere on the house’ - one sentence ‘From 1919-1920 I was in the Crescent on the house’ - one sentence. ‘Since that time I have been in Mungret’. (And then reading on, one feels that the love and affection of the old man for this College took possession of his pen, for he continued) ‘There I was in charge of the water-supply. I looked after the wells and the pumping system. I attended and operated the electricity generator till the coming of the E.S.B. I attended to the maintenance of the house, the roofs, the chimneys and the heating system.
'All these, your reverence, thank God I was able to do’.
This was Brother Murphy's simple statement of his life's work, but it told little of the man who was one of the best known and best loved Jesuits of the Mungret Community. Each of the past, and I’m glad to see them represented here today - has his own favourite image of Brother Murphy. Some remember him as a young man flitting about the roof-tops, hanging in the most precarious positions, calling cheery greetings to the boys below. Others think of him covered with grime tending the electrical generators or servicing the bunkers. Still others see him as he strode across the Apostolics' field on his way to the pump-house at Cahir, with his little black dog at his heels; and none can forget his smile in the Boys' refectory as he slipped an extra serve to a hungry 3rd Clubber! But all of us remember him as he walked on the stone corridor at eventide telling his Beads or kneeling at the back of the Boys' Chapel during Benediction or the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. Which of us will ever forget the ritual with which he surrounded the hoisting of the college flag. He used it to honour a visitor, to celebrate a feast or to congratulate the Boys on a victory. That flag flies at half-mast today in his honour, but we can be certain that all the flags of Heaven are unfurled today as they welcome their faithful servant.
Every clerical student who passed through Mungret remembers one thing about Brother Murphy : his extraordinary reverence for the priesthood. Many a young man, wavering in his vocation, depressed and feeling lonely made his way to Brother Murphy to find comfort, solace, guidance and strength. Is it any wonder then that his Christmas mail from America, Australia, England, Africa and China was the wonder of the rest of the community.
How often do I remember being called to the parlour to entertain one of the Past either a priest, or layman with his family! When a brief period had elapsed and the visitor felt that he had fulfilled all the requirements of courtesy or etiquette by talking to Fr. Rector then came the moment of truth : ‘well, Father, what I really called for, was to see Brother Murphy!’
Each year as examination time and ordinations approached in Carlow, All Hallows, Thurles, St. Peters and the other major seminaries, the letters poured into Mungret asking for Brother Murphy's prayers, for all the boys revered him as a saint. The roof-tops were not the only heights he reached. He had attained the closest union with God and he had the ability to communicate his love of Him to others.
I find it difficult today to ask you to pray for Brother Murphy, for all of us know that he already enjoys the Vision of God. He always prayed for and he will continue to pray for all in Mungret, for its priests, its brothers, its scholastics, its students, its day-staff, its farm-staff and domestic staff. So I would ask you now to stand and join with me in the Prayers of the Faithful for the eternal and happy repose of his soul with the God he loved and served so well”.

◆ The Belvederian, Dublin, 1969

Obituary

Brother Tom Murphy SJ

Br Tom Murphy spent only one year in Belvedere, from 1918 to 1919. It was a year, however, he was never likely to forget for he was in charge of the household staff and found that many young men in trouble with the police demanded sanctuary as national heroes in the houses of religious. The rest of his life in the Society was spent in more peaceful surroundings, forty-eight of them in Mungret College. He was part of the Mungret scene and it will take many years to fill the void his going has created.

Born: 15 August 1812, Effernoge, County Wexford
Entered: 10 January 1853, Florissant MO, USA - Missouriana Province (MIS)
Finla vows: 15 August 1864
Died: 12 July 1872, St Louis University, St Louis MO, USA - Missouriana Province (MIS)

Born: 07 August 1934, Newbridge Avenue, Ringsend, Dublin
Entered: 10 August 1966, St Mary's, Emo, County Laois
Final Vows: 15 August 1985, Luwisha House, Lusaka, Zambia
Died: 12 March 2015, Cherryfield Lodge, Dublin

Part of the St Francis Xavier's, Upper Gardiner Street, Dublin community at the time of death.

by 1974 at Canisius Chikuni, Zambia (ZAM) working
by 1979 at Babati, Tanzania (AOR) working for “Concern”
by 1995 at JRS Malawi (MOZ) working

Early Education at National School; Ringsend Vocational School

◆ Jesuits in Ireland : https://www.jesuit.ie/news/br-martin-murphy-sj-may-he-rest-in-peace/

Br Martin Murphy SJ: may he rest in peace
Death has finally got the better of Martin Murphy, but after a mighty struggle. Born in Ringsend, he learned his building skills and qualifications (a Diploma from the Catholic Workers College) before he entered the Jesuits at the age of 32. Over the next 50-odd years he practised or taught motor mechanics, building maintenance, construction, irrigation and pastoral care of refugees. Nearly thirty of those years were given to Africa, especially Zambia and Malawi.

Martin was strong as an ox, but he suffered enough sicknesses to fill a text book. His multiple health problems, touching all his senses and most parts of his sturdy body, involved treatment in four hospitals. He made full use of medical help, and carried his oxygen supply with care as he walked the pavements round Gardiner Street. He would not let medical problems absorb his energy.
At the age of 73 he embarked on a 5-year course in theology with the Tallaght Dominicans. He worked his way right up to the last assignment, on “The Just Society”, at which he balked. Why? they asked. “Because I never lived in a just society, and do not know what it is like.” Dear Martin was a strong and distinctive presence in the Irish Jesuits, a model for anyone who with God’s help has to fight sickness. “Death, be not proud.”

◆ Interfuse

Interfuse No 160 : Summer 2015

Obituary

Br Martin Murphy (1934-2015)

7 August 1934: Born in Dublin.
Early Education at National School; Ringsend Vocational School
1961 - 1965: NCIR. Socio-Economics Study (Diploma)
10 August 1966: Entered Society at St Mary's, Emo, County Laois
15 August 1968: First Vows at St Mary's, Emo, County Laois
1968 - 1969: St Mary's, Emo - Mechanic; Maintenance
1969-1975: Chisekesi, Zambia - Construction; Irrigation; Teaching at Canisius College, Chikuni
1975 - 1978: Milltown Park - Maintenance
1978 - 1983: Tanzania, East Africa - Working for “Concern” at Babati, Tanzania
1983 - 1984: Tullabeg - Tertianship
1984 - 1986: Lusaka, Zambia - Minister at Luwisha House
15 August 1985: Final Vows at Luwisha House, Lusaka, Zambia
1986 - 1992: Mazabuka, Zambia - Concern Development Project
1987: Youth Development Project at St Paul's, Nakambala
1992 - 1993: Santry - Pastoral Care of Refugees
1993 - 1994: Limbe, Malawi - Working for JRS
1994 - 1995: Mozambique - Working for JRS
1995 - 1996: Clongowes - House and College Maintenance
1996 - 2015: Gardiner St - Assists Director of Arrupe Society
2009 - 2014: Hospital visitation; Studying at Priory Institute, Tallaght
2014 - 2015: Residing at Cherryfield Lodge

In October 2014, Martin was admitted to hospital after a fall. He had many health problems, which meant treatment in four hospitals. He moved to Cherryfield Lodge on 25th February 2015. He was happy to be in Cherryfield again, where he died peacefully on 12th March. May he rest in the peace of Christ.

After a mighty struggle, death finally got the better of Martin Murphy on March 12, 2015. His sisters had prayed to St Francis Xavier that the Lord would spare him further suffering, and in response he died on the final day of the Novena. His funeral was delayed because an autopsy was required, and so he was finally laid to rest on March 19, the Feast of St Joseph. Martin had had a strong devotion to Joseph the Worker, so things fitted in nicely at the end of his life.

Like Joseph, Martin was a great worker: before he joined the Jesuits, he worked for Cramptons, the builders. His grandfather had been in the same trade, and had helped to build the Titanic! This came to light only when Martin showed up in Youghal in 2012 for the launch of Eddie O'Donnell's book on Fr Browne and the Titanic! Sadly, Martin's building work, so helpful to many people, carried the seeds of his own death, because as we now know, he died of asbestos poisoning.

His early education was in the National and Vocational Schools in Ringsend, where he was born. He then began his building career, From 1961-65 he did a Diploma in Socio-Economics at the Jesuit-run NCIR. It appears that he was so impressed by the Jesuit teachers there that he decided to join them in 1966, at age 32. He waited till his mother died to do this, as he was one of her carers.

Martin was a perfectionist, took pride in his work, and always did a great job. He could turn his hand to anything, including leatherwork. He was also a great teacher of his crafts and skills. I had the good fortune to discover him early on, and we became lifelong friends, even if not without some awkward moments! In 1967 I wanted to build a back wall to the handball alley in Milltown and got his help, though he was a novice at the time. It was very definitely his wall, not mine, but he never emphasised the fact. We worked in the early mornings before my classes began, and he would then continue through the day, while I dug academic furrows. One dull morning Martin looked up with an innocent smile at the Milltown buildings and asked, 'Why is it that the scholastics mostly pray in the dark'? Later Martin built the bindery which still stands at the back of the Library. And when a Le Brocquy mosaic of the Madonna and Child came our way mysteriously in the late seventies, he put it up single handed, though it weighed three quarters of a ton. It is now in the Milltown Community foyer. He was, as one of the Brothers said admiringly, “a mighty man”.

He liked philosophy, and especially the ideas of Bernard Lonergan. He could get so animated about these that when driving in Zambia he would slow down to get his point across, which lengthened journeys considerably. At the age of 73 he embarked on a 5-year course in theology in the Priory Institute in Tallaght. He worked his way right up to the last assignment, on “The Just Society”, at which he balked. Why? they asked. “Because I never lived in a just society, and I don't know what it's like”. He enjoyed the phrase “the hermeneutic of suspicion” because it gave him the leeway he needed to be devastatingly honest.

Africa
He went to Zambia in 1969, and worked there and in Tanzania, Malawi, and Mozambique, with occasional breaks, for 25 years. He built churches and schools, dug wells and cultivated a huge garden. He practised or taught motor mechanics, building maintenance, construction, irrigation. He also engaged in pastoral care of refugees. He was well loved by those who worked with him. He delighted in planning and carrying projects through. He loved the moment when he could hand over a set of keys of a new building and say: 'The job is done’. But he had time for soccer also. I have it on reliable authority that when he was playing in Dublin for Transport FC, he was considered to be of international standard. And the Zambians used watch him admiringly: Kalango mulilo! they'd shout - “Look at his fire!”

The Acting Provincial of Zambia, Jim McGloin, said in his message of condolence: “The hidden nature of the work is often the case for the Jesuit Brother. Although Brother Martin did the actual building of the Church in Chikuni Mission in the 1970's, it was the parish priest who received the credit. The serving tables in Luwisha House are still used today, thirty years later, but no one remembers that it was Brother Martin who built them.... While the workmanship was appreciated, the worker often went unnoticed. Yet the professional workmanship of Br Martin itself stands as its own monument. And those who saw his effort and dedication were grateful.'

Martin had used his many talents 'to help others' in simple ways, as Ignatius would have wished. But by 1995, the outer job was done: he had to retire because for the remaining twenty years of his life, ill health dogged him -- glaucoma, diabetes, arthritis, lung problems. But even when exiled from Zambia he always kept in contact and retained a deep love for his 'first mission'.

The inner side
Martin had his own unique relationship with God - his secret scripture. He prayed. He loved his time in the Holy Land. He lived simply. But like the rest of us, he had his own fixed attitudes, his weaker points, his awkwardness. A mature man by the time he joined the Jesuits, he had, not surprisingly, something of a Trade Union perspective on things. This included a keen sense of what he perceived as injustice, foot dragging, and so on. The Jesuit way of proceeding, he felt, was not always the most efficient. With his critical mind, he found it hard to be asked to do things by people who, he felt, didn't know what they were talking about. He had little time for eloquence that was not matched by action. “They can talk the talk” he'd say “but can they walk the walk?”

Martin would tell it like he thought it was, and his craggy style disconcerted more than a few, and left people feeling uncomfortable. He was, one might say, of the warrior class. Critical of many in authority, at the same time he was a great defender of the small and the poor. He volunteered for Tanzania because it was one of the twenty poorest countries in the world. He was both admirer and critic of Julius Nyerere, founder of the state of Tanzania. But his mischievous humour carried him a long way. He would say outrageous things just to get a reaction: often he didn't want to be taken too seriously. And he could get caught out himself on occasion, as when he had an appointment with a consultant about his glaucoma: the great man was late and eventually came into the waiting room to apologise, only to find Martin reading the Irish Times. And he would smile and laugh at himself. A stern commentator on the foibles of humankind, he also had a great and welcoming smile.

Stay Clear! God at Work
God was steadily at work in him, as in us all. That work is to make us grow in love', to bring out the best in us. In the final phase of his life, a deep mellowing took place while he endured enormous discomfort, especially in his breathing. He carried his oxygen supply as he walked the pavements round Gardiner Street. He did not complain. His time and energy were taken up with coping with his own illnesses. He made the rounds of many hospitals and consultants, and his reports of medical encounters were never dull. To one man who wasn't measuring up, Martin said: “Take a good look at my face!” “Why?” said the consultant. “Because”, said Martin, “you won't see it again!” His humour never deserted him, and he would get great joy out of recounting such incidents. He told me how grateful he was to his family for all their care and love; and to the Cherryfield staff for looking after him so well. In turn, they enjoyed his company; he had a word - often funny - to say about everything. They loved him. And he became a grateful man.

So when the moment of death came, and Martin met the Lord face to face, the “inner job” was substantially done. Like Peter in the Gospel, he jumped out of the safety of his life's boat and struggled to the shore where Jesus was waiting, watching. Surely like Peter, Martin heard Jesus say, “Bring the fish you've caught, and come, let's have breakfast!”

Then, we may surmise, came the one-to-one chat with Jesus, who now could safely ask him: Martin, do you love me more than these others do? There would have been no digging-up of the failures of the past. No comparisons and contrasts with others. The present state of his heart was all that mattered. He would have answered like Peter: Lord, “You know everything, you know I love you”. That would be enough. Because in the evening of life we will be examined in love.

It so happened that when the news came to me that Martin had died, I was reading a book titled Love is Stronger than Death, by Cynthia Bourgeault. It tells of a Trappist monk in Colorado who had a turbulent personality and was awkward in his relationships. Community life fell short for him, and so he moved out and became a hermit. He wrestled much of his life with God and others. But at the end he became liberated and happy. I felt this man's life and Martin's had parallels! In our final conversation a week before he died, he had told me he had been struggling, not with the problem that others were not measuring up, but that he wasn't measuring up. He found it consoling to hear Pope Francis' remark from The Joy of the Gospel, “When everything is said and done, we are infinitely loved”. Perhaps, then, he felt, all would be well at the end, because God's love is stronger than our failings or our death.

And so, off he went, happily, into eternal glory. He is now fully alive, radiant with his best self, supporting us on our pilgrim way, looking forward to the great reunion when all will be made well.

Brian Grogan

https://ordo.jesuitssouthern.africa/obit/03-12-2015%20%E2%80%93%20Martin%20Murphy.pdf

Br Martin Murphy, S.J. (1934-2015.
In Zambia/Malawi 1969-1975; 1984-1991)

12 March 2015

Brother Martin Murphy, who was born in Ringsend, Dublin on 7 August 1934. He learned his building skills and gained his qualifications – including a diploma from the Catholic Workers College, before he entered the Jesuits at the age of 32. Over the next 50-odd years he practiced or taught motor mechanics, building maintenance, construction, irrigation and pastoral care of refugees.

He worked in Zambia on two different occasions: from 1969 to 1975 and from 1984 to 1991. When he left Zambia permanently in 1991, the Provincial at the time wrote: “I am grateful to you for the work you have done here, especially in and for our communities. Much of the effort and dedication you put in was done inconspicuously and not noticed by many of the Province.”

The hidden nature of the work is often the case for the Jesuit Brother and was for Martin also. The catalogue states that he was a builder at Chikuni Mission from 1969 to 1975, but it does not say what he built. One has to ask those who might remember and the list is impressive. Although Martin and his team did the actual building of the new church in Chikuni Mission in the 1970s, it was the parish priest who received the credit for it! He also strengthened the tower of the old church, which is a national monument today. When he tore down the old church, which was considered unsafe, he constructed the hall at the parish with the bricks and roofing. Also the section of Chikuni Hospital that faces the road was built by Martin and his team. He built a carpentry workshop behind the community house in Chikuni; there he made the tables and chairs for the community dining room.

From 1984 to 1986 he was the minister at Luwisha House in Lusaka. Apart from his work of serving the community, he also built the serving tables in the dining room. In 1987 he moved to Mazabuka where he worked in the ‘Youth Employment Project’ at the Christian Brothers’ school and undertook building projects at the school. He lived at the parish in Nakambala during this time. He left the Brothers’ project in 1989 and the following year started a development project where he offered a training programme in carpentry, gardening, block making and painting for young people. However, in 1991 he was forced to return to Ireland because of the beginnings of poor health.

Martin spent two other periods in Africa, though not in Zambia. From 1978 to 1983, he worked for ‘Concern’ in Babati, Tanzania and from 1993 until 1995 his health was good enough that he was able to work for JRS out of the Limbe, Malawi for projects in Mozambique. At the end of that spell, he had to return to Ireland permanently.

Even when Martin was away from Zambia, however, he always kept in contact and was interested in the Jesuits and their works here. Although he was deeply involved in his work no matter where he was, he always had a love for his ’first mission.’

In his early days in Zambia, Martin, along with Gabriel McKinney, played a lot of football with the local teams in Chikuni. Because of his fearlessness, he was given the name, Kalanga Mulilo (the one who sees fire). We thank God for the gift of this fearless, and sometimes fiery, Jesuit Brother, for the years of hard work he gave to the Jesuits and people of Zambia, for his zeal for justice and development, for his willingness to take on new missions and for his undaunted spirit in the face of poor health.

Martin had his own unique relationship with God – his secret scripture. He prayed. He lived simply. But like the rest of us, he had his own fixed attitudes, his weaker points, his awkwardnesses. A mature man by the time he joined the Jesuits, he had, not surprisingly, something of a Trade Union perspective on things. His included a keen sense of what he perceived as injustice, foot-dragging, and so on. The Jesuit way of proceeding, he felt, was not always the most efficient. With his critical mind, he found it hard to be asked to do things by people who, he felt, didn’t know what they were talking about. He would tell it like he thought it was, and his craggy style disconcerted more than a few, and left people feeling uncomfortable. He was, one might say, of the warrior class. Critical of many in authority and at the same time he was a great defender of the small and the poor.

By 1995 the outer job was done: he had to retire because for the remaining twenty years of his life, ill health dogged him – glaucoma, diabetes, arthritis and lung problems. Martin died on 12 March 2015 in Dublin.

12 March: 7 August 1934 – 12 March 2015

Br. Martin MURPHY – Irish, born on August 7, 1934 and entered the Society of Jesus on August 10, 1966. He made his last vows on August 14, 1985. He was in Mozambique in
1994/95, sent by JRS, to guide the construction of the Lifidzi School of Arts and Crafts. He passed away on March 12, 2015.

Born: 24 May 1828, County Carlow
Entered: 15 July 1854, Florissant MO, USA - Missouriana Province (MIS)
Professed: 25 March 1865
Died: 11 December 1890, St Ignatius College Prep, Chicago, IL, USA - Missouriana Province (MIS)

Born: 14 March 1853, Castleknock, County Dublin
Entered: 18 March 1882, Milltown Park, Dublin
Final Vows: 02 February 1894, Clongowes Wood College SJ
Died: 14 December 1931, Milltown Park, Dublin

◆ Fr Francis Finegan : Admissions 1859-1948 - Glazier and Painter before entry

◆ Irish Province News
Irish Province News 7th Year No 2 1932
Obituary :
Br Joseph Mulvany
Br. Joseph Mulvany was born near Castleknock on 14 March 1853. While he was a boy, his family moved into Dublin, and he went to school at Richmond St. During his school-days, he was an altar boy in Gardiner St. He began his noviceship at Milltown Park in 1882 and finished it two years later at the newly established house in Dromore, Co. Down. During his life of 49 years in the Society, he discharged, at one time or another, nearly every duty that falls to the lot of a lay-brother. For some years, when stationed at Belvedere, he is entered in the Catalogue “Adj Dir. assoc. S. S. Cor,”. Sacristan seems to have been his speciality, for he held that important position for no less than 38 years. For 26 years he was stationed at Milltown, 8 at Belvedere, 5 at University College, Stephen's Green, 4 at the Crescent, 3 at Clongowes, 2 at Gardiner St,, and 1 at Dromore.
Most people will remember Br. Mulvany as sacristan in Milltown. He did his work in the Chapel with a regularity and fidelity to routine that were characteristic of him. Towards the end of his time, when scholastics who were helping him decorated the altar in some novel way, he would murmur disapprovingly, “more in sorrow than in anger”. It was never
done before Gradually he was relieved entirely of any work, he was becoming so weak. He used to hobble about in the garden, sit in the little kiosk saying his beads. He must have said millions of heads, His fidelity to the spiritual duties used to impress those that lived with him.
For a few weeks before his death, he complained of being very weak, but with a will to live, about which he did not mind being joked, he kept up as much as possible. He was at dinner in the refectory three days before he died. Had he lived for a few months more he would have celebrated his Golden Jubilee in the Society. He died at Milltown on Monday 14 Dec. 1931.

◆ James B Stephenson SJ Menologies 1973

Brother Joseph Mulvany 1853-1931
Br Joseph Mulvany was born at Castleknock on March 14th 1853. His family moved into the city, and so young Joseph was enabled to go to O’Connell’s Schools, and to become an altar boy in Gardiner Street. He entered the Society at Milltown in 1882, and completed his noviceship at Dromore County Down.

His work in the Society was mainly as Sacristan, at which he excelled, holding that post for upward of 38 years, the majority of them at Milltown Park. When he grew too feeble to work, he used hobble around the garden and sit in the kiosk telling his beads. He was never without them, and his litany of rosaries must have run into millions.

He died at Milltown on December 14th 1931 within a few months of his golden jubilee as a Jesuit.

Born: 10 July 1827, Frankford, County Offaly
Entered: 07 September 1853, Hodder, England - Angliae Province (ANG)
Final vows: 02 February 1867
Died: 05 February 1904, Stonyhurst College , England - Angliae Province (ANG)

Born: 20 May 1788, County Offaly
Entered: 01 February 1817, St Stanislaus College, Tullabeg, County Offaly
Final vows: 08 September 1837
Died: 11 January 1870, St Stanislaus College, Tullabeg, County Offaly

◆ HIB Menologies SJ :
While still a young man he was sent to Dublin to learn tailoring. he was a Postulant at Clongowes in 1815, where he spent time as a tailor and in charge of the clothes department.

He then Ent at Tullabeg and was admitted with Brothers Cleary, Egan, Nelson, Plunkett, Sherlock and Thomas Devitt. He spent the rest of his life tailoring at Tullabeg, where he was also Sacristan. It was in his role in the Church as Sacristan that he was met by many people, encouraging all to a better life, especially to Confession.
He had a long illness and he died quite peacefully 11 January 1870 at Tullabeg, and he is buried there at the Old Rahan Cemetery.
John Grene wrote of him “Vir bonus, simplex ac devtione plenus”.

Note from John Cleary Entry :
He took his First Vows at Clongowes 02 February 1819, and Charles Aylmer said the Mass. There were six others with him : Brothers Egan, Nelson, Plunkett, Mulligan, Bennett and Sherlock, all who persevered happily in the Society to the end.

Note from John Nelson Entry :
He took his Final Vows 02 February 1838 along with eleven others, being the first to whom Final Vows were given since the Restoration in Ireland. The others were : Philip Reilly of “Palermo fame”; Nowlan, Cleary, Mulligan, Michael Gallagher, Pexton Sr, Toole, Egan, Ginivan, Patrick Doyle and Plunkett.

Born: 12 August 1808, Mullingar, County Westmeath
Entered: 05 June 1835, Hodder, Stonyhurst, England - Angliae Province (ANG)
Final vows: 15 August 1853
Died: 16 October 1874, Stonyhurst, Lancashire, England - Angliae Province (ANG)

◆ Fr Edmund Hogan SJ “Catalogica Chronologica” :
After First Vows he served various offices at Stonyhurst, Hodder, Mount St Mary’s and St Beuno’s.
He died at Stonyhurst 16 October 1874 aged 66

Born: 15 May 1846, Banagher, County Offaly
Entered: 29 October 1884, Richmond, Australia (HIB)
Final Vows: 15 August 1898, St Ignatius, Richmond, Melbourne, Australia
Died: 01 July 1925, Loyola College, Greenwich, Sydney, Australia

◆ HIB Menologies SJ :
He emigrated to Australia and worked as a labourer for a while before Ent at the new Irish Novitiate in Richmond, and it was then moved to Xavier College, Kew. He went there with Joseph Brennan and John Newman, Scholastic Novices, and Brother Novices Bernard Doyle and Patrick Kelly.
After First Vows he remained at Xavier College for 32 years until 1918. He had a strong physique and was suited to all kinds of jobs in that place, both the Community and College, and all the students who were there at that time remember with affection and esteem.
1918 Now 72 years old and his health failing he was transferred to the Novitiate at Loyola, Greenwich, Sydney, and he lived there edifying everyone with his piety, his love of the Society and his kindly disposition, until his death there 01 July 1925. He was 79 at death and almost 41 years in the Society in Australia.

He was an excellent religious, zealous and hardworking, and also notable for always seeking to do good in his conversation with all he came in contact with.

◆ David Strong SJ “The Australian Dictionary of Jesuit Biography 1848-2015”, 2nd Edition, Halstead Press, Ultimo NSW, Australia, 2017 - ISBN : 9781925043280
From all human appearances, Patrick Muldoon seemed to have a very dull life in the Society that he entered at Vaucluse, Richmond, 29 October 1884. He spent his life as a brother performing general duties mainly at Xavier College, 1886-96 and 1897-1918. His main duty at Xavier was to make the beds and look after the linen of the students. He retired to Loyola College, Greenwich, 1919-25.
He was a man with a lively wit, and knew the Xavier College boys by their laundry numbers. He died suddenly, collapsing on his day out at the tram stop just near the Gore Hill cemetery.

◆ The Xaverian, Xavier College, Melbourne, Australia, 1915

Brother Patrick Muldoon SJ

Thirty-two years of day-in-day-out toil tells on the toughest of frames, and so it did in the case of the School's old friend, “Brother Muldoon”, who left us last September for the more restful life of “Loyola”, in Sydney.

Coming to the School in 1886, he took charge of the Boys' Dormitory, and, in this trust, he faithfully laboured until superiors said the day of labour should cease, and that of rest - if possible for one of his nature - supervene. Little wonder is it that, thus occupied, he should come to be extraordinarily familiar with the names and dormitory numbers of the boys that passed through the School. Meet him anywhere, tell him your name, and, like a flash, he rould give you back your number. In addition to this, he was a living calendar for the boys going through the School, meeting thcm first with the characteristic finger to the lip for silence, and thien asking them now “How long till you go?” now - “How long till you come back?” (He was always longing for them to come back, for he held the House was never a House till the boys were in it. - Ed). He was also a living provider for the present boys, since the number of apples that he was sown under pillows would fill orchards. Thus, “toiling, rejoicing, not sorrowing, but telling the “beads”, onward through life ine went, till health said “Warrior, rest”. The gratitude and good wishes of both the Old Boys and the Now go to him.

◆ The Xaverian, Xavier College, Melbourne, Australia, 1925

Obituary

Brother Patrick Muldoon SJ

(Born May 15th, 1846; died July 1st, 1925)

Boys of the closing eighties and thic early nineties will learn with regret that kindly old Brother Muldoon is no longer a dweller on earth. His health began to fail in 1918 and in consequence he left Xavier for the whore restful life of. the noviceship at “Loyola”, Sydney. He was not long here, however, when he had a stroke. From this he slowly recovered but suffered another one on July Ist, 1925 on which day the kindly old soul peacefully passed to liis great reward, “Brother Mul”, was really the first person to make an impression on the new boy. The newcomer, of course, met the Rector and the Matron at his coming, but he was too excited at starting the new life; too sorrowful at breaking with the old, to pay any attention to them. However, when, having had a good sleep and taken a good breakfast, he went to his place in the dormitory, he there met a tall, grey-bearded man with a kindly look on his face, who stopped spreading the sheets (he had charge of the dormitories) and said, “What's your number?” Here was somebody who hailed him not as an individual Tom or Dick but as an officially recognised member of the School - “What's your number?” The answer was readily given and as readily committed to memory with a completeness that withstood all ousting. Rectors and boys might come and Rectors and boys inight go, but “Brother Mul” always held on to your number, Years after, when boys of the School would return as grown men and fathers of a family themselves, they would meet him and say to him - “Do you remember me, Brother?” The old man would stop, look at them and say - “Yes, you're number so and so”. As you grew in the School and passed him by in the dormitory, he would first characteristically put his finger to his lips for St Alphonsus silence and, that done, ask you, now - “How long till you go?” - now “How long till you come back?” (Although he put the “going” first, know ing as he did the holiday count that was always going on, yet it was the come back that he really cared about, since he, used to hold that the House wasn't a House unless the boys were in it). But these two questions put and answered he lapsed into silence and continued his work. Not that he did not love a chat. Get him when he was taking his “cup of tay” (and tea it was. “not hot water with a spoon in it”, as he used to say), and he'd give you the history of the Colonies from the time he came out in a sailing ship in 1846, to the time when Archbishop Gould laid the foundation stone, and Father Sturzo came with the Novices, and Father Tom Brown built the Big Hall, and Father John Ryan put in the telephone, and Father Keating started the Boy Prefects and Father James O'Dwyer put in the electric light that turned the night into day all over the place. “As I was saying”, was a wonderful link phrase of his and when you leard that you knew there was much more to follow.and all interesting too. But these were talks for the Community over his “cup of tay” (with a capital T to mark its strength). To the boys (except to old stagers like John Paul McCartin - God rest his soul - who, being “a man with a beard” used to get leave to go up to the dormitory for a shave) he got very little beyond - “When are you going?”- “When are you coming back”. However, there were two days in the year when he broke this silence and that both by word and deed. These were the two “big” days - the feast days of Saint Aloysiuis and of Saint Francis Xavier - days in which, in his time there was no study or class but a Missa Cantata, followed by a Special Sermon (usually preached by someone from outside) and later on by a special dinner. On these days he used to appear in the boys' refectory and help with the serving. All through the morning, as he made the beds he would quizz the boys passing by with the chicken they were to have (the “like of which you couldn't get anywhere else”), the ginger pop (“specially prepared to make a row”) the ice-cream (”fit to inake your mouth water”) and fruit and sweets galore of which he hoped and prayed they wouldn't eat too much and make theinselves sick. That last was his preaching, but his practice in their regard was far different. After he had finished assisting he was wont to gather all the apples he could find anywhere and everywhere (these two days he regarded as privileged for pillaging any store) and, when thc night had fallen, he would take his precious burden upstairs and deposit it (or rather them, for they were rosey apples) under the pillows of the boys' beds. (NB - This pillaging for a good purpose used to occur on other days, but not so wholesale as on the two feast days). Then, his duty done, he would go downstairs light of pocket and lighter of heart, and betake himself to the Chapel there to “say the bades” for hours. Thus it was at Xavier and it was the same, mutatis mutandis, at “Loyola” a quiet filling in of the simple annals of one poor in this world's goods, but very rich in the treasures of the next. Thus “toiling, rejoicing, not sorrowing”, onward tlırough life he went till the Master said “Well done good and faithful servant. Come home and rest” And home he went fortified with all the Sacraments of the Church and dying with the peace and simplicity of a child. Home to heaven, yes, but we think not to rest, for as on carth the kind old soui knelt in the presence of the King and told the beads for the boys alive, so too is he kneeling in the presence of that same King telling Mary's beads that the boys lying or dead may one and all come home to the long, long lioliday in heaven. May his soul rest in peace,

◆ Our Alma Mater, St Ignatius Riverview, Sydney, Australia, Golden Jubilee 1880-1930

Riverview in the ‘Eighties - A McDonnell (OR 1866-1888)

No review of the old times at Riverview would be complete without the mention of the Lay Brothers. Brother Muldoon was the chief of these, he being the right hand of the Minister of the House. He was general house steward. He had charge of the providoring department, and he discharged the duties of that onerous position to perfection. He was a most genial and kindly man, and was particularly generous to those making efforts to uphold, and defend, the honour of the College in the line of sports. When the crew were in training he provided special fare, at special times, and thought no amount of extra work in this direction a trouble. He insisted upon providing us with a substantial basin of milk gruel after the Sergeant had put us through our dumb-bell drill in the hour between 9 p.m, and 10 p.m, I have cause to remember Brother Muldoon's kindness and consideration, on one occasion in particular. The Balmain Annual Regatta was a great aquatic event in those days, and it was held . on the 9th November, the birthday of the then Prince of Wales. Our crew was competing in the four-oar race, amongst the seniors of the various clubs. I was “fifth-man” at the time, and, with the other “emergency man”, attended the Regatta, with Fr. Gartlan Coxswain. The weather was threatening when we set out, and it promptly fulfilled those threats. One of the mail boats was anchored off Cockatoo Island as flagship, and we sheltered behind her lee side as much as we could. The rain fell in sheets, lashed by a first class southerly gale; judging from the temperature, it had : come direct from the Pole. We had to wait a long time for the event in which we were interested, and it was hoped that the gale would abate. At last the four-oar race was started; but our number three broke his oar at the third stroke. However, it made little difference, as all the other boats were swamped. They were "string test gigs," which were entirely unseaworthy in such weather. There was a race for ten foot dinghies, and in this forty two of those cockleshells started. They, of course, made a wide field, and in passing the flagship, on the outward reach, two or three ran inside where we were sheltering. They, of course, displayed bad seaman ship in running so close to the flagship, as, in doing so they were bound to lose the wind. These boats were manned by wild boys, and the torrent of language they directed at us, and especially at Fr. Gartlan, was enough to burn the surface of the harbour. Fr, Gartlan took it in quite a philosophic spirit, and serenely remarked: “Those are very rude boys”. Of the forty-two boats which passed us only two rounded the buoy on the return reach. Among the capsized were our linguistic friends, and Fr Gartlan remarked: “Now those boys will have an opportunity of washing away their sins”.. We were all wet through, and were so for several hours, and when we reached our boat shed, we were so stiff that we could hardly get out of the boat without assistance. When we arrived at the house, Brother Muldoon had a special hot meal, and an immense jug of hot, spiced wine ready for us. None of us suffered the slightest ill effects from that exposure. Brother Muldoon was assisted by a head waiter, Jim Flood, and when he put on his dress suit to manage matters on festive occasions, he always looked the most distinguished member of the gathering.

Born: 01 March 1834, Ballymahon, County Longford
Entered: 06 June 1858, Sault-au-Rècollet Canada - Franciae Province (FRA)
Final vows: 07 May 1869
Died: 23 March 1891, Holy Cross College, Worcester, MA, USA - Marylandiae Neo-Eboracensis Province (MARNEB)

Born: 08 August 1792, Clones, County Monaghan
Entered: 29 May 1836, Florissant MO, USA - Missouriana Province (MIS)
Final Vows: 01 November 1847
Died: 14 December 1859, St Joseph’s, Bardstown, KY, USA - Missouriana Province (MIS)

Born: 30 May 1865, Gorey, County Wexford
Entered: 27 April 1885, Loyola House, Dromore, County Down
Final Vows: 02 February 1897, St Francis Xavier, Gardiner Street, Dublin
Died: 13 February 1957, St Stanislaus College, Tullabeg, County Offaly

◆ Irish Province News
Irish Province News 32nd Year No 2 1957
Obituary :
Br Edward Mordaunt (1865-1957)

At Tullabeg, early in the morning of 13th February, 1957, Br. Edward Mordaunt died peacefully in his sleep. He was 91 years of age and had been a Jesuit for more than 71 years. At his death he was the oldest member of the Province and the last survivor of those who had made their noviceship in Dromore, Co. Down.
Br. Mordaunt was born at Gorey, Co, Wexford, on 30th May, 1865. Educated by the Christian Brothers in that town, he came to Dublin at the age of seventeen and was apprenticed to a firm of tailors. There he became an expert tailor and cutter, a skill which he used to good purpose during his long life subsequently in the Society. At nineteen, feeling the call to religious life, he returned to the parish where he had lived as a boy (the one parish in Co. Wexford belonging to Dublin diocese), to Consult his parish priest. He was advised to enter the Society of Jesus and this he did on 27th April, 1885. One of his reminiscences of these Dromore days was seeing Fr. Gerard Manley Hopkins, a visitor from University College, Dublin, standing long and pensively in a field, watching the ploughman turning up the furrows. (Cf. “Sheer plod makes plough down sillion shine.") After the noviceship was transferred to Tullabeg, Br. Mordaunt came there as tailor (1888). In this craft he was quite outstanding. His Jesuit gowns were famous in the Province for the excellence of their cut and trim, and this high standard he taught to his pupil, John Ryan, who for over half a century was tailor at Tullabeg. Later Br. Mordaunt was tailor at Milltown Park for a period of twelve years (1890-1902). It is interesting to note, in the annual Catalogues for those years, how the list of Br. Mordaunt's duties and responsibilities lengthens as his manifold talents gradually come to light. Thus in 1892 he is : Sartor, Cust, vest,, Ad dom., but in 1901 he is, in addition, Aedituus, Emptor, Excitator. During this period, as subsequently in Tullabeg (1902-1911), he proved himself an excellent caterer and was frequently invited to other houses to organise festive occasions. Thus for several years, he was in charge of arrangements for the annual Union Dinner in Clongowes. He himself liked to recall how on the occasion of Fr. James Murphy's funeral at Tullabeg in 1908, he catered for a hundred distinguished visitors.
The competence which Br. Mordaunt displayed in domestic administration decided his superiors to apply him exclusively to that task. In 1911 he took up residence in Wilton House, off Leeson Park, where a hostel for university students had been established, following the foundation of the National University. This hostel was the forerunner of University Hall, Hatch Street, which was completed in 1913, and whither Br. Mordaunt transferred in that year. For thirty-three years he rendered distinguished service in University Hall as universal provider and manager of the domestic staff. He was a strict disciplinarian and secured obedience and efficiency from the servants in his charge. Some of his religious brethren might consider his managerial methods some what stern and autocratic, but somehow the youths over whom he ruled not only respected but were devoted to him. They discerned, beneath a rugged exterior, Br. Mordaunt's fundamental justice and benevolence. The students in the Hall also respected him, though they were not above playing an occasional practical joke upon him. In his shopping expeditions all over the city; Br. Mordaunt was a figure well-known to generations of tradesmen and shop assistants, who, one and all, bad a wholesome respect for his shrewdness and determination to get precisely the commodity he was seeking. During all those years he lived the life of an edifying religious, regular and attentive to his spiritual duties, despite his manifold distractions, and insisting on attention to their religious duties from the servants in his charge. God blessed him with health and vigour all his life. He was fond of walking and, when work was not pressing, he would ask his superior for a shilling and go for a long solitary march to the Dublin hills. A regular feature of his annual holiday in the Jesuit College, Galway, was his trip to the Aran Islands, as honoured guest of Captain Senan Meskil of the good ship Dún Angus.
In 1946, being now an octogenarian, Br. Mordaunt relinquished his tasks in University Hall but continued to work for two years more in 35 Lower Leeson Street. Then, at his own earnest request, in 1948 he was sent to Tullabeg that he might end his long and serviceable life in quiet and prayer. Until his memory began to fail a year or two before the end, he was an active and affable member of the Tullabeg community, always ready to enter with zest into the friendly banter of recreation and brimful of anecdotes from his long and varied career in the Irish Province. When his memory and later his bodily strength began to decline, he was cared for by the other Brothers with a charity and devotion which were truly admirable.
Father Rector said Br. Mordaunt's Requiem Mass in the People's Church, Tullabeg, on 15th February, with Right Rev. Monsignor McCormack, P.P., V.G., Clara, presiding. Also present were Father Provincial, the Rectors of Emo and of Lower Leeson Street and Father Minister of Clongowes. The Tullabeg choir sang the Absolution and “Benedictus”, and Br. Mordaunt was laid to rest in the college cemetery.

◆ James B Stephenson SJ Menologies 1973

Brother Edward Mordaunt SJ 1865-1957
Br Edward Mordaunt laboured for 33 years as universal provider and manager at University Hall Dublin. He had a special gift in that respect, though he was by trade a first-class tailor. He was often called upon by other institutions to manage their big celebrations, University College, for example. On the occasion of Fr James Murphy’s funeral in Tullabeg, he catered for over a hundred distinguished guests.

But this excellence in the gifts of Marta did not exclude the gifts of Mary. He had the hands of Martha and the heart of Mary. A deep religious spirit underlay his efficiency, so that when his usefulness was at an end in 1948, when he was already 82, he requested to be sent to Tullabeg and to end his days in prayer and quiet. There on February 13th 1957 he passed peacefully to his reward at the age of 91, with the record of having been 71 years a Jesuit.

Born: 21 December 1790, Duncormick, County Wexford
Entered: 31 October 1825 St Thomas, Newtown, Maryland - Marylandiae Province (MAR)
Final vows: 02 February 1841
Died: 29 March 1863, Georgetown College, Washington DC, USA - Marylandiae Province (MAR)

Born: 26 November 1891, Thebarton, Adelaide SA, Australia
Entered: 25 March 1930, Loyola Greenwich, Australia (HIB)
Final vows: 15 August 1941
Died: 26 January 1965, Melbourne, Australia - Australiae Province (ASL)

Transcribed HIB to ASL : 05 April 1931

◆ David Strong SJ “The Australian Dictionary of Jesuit Biography 1848-2015”, 2nd Edition, Halstead Press, Ultimo NSW, Australia, 2017 - ISBN : 9781925043280
Charles Moore was a hotel manager and proprietor before entering the Society at Loyola College Greenwich, 5 February 1932. He was a reluctant cook and buyer al his life in the Society, especially at Loyola College Watsonia, Canisius College Pymble and the Provincial residence.
He worked hard for many years doing different domestic duties. He was a deeply spiritual man, a happy cheerful person, with a great love of the Society and of his vocation, as well as being a robust and forthright character.
He was always sad when someone left the Society - he could not understand how it could happen. He had a high regard for poverty, and despite many years as manductor and buyer, he was exact in his use of money. He was a man of simple pleasures. For years his days off consisted of a business trip to the city, a visit to one of the Churches, a cut lunch in the park, or Mass at the Cathedral and lunch at St Patrick’s College.
He enjoyed smoking, but i later years gave it up. He was a member of the Pioneers Total Abstinence Association. He was also fond of music, and as a pianist was a good exponent of light music, tough he rarely touched the piano after he entered. He gained much pleasure from the stereogram at Power Street. He worked hard for the Indian Mission, especially the stamp unit, tearing stamps off envelopes. His happy presence at the “May Time Fair” each year we appreciated. He was a thoroughly useful and reliable person, and always good company in community. He valued the spiritual help and friendship of Henry Wilkins.
His last illness was long and painful. The large number of Jesuits at his funeral was testimony to the love and affection in which he was held.

Born: 26 November 1938, Hardwicke Street, Dublin
Entered: 06 April 1958, St Mary's , Emo, County Laois
Final Vows: 15 August 1971, Clongowes Wood College, County Kildare
Died: 29 May 2000, Gonzaga College SJ, Dublin

by 1991 at Toronto Canada (CAN S) Sabbatical

Born: 22 April 1825, County Meath
Entered: 07 October 1860, Clongowes Wood College SJ, County Kildare
Died: 08 September 1865, St Francis Xavier's, Upper Gardiner Street, Dublin

◆ HIB Menologies SJ :
He was a carpenter by trade.

Born: 11 August 1841, Limerick City, County Limerick
Entered: 15 June 1870, Sevenhill, Australia - Austriaco-Hungaricae Province (ASR-HUN)
Final Vows: 25 March 1881
Died: 25 July 1925, St Aloysius, Sevenhill, Adelaide, Australia

Transcribed : ASR-HUN to HIB 01 January 1901

Edmund Moloney, a half brother of Thomas Carroll - RIP 1938 - and Francis - RIP 1929

◆ HIB Menologies SJ :
He had joined the Austrian Mission at Sevenhill, and spent the best part of the rest of his life there until his death there 25/07/1925.
He was refectorian at Sevenhill.

◆ David Strong SJ “The Australian Dictionary of Jesuit Biography 1848-2015”, 2nd Edition, Halstead Press, Ultimo NSW, Australia, 2017 - ISBN : 9781925043280
Edmund Maloney, a half brother of Thomas Carroll, entered the Society at Sevenhill, 15 June 1870. After taking vows he remained at Sevenhill until 1877 as assistant tailor, refectorian and cook. In 1877 he was at Georgetown as cook and houseman, and in 1878, he performed similar duties at Manoora. From 1879-84 he was back at Sevenhill as assistant cook and doing housework. He returned to Manoora, 1884-86, was at Norwood in 1887, Kooringa in 1888, and in 1889 he was again at Sevenhill, where he spent the rest of his life, with the exception of 1907, when he was at Norwood.
Moloney was an active, zealous man with a powerful physique and equable temperament.

Born: 03 February 1864, Bohemia, Czech Republic
Entered: 10 May 1886, Sankt Andrä, Austria - Austriaco-Hungaricae Province (ASR-HUN)
Final vows: 02 February 1898
Died: 20 June 1911, Xavier College, Kew, Melbourne, Australia

Transcribed ASR-HUN to HIB : 01 January 1901

◆ HIB Menologies SJ :
He was one of the Austrian Brothers who remained in Australia after the amalgamation of the Austrian and Irish Missions.
He was stationed at Kew College and he died there 20 June 1911.

◆ David Strong SJ “The Australian Dictionary of Jesuit Biography 1848-2015”, 2nd Edition, Halstead Press, Ultimo NSW, Australia, 2017 - ISBN : 9781925043280
Augustin Melter entered the Society 10 May 1886, and left Europe for Australia in 1888. He worked on the Northern Territory Mission as cook, carpenter and refectorian, first at Rapid Creek, 1889-90, then at the Daly River, 1890-99, and finally at Palmerston or Port Darwin, 1900-01. After the amalgamation of the two missions, he transferred to the Irish Mission.
He continued his domestic duties in the parishes of North Sydney and Norwood, as well as at Loyola College, Greenwich, St Aloysius' College, Milsons Point, and finally, Xavier College, Melbourne, 1908-11.
Melzer was a carpenter by trade, and a very clever artisan. He could turn his hand to the management and repair of all kinds of machinery He also had an excellent command of English, and for a time taught in the school among the Aborigines.
Not long at Xavier College, he was struck down with illness in 1909. He was unable to do much after that, but bore his sickness with cheerfulness.

Born: 24 May 1785, Ireland
Entered: 17 March 1817, Richmond, Virginia, USA - Marylandiae Mission (MAR)
Final vows: 15 August 1929
Died: 10 June 1848, Georgetown, U.S.A. - Marylandiae Province (MAR)

Born: 15 January 1915, Portroe, County Tipperary
Entered: 24 March 1935, St Mary's, Emo, County Laois
Final Vows: 15 August 1945, Belvedere College SJ, Dublin
Died: 13 January 1977, Manresa, Dollymount, Dublin

Brother of Michael McShera - Ent 05/04/1931; LEFT 04/02/1943

◆ Irish Province News 52nd Year No 2 1977 & ◆ The Belvederian, Dublin, 1977

Manresa
Brother Tony McShera’s heart attack and death during the weekly prayer-meeting on Thursday 13th January was a great shock to our community. He had been at the retreat house door to welcome the participants in his usual hearty manner, and he had just spoken during the meeting itself when the Lord called him. He could not have died in a more appropriate setting, at prayer and in the midst of his friends.

Obituary :

Br Anthony McShera (1915-1977)

Born January 15th at Portroe, Co. Tipperary, he was educated at the Christian Brothers School, Sexton St, Limerick, to the end of his first year Inter. Certificate. He entered the Noviceship on March 24th 1935 and pronounced his First Vows on March 28th 1937.
1937-1954: Cook: Belvedere, where he pronounced his Final Vows on August 15th 1945.
1954-1969: Cook, Milltown Park.
1969-1977: Cook: Manresa House, Dollymount. Died: January 13th 1977.

The long “innings” which he had as cook in each house speaks its own praise, both as regards his work, and as regards the satisfaction he gave to his communities.

Father James Healy, now in Milltown Park, remembers him well. “Living with Brother ‘Mac’ in Milltown was a joy and a pleasure: the pleasure of eating well and the joy of knowing that his professional skill always provided plenty, wasted nothing and cost the minimum. As a scholastic I loved to watch him in the Servery, carrying and dis hing out vegetables for a Community of 80 or more; he had been up since 5.30; had given us porridge and dished out lovely hot bacon and eggs when the mob arrived in a rush for breakfast; he'd spent the whole morning preparing for this moment and for our dinner. He was proud to feed us, so quickly, so pleasantly. His joy was in our pleasure.
‘Mac’ had a wonderful way with the boys on the domestic staff. There was competition among them to get into the kitchen. Once there you served a strict apprenticeship, and you made a lifelong friend. Here was a master craftsman, respecting his tools and materials, rejoicing in his creations, expecting you to do likewise. Be clean. Be punctual. Be methodical. Learn your trade thoroughly. Join a union. I still meet Mac's protegés and they are all proud to be imitators of him, all extremely grateful to him for the formation he gave them.
Mac was still going strong when I returned to teach in Milltown. One year I noticed his room had been changed to a worse one. How come? The Minister had to change someone and knew that Mac would take it more charitably than the alternative victim.
He was never Tony to me not I Jim to him. Titles did not matter. We played golf together. Eugene Ward and Joe Conran invited Mac and myself to make a four for a golfing holiday in Newcastle, Co Down. It must have been one of the first mixed priest-brother villas. Somehow, Mac and I formed a new bond on that villa; the golf brig comes in a variety of species and ours seemed to be - opposed? - well, 'different from that of our companions. Of course the four of us were mad, fanatical. Only we laughed at different moments. Any Christian can share your sorrows. It takes a friend to smile together-– as we did, reminiscently, in later years when I occasionally met him in Manresa. The pleasures pass, the joy remains”.

Father J. C Kelly, S.J., of Milltown Park writes: “He told me, in his inimitable Limerick accent, that one day as a young fella’ he realised with blinding clarity that his vocation in life was to be a cook, He never wanted to do anything else. At the height of his powers in the late fifties in Belvedere, he was a superb cook: and his day began at five o'clock in the morning in the Dublin market buying fresh vegetables. He went to the market on his bike”.

His recreation was golf. Father Matt Meade recalls his dedication to his pastime of golf. Characteristically Brother McShera was wholehearted in his interest in his pastime, and keen to achieve and recall his successes on the Course - which were, indeed, very creditable, although far from rivalling his prowess at his real “vocation” inside the Society of Jesus: his excellence as a cook.

Born: 16 April 1896, Rhode, County Offaly
Entered: 11 December 1920, St Stanislaus College, Tullabeg, County Offaly
Final Vows: 02 February 1931, Rathfarnham Castle, Dublin
Died: 25 August 1977, Jervis Street Hospital, Dublin

Part of the Manresa, Dollymount, Dublin community at themtime of death

◆ Fr Francis Finegan : Admissions 1859-1948 - Chauffeur before entry

◆ Irish Province News
Irish Province News 52nd Year No 4 1977
Manresa
Having lost two members of our community as a result of the status we suffered a more lasting loss on August 25 when Brother Laurence McNamee died suddenly. He had been mildly unwell for a few days but was up and about and quite well enough to entertain his sister a Cross & Passion nun. Brother John Loftus was driving the sister back to her convent in Glandore Rd and Bro Laurence went also for the drive; at the bottom of Griffith Ave, he collapsed; Bro Loftus rang for an ambulance immediately and Fr Dargan rushed to Jervis St Hospital to anoint Bro Laurence; officially he was dead on admission.
When one thinks of Bro Laurence one is reminded of Mary Purcell's life of Blessed Peter Fabre ... The Quiet Companion; so gently and so quietly and so prayerfully did he pass his last years.
Fr Ambrose McNamee, O Carm. (nephew) was chief concelebrant at the Requiem Mass in Gardiner St.

Irish Province News 56th Year No 3 1981

Obituary

Br Laurence McNamee (1896-1920-1977)

A great worker. He said the one time he was tempted to leave the Society was when he was sent to Emo to get the place ready for the novices and was then told to do nothing as the contract of sale had not yet been signed. Earlier in Tullabeg he looked after the car. Bringing back three novices (after their appendicitis operations in St Vincent's hospital on Stephen’s Green) from Tullamore, the car lost a wheel just after crossing a bridge near the gate of Charleville castle. He promptly took one nut off each of the other wheels and fixed the wandering wheel to bring the novices safely back to Tullabeg. Back in Tullabeg during the war, he looked after the 'gig' or 'back-to back' which in those petrol-starved days carried Jesuits to and from Tullamore and the train. He took the same care of the horse as he did previously of the motor-car, with the result that the steed grew fat and kicked.

Born: 01 February 1817, Butlerstown, County Waterford
Entered: 06 September 1857, Sault-au-Rècollet Canada - Franciae Province (FRA)
Final vows: 15 August 1868
Died: 08 September 1887, Montréal, Quebec, Canada - Marylandiae Neo-Eboracensis Province (MARNEB)

Part of the Xavier College, New York City, NY, USA community at the time of death

Born: 29 September 1931, Ballylongford, County Kerry
Entered: 01 March 1950, St Mary's, Emo, County Laois
Final Vows: 02 February 1962, Belvedere College SJ, Dublin
Died: 19 December 1997, Manresa, Dollymount, Dublin

◆ Interfuse No 97 : Special Edition Summer 1998 & ◆ The Belvederian, Dublin, 1998

Obituary
Br Patrick (Pat) McNamara (1931-1997)

29th Sept. 1931: Born in Ballylongford, Co. Kerry
Pre-entry experience: He worked for the Jesuits for 2 years at Mungret College, Limerick
1st March 1950: Entered the Society at Emo
17th March 1952: First Vows at Emo
1952 - 1953: Tullabeg, Cook
1953 - 1954: Milltown Park, Cook
1954 - 1955: Emo, Cook
1955 - 1984: Belvedere, Cook. He subsequently held the positions of Minister, Health Prefect, In charge of staff, House Consultor. He took a sabbatical break in 1983.
1984 - 1997: Manresa House, Minister, Prefect of Health
19th Dec. 1997: Died at Manresa House aged 66.

Pat died suddenly at Manresa House at the end of a normal working day in the evening of 19th December. May he rest in the Peace of Christ!

Homily at the Funeral Mass of Br. Pat : Jesus is the Way to Life

“O come, thou key of David, come and open wide our heavenly home; Make safe the path that leads on high and close the path to misery”.

These words from the hymn 0 come, O come Emmanuel express some of our Advent desires. We are a people in waiting for the coming of the Lord, but the Lord is also waiting to come to us. This time is one of preparation, of getting ready, of creating space for the Lord. We are a people in need, but we have to acknowledge that, if we are to be open to the gift of God, Jesus, who comes to us. The prophet cried in the wilderness to prepare the way of the Lord. Like the exiled people of Isaiah, we look for a new era, a time of consolation, when the desert is in bloom, the valleys filled, the uneven ground levelled, and the crooked ways straightened. These would facilitate their journey home from exile, as well as ours. We are a people in need of consolation and joyful hope and that is even more true in our time of sorrow, in our loss, at Pat's sudden death.

We are sad on this day at the loss of a brother - a brother to his own family and a brother to us Jesuits, as well as to his many friends. His death brings up much feeling, grief, loss, sorrow, emptiness, shock ...and we need space for all that. There is an element of being stunned by Pat's hasty departure without any chance to say good-bye. He was ready, but we were not. Our hearts go out to his family on this occasion for he loved his family and was concerned about each and all of them. But as well as joining with you in the sadness of this day, we are with you in faith. Our sorrow is real and we grieve together, we share a great loss, but our hope is solidly grounded in the Lord. Because of our faith we do not grieve as those who have no hope; life has changed not ended. There is a new beginning as well as an ending. A new pathway has opened.

The Jesuit way of life might be described as a pathway of discipleship; it is a way of following the Lord, which Pat embarked on more than 47 years ago. Most of that time was spent in Belvedere, where he formed many friends with staff, parents and pupils, and did much work that served the Society and its mission. The past 13 years were spent in Manresa, where he had more space and scope for his talents with plants and flowers - he blossomed anew in that environment. His care of the lawns, the trees, and flowers evoked many favorable comments. His gentle reminder to retreatants about the flowers - to leave what is out there, out there, so that we can all enjoy them, brought smiles to many faces. His warm and caring personality was genuine and touched people. Your presence here today in such large numbers is a fitting testimony to Pat's life, as well as being a great source of support to his brothers Jimmy, George, Michael, his sister Sally and their families.

Pat was familiar with the Spiritual Exercises as a way of growing in relationship with the Lord. Two key parts of that are the Kingdom and the Two Standards. The Kingdom calls us to be generous in offering ourselves to be with and to be for the Lord, who has been generous to us; the other exercise is to help clarify our motivation so that we are not led astray, nor deceived, in our following. The Kingdom and the Two Standards are significant in the lives of any Jesuit, but it would seem that Pat to some degree reversed them. I think that he had Two Kingdoms and One Standard. He loved his native Kerry and kept regular contact with his family. Late last September he was jubilant when Sam went home after an eleven year absence. It is fitting that the funeral cortege came by Croke Park yesterday evening and that it paused for a moment there. That is the only other shrine where Pat worshipped; he liked to go there regularly and had the ability to get in at minimum cost. He loved the Kingdom, but that was not at variance with his service to the Lord's Kingdom, which was the heart of his life. His standard was clear; he was not easily deceived. He was a man of faith and of prayer, who kept the faith, who shared the faith, and who finished the race. He prayed the Rosary daily with the domestic staff. He was a man of God for others.

The Christian way of life is one of service. Pat rarely wanted anything for himself; service was key to his life. A few years ago Pat wanted a new tractor and he got it in early December - he referred to it as his Christmas present, but it was a gift for others; he loved to use it - some of the staff described it as his Formula One machine, but it was to improve Manresa for others. He was a welcoming presence and felt the place should be the same. He wanted the grounds to look well as they provided a good atmosphere for the people who came to pray. More recently he wanted to redo the Avenue. It had to wait because of some building and then because the gateway needed to be rebuilt for the safety of people who came here. Finally he got all the parts in place. The gateway was built and a new gate was designed and ordered. Arrangements for the tarmacadam were put in place. He was preparing a way for others, a safer way. The tarmacadam was finished on Friday morning last and the new gate was to be hung the next morning. But Pat was called to travel a different avenue and enter another gate that Friday evening. Christmas had come early, Christ had come to Pat to call him home; a new era had dawned as the journey was complete.

This verse might fit with this time of year and summarise his faith journey in life, a faith that led him safely home to the Lord who welcomed him at the gate:

“I said to the man who stood at the gate of the Year, 'Give me a light that I may tread safely into the unknown. And he replied, Go out into the darkness and put your hand in the hand of God.
That shall be to you better than light and safer than a known way.”

Pat has travelled that known way and entered that New Year, that new era, in the Kingdom of the Lord, who welcomes him home. May he now enjoy the fruits of his labours in eternal rest, light and peace.

Mike Drennan, SJ

Born: 27 November 1880, Melbourne, Australia
Entered: 07 September 1927, Loyola Greenwich, Australia (HIB)
Final vows: 02 February 1938
Died: 20 November 1942, Loyola College, Watsonia, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia - Australiae Province (ASL)

Transcribed HIB to ASL : 05 April 1931

◆ David Strong SJ “The Australian Dictionary of Jesuit Biography 1848-2015”, 2nd Edition, Halstead Press, Ultimo NSW, Australia, 2017 - ISBN : 9781925043280
Donald McLean was a commercial traveler and a married man who had a daughter that became a Sister of the Good Shepherd. When she left home, he and his wife decided to join religious life - he to the Jesuits and she to the Marist Sisters. They were never to meet again.
McLean entered the Society at Loyola College, Greenwich, 7 September 1927, and remained there after vows as manuductor, performing general duties until 1933, when he went to Watsonia to perform similar tasks. He returned to Greenwich, 1936-37, as caretaker of the house, spent 1938 at Riverview, and his remaining years were at Loyola College, Watsonia from 1939.
He was valued as a good brother, conscientious and thorough in everything he was given to do, and was also a very observant religious and a man of prayer. He had the defect of an inclination to parsimony, but was otherwise kind, and remarkably humble for one who had so long lived as his own master.

Born: 17 March 1768, Ireland
Entered: 10 October 1806 Georgetown College MD, USA - Marylandiae Province (MAR))
Professed: 02 February 1821
Died: 04 October 1837, St Thomas, Port Tobacco, Maryland, USA - Marylandiae Province (MAR)

Born: 27 February 1934, Derry City, County Derry
Entered: 27 March 1956, St Mary's, Emo, County Laois
Final vows: 02 February 1966, Canisius College, Chikuni, Zambia
Died: 01 August 2023, Coptic Hospital, Lusaka, Zambia - Southern Africa Province (SAP)

Part of the John Chula House, Zambia Community at the time of death

Transcribed HIB to ZAM 03 December 1969

1956-1958 St Mary’s, Emo, County Laois
1958-1959 Milltown Park - Refectorian
1959-1960 Clongowes Wood College - works in school
1960-1962 Rathfarnham Castle - working in the community
1962-1963 Canisius College, Chikuni, Zambia - studying language, involved in buildings
1963-1964 Charles Lwanga, Chisekesi, Zambia - maintenance
1964-1966 St Ignatius Lusaka, Zambia - studying Art and Engineering
1966-1971 Canisius College, Chikuni, Zambia - Maintenance
1971-1972 Ireland
1972-1978 Canisius College, Chikuni, Zambia - Maintenance
1978-1980 St Ignatius, Lusaka, Zambia
1980-1986 Canisius College, Chikuni, Zambia - Maintenance
1986-1989 Luwisha House, Lusaka, Zambia
1989-199 Canisius College, Chikuni, Zambia - Maintenance

Final Vows 15 August 1966, Canisius College, Chikuni, Zambia

Southern Africa Province Province Obituary - sent 04 August 2023

Br Gabriel McKinney, S.J.

(1934-2023. In Zambia 1962-2023)

1 August 2023

He was 89 years old and 67 years in the Society of Jesus, 61 of those in Zambia.

Ort.................27 Feb 1934
Loc. Nat......... Derry, Co. Derry, N. Ireland, U.K.
Ingr. ............... 27 Mar 1956
Loc. Ingr. ....... Emo Park, Ireland
Tertianship.....Tullabeg, Co Offaly, Ireland
Transcribed..............HIB to SAP on 03 Dec 1969
Grad. ............. FF Dies.........02 Feb 1966
Loc. Grad....... Canisius, Chikuni Mission, Zambia
Defunc.. .........01 Aug 2023
Loc. Defunc....Coptic Hospital, Lusaka, Zambia

Gabriel McKinney was born on 27 February 1934 in Derry, Northern Ireland, of Thomas and Mary (née Crossan) McKinney. He went to primary school at St Eugenes and then finished off at St Columbus College. He always remained close to his family and would spend most of his home leave with them. One of his brothers, Anthony, became a Carmelite priest working in Dublin. In the time of The Troubles of the 1960s.1970s when there was so much social conflict in the North, Gabriel would have on display in Chikuni recreation room various memorabilia, including a rubber bullet fired by a British soldier.

He entered the Society at Emo in 1956. Afterwards he did some juniorate in Milltown Park before being missioned to Northern Rhodesia in 1962. He spent two years at St Ignatius, Lusaka gaining mechanical experience in a city garage and so preparing himself for his life’s work in the garage at Chikuni. He took his final vows in Chikuni in 1966 and later joined the newly founded Vice-Province of Zambia in 1969.

In Chikuni he took charge of the garage and of all matters connected with the functioning of a large and varied fleet of motor vehicles. These were absolutely essential in the pastoral activities that were carried out not only from Chikuni itself, but also from the more-or-less dependent parishes of Monze, Chivuna, Fumbo and Kasiya. In addition, there were the tractors and other machinery for the farm, as well as the pumps so necessary for the water supplied. Gabriel and his team were always there to keep them in good working condition, even if at times they had to coax some of them back to life after the daily wear and tear, an accident, or even neglect.

A noteworthy factor in all of Gabriel’s garage work was his success in transmitting his knowledge and skills to many local young men. Some of these stayed with him for years, working alongside him. Others left and went on to start small-scale mechanics business and fitness centers of their own. Gabriel may not always have been aware of it, but the work he has doing made a major contribution to the economic independence of the people and to their all-important food security.

He also served as a well-liked and effective house minister, for a year at St Ignatius, for two years at Luwisha House and for two separate periods at Chikuni (1979-1982; 1988-1990). He brought to this work the care for order and detail that characterized everything he did in the mechanical area. In addition, he developed a flair for vegetable growing and maintained a sizeable and productive garden in Chikuni, and also at Kizito’s near Monze during his brief stay there in 2002.

Having spent more than 50 years in Chikuni, Gabriel became almost the embodiment of that community, with its positive reputation for hospitality and for apostolic outreach to the nearby religious communities and the families of teachers, development personnel and workers living in the locality. He was a warm- hearted community man who enjoyed living and interacting with fellow-Jesuits from a variety of nationalities.

Those who lived with him, or knew him reasonably well, were much aware that what really kept Gabriel going, whether in the garage, in the community or in the garden, was his deep spiritual life. There was nothing ostentatious about this, but it was clearly the guiding principle of his whole existence.

https://jesuit.ie/news/remembering-brother-gabriel-mckinney/

Jesuit brother Gabriel McKinney SJ, who spent sixty years on mission in Africa, passed away on 1st August at the Coptic Hospital, Lusaka, Zambia, aged 89. Irish Jesuits International commemorated him recently with the essay below.

Go well, Brother Gabriel

From all the team at Irish Jesuits International we would like to send our thoughts and prayers to the family, friends and loved one’s of Brother Gabriel McKinney who departs this life leaving behind fond memories of his time and work in Zambia.

Gabriel McKinney was born on 27 February 1934 in Derry, Northern Ireland, of Thomas and Mary (née Crossan) McKinney. He went to primary school at St Eugenes and then later at St Columbus College.

He entered the Society at Emo in 1956. Afterwards he did some juniorate in Milltown Park before being missioned to Northern Rhodesia in 1962. He spent two years at St Ignatius, Lusaka gaining mechanical experience in a city garage preparing himself for his life’s work in the garage at Chikuni.

He took his final vows in Chikuni in 1966 and later joined the newly founded Vice-Province of Zambia in 1969. In Chikuni he took charge of the garage and all things regarding the up-keep and functioning of a large and varied fleet of motor vehicles. These were absolutely essential in the pastoral activities that were carried out not only from Chikuni itself, but also from the more-or-less dependent parishes of Monze, Chivuna, Fumbo and Kasiya.

In addition, there were the tractors and other machinery for the farm, as well as the pumps that crucial for the water irrigation. Gabriel and his team were always there to keep them in good working condition, even if at times they had to coax some of them back to life after the daily wear and tear.

A noteworthy factor in all of Gabriel’s garage work was his success in transmitting his knowledge and skills to many local young men. Some of these stayed with him for years, working alongside him. Others left and went on to start small-scale mechanics business and centres of their own. Gabriel may not always have been aware of it, but the work he was doing made a major contribution to the economic independence of the people and to their all-important food security.

Having spent more than 50 years in Chikuni, Gabriel became almost the embodiment of that community. He was a warm-hearted man who dedicated his life to making the lives of others better through his mechanic hands, upskilling and outreach to teachers and the wider parish community.

Go well, Brother Gabriel. Rest in Peace.

Posted on Irish Jesuit International August 8, 2023 by Joe Munnelly

Born: 24 December 1822, Drishane, Millstreet, County Cork
Entered: 03 June 1855, Florissant MO, USA - Missouriana Province (MIS)
Professed: 09 April 1866
Died: 21 January 1899, Florissant MO, USA - Missouriana Province (MIS)

Born: 19 March 1818, Moneyneany, County Derry
Entered: 05 September 1843, Frederick, MD, USA - Marylandiae Province (MAR)
Professed: 08 December 1857
Died: 13 January 1886, Georgetown College, Washington DC, USA - Marylandiae Neo-Eboracensis Province (MAR)

Born: 19 March 1892, Oristown, County Meath
Entered: 18 March 1923, Roehampton London - Angliae Province (ANG)
Final vows: 15 August 1933
Died: 12 October 1972, Stillorgan, County Dublin - Angliae Province (ANG)

Part of the St Beuno’s, St Asaph, Wales community at the time of death

Born: 15 August 1823, Clonmany, County Donegal
Entered: 11 July 1857, Frederick, MD, USA - Marylandiae Province (MAR)
Final vows: 15 August 1867
Died: 10 December 1889, The Gesù, Philadelphia, PA, USA - Marylandiae Neo-Eboracensis Province (MARNEB)

Born: 24 June 1814, County Carlow
Entered: 07 September 1838, Hodder, Stonyhurst, England - Angliae Province (ANG)
Final vows: 02 February 1850
Died: 28 April 1876, St John’s, Beaumont, Old Windsor, Berkshire, England - Angliae Province (ANG)

Younger Brother of James - RIP 1850

◆ HIB Menologies SJ :
Brother of James - RIP 1850

1850-1866 Sent to St Beuno’s as Refectorian and Cellarman.
1866 Sent to Stonyhurst as Diepenser.
1872 Sent to Beaumont for health reasons, and died there 28 April 1876 aged 62

Born: 25 July 1799, Fenagh, County Kildare
Entered: 02 June 1836, Hodder, Stonyhurst, England - Angliae Province (ANG)
Final vows: 02 February 1850
Died: 28 July 1850, Stonyhurst, Lancashire, England - Angliae Province (ANG)

Older Brother of John - RIP 1876
HIB Menologies SJ :
James Gray - real name was McGrath
Brother of John

Born: 06 August 1923, Edinburgh, Midlothian, Scotland
Entered: 24 September 1973, Manresa House, Dollymount, Dublin
Final Vows: 02 February 1985, Coláiste Iognáid, Galway
Died: 11 March 2002, St Vincent’s Hospital, Dublin

Part of the Croftwood, Cherry Orchard, Dublin community at Cherryfield Lodge, Dublin at the time of death.

Educated at De La Salle College, Dundalk, County Louth

Lived and worked at the Morning Star Hostel, North Brunswick Street, Dublin

by 1981 at Lahore Pakistan (MISS PAK) working

◆ Interfuse

Interfuse No 112 : Special Edition 2002

Obituary
Br William (Bill) McGoldrick (1923-2002)

6th Aug. 1923: Born in Edinburgh
Early education at De La Salle, Dundalk
Worked as a grocery assistant in Dundalk until 1952. Also worked in a general store in Muff, Co. Donegal.
He was employed by Maypole Dairy, London. Later joined Marks & Spencer in Essex for twelve years.
He was a member of the Legion of Mary.
It was while he was at the Morning Star Hostel that the possibility of joining the Jesuits surfaced.
24th Sept, 1973: Entered the Society at Manresa House, Dublin
3rd April 1976: First Vows at Manresa House
1976 - 1977: Betagh House - Minister
1977 - 1980: St. Ignatius Galway - Infirmarian; Sacristan
1980 - 1983: University House, Lahore, Pakistan - Minister
1983 - 1989: Galway - Sacristan; Infirmarian; Assistant in House
1983 - 1984: Tertianship at Tullabeg
2nd Feb. 1985: Final Vows in Galway
1989 - 2002: Cherry Orchard
1989 - 1990: Minister; Community Development
1990 - 2000: Minister; Health Prefect; Community Devel.
2000 - 2002: Residing in Cherryfield Lodge
11th March 2002: Died in St. Vincent's Hospital, Dublin.

Bill was admitted to Cherryfield in April 2000. He remained in reasonably good health until December 2001. He was admitted to St. Vincent's Hospital with a kidney infection. He returned to Cherryfield Lodge on 16 January 2002, but his general condition was much weaker and he was re-admitted to hospital on 20th January, suffering from severe respiratory distress. Bill's condition deteriorated and he died peacefully in St. Vincent's Hospital on 11 March 2002.

Bill Toner writes....
As I write this I am looking at a photograph of Bill given to me by Bill's sister, Mary. Bill is in a white coat, standing at the counter of a grocery store. Behind him is a notice reading, New Zealand Butter 3s/2d., and a multitude of tins arranged in a series of tall pyramids. Bill has the expression of a man you would not trifle with. The picture was taken somewhere in London, in one of the branches of Maypole dairies where he worked in the 1950s.

Bill had a varied life. His father worked for Maypole dairies before him, and was sent to work in Edinburgh, where Bill was born. Later his father was moved to the branch in Dundalk, where Mary and the younger children were born. Bill was educated in the local De La Salle School. Bill liked to recall when, in answer to a question, he told the class he had three brothers and a sister and, because the teacher had not heard of Mary's arrival, was slapped for telling lies. Bill went to work in a variety of jobs in Dundalk, mostly in shops. While working in a butcher's shop he had an unfortunate argument with a colleague about a meat knife, which led to an injury to his finger, so severe that two joints were eventually amputated. Bill worked for a while in a shop belonging to a Mr. Corr, who was the grandfather of the Corr's pop group family. The early death of his brother Sean, whom he was very close to, upset him so much that he wanted to leave Dundalk, and he answered an ad for a job in Muff, Co. Donegal. The shop was one of the old-fashioned general stores which did everything from serving drink to undertaking, and Bill stayed there for many years.

Bill was active in the Legion of Mary, and this seems to have been a principal motive in going to live and work in England. He worked in a variety of shops in London, and eventually went to Marks and Spencer in Ilford, where he worked in stores and security for about 10 years. Eventually, around 1970, he returned to Dublin to work full-time in the Legion's Morning Star hostel, where someone suggested to him that he should join the Society, which he did at the age of 50.

I only came to know Bill well when I went to Croftwood Park. Bill was already well established there having arrived at the time of the move from No.73 to No.25. Bill settled in very well. His varied life experiences and a rather liberal streak meant that nothing shocked or surprised him, and he was very non-judgmental about the behaviour of some of his more colourful neighbours. This meant that he was rarely lonely, as many came to him to talk over problems or just to chat and share a fag. Bill admitted that he had smoked since the age of ten, and although this was to catch up with him in the end, it broke a lot of barriers in a place like Cherry Orchard, where smoking is endemic.

Bill was a natural home-maker. With only limited apostolic opportunities in the area, particularly as his health and mobility declined, Bill saw one of his principal duties as making No.25 a homely and welcoming place. He was always on hand to see off members of the Community on their travels, and to welcome them home and offer to make a cup of tea. He loved to chat, and had a fund of anecdotes from his many different jobs, both inside and outside the Society. He was always a man to bury the hatchet, but he had marked some of the burial spots well, and liked to trot out a few favourite "hurts' he had suffered along the way.

Order and routine were important to Bill, so he was a very valuable anchor man in the community, ensuring that there was some order in the day, that Mass and meals were regular, and that birthdays were remembered. He was a careful housekeeper, and would have regarded it as a personal failure if something like sugar or toilet paper ran out (which it never did). When he began to go to Cherryfield for brief annual 'overhauls', he would return to Croftwood appalled to find that we were on our last tea-bag and there was no ice-cream in the fridge. Although there was no doubt that he held us all in the community in the highest esteem in regard to such things as writing articles or running meetings, he never regarded us as really competent to wash a milk jug or close the fridge door properly.

Those who knew Bill only in later years might think of him as rather frail, but in his prime he was physically very strong. One of his occasional pastimes was arm-wrestling, and in Pakistan he built up quite a reputation and was often challenged by the locals. Apparently he always won. In Croftwood he confined himself mainly to playing chess, particularly with a neighbour, Eddie Keating, who liked to call in for a game in the evenings. Bill also followed football and liked to watch it on T.V., and as a Dundalk fan he enjoyed an off the pitch rivalry with Gerry O'Hanlon who favoured St. Pats. From his London days Bill followed Spurs, but they gave him little joy in recent years.

Bill was very good to the local children, but when they were really wearisome I would sometime send Bill out to deal with them, as an ultimate sanction. In his early days in Croftwood two small boys used to call each day to the door and Bill would give them a biscuit. One day they came but he had no biscuits. So as they went out the gate the two little boys picked up stones and threw them at him. Bill used to tell this story as a kind of parable, but it did not stop him giving the occasional sweet. One Halloween he decided to give out mini chocolate bars instead of apples. Word seemed to spread to the furthest reaches of Cherry Orchard until eventually we were eaten out of house and home by large gangs of masked children. Bill taught many of the local children sign language for the deaf, a skill he had picked up in his Legion days. I cannot recall a single community Mass where Bill did not pray for the children in the street.

Bill's spirituality was deep in his bones, in the way you might expect of a lifelong member of the Legion of Mary, But in many ways he wore it very lightly and was never over-pious or preachy. From time to time he ran prayer or rosary groups in the house, but he usually shared his spirituality in a quiet way, When he chatted to local people he would often end up giving them a pair of rosary beads or a leaflet about John Sullivan.

Bill was immensely happy being a Jesuit, and clearly considered it a great grace that came out of the blue relatively late in his life. He had great affection for his fellow-Jesuits, and never seemed to forget anyone he had ever lived with, whether in the novitiate, or Temple Villas, or Galway, or Pakistan or Cherryfield Lodge. He was very devoted to his family, and was particularly close to his sister Mary, who, along with her three daughters and son, was a frequent visitor to Croftwood.

Bill was sadly missed in Croftwood, by neighbours as well as by his Community, when he moved to Cherryfield. He had time for people. It is sobering to wonder if those of us who dash around the place 'doing good' will be remembered with half as much affection. May Bill's generous and gentle soul find joy and fellowship at the heavenly table of the Lord.

Born: 02 February 1820, Lissan, County Derry
Entered: 26 July 1858, Frederick, MD, USA - Marylandiae Province (MAR)
Final vows: 15 August 1868
Died: 13 February 1907, Woodstock College, MD, USA - Marylandiae Neo-Eboracensis Province (MARNEB)

Born: 22 April 1935, Emlanaughton, Tubercurry, County Sligo
Entered: 22 August 1963, Australiae Province (ASL)
Final vows: 15 August 1977
Died: 11 June 1981, Campion College, Kew, Melbourne, Australia - Australiae Province (ASL)

◆ David Strong SJ “The Australian Dictionary of Jesuit Biography 1848-2015”, 2nd Edition, Halstead Press, Ultimo NSW, Australia, 2017 - ISBN : 9781925043280
James McGettrick was raised an orphan, living successively in two families until, as a young man, he migrated to Australia where he lived with Mr and Mrs Dan Cullen, at Bayswater, and was helped by them to gain qualifications and find employment as a tradesman.
McGettrick took part in the life of the parish at Bayswater. Then he joined the Society 22 August 1963, after reading an advertisement in the Catholic press about the life of Jesuit brother.
He had a good sense of humour, and an impish sense of fun. He could laugh at the comic and the the pretentiousness in others, without shedding his respect for the whole person He could let himself be laughed at and teased.
He became minister at the Jesuit Theological College in Melbourne, 1973-77, and did a good job. He took his final vows, 15 August 1977. There was a short time spent at Sevenhill during 1978, before his move to Campion College, 1979-81, as minister, bursar and prefect of health. His quiet competence in administration, accounting, and managing staff was obvious. He was kind, unruffled, and totally loyal, with a shrewd appreciation of human matters. He was a wise and valued counsellor.
McGettrick was a talented man, liked working with people, and not afraid of the apostolate. He enjoyed administration, and served the Jesuit community well. He died suddenly of a heart attack, and was much missed by his friends.

Born: 01 October 1887, Loughrea, County Galway
Entered: 05 May 1920, St Stanislaus College, Tullabeg, County Offaly
Final Vows: 02 February 1931, Clongowes Wood College SJ
Died: 21 August 1953, Our Lady's Hospice, Dublin

Part of the Clongowes Wood College, County Kildare community at the time of death.

Brother of Timothy McEntee - LEFT 1921

◆ Fr Francis Finegan : Admissions 1859-1948 - Draper before entry

◆ Irish Province News
Irish Province News 28th Year No 4 1953
Obituary :
Brother Hugh McEntee
When Brother McEntee went to hospital no one imagined that his health was to deteriorate the way it did. After a period of convalescence, he returned to Clongowes for a short time. We were surprised to see the great change in him. Clearly he had lost his customary vigour.
During this brief period, he could be seen making his way slowly along the corridor, trying to exercise himself that he might regain some of his previous energy to fit himself once more for his work as Sacristan, The boys, who always held him in high esteem, noticed his weakened condition and to members of the community they expressed their hope that Brother McEntee would soon be hale and hearty once again and be back in the Sacristy. But it was not to be, for despite further medical attention, he continually failed in health, finally in the Hospice of the Dying, on August 21st, he passed peacefully away, having received the Last Sacraments.
He was born at Loughrea on October 1st, 1887, and was educated there. As a young man he set up his own drapery business in the same town. After some time he sold out and came to Dublin where he was in employment at T. Lyons and Co., Wholesale Drapers, Chathan Row. Here he was remarkable for his piety and zeal, chiefly manifested by a striking devotion to the sick, as well as his constancy in assisting in the enrolment of large numbers of boys in the Brown Scapular. As regards. the latter devotion, he had great faith in the revelation to St. Simon Stock, namely, that those members of the Brown Scapular who died in the proper dispositions would be released from Purgatory on the Saturday following their death. Hence, it was that he prayed that he would die on a Friday, and his prayer was answered.
On May 5th, 1920, he entered the novitiate at Tullabeg. He remained at this house until 1927 when he was transferred to Clongowes. With the exception of the period 1938-1944 when he was in Mungret, Brother McEntee spent the rest of his religious life at Clongowes.
As Sacristan of the Boys' Chapel and the People's Church, he was a model of order, neatness and efficiency. He had a constant loyalty and an abiding interest in his work, and was always most obliging and charitable. The local boys, whom he had instructed in Mass-serving and as Benediction acolytes, were very devoted to him. The boys in the college looked upon him as a necessary part of Clongowes, where he was erroneously but affectionately known as “Brother McGinty”. A past pupil, now a priest in the Dublin Diocese, said that as a boy he was most impressed by the brother. This good priest confessed that in his public request for prayers to his congregation he unconsciously reverted to his student days and referred to “Brother McGinty”. No doubt, the good brother appreciated the slip.
Brother McEntee's earlier devotion to the sick revealed itself in is religious life by his thoughtfulness in sending Catholic booklets, leaflets and holy pictures to hospitals and orphanages, and these undoubtedly brought consolation and assistance to many souls.
May he rest in peace.

◆ The Clongownian, 1954

Obituary

Brother Hugh McEntee SJ

Many Clongownians will regret the passing of Brother Hugh McEntee SJ. He was born on October 1st, 1887, and died on August 21st, 1953, having given the greater part of a holy life to Our Lord's service in the Society.

Both as refectorian and sacristan, he was most painstaking and efficient. His desire to diffuse happiness and pleasure in others, especially young boys, was ever : active ; his keen sense of humour was at call whenever occasion demanded; his manner was friendly, genial. and kind. But more than all his other commendable qualities, one may recall his practical devotion to the Blessed Sacrament. He never spared himself in order to have the Boy's Chapel and the People's Church always spotlessly clean and ornate. Every sacred vessel and even the least candlestick seemed, with the perfect lustre of each, to tell the Hidden God really present in the tabernacle, the true story of his own heart's adoration and love.

His piety did not begin merely when he entered the Society. Even as a young man, when he owned a drapery business in Loughrea, Co Galway, he had a remarkable zeal for the sanctification of souls. He was an active and eager auxiliary of the local clergy in the work of enrolling boys and young men in the Brown Scapular of the Blessed Virgin.

He first came to Clongowes in 1927, when he was appointed refectorian and here he remained until July, 1938. After six years in Mungret College, he returned to us as sacristan. His last illness was long and painful but his resignation to God's will was most exemplary. RIP

Born: 17 March 1808, Springtown, County Tyrone
Entered: 05 September 1836, Frederick, MD, USA - Marylandiae Province (MAR)
Final vows: 15 October 1847
Died: 14 April 1874, Frederick, MD, USA - Marylandiae Province (MAR)

Born: 01 May 1812, Tydavnet, County Monaghan
Entered: 01 October 1840, Frederick, MD, USA - Marylandiae Province (MAR)
Final vows: 15 August 1859
Died: 15 January 1894, Boston, MA, USA - Marylandiae Neo-Eboracensis Province (MARNEB)

Part of the Holy Cross College, Worcester, MA, USA community at the time of death.

◆ Interfuse

Interfuse No 98 : Autumn 1998

Obituary

Fr John McElroy (1782-1877)

As we remember the 1798 Rebellion it is interesting to note that there is a Jesuit connection with this event. It is not well known that John McElroy, (1782 - 1877) who later became a Jesuit and founder and first President of Boston College, was a part of the Rebellion.

This is a summary of his entry in the Dictionary of American biography. Boston College itself knows of his early life. Fr. Frank Mackin, SJ, at Boston College would be grateful for any information.

John McElroy was born in Enniskillen, County Fermanagh, where according to the Dictionary of American Biography, he obtained a scant education in a hedge school. The Dictionary goes on: 'A gigantic fellow, wiry, and red faced, he spoke with the nasal twang of Ulster and committed treason with the Presbyterian United Irishmen.'

Like many of the United Irishmen he had to leave Ireland and went on a flax ship to Baltimore where he began a business in Georgetown. After a conversion experience he joined the Society as a brother in 1806. Eventually he decided to be a priest and was ordained in 1817. McElroy build a church at Liberty in 1828, another new church of St. John at Frederick, an orphanage under the Institute which at one time rivalled Georgetown. McElroy also became famous as a preacher and mission giver, and he conducted the first clerical retreat in the Boston diocese. He was the favourite preacher for many an episcopal ordination, cornerstone ceremony, and anniversary.

In 1846 McElroy served in Taylor's army as a chaplain during the Mexican War. The Dictionary of American Biography says that “He won the soldiers' favour and became a living argument to the Mexicans that the war was not being waged against their Catholic religion”.

After the war McElroy was assigned to St. Mary's Church in north Boston by Bishop Fitzpatrick who found the “congregation fractious”' As the first Jesuit pastor in Boston and as Rector of the largest Catholic Church in Boston, he became an influential leader in the city. Even at the age of 78 he went through vexatious litigation in order to purchase lands to found Boston College in 1860. McElroy died in 1877 when he was the oldest Jesuit alive in the world.

In September this year I attended a function at Boston College at which the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Mo Mowlam, launched a programme to train the new Assembly members in the art of governnient at Boston College.

At this event I certainly felt the paradoxical presence of Fr. John McElroy, SJ from Enniskillen who left Ireland after 'committing treason' in the 1798 Rising!

Born: 17 April 1923, Killeigh, Tullamore, County Offaly
Entered: 20 November 1944, St Mary's, Emo, County Laois
Final Vows: 02 February 1955, Canisius College, Chikuni, Zambia
Died: 06 April 2000, Cherryfield Lodge, Dublin - Zambia-Malawi Province (ZAM)

Part of the Canisius College, Chikuni, Zambia community at the time of death

Transcribed HIB to ZAM : 03 December 1969

by 1953 at Chikuni, Chisekesi, N Rhodesia (POL Mi) working - fifth wave of Zambian Missioners

◆ Companions in Mission1880- Zambia-Malawi (ZAM) Obituaries :
Early in his stay at Chikuni, one evening a worker came to Br Pat to report that a snake had fallen into the well, the source of the people's drinking water. ‘If it dies, no one will ever drink from the well again’ he was told. What to do? Br Pat was nothing if not inventive. Into the 30 foot well he lowered a bag of hay knowing that snakes liked to rest or hide under sacking or straw. Next morning at 04.00 hours, Br Pat was awakened by the worker who said, ‘We have killed the snake after hauling up the hay with the snake inside’. Br Pat writing about this incident years later wrote, ‘I suppose it's in overcoming challenges that we grow in joy, in closeness to our Creator, and in a knowledge of who we are and how closely we work with Him’. Br Pat was a deeply spiritual man and all his working life was a challenge to him.

He was born on 17 April 1923 in Killeigh, Co Offaly, Ireland, into a farming family. After school he went to the Tullamore Vocational School for Trades Training (carpentry and building) and further academic subjects. He looked upon his early life as ‘a good Catholic religious upbringing’. He came to the Society in 1944 to Emo where he stayed even after his vows working on the farm, eight years in all.

He came to Northern Rhodesia in 1952 and took charge of the Chikuni farm for six years. For the construction of the Teachers Training College Charles Lwanga across the river from Chikuni, Br Pat was the obvious man for the building together with Fr McCarron just out from Ireland. During the following eight years, 1964 to 1972, he was on the move around the diocese building churches, schools, teachers' houses and catechists' houses. He spent three years promoting agriculture around Chikuni, went to Kasisi outside Lusaka as farm manager for three years and returned again to Chikuni as farm manager for eleven years. He did a few years' stint at Namwala doing maintenance and pastoral work and then back to Chikuni, also on maintenance and assisting in the parish. His health began to trouble him which took him to Ireland. In 1999 he was back in Zambia and was operated on but this did not cure the trouble. In great pain he asked to be brought to Ireland where he died on 6 April 2000.

In all this tremendous work that he did, he never forgot that he was working for God, as he once told a contractor with whom he was working when they had a difference of opinion. He prayed for the people he worked with, took a great interest in his workers and their families. He fed the hungry in famine times, visited the sick, presided at communion services, attended Charismatic prayer groups and generally encouraged people everywhere he went. He was never short of a word of advice or a prayer of encouragement.

On a short curriculum vitae sheet which the Jesuits fill in for the archives, one of the items on the sheet reads ‘Other activities, apostolic interests, hobbies, publications etc.’ Br Pat had, with an arrow pointing to 'hobbies' written, ‘get on with the job’. That, in some ways sums up Br Pat's life. He was practical, spiritual, helpful and kind. Ever busy himself, he was always ready to help others. He was well known around the Chikuni area as one to whom people would go when in trouble, knowing that they would get a listening ear. This, the local farmers knew. He was a farmer like themselves and his advice was readily sought.

The people were sad that Br Pat had died abroad. They would have liked to have his body brought back for full traditional burial rites, such was the esteem and love which they had for him. But as the Tonga proverb has it. ‘They say goodbye, they say goodbye but they leave their names behind’.

Note from Arthur J Clarke Entry
During his six years as rector, he was blessed with such outstanding heads of Canisius as Dick Cremins and Michael J Kelly. Arthur's vision for Canisius as a leading secondary school was influenced by his experience of Clongowes Wood College in Ireland. First, he wanted a proper house for the community. Though the actual building was the responsibility of Fr McCarron and Br Pat McElduff, the siting and design of the spacious community house are largely Arthur’s.

Note from Seán McCarron Entry
He was posted to Zambia (then Northern Rhodesia) for the express purpose of building and setting up Charles Lwanga Teacher Training College. His right hand man was Br Pat McElduff.

◆ Fr Francis Finegan : Admissions 1859-1948 - Carpenter before entry

Born: 07 June 1878, Bohola, Swinford, Co Mayo
Entered: 07 June 1914, St Stanislaus College, Tullabeg, County Offaly
Final Vows: 02 February 1925, Sacred heart College SJ, Limerick
Died: 15 September 1948, St Vincent’s Hospital, Dublin

Part of the St Stanislaus College, Tullabeg, County Offaly, Co Offaly community at the time of death

◆ Irish Province News
Irish Province News 24th Year No 1 1949
Obituary
Br. James McDonnell (1878-1914-1948)
Brother McDonnell died in St. Vincent's Hospital very suddenly in the early afternoon of Wednesday, 15th September. He had been some weeks in hospital with prostate trouble, and had had a minor operation on 14th September. He felt well and was in good spirits the next day, but at 1.45 p.m., without warning or struggle, he rendered up his soul to God. He was anointed immediately by the hospital chaplain. The funeral took place to Glasnevin 17th September, after the 10 o'clock Mass, celebrated by his Rector, Fr. Michael Connolly, St. Stanislaus College, Tullamore. The prayers at the grave-side were recited by Fr. Provincial.
Brother James was born at Bohola, Swinford, Co. Mayo, on 7th June, 1878 and was a late vocation, not entering the noviceship till he was well on in the thirties. In fact he received his gown on his 36th birthday, 7th June, 1914. It was the brother of the late Bro. James O'Grady, John Canon O'Grady, P.P. of Bohola who brought him to Dublin and introduced him to the then Provincial, Fr. T. V. Nolan with a view to his admission to the Society.
After leaving school Br. McDonnell worked on his father's farm, but about 1909 went to the United States and was employed in Butler's Chain Stores for two years at the end of which he became a Manager of one of the Stores. While in America he started a correspondence course in Commercial Art, which he continued after his return to Ireland, intending to make of this branch of art a life career. However, Providence had other designs for him. On the last night of a fortnight's mission held in the parish, Canon O'Grady arranged for him to drive the missioner to the station the following morning, and it was as the result of the conversation he had with the priest in question during the drive to the station that James McDonnell decided to join a religious Order.
On the completion of his noviceship Bro. McDonnell was sent to Belvedere College where he remained two years. The following four he spent at Clongowes, and in 1923 he began his long association with Mungret College (1923-25 and 1931-39) where for ten years and more he had charge of the boys' refectory. It was largely due to his kindly ways and neighbourly charity shown John Dillon, a farmer who lived nearby, during his serious illness that the College was left a valuable property which rounded off our farm near the Apostolic School, during the Rectorship of Fr. Edward Dillon. From 1925 to 1929 Bro. James worked at the Crescent College, where he made his final profession on 2nd February, 1925. He was in charge of the domestic staff of Belvedere College during the years 1929 and 1930 and it was at this time he contracted pneumonia from which he barely recovered, thanks to expert nursing in the Mater Hospital. The ten years preceding his death Bro. McDonnell spent in Tullabeg, engaged chiefly in secretariate and printing work in connection with the Ricci Mission Unit and in light work in the garden where he was helper to Bro. Pill. This period of his life was overclouded with ill-health and nervous exhaustion against which he struggled bravely.
Bro. James was a saintly man, very unworldly and mortified, of imperturbable patience, he was like many patient people, of strong and resolute character. Gentle to a fault, affable and sweet of temperament he won the affection and confidence of all who came in contact with him. He was deeply attached to his family relations and took the greatest interest in their spiritual and temporal welfare, and was in turn held in the deepest affection by them. Few of those who lived with Bro. James in the Society were aware of his taste for music and painting. He could play the violin quite well, and he devoted many of his leisure hours as a younger man to the painting of religious pictures. Cultured and refined by temperament and upbringing, he was before all else a model of the virtues which befit the Jesuit Brother : union with God, love of the brethren, self-effacement, anxiety to help the Society to the best of his powers, fidelity and trustworthiness, on which Superiors could ever rely. R.I.P.”

Born: 14 June 1874, Belturbet, Co Cavan
Entered: 20 June 1900, St Stanislaus College, Tullabeg, County Offaly
Final Vows: 02 February 1911, St Francis Xavier, Gardiner Street, Dublin
Died: 26 March 1924, St Francis Xavier, Gardiner St, Dublin

MCCORMICK to 1913 Cat

◆ HIB Menologies SJ :
At the time of his death Philip had been in Gardiner St community for about twenty years. It was said of him that anything you gave him to do was sure to be done well.
He was of average height, had a refined face and was not robust physically. Father Vincent Byrne said his funeral Mass which was attended by many of the Brothers from the city houses. Fr Provincial John Fahy read the prayers at his graveside.

Born: 24 February 1806, Muldonagh, County Derry
Entered: 28 August 1838, Frederick, MD, USA - Marylandiae Province (MAR)
Final vows: 25 March 1851
Died: 06 June 1885, Boston, MA, USA - Marylandiae Neo-Eboracensis Province (MARNEB)

Part of the Woodstock College, Maryland, USA, community at the time of death

Born: 17 January 1857, Cork City, County Cork
Entered: 23 January 1880, Milltown Park
Final Vows: 15 August 1893, Milltown Park, Dublin
Died: 01 June 1926, St Francis Xavier, Gardiner St, Dublin

◆ HIB Menologies SJ :
His Master of Novices was Charles McKenna at Milltown.
1886 He was now at Milltown as Cook, and he also served as Cook in Cork, Limerick, Clongowes, Galway and Tullabeg.
1925 He was sent to Gardiner St and not long afterwards he suffered a stroke. He recovered from this sufficiently to be able to walk in the garden with the aid of a stick. His second stroke was more severe and he survived only a couple of days, and died 01 June 1926.
He was at least six feet tall and was apparently a powerful man.

◆ Irish Province News
Irish Province News 1st Year No 4 1926
Obituary
Brother William McCartney
Br McCartney . died at Gardiner Street on June 1st, 1926

He entered the Society in 1880, and two years later was appointed cook at Milltown Park. For the next forty years he was cook in one or other of our Irish houses. In his case “cook” was no mere honorary title. He spent his working day in the kitchen, and while there his coat was always off. And he had a very clear idea why he worked so hard. It may be news to many that he was known to his intimate friends as “Propter Te”. During the greater part of these forty years the words were constantly on his lips-he had learned them during a Retreat. When his work was well-nigh overwhelming - such as four villas in Galway - during the war, one after another in quick succession, he never shirked : “Propter Te”. When difficulties gathered round him he stood his ground, and faced them like a man It can be said with truth of him, “he died in harness.” Retreats were started in Rathfarnham in 1922. It meant double work for him, and he had no help except a lad to wash the dishes. He was advised to ask for assistance.
But no, he would do the best he could “Propter Te”. It was too much for him. In course of time he began to feel out of sorts, the old energy was ebbing fast, and he was sent to the doctor, who put him in his own motor and drove him straight to hospital. The heart had given way, and Br McCartney was in well nigh a dying condition. He He lingered on for two years, and IS now with that generous Father Who rewards the cup of water given for His sake. He won't forget those forty years of hard, continuous work ever and always generously done for him. Propter Te.

◆ James B Stephenson SJ Menologies 1973

Brother William McCartney 1857-1926
“Propter te” was the motto and guiding principle of Br William McCartney, who died at Gardiner Street on June 1st 1926.

Having entered the Society in 1880, he spent the next 40 years of his life as cook in one or other of our houses. During all those years the words “Propter te” were ever on his lips, so that he became known to his intimate friends as “Propter te”.

When the Retreats stared at Rathfarnham, his work doubled, yet he never asked for help. Finally his health broke down and his heart became affected. He lingered for two years before passing to Him who had heard so oft those words “Propter te”.

Born: 23 April 1894, Fivemiletown, Co Tyrone
Entered: 20 November 1920, St Stanislaus College, Tullabeg, County Offaly
Final Vows: 02 February 1932, Coláiste Iognáid, Galway
Died: 18 February 1936, Our Lady's Hospice, Dublin

Part of the Milltown Park, Dublin community at the time of death

◆ Fr Francis Finegan : Admissions 1859-1948 - Farmer before entry

◆ Irish Province News
Irish Province News 11th Year No 2 1936
Obituary :
Brother William McCaffrey

Brother William McCaffrey was born at Fivemiletown, Co Tyrone, on the 23rd April, 1894. He entered the novitiate at Tullabeg on the 20th November, 1920. The noviceship over, he remained in Tullabeg, working in the garden, until 1928, when he went to Galway to be employed in the same kind of work. After two years there he was changed to Rathfarnham to act as Infirmarian, where he spent a year, and was then transferred to the Crescent, (cur pen Disp).
In 1932 he was back in Rathfarnham, this time (Cur. Val.) as a result of lung trouble. In the hope that the bracing air of Wicklow would do him good, he was sent to the Newcastle Sanatorium in that county. It failed to have any effect, and, after a brief stay, he was placed under the care of the Irish Sisters of Charity at the Hospice tor the dying, Harold's Cross, Dublin. Under their kind care he lingered on for some years , but nothing could save him and he died Tuesday, 18th February, 1936.
In 1934 he was attached to Milltown Park. A few days before he died, Father C. Power, Rector, gave him the Last Sacraments and on the morning of his death he was attended by the Minister Father D. Hayes. RIP

Born: 13 October 1929, Stoneybatter, Dublin
Entered: 18 October 1951, St Mary's, Emo, County Laois
Final Vows: 02 February 1962, Rathfarnham Castle, Dublin
Died: 21 September 2022, Cherryfield Lodge, Dublin

part of the Milltown Park community at the time of death

FSS
Born : 13th October 1929 Dublin City
Raised : Stoneybatter, Dublin
Early Education at St.James's CBS, Dublin; Denmark Street Technical College, Dublin; Glove Manufacturer
18th October 1951 Entered Society at St Mary’s, Emo, County Laois
21st March 1954 First Vows at St Mary’s, Emo, County Laois
1954-1958 Tullabeg - Cook
1958-1959 Mungret College SJ - In charge of Staff; Assists in Community; Infirmarian
1959-1963 Tullabeg - Cook; Cellarer
1961 Roehampton, UK - Tertianship at Manresa House
2nd February 1962 Final Vows at Rathfarnham Castle, Dublin
1963-1971 Milltown Park - Assistant Cook
1971-1972 Mungret College SJ - Cook; In charge of Staff
1972-1980 Milltown Park - Assistant Cook
1977 Cook
1980-1981 Jerusalem, Israel - Cook at Pontifical Biblical Institute
1981-1985 Rathfarnham - Cook
1985-2022 Milltown Park - Cook at Cherryfield Lodge
1993 Works at Cherryfield Lodge
1996 Assists in Milltown Community
2011 Assists in Cherryfield Lodge; Assists in Milltown Park Community
2020 Assists in Milltown Park Community
2022 Prays for the Church and Society at Cherryfield Lodge

https://jesuit.ie/news/br-james-mccabe-sj/

Brother James McCabe SJ died peacefully in Cherryfield Lodge nursing home, Dublin on Wednesday 21 September 2022. His funeral mass took place in Gonzaga College Chapel at 11 am on Tuesday 28 September followed by burial in Glasnevin Cemetery.

In his short homily at the funeral Mass which summed up the essence of Br James, fellow Jesuit Brother Tom Phelan said, “Jamesie spent 68 years among us Jesuits as the one who serves.” (Read full homily below.)

James was born in Dublin on 13 October 1929. Raised in Dublin, he was educated at St James’s CBS and trained as a glove manufacturer in Denmark Street Technical College. He entered the Jesuit novitiate at St Mary’s, Emo, Laois in 1951 at 22 years old.

He spent much of his Jesuit life as a cook in Milltown Park, Dublin, where he served Cherryfield Lodge nursing home and the Jesuit Community.

Many Jesuits and friends remember him for putting a smile on their faces with his inimitable sayings and wonderful stories. For example, he once referred to people who travelled to Dublin by train in the morning as ‘computers’ instead of ‘commuters’ – a play of words that was thought to have an element of truth!

He prayed for the Church and the Society of Jesus during his stay at Cherryfield Lodge nursing home. He died aged 92.

A faithful man of service

We are gathered today to say farewell to our brother James McCabe (affectionally known to us Jesuits just as Jamesie) and to give thanks for the gift of his life and for all that he meant to us.

Jamesie was reared in Stoneybatter one of the oldest parts of Dublin. He never lost his Dublin accent, which was music to my ears, being a Dub myself.

In 1954 Jamesie made his vows to serve the Lord in the Society of Jesus as a brother. It was also the year I was born, and little did I know that 22 years later I would join Jamesie in this band of brothers.

Being the youngest brother, Jamesie was always kind and supportive to me. With Jamesie’s passing, there are now 7 brothers left in Ireland. If we were a hedgehog or a bat, we would be a protected species!

Fr. Pedro Arrupe who was General of the Society once said, “The Brothers are the heart of the Society”.
From its beginning, the Society has conceived itself as a universal body. And the heart is an essential part of that body.

GC34 states that a vocation to religious life is distinct from a vocation to the priesthood. In some ways, the religious brother embodies religious life in its essence.

Jamesie, worked in many of our houses for 68 years. For most of these years, he was the cook and in the larger communities, he was also in charge of staff. Jamesie was a gentle soul, kind and welcoming, even if it was in a gruff Dublin accent. “Howya Phelan!”, he would say to me but always with a smile. A short or long conversation with Jamesie would leave me uplifted and in good spirits. What you saw was what you got. Honest and no pretense.

Jamesie lived a simple lifestyle. His possessions were few. He loved his football, music, and newspapers. He always had time for a little chat and a word of encouragement to those he encountered.

I remember one time when I was a patient in Cherryfield, I was attending Mass and it came time to receive communion, Jamesie was distributing communion. Working his way along the row of Jesuits, everything was going fine until he came to an elderly Jesuit who had fallen asleep. Jamesie waited for a few seconds. No sign of him opening his eyes, Jamesie gave the old Jesuit a gentle kick on the foot. The old Jesuit opened his eyes like a rabbit caught in headlights. Jamesie looking down at him just said “Do you want communion or what?”

Many stories and memories have been shared about Jamesie in the last few days and no doubt, more to come over the coming days. But for now, we prepare ourselves to say goodbye to our brother.

The Gospel today speaks about who is the greater Jesus addressed his disciples; “For who is the greater: the one at table or the one who serves. The one at table, surely? Yet here am I among you as one who serves.” Jamesie spent 68 years among us Jesuits as the one who serves.

And in the first reading of Timothy, Paul in the evening of his life says.”As for me, my life is already poured away as a libation, and the time has come for me to be gone. I have fought the good fight to the end; I have run the race to the finish; I have kept the faith; all there is to come now is the crown of righteousness reserved for me, which the Lord, the righteous judge will give to me that day; and not only to me but to all those who have longed for his appearing.”

Jamesie, you have fought the good fight to the end; you have run the race to the finish; you have kept the faith. Now it’s time to be gone. Go in peace my Brother to the Lord whom you have served so well and continue to pray for us all. Farewell Jamesie, till we meet again.

Born: 10 September 1882, Dorset Street, Dublin City, County Dublin
Entered: 07 September 1909, St Stanislaus College, Tullabeg, County Offaly
Final Vows: 27 February 1920, Milltown Park, Dublin
Died: 08 September 1945, St Vincent's Hospital, Dublin

Part of the St Francis Xavier, Gardiner St, Dublin community at the time of death

◆ Irish Province News
Irish Province News 20th Year No 4 1945
Obituary :
Br. James McCabe (1882-1909-1945)
“I'm asking Our Lady to take me on her Feast-Day, my Vow-day,” said Bro. McCabe to the Superior of St. Francis Xavier's, Gardiner Street (Fr. Tyndall) as he lay in St. Vincent's Hospital on the Eve of 8th September. On receiving the Papal Blessing at the hour of death, he joined in the prayers and was fully aware he was dying. He sent for his relatives and said good-bye to them in a manly and courageous manner.
That evening he became unconscious, and in a gentle sleep passed away about 10.15 on the morning of the 8th.
Br. McCabe was born in Dorset Street, Dublin, on 10th September, 1882, and was educated at Marlboro' Street schools. He secured a clerkship in the Dublin Post-Office and worked as a postman in the Fairview District till 1909. He entered the noviceship the same year, and received his gown on 7th September. After his Vows, two years later, he spent eleven years of faithful service at Mungret College, during the greater part of which he held the offices of mechanic and refectorian of the boys' refectory. After three years in Clongowes, on the death of Br. McCormack at Gardiner Street, he was called to the latter Residence where he was destined to spend the last twenty years of his life as dispenser and prefect of the domestic staff. His talent as a mechanic was exploited to the full during these years and proved of great practical utility, sparing the House, incidentally, much expense. He was an adept at managing the loud-speaker apparatus which had been installed in the Church during the period when Fr. F. Browne was Superior. Hardworking and conscientious to a fault, Br. McCabe never spared himself even during the last years of his life when he began to lose his old vigour. He made light of the internal complaint which afflicted him during the months which preceded his death, but was at last persuaded to go to Hospital. The surgeon diagnosed cancer in an advanced stage, which an operation was powerless to check.
Many business firms and tradesmen sent Fr. Superior expressions of generous sympathy when his death was announced.
After Requiem Mass celebrated by Fr. Superior at 11 a.m. on Monday, 10th September, Br. McCabe was buried in Glasnevin Cemetery, Rev. Fr. Provincial reciting the prayers at the graveside. R.I.P.

Born: 01 August 1928, Hellensburgh, Dumbarton, Argyll, Scotland
Entered: 10 August 1956, St Mary's College, Emo, County Laois
Final Vows 15 August 1966, Belvedere College SJ, Dublin
Died: 07 June 1970, Belvedere College SJ, Dublin

◆ Irish Province News

Irish Province News 45th Year No 3 1970

Belvedere College
On June 7th we were saddened and shocked by the sudden death of Br. Arthur McAnulla. He had been in good health the previous day working in his office. He went for his usual afternoon walk. When he was found on Sunday morning it appeared that he was preparing for bed when he died. For many years he presided in the school office quietly and efficiently so efficiently that on his death all the exam papers were printed and stencilled. Br. McAnulla was normally sparing of words but on occasion in the best Scots tradition could quip and jest with the best. He served us well in his years here and it was touching to hear the tributes paid him by our lay staff and neighbouring shopkeepers. At his funeral the boys and an impressive number of our recent past were present. Brother's life was saddened in recent years by the sudden deaths of his father and mother and brother. He was a true Scot and loved. his native land and it must have demanded heroism to sever his ties with Scotland and enter the Irish Province.

Obituary :
Br Arthur McAnulla SJ (1928-1970)
Br. Arthur McAnulla died suddenly on the morning of Sunday: June 7th. His untimely death was a great shock to us all.
A native of Hellensburgh, Scotland, he entered the Society just fourteen years ago, at the age of twenty-eight. After his novitiate at Emo Park, he spent two years at Milltown Park, taking charge of the domestic staff, and the next ten years at Belvedere College.
It was at Belvedere he really came into his own as secretary to the Prefect of Studies. Having come from a surveyors office in Glasgow, his wealth of experience was a great asset to the college. Doing all the typing of reports to parents, examination papers, etc., and many other duties which a big school entails, he was never heard to complain. Neat, methodical, and most efficient, he seemed to love his job. One lay-master said he did more work than any master in the school.
Of quiet disposition, he had the ready wit of a Scot, and a great sense of humour. He was an excellent card-player - just about a month ago after a long-table I remember he scooped the pool at cards I can still hear the echo of his broad Scottish accent saying, “Wait, I have not played yet”, and with his genial smile proceed to take the kitty.
The high regard which both lay-masters and the boys of the school had for him was significant by the large attendance at his obsequies. May his gentle soul rest in peace.
B.C.

◆ The Belvederian, Dublin, 1970

Obituary

Brother Arthur McAnulla SJ

Brother McAnulla's was a late vocation. He entered the Society when he was twenty eight in 1956, and came to Belvedere in 1960. His office training before he became a Jesuit made him an invaluable assistant for the Prefect of Studies. All the office machines from the typewriter to the photostat copier under his skilful handling produced work of the highest professional standard.

He was of a quiet disposition and never raised his voice. Yet he had a very good eye for spotting a humorous situation which he would point out to you in his soft Scots accent.

He had a weakened heart following a sharp attack of flu shortly after he came to Belvedere. He recovered from the illness but was advised not to work under pressure, For some time previous to the fatal seizure, people were commenting on his excellent spirits. It came as a great shock when one of the community went to his room on Sunday morning, June 7th, and discovered that he had passed away during the night. Most of the senior school attended his funeral in Gardiner Street.

Born: 01 May 1815, Brooklodge, County Cork
Entered: 07 September 1857, Frederick, MD, USA - Marylandiae Province (MAR)
Final vows: 02 February 1868
Died: 15 April 1881, Woodstock College , MD, USA - Marylandiae Neo-Eboracensis Province (MARNEB)

Born: 1561, Scotland
Entered: 1585, Angliae Province (ANG)
Died: 03 November 1635, Drogheda, County Louth

In 1626 Catalogue

◆ Fr Francis Finegan SJ:
Unclear as to how he became involved in the Irish Mission, but he was living in Ireland in 1629 and described as sacristan and living at Dublin and/or Drogheda, where he died November 1625.

◆ George Oliver Towards Illustrating the Biography of the Scotch, English and Irish Members SJ
MARTIN, WILLIAM. All that I can learn of him is from a letter of F. James Gordon (Huntly), dated Bourdeaux, 11th March, 1611. “I have heard, that the Earl of Tyrone of Ireland, who lives at Rome, complains much of our brother William Martin; therefore I have taken care that William should write to him, and vindicate himself”.

Born: 02 December 1932, Cabra, Dublin
Entered: 22 December 1954, St Mary’s, Emo, County Laois
Final Vows: 02 February 1965, Rathfarnham Castle, Dublin
Died: 25 November 2023, Cherryfield Lodge, Dublin

Part of the St St Ignatius Leeson Street Community at the time of death

Born: 03 June 1898, Sydenham, Sydney, Australia
Entered: 24 December 1921, Loyola, Greenwich, Australia (HIB)
Final vows: 02 February 1933
Died: 22 April 1968, Sydney, Australia - Australiae Province (ASL)

Part of the Loyola College, Watsonia, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia community at the time of death

Transcribed HIB to ASL : 05 April 1931

◆ David Strong SJ “The Australian Dictionary of Jesuit Biography 1848-2015”, 2nd Edition, Halstead Press, Ultimo NSW, Australia, 2017 - ISBN : 9781925043280
Victor Manning was educated by the Marist Brothers at Kogarah, and worked as a salesman for six years before entering the Society, 20 February 1921 as a scholastic novice. During the year he decided to become a brother and began his postulancy on 24 December 1921, at Loyola College Greenwich. Xavier College was his first appointment after vows, and there he variously filled the positions of dispenser, storekeeper, refectorian, infirmarian, sacristan and gardener.
From 1939-46 he was refectorian at Canisius College, Pymble, before working in the parish of Hawthorn, 1946-50, as sacristan. He was at the provincial residence, 1950-53, and again at Canisius College, 1953-61. As his health deteriorated, he went to Loyola College, Watsonia 1961-68, where he was janitor, and performed various house duties. Among his effects a card found, donating his eyes to the Eye Bank of the Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital.
He was recognised as a good religious, who performed many humble duties well. He loved his vocation and never complained of anything asked of him. He loved reading and would converse with the fathers over cases appearing in the Review for Religious. His happiest years seemed to be at Hawthorn. He enjoyed his work with the altar boys and organised and coached cricket and football teams for them. In return, they liked him for the care shown to them. His ill health over marry years was caused by heart disease.

Born: 07 March 1823, Tonavoher, County Clare
Entered: 18 September 1857, Sault-au-Rècollet Canada - Franciae Province (FRA)
Final vows: 15 August 1868
Died: 26 December 1898, Sacred Heart, Edgegrove, Conewago, PA, USA - Marylandiae Neo-Eboracensis Province (MARNEB)

Born: 01 July 1830, Bunlahy, County Longford
Entered: 10 June 1853, St John’s, Fordham, NY, USA - Franciae Province (FRA)
Final vows: 02 February 1864
Died: 13 April 1912, Fordham College, NY, USA - Marylandiae Neo-Eboracensis Province (MARNEB)

Born: 11 November 1852, Co Roscommon
Entered: 05 October 1878, Milltown Park
Final Vows: 02 February 1889, St Francis Xavier, Gardiner St, Dublin
Died: 01 April 1917, St Francis Xavier, Gardiner St, Dublin

◆ HIB Menologies SJ :
Became a Postulant at Milltown early in 1878.

1881 He was sent to Gardiner St and carried out many duties there, including that of Infirmarian very successfully. When the famous Sicilian sacristan Azzopardi was showing signs of failing health, Thomas assisted him and eventually took complete charge - apart from a couple of years at Crescent as Sacristan. He carried on this work at Gardiner St for twenty-five years. His friendly manner and respect for all classes of people won him a lot of friends. He was an excellent religious, and gave great edification by his devotion to duty, as well as his patience and resignation during his short illness. He died after a week’s illness 01 April 1917 in Gardiner St.

◆ Fr Francis Finegan : Admissions 1859-1948 - Drapers Assistant before entry

Born: 19 March 1817, Athy, County Kildare
Entered: 06 August 1859, Florissant MO, USA - Missouriana Province (MIS)
Final vows: 15 August 1871
Died: 01 November 1884, Florissant MO, USA - Missouriana Province (MIS)

Born: 22 October 1901, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
Entered: 30 April 1971, Manresa House, Dollymount, Dublin
Final Vows: 08 September 1981, Manresa House, Dollymount, Dublin
Died: 14 March 1982, Manresa House, Dollymount, Dublin

◆ Irish Province News

Irish Province News 57th Year No 3 1982

Obituary
Br Edward Maher (1901-1971-1982)

Although Br Ned was granted four score of years, his life as a Jesuit spanned little more than a decade. Before becoming “Brother” he had already filled the roles of father and grandfather. The present writer first made the acquaintance of Mr Ned Maher when he (Ned) came to have a chat with Fr Cecil McGarry about entering the Society. A very dapper man with a thin Ronnie Colman moustache; alert, brisk, humorous, at once affable and serious. All these adjectives could be applied to him twelve years later, right up to the time of his last (and really first) illness when it saddened e to see the alertness and humour fading into an almost puzzled resignation.
Ned was born in Philadelphia on 22nd October, 1901, was educated at Belvedere, Clongowes, UCD and Georgetown University. After a short spell working in a bank he took up business, in which he remained for the rest of his lay life. He entered the Society on 30th April, 1971, took his first rows on 29th April, 1973 and pronounced final vows on 8th September, 1981.
A jumble of memories comes to me as I remember Ned; his love for operatic works on stage or radio. The only holiday he allowed himself was a few days every year at 35 lower Leeson Street from which he could, with chosen companions, easily attend the operas at the Gaiety theatre. He was one of the few men I know who appreciated the works of Wagner.
Chess was a game he liked. I cannot say whether he was a skilful player, but he would take on any of the novices who knew how to play. Reading he loved, though within a rather restricted field. Surprisingly (though maybe not in a person of Wagnerian tastes) he focused his reading on the war histories and the memoirs of famous commanders. For one form of recreation he felt no attraction at all ... walking. We used joke him about never having seen the other end of our property, “Walking” for Ned was a purely functional exercise; to get to a bus or bank or post-office; and he hadn't any inclination to look at the birds of the air or the lilies in the field; they hardly existed for Ned.
Maybe I am remembering only the marginal things about Ned, the mere phenomena, as the existentialists would say. But surely it was in and through these “marginals” that one got to know and love the whole essence, flavour, tang and colour of the personality that was Ned. Devotion to crosswords, Curly Wee, Verdi and Puccini were always “in place”, in the place where “desipere” is the mark of a wise man.
So much for play. What about his work? Apart from one short and unsuccessful period as staff-manager in Mungret he was Bursar in Manresa House and secretary of the Retreat House. He really loved work; figures and account books were his delight. Being secretary to the Retreat House involved a huge correspondence especially with regard to booking-in retreatants. Since he was not too familiar with all the permutated titles of religious congregations, many an LSA sister would find herself on the list as OLA or vice versa. One day about five years ago I dropped in to see Ned and found him typing away in his tiny room, Thinking of the lovely house he had left I asked him to tell me honestly if he ever had moments of regret at leaving all that. He simply said “I would not want to be. anywhere else”.
It might be a bit too facile to write that Ned was a man close to God. He was of a generation that did not easily unburden the secrets of the heart. He belonged to the dutiful, carnest type of religious and was definitely conservative in his views on religious practice. But the surprising element in his make-up was his ability to combine these conservative attitudes with a marvellous and spontaneous capacity for getting along splendidly with younger people, especially with the novices. Because he was given the grace of living close to the young in the Society he was able to love them while rejecting, through incomprehension, or even antipathy, some of their tastes in music, clothes et cetera. The same was true on the part of the younger people. Love and respect in the Society goes beyond personal tastes in external things. The presence of the old and the young can be a blessing when both find the presence of the Lord in each other. It was this way with Ned and the novices.
Of course he never lost touch with the young of his own family and it was a source of great joy to him that his son Paul and daughter-in-law Mary kept in such close touch with him. His daughter Judith with her husband Michael were most attentive to him. It was a lovely sight on some Sunday afternoons to see the three generations of the Maher family strolling around the Manresa grounds:
Finally, just to remind those who knew him well of two familiar sayings of Ned: On being addressed at breakfast “How are you this morning, Ned?” his invariable and jocose reply was “Poorly, thank God”. And when a novice would tease him, as they constantly did, Ned would be heard to say in mock seriousness “Go away, BOY”.
Ned himself went away very peacefully at 4 am on the morning of 14th March with Fr Rector, his son Paul and his daughter Judith there to bid him a last farewell.

◆ The Clongownian, 1982

Obituary

Brother Ned Maher SJ

Although Br Ned was granted four score of years, his life as a Jesuit spanned little more than a decade. Before becoming a “brother” he had already filled the roles of father and grandfather. He has been described thus: “A very dapper man with a thin Ronnie Colman moustache; alert, brisk, humorous, at once affable and serious”. All these adjectives could be applied to him right up to his last (and really first) illness.

He was born in Philadelphia on 22nd October 1901, educated at Belvedere, Clongowes and UCD and Georgetown University. After a short spell working in a bank he took up business, in which he remained for the rest of his lay life. He entered the Society of Jesus on the 30th April 1971, took his first rows on 29th April 1973 and pronounced final vows on 8th September 1981.
Apart from one short period as staff manager in Mungret Br Ned was bursar in the Jesuit house in Dollymount and secretary of the Retreat House there. He really loved work; figures and account books were his delight. He had a great love of opera and reading and related very well indeed to the novices who live in Doilymount.

Of course he never lost touch with the young of his own family and it was a source of great joy to him that his son Paul and daughter-in-law Mary kept in close touch with him. His daughter Judith with her husband Michael were most attentive to him. Ned left this world peacefully at 4.00 a.m. on the morn ing of the 14th of March with his Rector, his son Paul and his daughter Judith there to bid him a last farewell.

Born: 15 June 1933, Stenagress, Glenfarne, County Leitrim
Entered: 01 July 1968, St Mary's, Emo, County Laois
Final Vows: 02 February 1981, Lusaka, Zambia
Died: 16 April 2020, Cherryfield Lodge, Dublin

Part of the Milltown Park community, Dublin at the time of death.

Father - Francis

by 1980 at Lusaka Zambia (ZAM) working

Early Education as Grocer in Ireland and England; Rathmines Tech, Dublin; Catholic Workers College, Dublin

1970-1974 Milltown Park - Secretary to Provincial; Studying
1974-1975 Clongowes Wood College SJ - Studying Theology at St Patrick’s College, Maynooth, Co Kildare
1975-1980 Milltown Park - Secretary to Provincial
1977 Studying Theology at Milltown Institute; Assistant Secretary to Provincial
1978 Tertianship in Tullabeg
1979 Member of Special Secretariat
1980-1984 Lusaka, Zambia - Secretary to Rector of St Dominic’s Major Seminary
1984-1987 Loyola House - Minister; Province Secretary
1985 Editor of Province Newsletter
1987-2020 Milltown Park - Province Secretary
1993 Canterbury, Kent, UK - Sabbatical at Franciscan Study Centre
1994 Administration in Provincial’s Office
2017 Prays for the Church and the Society at Cherryfield Lodge

◆ Jesuits in Ireland

https://www.jesuit.ie/news/br-john-maguire-sj-one-of-leitrims-treasures/

Br John Maguire SJ – ‘One of Leitrim’s treasures’

Brother John Maguire SJ died peacefully in Cherryfield Lodge nursing home, Ranelagh, Dublin, on 16 April 2020. Due to government guidelines regarding public gatherings, a private funeral took place on 18 April, followed by burial in Glasnevin Cemetery. A small number of relatives attended. Fr Bill Callanan SJ and Fr John K Guiney SJ represented the Jesuits. Around 100 messages were left on the online Condolences Book (RIP.ie), such was Brother John’s influence on the lives of lay people and religious over many decades. Many remember him for his quiet reassuring presence and for his wise judgement and administrative skills while working for the Irish Jesuit Province.

Brother John was born in Glenfarne, County Leitrim, in 1933. Before entering the Jesuits at 35 years old, he worked as a grocer in Ireland and England and attended Rathmines Tech and Catholic Workers College in Dublin. After his novitiate at St Mary’s, Emo, County Laois, he worked as secretary to the Provincial and studied at Milltown Park, Dublin, followed by theology studies at St Patrick’s College, Maynooth. He continued his studies and administrative work in Milltown Park and did his tertianship in Tullabeg, County Offaly.

From 1980 to 1984, Brother John was a missionary in Lusaka, Zambia, where he was secretary to the rector of St Dominic’s Major Seminary. He also took his final vows there.

Upon his return to Ireland, he worked as minister for the Loyola House community in Dublin, acted as Province secretary and editor of the Province newsletter. He continued his work as Province secretary, took a sabbatical at the Franciscan Study Centre in Canterbury, England, in 1993, and was involved with administration in the Provincial’s office right up until 2017. In recent years, he lived in Cherryfield Lodge nursing home, where he prayed for the Church and the Society of Jesus.

The private funeral which took place on 18 April was officiated by Fr Bill Callanan SJ and assisted by Fr John K Guiney SJ. Fr Guiney, director of Irish Jesuit Missions, thanked the four members of Brother John’s family who travelled from Leitrim on the morning of the funeral. He was grateful for their presence in the difficult circumstances where it was not possible to do a normal Jesuit funeral and to fully celebrate Brother John’s wonderful life as a Jesuit companion.

Fr Guiney thanked the Maguire family for giving Brother John to the Society and for his service of so many in Zambia and Ireland. He said that his gracious, gentle, dedicated and humble service touched the lives of so many down through the years. His sister Peggy was unable to attend because of government constraints, but she was well represented by her family. Brother John occupies the last place available in the old graveyard at Glasnevin Cemetery and the next Jesuit burial will take place in the new one.

A number of other Jesuits have expressed their condolences for the loss of their dear brother in the Lord. Tom Layden SJ, former Irish Provincial, commented:
“May John rest in the peace of the Risen Lord and may the hope of the resurrection bring comfort to his family and friends. I thank the Lord for John and his gifts of kindness, quiet competence and friendliness.”

Kevin O’Higgins SJ, Director of Jesuit University Support and Training (JUST) in Ballymun, said:
“It is lovely to see so many tributes to John. Like St Peter Faber, one of the first Jesuits, John was a ‘quiet companion’, always courteous, anxious to help, unfailingly kind and generous. After a lifetime of dedicated service, may he now rest peacefully in God’s love.”

Paddy Carberry SJ, former novice director and editor of Messenger magazine, commented:
“I have known John for many years, and worked closely with him at one time. He was always kind, obliging, gentle and good-humoured. I will miss him. I have offered Mass for him. My condolences to his family and to all who miss him.”

The Provincialate staff in Milltown Park remember him as a great colleague. They said:
“Brother John helped new staff settle into their jobs in so many little ways and was welcoming and good humoured to all who came into the office.
“We have memories of him loving the fun at coffee breaks, for his gifts of homemade biscuits and for his tin whistle playing.
“He was a gentleman in every sense with a lovely simplicity, albeit with a touch of delicious roguery! He was one of Leitrim’s treasures. May he rest in endless peace.”
Paddy Moloney, who used to visit Brother John in Cherryfield Lodge, also paid tribute to him.
“John was gentle, and was particular about any job he did. He liked the garden, flowers, was a player of the tin whistle and played in bands in his hometown. He was in a small 3 piece Irish music group in Dublin.

The other two remained his friends for life. My wife Aline worked as a receptionist in the Curia and knew him when he was well and said he was interested in people and she always found him helpful.”

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.

https://ordo.jesuitssouthern.africa/obit/04-16-2020%20%E2%80%93%20John%20Maguire.pdf

Br John Maguire, S.J. (1933- 2020.

In Zambia 1980-1984)

16 April 2020

Brother John Maguire SJ died peacefully in Cherryfield Lodge nursing home, Dublin, on 16 April, 2020. John was known for his quiet reassuring presence, and for his wise judgement
and administrative skills while working for the Irish Jesuit Province.

He was born in Glenfarne, Co Leitrim, in 1933. Before entering the Jesuits at 35 years old, he worked as a grocer in Ireland and England and attended Rathmines Tech and Catholic Workers College in Dublin. After his novitiate at St Mary’s, Emo, he worked as secretary to the Provincial and studied at Milltown Park, Dublin, followed by theology studies at St Patrick’s College, Maynooth. He continued his studies and administrative work in Milltown Park and did his tertianship in Tullabeg, Co Offaly.

In 1980 John was missioned to Lusaka, where he was secretary to the rector of St Dominic’s Major Seminary, Fr Peter Lwaminda. He lived at Luwisha House and every morning, Fr. Lwaminda would send a driver to bring John to the seminary. John was always very dapper and neat and gave the impression of how it was also in his life: dapper, neat, everything organized and in place; and hence placing considerable premium on control, orderliness, knowing what to expect - but in a good and human way that could make allowances for departures from norms.

In community, he was a first class companion and equally a first class religious. He was always cheerful. He was interesting and lively in table conversation and in the recreation room and was never absent from Mass or any religious duty. While in Lusaka he took his final vows. In 1984, although Fr Lwaminda wanted to keep such a valuable administrator, John returned to Ireland.

In his personal life, John manifested the same kind of organizational control that he brought to his office responsibilities. Demure in personality and in his exterior, he was always neat, efficient and thoroughly reliable. Though quiet and somewhat shy, he was an excellent community man who related very well to every member of his core community as well as to the many visitors who came its way. He is well remembered for his unfailing good humor and for his ability to be sympathetic and understanding in his dealings with others. He always conveyed the sense that he was happy in his Jesuit life and in what wass asked of him, though at times one got the feeling that he needed to relax and let down his hair. A strong feature of his life was the interest he showed in the apostolates of his brethren and the concerned way he kept himself up-to-date on these.

Upon his return, he worked as minister for the Loyola House community in Dublin, acted as Province secretary and editor of the Province newsletter. He continued his work as Province secretary, took a sabbatical at the Franciscan Study Centre in Canterbury, England, in 1993, and was involved with administration in the Provincial’s office right up until 2017. In his later years, he lived in Cherryfield Lodge nursing home where he prayed for the Church and the Society of Jesus.

Born: 11 July 1859, Hobson’s Bay, Melbourne, Australia
Entered: 12 August 1890, Loyola Greenwich, Australia (HIB)
Final vows: 15 August 1902
Died: 18 November 1932, St Aloysius, Sevenhill, Adelaide, Australia - Australiae Province (ASL)

Transcribed HIB to ASL : 05 April 1931

◆ David Strong SJ “The Australian Dictionary of Jesuit Biography 1848-2015”, 2nd Edition, Halstead Press, Ultimo NSW, Australia, 2017 - ISBN : 9781925043280
Late on the evening of 30 ]uly 1890, John Maguire, a tall, bearded bushman, was the first to welcome to Loyola College, Greenwich, the novice master, Aloysius Sturzo, and the novices when they arrived from Melbourne. Later he entered the Society 12 August 1890.
He went to Riverview on 25 September 1891, and worked in second division, but took his vows at Greenwich, August 1892. He returned to Riverview until 1913, working as a steward and caring for the farm for many years. In 1899 a bull attacked him, and was subsequently shot by Sergeant Williams. In 1905 he made a dam to water the crops, and in 1906 he helped save the boatshed from a bushfire. In July 1907, he caught some boys taking oranges and troubling the hen man and, in 1911, he grew corn between first and second playing fields. He was very useful worker.
Maguire then went to Sevenhill doing domestic duties, working in the garden, and performing the duties of refectorian and infirmarian, sacristan and prefect of the church. He was much respected for his religious spirit, and for his silent unassuming sincerity He had a quiet but singular humour. He was buried in the crypt of the Sevenhill church.

◆ Irish Province News

Irish Province News 8th Year No 1 1933
Obituary :
Br John Maguire - Australia
Br. Maguire's birthday was 11th July, 1859. He entered the Society at Loyola, Sydney, 12th August, 1890. His life is soon told. Immediately after the noviceship he was sent to Riverview where he remained as Villicus to the year 1912 and was then transferred to Sevenhills. Here he remained to the end doing duty all the time, with the exception of two years as Villicus or Hortulanus. He died on Friday, 18th November 1932.
Perhaps some of his friends in Australia would be kind enough to send a short appreciation of his life to Province News.

Irish Province News 8th Year No 2 1933

Obituary :
Brother John Maguire continued
The Brother was born on board ship in Port Phillip within sight of Melbourne, and spent some of his early life on a farm in Western Australia before entering the Society in 1890.
With the death of Brother' Maguire Sevenhills has lost a figure that seemed to embody its spirit. The chief attraction of the place is the fine old Gothic church built by the Austrian
Brothers in 1868, but visitors found in Brother Maguire an object no less worthy of their attention. He- was always at hand ready to show them the church and its treasures. For this purpose his work in the afternoon took him to that part of the garden which commanded the road leading to the house. With rake in hand, or perhaps carrying a bucket he could be seen at his favourite place - venerable and saintly - as he hobbled about with his lame leg, his old clothes covering his massive frame, his old felt hat fringed with his silver hair.
On Sundays, at the same hour and with the same object in view, he sat in the church near the CTS book rack and read the pamphlets, or simply gazed at the tabernacle with hands crossed on his lap. Brother Maguire was a man of very few words, but when there was a question of carrying out his apostolate among the visitors, he became eloquent and spoke in a gentle earnest voice. He seldom looked one in the face while he spoke, but with eyes raised, and looking past the shoulder, he uttered his words quietly and deliberately, as if he were reading them from a book.It is said that' he possessed a fiery temper and on one occasion, when very anxious about something he made himself heard from the kitchen to the dairy, a distance of some 300 yards. Yet you would live with him a year on end, and find no evidence of this passion. The one passion which held him night and day was his zeal for souls. Few visitors, rich or poor, sightseers or sun-downers, escaped his attention once within his range, and few left him without receiving spiritual instruction, Well may it be said of him “The zeal of Thy House hath eaten me up”. it is hard to speak of his loss to the community. Space prevents entering into details. Let it suffice to say that his life in all respects was one of shining edification. He rose at 4.30 and called the community. After Mass and breakfast he began his daily round of duties. They were many and varied, for he was sacristan, gardener and general helper. In everything he was regular, thorough. In the last year of his life he became a little erratic, and as the year went by one grew less surprised to hear the bells rung at unaccustomed hours. His deafness increased, and was a source of endless worry. He knew he was failing, yet never a word of impatience or complaint.
Some one else is doing his work, and, possibly, doing it better, but no one will ever win, as Brother Maguire won the hearts of his fellow-religious during the long years he lived amongst them at Sevenhills.

Born: 19 March 1824, Rush, County Dublin
Entered: 23 May 1858, Clongowes Wood College SJ, County Kildare
Final vows: 15 August 1868
Died: 18 March 1894, St Francis Xavier's, Upper Gardiner Street, Dublin

by 1871 at home for health

◆ HIB Menologies SJ :
He had been a number of years in the Metropolitan Police before Ent.

He was a Novice in Clongowes under Father Bracken.
After First Vows he was sent to Gardiner St, and worked there until he became invalided in 1870 and had to live outside the Society fro a few years.
1873-1888 He was Refectorian at Milltown.
1888 he was sent to Gardiner St again and lived there until his death 18 March 1894
He was very methodical in his work, and had a particular like of gardening, spending most of his free time at this. He was in every respect an edifying and exemplary religious.

Note from Francis Hegarty Entry :
He did return after some months, and there he found in Father Bracken, a Postulant Master and Novice Master, and this was a man he cherished all his life with reverence and affection. His second Postulancy was very long and hard - four years. He took the strain and was admitted as a Novice with seven others who had not had so trying a time as himself. He liked to say that all seven along with him remained true to their vocation until death, and he was the last survivor. They were John Coffey, Christopher Freeman, David McEvoy, James Maguire, John Hanly, James Rorke and Patrick Temple.

Born: 29 September 1897, Brompton, Adelaide, Australia
Entered: 20 January 1927, Loyola Greenwich, Australia (HIB)
Professed: 02 February 1938
Died; 23 November 1978, Newman College, Parkville, Melbourne, Australia - Australiae Province (ASL)

Transcribed HIB to ASL : 05 April 1931

◆ David Strong SJ “The Australian Dictionary of Jesuit Biography 1848-2015”, 2nd Edition, Halstead Press, Ultimo NSW, Australia, 2017 - ISBN : 9781925043280
James Madden came from a large family, his mother dying when he was fairly young. He had minimal education, but he claimed to enjoy writing with a dictionary at his elbow. In early life he was a boilermaker's assistant, whose main duty was to stand inside the locomotive boiler, holding a “Dolly”, while the boilermaker hammered in the hot rivets. No wonder Madden became partially deaf.
After an unsuccessful attempt to join the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart at Douglas Park, Madden presented himself to the Jesuits. Following a period of postulancy, he began his noviciate, 20 June 1927, and was made refectorian. He moved from Greenwich to Watsonia in 1934 and remained refectorian until the visitor moved him at the end of 1961. Madden performed this task daily, even during retreats. Such persevering devotion to duty occasionally resulted in skirmishes with authority, but Madden usually won the war!
He had a wonderful memory for birthdays, and on the birthday of each Jesuit in the province, Madden would say the Rosary for him. He was a prayerful man. In the years at Loyola College, he would rise at 4 am for an hour's prayer before calling the other brothers. He seemed to attend most Masses that were said. He entertained the community with juggling on the lawn outside the refectory, and his skilful glee soon became a province myth.
After Loyola he moved to Manresa, Norwood, 1962-73, and then spent a year at Canisius College, Pymble, before going to the theological college at Parkville in 1975. His unofficial job was to open the door of the city Church of St Francis, walking there and back in the early morning. He enjoyed a cup of tea and conversation with friends, and was much loved by all.

Born: 02 July 1809, Drumgooland, County Down
Entered: 12 November 1847, Fordham College, NY, USA - Franciae Province (FRA)
Final vows: 15 August 1859
Died: 11 September 1869, Fordham College, NY, USA - Neo-Eboracensis-Canadensis Province (NEBCAN)

Born: 21 January 1804, Kilmackillogue, County Kerry
Entered: 12 September 1846, Frederick, MD, USA - Marylandiae Province (MAR)
Final vows: 15 August 1859
Died: 14 November 1867, Frederick, MD, USA - Marylandiae Province (MAR)

Born: 15 November 1829, Stranorlar, County Donegal
Entered: 02 May 1858, Florissant MO, USA - Missouriana Province (MIS)
Final Vows: 15 August 1868
Died: 21 February 1912, Florissant MO, USA - Missouriana Province (MIS)

Born: 01 January 1816, Colmcille, County Longford
Entered: 28 August 1845, Frederick, MD, USA - Marylandiae Province (MAR)
Professed: 15 August 1858
Died: 16 April 1875, Boston College, MA, USA - Marylandiae Province (MAR)

Born: 04 July 1807, Ireland
Entered: 24 November 1837, Frederick, MD, USA - Marylandiae Province (MAR)
Professed: 02 February 1851
Died: 10 May 1857, Georgetown College, Washington DC, USA - Marylandiae Province (MAR)

Born: 21 September 1823, Enniskerry, County Wicklow
Entered: 30 April 1856, Clongowes Wood College SJ, County Kildare
Professed: 15 August 1871
Died: 16 March 1872, Milltown Park, Dublin

◆ HIB Menologies SJ :
He worked as a Dispenser, Infirmarian and Sacristan up to 1871, and he died at Milltown 16 March 1872.
He was also at Gardiner St as Sacristan for a time.