Obituary Notice
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Fr. Berchmans Byrne (1856-1937) Rev. #r. Berehmans (Byrne) C.P. A FTER. an illnesa of very brief duration, a well-known Irish Passionist, Rev. Fr. Berchmans (Byrne), C.P., died \ at St. Paul’s Retreat, Mount Argus, . Dublin, on Thursday, Mey 8th. He ha teen in his usual vigorous health on the preceding Sunday, and had fulfilled his ordinary routine of Sunday duties. On the following day, he complained of a slight e.ld and kept to his bed; but soon his condition gave cause for anxiety and the Last Sacraments were administered. Fr. Berehmans himself realised the gravity of his illness, and faced the impending. trie} oe with remarkable resignation and fortitude. . . ‘te responded to the prayers for the dying with a firm voice, and retaining conscious. .°- noss almost to the end, recommended :~ himself to the prayers of the community, Known in the world.as Robert Byrne, the late Fr. Berehmens, who had attained the age of seventy-one yéars, belonged to an old and much-respected Dublin family, several of whose members, had entered the religious state. His uncle, the late Fr. Thomas Byrne, was parish priest of St. Audoen’s, High Street; another uncle is the well-known Dublin Jesuit Fr. Vincent Byrne, whilst his brother Fr. Pancras, who died some years ago, was also a momber of Mount Argus community. Having made his early studies under the Dominican Fathers at Droichead Nuns, Co. Kildare, Fr. Berchmans entered the Passionist Congregation at St. Saviour’s. Retreat, Broadway, Wores., where he made his pro-+ fession on March I7th, 1889. On the ecmpletion of his ecclesiastical studies he.was ordained in September, 1891, by the late Bishop of Liverpool, Rt. Rev. Dr. O’Reilly.. He had been .— atationed at diilerent periods in various houses of the Congregation in England, as well as in Paris ; but most of his priestly life was spont at Mount Argus. ; ‘Until advancing years forced him to curtail his activities, Fr. Berchmans was constantly engaged in giving Missions and Retreats, both in England and in Ireland. Ae a confessor for religious communities he was much esteemed, and many who profited by his advice, will miss his wise counsel and prudent direction. In the preparation of his sermons he took the grestost possible care, and the results were seen in the polished elegance and well-balanced construction of his discourses. As a pulpit orator he never favoured the vehement or the declamatory style, ; referring to deliver hig message with restrained emphasis and with a. measured eloquence. : ven those who failed perhaps to appreciate his rhetorical excellence, could not fail to be moved by his earnestness anu to be impressed by the conviction which inspired his utterance. : : Even in community life, which favours order and regularity, Father Berchmans was outstanding for his punctual discharge of the various duties of the day. Usually avoiding anything which might bring him before the notice of the public, he was a lover of retirement and solitude, and when not otherwise engaged, he was always to be found in his cell immersed in the preparation of sermon-material and in the study of spiritual books. Gifted with an urbane and gracious manner, Fr. Berchmans usually left a deep impression upon all who came in contact with him, His alort and cultured mind was well informed upon all the topics of the day, and whilst he seldom voluntesred his opinions, his judgment was always marked with acuteness and intelligence. A gifted athlete in his younger days, Fr. Berchmans preserved his love of open-air pursuits almost to the end. One of his favourites. recreations was a long walk through the Phoenix Park, or an afternoon stroll by the seagide at Dun Laoghaire or Sandycove. For very many years he took the day’s ‘ duty " at Mount Argue on a Tuesday, to which during his long period of service in the community he had established almost a prescriptive right. Always placing himsolf at the disposal of those who sought his help, he was a kind friend to the poor and to the afflicted. Ho listened to their oft-tines wearisome recitals with patience and affability, and sent thom on their way with words of hopo and encouragement. By his death the Congregation is the poorer for the loss of such a devoted member, one who was ever anxious to uphold its best traditions nnd to display in his own life tho virtues inculcated by St. Paul of tho Cross. In his devotion to the Passion, in his zeal for éouls, in his faithful discharge of every duty laid upon him by holy. obedience Fr. Berchmans was a model of s Passionist goigious. May his good seul enjoy etornal rost. B.IP. . . fe. va Fr. BERGHMANS (BYRNE), C.P.
Source: Obituary Notices, Provincial Archive, St Joseph's Province. Passionist Congregation.