Obituary Notice
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Fr. Angelo McCunnin (1865-1930) (GATHER ANGELO (McCUNNIN), C.P.// With feelings of very deep regret we announce the doath of Father Angolo of the Sevon Dolours, formerly Editor of The Cross, which occurred at Mount Argus on Wednesday, April 9th. Father Angelo—who was known in tho world as Michaol McCunnin—-was born in Enniscorthy, Co. Woxford, on Septomber Ist, 1865; but whilst he was still a child, his parents migrated to Dublin. Asa boy he served Mass at St. Kovin’s, Harrington Streot. Hoe soon became acquainted with. the Passionist Fathers, and the oxperience seems to have made a deep and lasting impression upon him, for at the age of twenty he sought admission to the Passionist Congregation. He entered the Novitiato at St. Saviour’s Retreat, Broadway, Worcs., and in duo courso was professed on October 8th, 1886. Subsequont to his profession he was transforred to St. Paul’s Rotroat, Mount Argus, Dublin, to pursue his ecclesiastical studios ; and on their completion he was ordained by Most Rev. Dr. Comerford in Carlow Cathedral on May 31st, 1890. After his ordination Fathor Angelo was appointed to St. Mungo’s Retreat, Glasgow; and at later periods ho was successively a member of the Passionist communities at Harborne, Sutton, Herne Bay and Broadway. In all these places he laboured zealously for the salvation of the souls entrusted to his care. A man of wide oxperienco and inaturo judgment, an earnest priost, a much-sought confessor, a prudent counsellor, a wise and enlightened director, he never spared himself: when he could be of service to others. Many people afflicted by troubles of one kind or another, can bear grateful testimony to his sympathetic and consoling words. Endowed with considerablo intellectual gifts and a facility for expressing his thoughts, Father Angelo, were he so minded, might have enriched the world with the products of his pen and have made a reputation for himself in literary circles. Yet a modest diffidence in his own powers, coupled with a somewhat retiring disposition, constrained him to remain unknown in this field of labour. A widely-read man in all branches of literature, he was particularly interested in works of a biographical or historical nature, and his eye would light up with a gloam of ploasurable anticipation at the sight of a publisher’s catalogue. His sermons were always models of literary elegance, yet he was never one to sacrifice the solid content of doctrine for the sake of more oratorical fourish. As a giver of retreats to religious communities, Father Angelo was woll known throughout the country ; indeed it may be said that he specialised in this work which he made peculiarly his own, and we know that many of those who profited by his spiritual instructions will feel the poorer for his passing. Father Angelo was painstaking and diligent in fulfilling any duty with which obodience had charged him. An indefatigable worker all his lifo, he was nover one to rest upon his oars, to remain content with what he had already achieved. To whatever be undertook he brouglit of his best and gavo of it unstintedly. Death cut him off in the midst of his activities, for amongst the papers found upon his desk was an. unfinished sermon upon which he had been engaged whon the final summons came. “‘ Blessed are those servants whom the Lord when He cometh, shall find watching.” ; To readers of Zhe Cross in particular, Father Angelo’s death will bring a feeling of grievous loss ; for from July, 1922 until Septeinber, 1926, he filled the position of Editor of this magazine. It is impossible to exaggerate the value of his work during that period ; indeed it is not too much to say that, but for his untiring efforts, we doubt if The Cross would be in existence to-day. He had to contend with enormous difficulties, partly the legacy of the War years. Yet these were all successfully overcome, and under his energetic guidance The Cross took on a new lease of life. It was considerably improved in format and increased in size. The results of this vigorous policy soon became apparent in the immediate and phenomenal rise of its circulation. It is one of the sad features connected with his death that he sliould have passed away just as furthor improvements were being planned, and should thus be deprived of the pleasure of soving this first issue of the new Cross. Let it be remembored likewise that it is to him that the Cross Annual owes its birth. By no means demonstrative either in his piety or in his feclings, Father Angolo was yet possessed of a wealth of genuine kindliness of heart. His devotion towards Our Blessed Lady was constant and unwavering; he had a serene confidence in her assistance, a confidence that gained strength with the years. One of his first acts as Editor was to place The Cross under the protection of Our Lady and St. Joseph; and it is betraying no secret to reveal the fact that the bemutiful statuo of “ Our Lady of the Lake,” erected some years ago at Mount Argus, was a thank-offering from Father Angelo in grateful acknowledgment of Our Lady’s aid in the many difficultios he had to contend with in the discharge of his editorial duties, The only relative whom Father Angelo leaves to mourn his loss is his sister, Mother Gonzaga, one of the ablest and most distinguished of the Sisters of the Cross and Passion. On tho occasion of her great sorrow, accentuated by vast spaces of the intervening ocean, we extend to her our sincerest sympathy. : The obsequies took place at Mount Argus on Friday, April 11th, the colebrant of the Requiem Mass being Very Rev. Father Sebastian, C.P., Provincial. On the same day, tho Feast of the Seven Dolours, to whicl: he cherished a life-long devotion, Father Angolo was laid to rest in the monastery cemetery at Mount Argus. May his good soul enjoy perpetual peace! A.T.
Source: Obituary Notices, Provincial Archive, St Joseph's Province. Passionist Congregation.