Obituary Notice
This obituary notice has been digitally processed from a scanned archival document. Some words may be imperfectly rendered.
Alexander O'Farrell 1899 - 1976 OBITUARY OF FR. ALEXANDER O'FARRELL, C.P. One wonders how often the name ‘Chief Street, Belfast' appears in Passionist obituaries! Fr. Alexander(Daniel) OF arrell was born in that street an 24th. December, 1899. He entered the Passionist Novitiate, Enniskillen, in September 1922, and was 24 years old when he made his first Profession. For a few years he had tried the life outside, but the call to join his two brothers in the Passionist way of life was too strong. The two were: Fr. Edwin, who died in 1959, and Fr. Laurence of St. Joseph's Province who will, please God, celebrate his Golden Jubilee of Priesthood in September of this year, 1976. Fr, Alexander spent the first year of his student days in I]kley, Yorkshire. The class was then transferred to Mount Argus, Dublin, where in June 22nd, 1930 they were ordained in the Pro-Cathedral. Fr. Alexander spent the first eleven years as a priest, between Mount Argus. Enniskillen and Drum-Mobhr; the parish of Prestonpans was served from Drum-Mohr in those days. One doesn't want to give the impression that these years were unimportant, but thirty-five unbroken years is a long time to spend in one house, as was the case with Fr. Alexander, who was changed to St. Mungo's in the latter half of 1941 and served there till his death in 1976 Alexander was not a Missioner nor a Retreat Master. He was an infrequent, and if truth be told, an indifferent preacher. He was, however, a great parish man - a people's priest. He knew St. Mungo's parish from Killermont Street to Petershill Road, not just statistically - though in this respect he was very thorough - but pastorally; he took trouble to know people; in his own rugged way he took trouble to be kind to people. If the number of Mass cards handed in, and the number of people in the Church, both at the reception of the remains and at the funeral Mass be any guide, then he was well remembered by people......... The photograph of himself, in the place of honour, surrounded by the staff of the old Duke Street prison tells of the high regard in which he was held during his many years as prison chaplain........ About ten days before he died, when there was talk of his going to hospital, the Matron in the Royal Infirmary, not only offered him every facility the Royal could give, but actually came over to visit him in St. Mungo's; that can be summed up best by saying ; that certainly was something!... Fr. Alexander was faithful to his Tuesday duty; for many years Thursday saw him allowing the man on the Royal a free day : Saturday he remained faithful to the Box, and a very much appreciated kindness was his readiness to allow the priest an duty time to study the ‘Greek and Latin verbs’. About two years before he died, Alexander began to slow up, and as time went on the inevitable questions - doctor, anointing, surrendering the district books - began to loom large. Alex. didn't like doctors. When the doctor was brought in there was about ten minutes awkwardness before he was admitted into the room ; from then on they were quite friendly ..... A bad dragging of the leg, following a slight stroke, confined Fr. Alex to the top corridor. He said Mass once a week in the Choir till that became too much for him. He then said Mass in his room until that too became too much for him. On Trinity Sunday, June 14th., Holy Communion was brought to him and an hour later, much to everyone's relief, word was sent down..'Fr. Alex. wants the lot' ...... About three weeks before he died, Alex. asked for his habit to be cleaned. Was this to be a fighting come-back - or was it for his burial! From remarks that came to light after his death it can be taken that Alex. had decided to get ready for the road ; indeed, his death - with the community and relations round him - was both peaceful and edifying. It took place practically a week later to the hour he had been anointed - Sunday, June 20th. Fr. Laurence was the Chief Concelebrant of twenty-nine priests at the Funeral Mass on Wednesday, 23rd. June. Fr. Salvian(Provincial) gave the homily. Fr, Valentine (classmate) recited the graveside prayers. Archbishop Winning of the Archdiocese of Glasgow was represented by Mgrs. Gillespie and Renfrew and through them expressed his deep regret for being unable to attend. Fr. Ignatius, C.P.,of St. Joseph's Province represented his Provincial. The burial took place in the Passionist Plot in St. Kentigern's, Lambhill. Glasgow. May the soul of Father Alexander, C.P. rest in peace. Signed: Pancras CP.
Source: Obituary Notices, Provincial Archive, St Joseph's Province. Passionist Congregation.