Obituary Notice
This obituary notice has been digitally processed from a scanned archival document. Some words may be imperfectly rendered.
Fr. Bede O'Brien (1882-1961) FATHER BEDE 0.* THE HOLY FAMILY (Charles O'BRIEN) ef the Province of the Holy Ghost, Australia, died in Mater Misericordiae Hospital, North Sydney, N.S.W., von 25 November 1961, aged 79 years, and in the 57th year of his religious profession, FHEEEFEFEFEFEEEEAEFEEEE EEE EE The death cf Father Bede of the Holy Family has broken another of the few remaining links immedkately connecting the Province of the Holy Ghost with its foundation Fathers wf the Anglé~Hibernian Province of St Joseph. Father Bede was one nf the sons of Michael O'Brien and Mary Thomas, He was born on Parramatta Roady Broadway, Sydney, on 23 January 1882. The site of his parent's home is now occupied by one of Sydney's largest depart- ment stores, He was still a child when his family came to live in the Parish of Marrickville which had just been taken uver by the Passionist Fathers. He received his education from the Sisters of the Good Samaritan in the old Parish School at Despointes Street, Marrickville. On leaving sohool Father Bede worked as a boilermaker's apprentice in the Government Railway workshups at Eveleigh. At the age of 20 he en- * §ered St Patrick's Diocesan Seminary, Manly, N.S.W. and after two years decided to become a Passionists He want to England, received the habit and made his novitiate at St Savieur's Retreat, Broadway, where he was professed on 13 September 1905, He completed his ecclesiastical studies at St Paul's Retreat, Mount pAreusy Dublin, Ireland, and was @rdained to the priesthio.d cn 23 Bele. 1911. The following year he went te the Retreat of Saints-John and Pauly Rome, and until 1916 taught Sacred Scripture and Church History, A felltéw.lector was the late Most Reverend Archbishop Kierkels. C.P.
2 Father Bede returned to Australia towards the end ef 1915 and became a military chaplain at Liverpool Camp near Sydney, taking over from the late Father Gerard Chester, C.P, He continued in this post until the end of the war in 1918, when he began his career as a missioner and retreat directér, which was to last for nearly forty years and take him into every state and nearly every diocegein the Commonwealth of Australia and New Zealands He filled many offices in the Prevince, namely, Provincial Concsultor, Novice Master, Recter 6f St Paul's Retreat, Glen Osmeénd, and of St Pius X Retreat, St Ives. He was alse for a time Lector of Moral Theelogy. As Rector of St Paul's Retreat, Father Bede was responsible for the building of the Hew Monastery and Church at Glen Osmond, With the approval of the late Archbishop Spence and the generous co-eperation of the Diocesan Clergy, he went into every parish in the Archdiocese @f Adelaide and the Diocese of Port Pirie appealing for funds. Father Bede was an accomplished pianist and musician. His pianc recitals, his ability as an accompanist and his readiness to provide . the music for the ‘silent films’ were long remembered by the soldiers who were entertained by him in Liverpool Camp. As a student at Mount Argus, he composed a Mass and sme motets for the greater sélemnities, and indeed he reached full bloom whenever the Divine Office and Mass were celebrated with solemn chant on the greater festivals sf the Church. For seme fime he was in charge of the ehoir at St Brigid's Church, anion the eccasion of the Silver Jubilee 6f the foundation ef the Congregation of the Passion in Australia, the entire music was composed fér the Solemn ‘Nigh Mass by Father Bede. While in very indifferent health and more ¢r less retired, he cémposed the words and music of a popular hymn in honour of St Maria Geretti.
3 Though engaged almost continuo7ly fwr many years on Missivuns and Retreats, and frequently in demand for occasional sermons, Father Bede remained essentially a student. In his diligence and kove ofstudy he was a true Passionist and a shining example. Though ill health forced his retirement from active life some years ago, and whi 3 spending the evening of his life at St Pius X Retreat, he continued his studies almost te the end. Fortunetaly, he has left behind him an important, rich and accurate history of the early years of the Parish of Marrickville. He also made a translation of the Letters of St Paul ef the Cross, and of many other books concerning the lives and virtues of saintly members of the Congregation. A nervous disability and scrupulosity made it impossible for Father Beue to celebrate holy Mass during the closing years of his life. Frequent and long sojourns in hospital and consequent long periods of convalescence made him dependent on the charity of others, but he showed himself always generously appreciative of every act of kindness towards him. Father Bede has certainly left his mark on this Province of the Holy Ghost. He laboured long and zealwusly fer the honour and glory of God and ts advance the good name of the Congregation of the Passion. Any religious whose word or work brought honour to the name of Passionist gave great pleasure te him. He would be so overjoyed that he would seek out such a religious, encourage and praise him, Father Bede died in the Mater Misercordiae Hospital on the morming of November 25, 1961. He had been ill for a long time and his decth, though rather sudden, was not unexpec’ed, Sélemn Requiem Mass was celebrated at St Brigid's Church, Marrick- ville on 27 November. Among those present was Very Rev. Monsignor Darby, a boyheod and seminary companion of Father Bede. The funeral left after Megs for the Community Cemetery at Presertation Retreat, Mary's Mount, Goulburn, Requiescat in Paces
Source: Obituary Notices, Provincial Archive, St Joseph's Province. Passionist Congregation.