Boniface Conolly CP

Obituary Notice

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Fr. BONIFACE Connolly (1873-1957) OBITUARY NOTICE OF FR. BONIFACE (CONNOLLY) OF ST. JOSEPH ee ey Death, at whatsoever time it may come is a grim visitor, but 1t was bereft of some of its grim- ness when it came benignly and mercifully at last to Fr. Boniface of St. Joseph on August 19th, 1957 at St. Paul's Retreat, Mount Argus, Dublin. Our human limitations and their pitiful inadequacy are borne in upon us as we face the task of setting forth what we know of the earthly life of Fr. Boniface, and wistfully we would long for even a glimpse of the Recording Angelts account of that rich and splendid spiritual life of his which Almighty God must have regarded with Divine complacence. For, truly, he could say of himself as did holy Job : "Behold my witness is in heaven and he that knoweth my conscience is on high" (Job, XVI, 20). Known in the world as Joseph Connolly, Fr. Boni face was borm on September 3rd, 1873 at Cel- bridge, Co. Kildare. His early education was entrusted to the Carmelite Brothers, Clondalkin, Co. Dublin, and he completed his Secondary education at the Dominican College, Newbridge, Co. Kildare. Whilst there, he, no doubt, applied himself to his studies with his usual diligence, but he also dis- tinguished himself in the sphere of athletics, particularly on the running track. It is not known at what age or in what manner he received his vocation to the Passionist life, but it is known that he kept it a secret even from his Mother, whilst he prayed for heavenly guidance and sought counsel from his Confessor. The divulgence of his secret took place in a remarkable manner. According to an account given by a relative of his, it happened that the young Joseph Connolly and his brother were opening a field of oats for the reaper, using the old-fashioned hook. When they had com- pleted their work and were making homewards, Joseph apparently reached a decision. He suddenly flung the hook over a hedge, saying: "I won't need that any moret; home and confided to his Mother that he had made up his mind to become a Passionist. Thus, at the age of 21 he entered the Novitiate at St. Saviour's Retreat, Broadway, Worcestershire. His Master of Novices was Very Rev. Fr. Albert (McKillop) of St. Aloysius. One is tempted to seek a certain symbolism in his casting away of the biFlhook. He would not need it again, indeed, for in a deeply spiritual sense he had cut himself off entirely from this world, and once he donned the Passionist habit the sole object of his life was to become more and more closely united with God. His singleness of purpose and his natural strength of character, supported by divine

OBITUARY NOTICE (Contd.) PACE 2. grace, ably assisted him in pursuing the path of perfection; in putting first things first, and in dir- ecting all his energies towards fulfilling the ideal of the Rule of St. Paul of the Cross, namely, of becoming a worthy disciple of his Crucified Master. God, indecd, mercifully fits the back to the burden, for in the years to come, Fr. Boniface would be asked to bear a large portion of the Cross. After his Religious Profession on July 31st 1895, he was transferred to St. Anne's Retreat, Sutton, Lancashire where he pursued his studies in Philosophy and Theology. On September 8th 1901, he was raised to the Priesthood by Right Rev. Dr. Whiteside, Bishop of Liverpool. Missions and parochial work followed, whilst he was stationed in various Retreats throughout .the Province, at Herne Bay, Birmingham and Glasgow, where, for some time, he was Chaplain to Duke St. Prison, For three years - 1920 ~ 1923 - he was Vicar of St. Saviourts Retreat, Broadway, It is recalled by some of our Sentor Fathers, that whilst in Sutton, he requested the Rector, Fr. Egwin (Wilkes), to put his name on the list every Sunday for twelve months, either for parish supply work or for sermon at the Last Mass, in order that. he might have an opportunity to write a complete set of Homilies for all the Sundays of the year. His manuscript books of sermons are witness to the care and patience with which he prepared them. He spoke with a clear incisive voice, slightly nazalised, and his subject matter was al- ways both instructive and elevating. In 1923 he was chosen to fill the important office of Master of Novices in St. Gabrielts Retreat, Enniskillen, which office he held until 1927. Fortunate indeed, were the Novices of those years to have such a guide tn the initial and formative period of their religious lives, and one, moreover, whose own life mirrored so faithfully the virtues which he strove to instil. The year 1927 was, of course, a notable one in the history of our Province, for in that year the Province of St. Patrick was canonically erected as a separate entity. The fact that Fr. Boniface was chosen as one of the first Provincial Consultors of the infant Province, is sufficient proof of the high esteem in which his great qualities of soul and mind were held by his brethren. It may not be generally known that Fr. Boniface was the compiler of the current Manual of Comm- unity Prayer. He was an avid reader of deep spiritual literature inj both the English and French languages, as his coplous notes testify, and his contributions to "The Cross" throughout the years gave

OBITUARY NOTICE (Contd.) PAGE 3. woof that he was an able writer. The last thirty years of his life were spent in Mount Argus, and during those years he scarcely ever went beyond the precincts of the Retreat, It was a dramatic moment on the Christmas Day of 1935 when, during the prayers after dinner, Fr. Boniface collapsed on the floor of the Refectory. It was the first indication of the heart trouble which rendered him an invalid for the rest of his days, The per- flous condition of his health prevented his taking part in the Community Observances and his time was spent in the retirement of his celle More and more he became detached from the things and the affairs of the world, and anyone who had occasion to visit his cell could not fail to be edified at the sight of the saintly Religious prayerfully studying the Sacred Scriptures. He preferred, and it was his custom, to read the New Testament in Greck. However close his retirement he, nevertheless, kept himself informed concerning the apostolic labours of the brethren, and returning Missioners were always sure of being welcomed by him, with that warm smile which lighted up his whole countenance, and of being questioned solicitously about their work. As he advanced in age his infirmities increased and for the past few years he was in constant need of medical attention.

OBITUARY NOTICE (Contd.) PACE & All who gazed on his mortal remains were struck by the beatific serenity of his countenance, It bespoke the tranquillity of the soul that had struggled valifantly for so long and had found peace at last. One could not but call to mind the words of St, Paul: "I have finished my course, I have kept the faith, For the rest there Is laid up for me a crown of justice which the Lord the Just judge will render to me in that day" (41 Tim, IV, 7,8.). On the day of his funeral there was discovered, written in one of his Manuscript books of sermons, tue following request which will convey, better than any words of ours could possibly do So, the sptrit of deep humility and true detachment whieh characterized Fre Boniface. QUOTE MY LAST WISH "] wish that in the event of my death nothing should be published in any newspaper, perlod= ical or magazine, except the day and the hour of my departure out ofthis life and the day and the hour of my funeral with a request for prayers. Boniface Joseph Connolly, Co Poy 19th March, 1935." To this request, however, he prudently added: "N.oB. Salva tamen norma Bonifacii VIII qui dicit: 'Religiosi professi non habent velle et nolle,? " We thank God for having bestowed upon our Province the ornament of such a life and we humbly beseech Him to grant to us all, the grace so to live as to.merit, as did Fr. Boniface, a death So prec- fous in the sigh& of the Lord. May he rest in peace, St. Paul's Retreat, we ae Mount Argus, Dublin. 8th September, 1957. Rector.