Obituary Notice
This obituary notice has been digitally processed from a scanned archival document. Some words may be imperfectly rendered.
Fr. CANISIUS Reilly (1908-1962) Jesu @hristi Passio FR. CANISIUS (REILLY) OF THE MOTHER OF GOD "Magister adest; vocat me" ~ such might have seemed the theme of the life of Fr. Canisius, certainly during the last six months of the comparatively short span allotted to him. Not. only in sermons, but in ordinary conversation and his "philosophizing!" about life, his thoughts would easily turn towards the shortness of our days."I am ; walking by a path by which I shall not return" had become a constant thought - not as something dark and gloomy, but much more as a strong beam of his vivid light of Faith. Neither was it an idle thought. He accepted it as a special grace or inspiration of God and prepared him- self, as his brethren could easily perceive; to meet the Master Whom his mind seemed to see so clearly. "Magister adest; vocat me". So the news of his death was not altogether unexpected, however unexpected in its circumstances. Fr, Canisius had: gone to Glasgow, where he had been born and baptised John Aloysius Reilly in 1908, to attend the furieral of Fr. Robert C.P., a fellow Glaswegian. He had been in ill health for some years, but, except during a very serious illness two years ago, he had persevered in the usual activities of a Passionist Priest in England. It was thought that a few day&S in his native Glasgow ‘might help to build him up. But the Master was now calling him indeed. ‘His illness grew steadily worse and he was taken to the Victoria Infirmary. He was visited by our Fathers from St. Mungo's Retreat, Glasgow. On 6th. December, 1962, he received the Last Sacraments from the Franciscan Fathers and died happily and resignedly on the following day. He had answered the call of the Master. . On the next day; the Fesat of the Immaculate Conception, Father Philip, Provincial, and the Rector of Sutton set out for Glasgow, and with the Fathers of St?"fiungo's Retreat asssited at the reception of the body and a Requiem Mass said by Fr. Jerome C.P., a fellow+student of Fre Canisius in the Alumniate. On the Sunday, 9th. December, the remains of _Fr.. Canisius. were brought back-to-Sutton, among the mourners being his...-. two sisters. It was no surprise to see the vast crowd of Sutton people gathered to "welcome him back", to pray for his soul} and to manifest their respect and affectionate gratitude to him who had loved and served them well. The Solemn Requeim Mass on Monday morning was sung by V. Rev. Fr. Philip, Provincial, asssited by Fr. Jerome of St. Patrick's Province and Fre Augustine. In the choir were amny of our Fathers from St. Patrick's Province and representatives from all our Retreats in St. Joseph's. Fre Canisius was laid to rest in St. Anrie's Cemetery only a few yards from the altar where he had so often offered the Holy Sacrifice. He was laid to rest; but one may well believe that he will be long remembered and often spoken of by those who knew him. He will be
remembered as a Passionist, for he had a deep love for his Crucified ' Master and for our Mother the Congregation. His: Missions and Retreats (he gave’ his last ‘Retreat only. afew weeks’ péefore: he died) were inspired by and infused with that great devotion and love. for the Passion. Hw will be remembered for his gentle kindness-and sympathy towards his penitents and the -poor and distressed. Yet he had a natural temperamant that inclined him to-flashes of sharp impatience. They were always flashes and never fires; the inipatience was rapidly followed by a real and heart~ felt apology.- . , He was Fr. Canisius "of the Mother of Sorrows"; and his love for the Crucified was combined with an outetanding love for the Crucified's Mother. He surely lived up to his "second name". | _The young John. Reilly received a good and solid edyeation at St. ‘Mungo''s Academy , Glasgow, before entering the Noviciate at Broadway in 1927. He was professed on 26th. November, 1928, and after the usual studies at Ste Anne's, Sutton, and St. Joseph! 5, London, he was: ordained in London on 8th. May, 19355. During the 27 years of his Priesthood, besides his work as a Missioncr or Parish Priest, he served as Vice-Master .and; Rector at Carmarthen and Broadway. Among his. good works for the people his work for the men of St. Anne's Parish, Sutton, was possibly the most remarkable, and will be in that part of the country his most lasting monument«. Through the mercy of Géd, may his soul rést in peace.
Source: Obituary Notices, Provincial Archive, St Joseph's Province. Passionist Congregation.