Obituary Notice
This obituary notice has been digitally processed from a scanned archival document. Some words may be imperfectly rendered.
Nt Fr. CASIMIR Birkett (1892-1954) ‘Obituary Novice. FATHER CASIMIR OF THE HOLY ROSARY Died: March 2lst, 195k. fo some death comes peacefully and quietly, to others only after a long and painful agony. To some death comes suddenly, to others after an illness which gives timely warning of the inevitable end. ‘To Father Casimir of the Holy Rosary death came péacefully and quietly after an illness bf less than three months duration, . In the early hours of Sunday morning, March 21st, 1954, he passed away peacefully in -higs sleep. In the morning he was found calm and composed, with serene countenance and a peaceful smile upon his Jips as of one who has at last found rest. Know in the world as Edward Birkett, the late Fr. Casimir was born in Dublin on October 18th, 1892, the Feast of St. Luke, which incidentally was the day on which Our Holy Founder passed to his eternal reward more than a century before, Asa boy | he was familiar with the black habit of the Passion for he attended ovr church at Mount Argus, and for some years served as an altar-boy, His solid piety and simple, upright character offered good ground for the seed of a religious vocation, and in 1910, he entered the Alumiste, then situated at St. Mary's Retreat, Carmarthen, S. Wales. Three years later he was accepted as a novice at St. Gabriel's Retreat, The Graan, Enniskillen, where he made his religious profession on August 2th, 1914, taking the name of Casimir of the Holy Rosary. On the completion of his course of studies, he was ordained at St. Anne's Retreat, Sutton, Lanes. by Most Rev. Dr. Whiteside, Archbishop of Liverpool. After his ordination Fr. Casimir was a member of the coummity at St. Joseph's Retreat, Highgate, London, whence he was transferred to St. Paul's Retreat, Ilkley, Yorks. On the division of the former Anglo-Hibernian Province, Fr. Casimir elected to join St. Patrick's Province, and went to St. Mungo's Retreat, Glasgow where for some years he filled the office of Vice-Rector. From 191-1 9sbry he was appointed Vice-Rector of St. Paul's Retreat, Mount Argus y Dublin where the remaining years of his life were to be spent. For many years Fr. Casimir was engaged on missions and retreats, a work for which he was eminently fitted as he had a strong, clear voice, an energetic pulpit style, a well-prepared programme of sermons, and an inmense capacity ofr work. Beautifully written out in full in a clear ond legible script, his sermons were model. mission discourses, well-reasoned, persuasive, appealing and full of devotion. It was quite characteristic of him that he kept a note~book in which he Listed the date and place of each sermon that he preached. From this it can clearly be ascertained that his two favourite subjects were ‘Our Blessed Lady and 'Heaven', closely followed by ‘The Sacred Passion' and 'The Blessed Sacrament!. His last retreat was, preached to the Christian Brothers, Carriglea School, Dun Laoghaire in July, 1948. Fr. Casimir was also highly esteemed as a confessor, especially by those who were diffident or discouraged. His gentle counsel and prudent direction were sought by many; in fact it would be impossible to estimate the innumerable souls to whom he gave the benefit of his experience in the Sacrament of Penance. He. was patient , kind, long-suffering, sympathetic, understanding, compassionate - in a word, a model confessor. During his last illness many of his regular penitents made anxious en= quiries as to when he would resume duty inthe ewonfessional, surely no mean tribute to his skill in the direction of souls. Fr. Casimir was extraordinarily neat and methodical in all his undertakings« To every task, however trivial it might seem to others, he brought all the meticulous
care that was second nature to him. He was an expert hand-prinber, and most generous inp in placing his time and skill at the disposel of his brethren. Names for the confessionals, posters for the church-doors, names for the call~bell - for many years all were done by Fr. Casimir. Did any priest need a new biretta? Fr. Casimir would very quickly oblige, for he was equally akilled with a needle. . When failing health prevented him from more active work, he threw his energy into the laborious. task of caring for the November Dead List, and the various Novenas in. honour of St. Gabriel, St. Genma Galgani, and St. Maria Goretti. His card~index | Was a model of neatness and exactitude; one of his last requests some months before he died, was for. a press with special compartments to keep all in good order. ‘Fr. Casimir was alwiys most exact in. keeping the observance; j and he was never. aon to be late for choir. During his last illness, when he was unable to attend the commnity retreat, it was noticed that he followed it in spirit. At ony hour of the day he could recall to mind the particular duty iridicated. on the retreat horarium} undoubtedly his heart was in his monabtery at all times. Especially at Christmas time or a tgaudeamus! Fr. Casimir liked to enliven the cormurid. ty recreation with a. song or recitation. Sometimes these were of his. own composition; with humorous . allusions to matters of canmunity concern, or thé chrondéles of the current year. His coménts were always of a kindly nature - they often rad sed a smile and never caused 4» hurt. - His ‘spirit: Of plety was deep and sincere, It was not of a shallow «or super~ ficial nature, and he often expressed his rooted dislike of the more sentimental aspects of some modern forms of devotion. His own special preference was for those tried and tested by time, for solid books of seick devotion, the Rosary(which was his special favourite), and the old traditional things. He was fond of copying out little items which appealed to him and collected many of them in 4 nbte-book, which he titled in bis neat script "Words ef Wisdom". . Amongst them was one which seemed to opitomise his whole life: Wgtamp in, 0 Ged, at any. cost The likeness of Thy Soms _ Fildal submission to Thy Will Is heaveh itself begun." It is not perhaps graat poetry 5 but the sentiment is admirable. Devotion to God'a holy Will in all things was the keynote of Fr. Casimir's character, It led him to the religious state} “Ab helped him when the way. was sometimes difficult, and it brought him consolation in the last monthsm# of his life, He had been in indifferent health for sane time, and steadily losing weight to an alarming degreé, The doctor advised a thdérough examination, and shortly after Christmas, Fri Casimir entered a Nursing Home for a medical check-up, This quickly disclosed a radical kidney ailment, which was both inoperable and incurable. His condition rapidly deteriorated, arid the Last Sacraments were administered. Fr. Casimir received the news with fortitude. and resignation and freely offered himself to God with complete submission to the Divine Will. On Saturday afternoon he was q uite calm and recollected and able to look forward to receiving Holy Communion on Sunday morning. - But during the night God said 'Enough! and took him to Himself. Solern Requiem Mass was celebrated on Tuesday, March 23rd y_ by Rev. Fr. Michael, C.P., a class-mate of the deceased, following tthich the funeral took place to the cemetery of the Retreat. | May hae rest in peace. April 3rd, 195k. Edemnd of the Blessed Virgin, ACLOYs
Source: Obituary Notices, Provincial Archive, St Joseph's Province. Passionist Congregation.