Obituary Notice
This obituary notice has been digitally processed from a scanned archival document. Some words may be imperfectly rendered.
Fr. Austin Edgar (1816-1854) FATHER AUSTIN EDGAR, CP. THE FIRST SCOTTISH PASSIONIST by Rev. Louis EpMonb, C.P. On 1 August 1865, the first Passionist foundation in Scotland was fortially occupied by a small community of four priests and two brothers at St. Mutgo’s Retreat, Stanhope Street, Glasgow. Scotland, however, had been the scene of many Passionist missionary endeavours froth as far back as 1850, when the first Mission was conducted by Fr. Ignatius Spencet and Fr. Joseph Bunn at St. Andrew’s Cathedral, Glasgow. This event must have brought great joy to the heart of the subject of this memoir, Fr. Austin Edgar, C.P., who was the first son of Scotland to wear the habit of the Congregation of the Passion. Although founded in {720 by St. Paul of the Cross, the Congregation of the Passion did not reach England until 1841, when Blessed Dominic Barberi, row acclaimed as “the Apostle of England’s Second Spring,” fitst set foot on that land in which God evidently had predestined him to perfotm ptodigious tasks within the space of eight years. This unkempt Italian Passionist, in spite of his rough and ready peasant trianner atid his halting English, exercised a most powerful influence upon all who met him, including John Henry Newman, who knelt at his knees in submission; and the Congregation of which he was the terri- totial sttpetiot seenied to hold a curious attraction for the sons of noble families who sought admission to its ranks. There was, for instance, the Hott. Geotge Spencer, son of Earl Spencer, First Lord of the Admiralty, who became the close friend and companion of Blessed Dominic, and fatet, as Fr. Ignatius of St. Paul, succeeded him as territorial superior. He died stiddenly and alone on the avenue leading to the home of his friend Robert. Monteith at Carstairs, in Lanarkshire. There was also the Irish tobleman, the Hon. Charles Regittald Pakenham, fourth son of the sécond Earl of Longford, in the peerage of Ireland, and Baron of Silchestet in that of the United Kingdom, who, as Fr. Paul Mary, died itt 1857 as first rector of the Passionist Monastery, Mount Argus, Dublin. The first Scotsman to join the Congregation of the Passion came from the well-known family of Edgar of Keithock, in Angus, which had provided the exiled Jacobite Court with its most famous secretary, James Edgar (1688-1764). The family mansion of Keithock was sold in 1790 and the family came to teside in Glasgow: there James Edgar of Keithock (1777-1841) married, in 1813, Anne Barbara Hamilton, the daughtet of an opulent merchant, by whom he had a family of two sons and three daughters. The elder of the two sons, John Baptist Edgar, who was born in Glasgow on 26 April 1816, became a Catholic and, in due cotirsé, entered the Congregation of the Passion. 159
THE INNES REVIEW - Unfortunately, Fr. Salvian Nardocci, the chronicler whose duty it was to write the obituary biographies of the Fathers of the Congregation at this period, has given us no details of the early life and family back- ground of John Baptist Edgar. He contents himself with stating that “ young Edgar’s parents were Protestants and educated their son in their religion ” and continues “from Glasgow, he was sent to Paris to make his regular. studies and, for some time, applied himself to the study of Medicine, which he discontinued for some unknown reason.” Then, “ in July 1836, he renounced Protestantism and became a Catholic. His mother and sister likewise became Catholics; one of his sisters became a nun. His father died a Protestant.” The chronicler gives no clue what- soever regarding the influences which led “ young Edgar ” to the Catholic Church. Also denied us are the details of how John Baptist Edgar, erstwhile student of medicine, made the acquaintance of the Passionists, but we ate certain of the fact that he made his novitiate at Ere, near Tournai in Belgium, where, having been given the name in religion of “ Austin of the Mother of God,’ he made his profession of vows on 28 April 1842. He was sent to Rome to pursue his clerical studies, but in 1843, by order of Blessed Dominic, he was recalled to England for two reasons, according to Fr. Salvian: “ First because, being a Scotsman, he knew the English language and so would be most useful in England, and secondly, that he might study philosophy and theology with two others who had made their religious profession at Aston Hall, Staffordshire.” In 1846, at the age of thirty, Fr. Austin was ordained priest and one is left to conjecture whether he already possessed, whilst still a student, _ or acquired later as a priest, the quaint traits and eccentric behaviour which he displayed during the remainder of his life, and upon which the chronicler becomes truly expansive. The reader, perhaps, should be informed that Fr. Salvian Nardocci, who was later to become the Annalist of the Anglo-Hibernian Province of the Congregation of the Passion, came to England in 1849, with scarcely a word of English, and only then for the first time became acquainted with Fr. Austin, so that he may be forgiven for his Jack of detailed information concerning Fr. Austin’s early life. He was a good and trustworthy chronicler, but it is amusing that, whenever he had occasion to bestow praise upon anyone who was non-Italian, the praise, however well merited, lost some of its fulsomeness by the insertion of a deflatory “ but.” Of his meeting with Fr. Austin, he notes: “ The first thing that struck me about this Father was his great simplicity and sincerity, which two virtues made him loved by everyone, but in other respects he was full of an infinity of.natural faults. He was, it is true, very charitable to the poor, and when it was in his power to assist them he did it with the greatest pleasure and when he was unable to help 160
FATHER AUSTIN EDGAR, C.P., THE FIRST SCOTS PASSIONIST them the poor man was inconsolable: he treated them most kindly and spoke to them with such affection that the poor looked upon him as their loving Father and kind friend.” Quite a commendable reputation for any priest, one might be inclined to think! His heart went out in a special way, it would appear, to the poor Irish who had been forced to leave their native country by the cruel hardships caused by the calamitous famine. These unfortunates were so appreciative of Fr. Austin’s kindness and generosity “that they would lay down their lives for him if necessary.” One instance is cited of the extent to which they were willing to express their gratitude. On Guy Fawkes Day 1849, some Protestant young men had plotted among themselves to waylay Fr. Austin on his way to the village of Stone, Staffordshire, and give him a beating, as had actually been done to Blessed Dominic Barberi a few years earlier. Word of this low and cowardly scheme reached the ears of the young Irishmen of the neighbourhood, who, it need scarcely be said, were determined that it would not be put into execution. They planned to watch Fr. Austin’s goings and comings and if he were attacked they would be at hand to give a sound thrashing to the bigoted ruffians. Unaware that it was Guy Fawkes Day, when feelings were likely to run high, Fr. Austin set out from his monastery to visit the poor, according to his custom, in Stone. The young Irishmen kept at a discreet distance behind him on his way, and similarly escorted him back. When finally he noticed this contingent, and heard from them the reason for their vigilant concern, “he thanked them most kindly, gave them a little money and told them to go home and enjoy it in moderate recreation amongst themselves.” This was only one of many similar happenings. Foremost amongst the “infinity of natural faults” of Fr. Austin the chronicler lists his “forgetfulness.” With a wry turn of phrase he states that Fr. Austin had “such a privilege of forgetting himself that at times he remained for hours in a place without knowing where he was or what he was thinking about.” In our present day and age there are thousands of people who would willingly give a fortune for such a state of glorious abstraction! Another example of his absentmindedness was an occasion when “he was going to Stoke-upon-Trent, and having entered the railway carriage at Stone station, he met there a gentleman who was going to Liverpool and began a controversial conversation with him. The train stopped at Stoke-upon-Trent but Fr. Austin forgot entirely that he had arrived at his destination and continued with his dispute until he found himself in Liverpool. When he perceived this, he told the gentleman that he was supposed to have got out of the train at Stoke and there was no other train that night. The good parson (for such was the gentle- man with whom he had been conversing) paid the difference of his train fare, brought him to an hotel, paid for his lodging, supper, etc., and, in 161
THE INNES REVIEW the morning, sent him back by train having also paid tor his journey.” A truly admirable example of the ecumenical spirit more than a century ago! One shudders to think of what agonies his congregations must have endured when Fr. Austin, with his singular “ privilege of forgetting himself,” was assigned to preach a sermon or to conduct a Mission. He did, in fact, conduct many Missions throughout England because in those early days the greater majority of the actively engaged Passionist ‘Missioners were Italians possessing a very imperfect knowledge of the English language, so that, in this respect at any rate, Fr. Austin fulfilled the purpose of Blessed Dominic by proving himself “ useful in England.” As a preacher, however, he is described as not being “first rate,” although it is conceded that as a controversialist he was really excellent. “ Very few were able to stand against him in the matter of controversy. Many Protestants and Clergymen of the Established Church were entirely beaten and silenced by him. In November 1854 [that would be barely a month before his death!] at Sutton, Lancashire, the Protestants tried every means in their power to put down Fr. Austin, but he stood against them all. He preached many substantial sermons on Controversy and some were even printed. Likewise some polemical songs which he wrote were printed by his friends. Although these songs are not first rate poetical compositions, the controversies dealt with in them are excel- lently handled.” The ‘reference made above to “ poetical compositions” introduces another facet of Fr. Austin’s many-sided character. He apparently had an unusual facility for versifying almost at a moment’s notice. One instance is related by Fr. Salvian in which he himself was concerned. He was assigned to supply for the chaplain of a certain convent of Benedictine nuns for a few days. The “few days” extended to two months, and during his absence from the monastery, an Italian Passionist from Rome, a close friend of his, who was in England in the capacity of Visitor-General, called to see him and, finding him absent, made enquiries as to his whereabouts of Fr. Austin. His surprise may be imagined when the latter, instead of answering in the normal fashion, sang out the following impromptu version of a well-known liturgical hymn: ‘ Iste Confessor Sancti Benedicti, Ad suas oves numquam vult venire; Sic Salvianus debet remanere Omne per aevum. He composed many hymns and was adept at translating the hymns from the Breviary. When he had composed a new hymn he would rush joyfully to the school-house, which was about a quarter of a mile distant, to teach it to the children. The following simple and lovely hymn in honour of Our Blessed Lady, to whom he was tenderly devoted, proved, strange to relate, the occasion of his untimely death: 162
FATHER AUSTIN EDGAR, C.P., THE FIRST SCOTS PASSIONIST O Mary, Mother of pure love, Behold thy children gathered here To offer joyfully our hearts To thee, our own sweet Mother dear. And may the love of that sweet Child Who rests in thy maternal arms, Melt and inflame our hearts of ice By force of His almighty charms. To thee I offer, then, my heart, O Mary, Mother of fair love, Chaste Virgin Mother of my God Who reignest Queen of Heaven above. O gracious Mother, Thou who art The channel of all grace divine, I pray thee, deign from Heaven impart Thy blessing to this soul of mine. As soon as he had written his hymn, Fr. Austin hurried as usual to the school-house, not in the least adverting to the fact that the rain was coming down in torrents. He was wearing his habit and only sandals on his bare feet, so that even before reaching the school, he was thoroughly drenched. Nevertheless, he taught his new hymn to the children and was very pleased at how quickly they learned it. He returned to the monastery, through the pouring rain, and having failed {or forgotten) to change into dry clothing, he contracted a heavy cold. The following morning, although scarcely able to walk, he insisted on saying mass and had to be supported by the server from beginning to end. It was the last time he ever offered mass. He developed pneumonia and, through weakness and difficulty in breathing, he was forced to remain in bed. During this last illness a very strange incident occurred, the details of which are related by Fr. Salvian, who at the time was vice-rector of St. Wilfrid’s, Asten-Hall, Staffordshire, where Fr. Austin lay dying. One night as the sick priest lay awake, suffering greatly and labouring for breath, he heard a loud noise in the room as if a heavy ball had fallen from the table and had rolled around the floor for some length of time. That this was no delusion caused by delirium, as might naturally be. suspected, was proven by the fact that Brother Aloysius who was sleeping soundly next door, was awakened by the sudden noise and came into Fr. Austin’s room to investigate the cause. Though he searched the floor and Jooked in every corner he could find no trace of any object “round, flat, square or of any other shape.” which might have been responsible for the noise. Being Irish, and inclined to regard this mysterious incident as a supernatural warning of approaching death, Brother Aloysius earnestly urged the patient to settle the affairs of his soul, for it was well known to all the community that poor Fr. Austin was continually tormented by scruples and by doubts about the 163 foarte
THE INNES REVIEW faith and about his vocation. Without hesitation Fr. Austin took the good brother’s advice; settled his conscience and received the rites of the Church for the dying. Thenceforth his composure was extraordinary. To his brethren and to all who came to visit him he could speak of no other subject but the love of God, His mercy, His goodness and His infinite compassion, particularly as manifested in the passion and death of Our Lord Jesus Christ. All who saw and heard him and witnessed his edifying resignation felt spiritually benefited by their visit to the sick room. The poor of the neighbourhood were deeply distressed at the dismal prospect of losing their dear friend and generous benefactor and came in groups to the church to pray fervently for his recovery. But, by the end of a fortnight, the formerly strong and robust young priest was reduced to a pitiful state of emaciation, and shortly after mid-day, on Sunday 17 December 1854, he quietly passed to his reward. It was Fr. Salvian who administered the final absolution and anointing and closed the eyes of the dead Passionist. That same afternoon, Fr. Salvian was to officiate at the evening devotions in the little church, where more than the usual number of people had gathered. In surplice and black stole he approached the altar rails instead of mounting the pulpit. How Fr. Salvian relished the touch of melodrama! “ With tremulous voice,” he records, “I began thus: ‘My dear brethren, this morning I begged your prayers for the recovery of poor Fr. Austin if it was the will of Almighty God. Now, IT come again to beg your prayers for the same Father, not for his recovery, indeed, but for the repose of his soul, for he is dead.’ At these words the whole congregation burst into a general weeping, sobbing and mourning and it was impossible for me to say more—they could not hear me. And being unable to restrain myself any longer, I was obliged to pay a tribute of tears myself to the poor deceased, together with the people . . . After the Rosary had been recited and Benediction with the Blessed Sacrament given, all retired to their homes in mourn- ful silence, thus showing their affection for and attachment to the deceased Father.” Scant though our information is concerning Fr. Austin Edgar, nevertheless we are Jeft with the impression that the first Scottish Passionist was a gentle-natured, kind and lovable priest whose passing was deeply mourned by the poor who are so dear to God Himself. Surely, there was a Christlike quality about the priest who was so loved by the poor that when the Passionists finally left St. Wilfrid’s, taking with them the coffins of their deadbrethren, they were constrained by the entreaties of the people to leave undisturbed the mortal remains of Fr. Austin Edgar. There at Asten=Hel, Staffordshire, England, he awaits the resurrec- tion, and whoever kneels by his simply-marked grave to breathe a prayer for the repose of his soul might hear, perhaps, a whisper from the shades: “ Look for me in the nurseries of Heaven.” dsr thal fide fotlan, Natl, Moff,
THE INNES REVIEW faith and about his vocation. Without hesitation Fr. Austin took the good brother’s advice; settled his conscience and received the rites of the Church for the dying. Thenceforth his composure was extraordinary. To his brethren and to all who came to visit him he could speak of no other subject but the love of God, His mercy, His goodness and His infinite compassion, particularly as manifested in the passion and death of Our Lord Jesus Christ. All who saw and heard him and witnessed his edifying resignation felt spiritually benefited by their visit to the sick room. The poor of the neighbourhood were deeply distressed at the dismal prospect of losing their dear friend and generous benefactor and came in groups to the church to pray fervently for his recovery. But, by the end of a fortnight, the formerly strong and robust young priest was reduced to a pitiful state of emaciation, and shortly after mid-day, on Sunday 17 December 1854, he quietly passed to his reward. It was Fr. Salvian who administered the final absolution and anointing and closed the eyes of the dead Passionist. That same afternoon, Fr. Salvian was to officiate at the evening devotions in the little church, where more than the usual number of people had gathered. In surplice and black stole he approached the altar rails instead of mounting the pulpit. How Fr. Salvian relished the touch of melodrama! ‘‘ With tremulous voice,” he records, “I began thus: ‘My dear brethren, this morning I begged your prayers for the recovery of poor Fr. Austin if it was the will of Almighty God. Now, {I come again to beg your prayers for the same Father, not for his recovery, indeed, but for the repose of his soul, for he is dead.’ At these words the whole congregation burst into a general weeping, sobbing and mourning and it was impossible for me to say more-—they could not hear me. And being unable to restrain myself any longer, I was obliged to pay a tribute of tears myself to the poor deceased, together with the people . . . After the Rosary had been recited and Benediction with the Blessed Sacrament given, all retired to their homes in mourn- ful silence, thus showing their affection for and attachment to the deceased Father.” Scant though our information is concerning Fr. Austin Edgar, nevertheless we are left with the impression that the first Scottish Passionist was a gentle-natured, kind and lovable priest whose passing was deeply mourned by the poor who are so dear to God Himself. Surely, there was a Christlike quality about the priest who was so loved by the poor that when the Passionists finally left St. Wilfrid’s, taking with them the coffins of their dead brethren, they were constrained by the entreaties of the people to leave undisturbed the mortal remains of Fr. Austin Edgar. ; There at “A~sten=HaH, Staffordshire, England, he awaits the resurrec- tion, and whoever kneels by his simply-marked grave to breathe a prayer for the repose of his soul might hear, perhaps, a whisper from the shades: “ Look for me in the nurseries of Heaven.” & Wabfnids fol, Noll, Mef&, g also paid tor his journey.” ist spirit more than a century } his congregations must have iar “privilege of forgetting | or to conduct a Mission. He hout Engiand because in those actively engaged Passionist _y imperfect knowledge of the t any rate, Fr. Austin fulfilled himself “ useful in England.” not being “first rate,” although e was really excellent. “ Very matter of controversy. Many [plished Church were entirely 1854 [that would be barely a heashire, the Protestants tried 'r. Austin, but he stood against sermons on Controversy and yolemical songs which he wrote these songs are not first rate ‘dealt with in them are excel- ical compositions” introduces character. He apparently had st at a moment’s notice. One ich he himself was concerned. plain of a certain convent of “few days” extended to two the monastery, an Italian his, who was in England in the e him and, finding him absent, f Fr. Austin. His surprise may ‘answering in the normal fashion, pon of a well-known liturgical i Benedicti, — uam vult venire; remanere s adept at translating the hymns osed a new hymn he would rush vas about a quarter of a mile the following simple and lovely io whom he was tenderly devoted, of his untimely death:
1E FIRST SCOTS PASSIONIST ire love, athered here learts 2t Mother dear. that sweet Child ernal arms, | hearts of ice hty charms. my heart, air love, : of my God of Heaven above. ‘how who art ace divine, m Heaven impart oul of mine. n, Fr. Austin hurried as usual to verting to the fact that the rain vas wearing his habit and only ] n before reaching the school, he s, he taught his new hymn to the ow quickly they learned it. He e pouring rain, and having failed hing, he contracted a heavy cold. ‘cely able to walk, he insisted on by the server from beginning to d mass. He developed pneumonia ' in breathing, he was forced to _— a very strange incident occurred, & yA 7r, Salvian, who at the time was Hake ll, Staffordshire, where Fr. Austin * | t lay awake, suffering greatly and | | noise in the room as if a heavy { rolled around the floor for some sion caused by delirium, as might xy the fact that Brother Aloysius rr, was awakened by the sudden o to investigate the cause. Though very corner he could find no trace of any other shape.” which might 3eing Irish, and inclined to regard natural warning of approaching ed the patient to settle the affairs 1 all the community that poor Fr. scruples and by doubts about the
Source: Obituary Notices, Provincial Archive, St Joseph's Province. Passionist Congregation.