Obituary Notice
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Fr. Anselm Nolan (1871-1931) #ather Anselm (Nolan), C.P. zeal for promotion of devotion to the Sacred Passion, were salient features in the life of Father Anselm (Nolan), C.P?., who passed to bis eternal reward on 20th April, at the Retreat of the Sacred Heart, Herne Bay, Kent, in the sixtieth year of his age. Member of an old Wexford Catholic family, Fathcr Anselm was born in 1871 at Slievenagrone, Enniscorthy. He made his preparatory studies at Mount Melleray and St. Peter’s College, Wexford. Yielding to the urge of a religious vocation, he entered the Passionist Novitiate at St. Saviour’s Retreat, Broadway, Worcestershire. On the completion of his ecclesiastical studies at St. Joseph’s Retreat, Highgate Hill, London, he was ordained to the priesthood in Westminster Cathedral in 1904 by the late Cardinal Vaughan. After fulfilling the office of Vico-Master of Novices, Father Anselm entered on the active work of the priestly life in Glasgow. It was whilo stationed at St. Mungo’s Retreat, where he spent several years, that he showed his indomitable energy and perseverance for the salvation of souls and the uplifting of those in misfortime and distress. Flere he entered on the rough read of self-renouncement that he might bring simmers to repentance, relieve tho miseries of others, dry the tears of the sorrowing, console and anoint the sick, and assist the dying. Amid the teeming population of Glasgow he had a wide field for his apostolic labours. | And in this Christ- like work he never spared himself. His duties were multifarious, and he had in truth to bear the heat and burden of the day. The obstacles which he had necessarily to encounter in the pursuit of his mission of mercy he never allowed to disquiet bim. His was a generous soul, and by force of his magnetic personality, his warm-hearted sympathy and unruffled patience, he ‘settled many family estrangements, removed social abuses, and in all his actions sought to make Our Divino Lord more loved by men, and to render them more worthy to be loved by Him. Thus by his exertions religion was fostered and peace and happiness restored to the domestic circle. His presonce brought a ray of sunshine into homes hitherto darkened by tribulation. Immersed in never-ending works of charity, Father Anselm had little time to think of his bodily fatigue, with the result that at length the strain began to tcll upon him, and it was deemed. advisable to change the sphere of his activity where the conditions would be less exacting. When. the Retreat of St. Patrick at Wheatfield, Belfast, was opened for the accommodation and training of aspirants to the Congregation, he was appointed Superior. In this office le acquitted himself with creditable success, and to the young postulants he was a father and a friend. Under his aegis the new foundation was established on a solid basis. From Belfast he was transferred to the Rectorship of St. Paul’s Retreat, Ilkley, Yorkshire, to which a class of students is attached. It was here that a serious breakdown in his health took place, and he retired to tho seaside Retreat of the Sacred Heart at Horne Bay, Kent, in the hope that the quictude and salubrious air would restore him, Howover, he never recovered his normal health, and he finally succumbed to an attack of acute bronchitis. At the hour of first Vespers on the eve of the Feast of St. Anselm—the saint whose name he had borne during his religious life—the sumnmons of the Mastor came, and he was ready to receive the reward of his good works. Beati mortut gut in Domino moriuntur. Sy iteal for promotion and unromitting labour for the salvation of souls, as well as burning As @ preacher, Father Anselm never adopted loftiness of speech to bring conviction to his hearers. His discourses were informed by a directness of method and simplicity of style easily understood by the people, nevertholess they were not lackmg in cogency or interest. The large number of penitents who sought his ministrations in tho Sacred Tribunal gave evidence of the inildness, patience and wisdom that charactcrized his dealings with his clients, and that he took for his model Our Divine Master, Who would not break the bruised reed or quonch the smoking flax. Though the voico of this good priest is hushed in death, he still speaks tc us by his inspiring example, his boundless charity, his love for the poor and friendless, and his lifelong devotion to Christ Crucified. Defuncéus, adhwe loguitur. CT. Kprror’s Norm: We rogret that we arc unable to publish a photograph of the deceased, as efforts to procure one have proved unsuccessful.
Source: Obituary Notices, Provincial Archive, St Joseph's Province. Passionist Congregation.