Obituary Notice
This obituary notice has been digitally processed from a scanned archival document. Some words may be imperfectly rendered.
Fr. Anthony Markey (1834-1865) hipaa Death of Father Anthony of Bs V. Mary ge Og eR J. Xe Pe St. Joseph's Retreat, Highgate, London, N. Jans 30th 1866. Vy. Rev. and Dear Father, ' This morning's post has brought us very sad tidings, viz. the the announcement of the death of our beloved brother in Christ, Fr. Anthony of the B. V. Mary (Markey). The sad event took place at Havanna, Cuba; on the I7th November last. Father Provincial being unfit to write himself on account of the shock this painful news has given him, has desired me to fulfil this painful duty. Fr. Anthony of the B. V. Mary (Markey) was born in Glogher, Ireland on the 4/ day of Pet. 1834 was clothed with the Holy Habit on the 2 day of I8$% and professed on the 3 day. of Wen 18S 7.. He was called to his” eternal rewatd in the midst of his zealous labours for the glory of God and ‘the good of the Congregation of which he was a true and devoted member; on account of his superior qualities, and irreproachable ‘conduct he was chosen to represent the Institute of the Passion in all places where his humble but meritorious would call him. He met the Bishop of Havanna in Spain; who kindly invited him to go and beg in his diocese, promising him all the assistance in his power. Father Provincial kept his permission in suspense for two or three months; at last, by advice and when reqmixred enquiries and every precaution that prudence could suggest had been taken, he was induced but with a degree of reluctance and sadness of heart to give him his blessing and permission. News arrived of his safe landing , and having been kindly received by the Bishop - then came a long period of ominous silence, and at last the letter of this morning from one of the Jesuit Fathers from which we take the following extract --- "T was ordered by Illus's SenorD. Jacinto Martinez our Bishop to the house of F. Garcini to hear the Rev. Father Markey's confession on the I5th of last November; he being at that time in the said house and very seriously ill. In pursuance of the said orders of our Bishop I went immediately, heard the good Father's confession, and had him duly prepared with all the Sacraments, and all that was necessary in the case of deaths I mst tell you Rev. Father that I and Father Duper his friend that accompanied me were Wery much edified with his excellent dispositions, He was under a great trial indeed, in a foreign country, amongst strangers, and suffering a good deal; - however he was constantly with a great patience, and underwent all the periods of his sickness with the most perfect resignation, and without uttering one single complaint, after various changes the good Father died$ in the peace of our Lord about I0 oclock in the night of the I7th of November, we had conceived great hopes of his recovery the Thursday before; by the order of the Bishop I enquired after any objects he: might have to dispose of) in case one worst fears should be realised. He told me in_ his Mission collecting money for the church, he had up to that time done nothing etc. etc. Very Rev. Father, though I regret from my heart the loss of your community in the person of the Rev. Fr. Markey, as far as I can assure you of such a thing, I congratulate myself with all your Revd. FF. for having him such a holy and worthy priest in heaven to pray for you, and I thank God for having been chosen to be a witness of such resignation, patience, disengagement from the world and obedience. And it was holy obedience that consoled him and made him happy in his sickness, for I can't help telling your Reverence what he said to me in this regard viz. that since he was here through obedience it mattered very little whether he lived or died, provided he did the will of Gods We would have brought him to the College but we were afraid that moving him from his bed might be dangerous. Our Father Superior had a chamber prepared for him. Would that at least he had been taken sick in our house! Perhaps we could have made more for him. Lét us adore the will of our Lord. Yours etc. etc."
Source: Obituary Notices, Provincial Archive, St Joseph's Province. Passionist Congregation.