Obituary Notice
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Fr. Charles Byrne (1869-1934) 3% ss pow A ce. 1.8 a OBITUARY eoousopacoaaea Father Charles (Byrne), C.P. FE deeply regret to announce the death of V¢ Father Charles (Byrne), C.P., a member of the community of St. Mungo’s Retreat, Glasgow, which occurred on December 12th, after an illness of comparatively brief duration. Known in the world as Francis Byrne, the late Father Charles was born at Gilltown, Co. Kildare, on June 2nd, 1869. His early studies were made at the well-known College of St. Thomas Aquinas, Newbridge. Some years later, having felt called to the religious state, he entered the novitiate of the Passionist Congregation at St. Saviour’s Retreat, Broadway, and on the completion of his year of probation, he made his profession on March 10th, 1897. He pursued the usual course of ecclesiastical studies at St. Joseph’s Retreat, Highgate, London, and in due course was raised to the priesthood in Westminster Cathedral by His Eminence Cardinal Bourne on February 27th, 1904. Some years ago, Father Charles was the recipient of many congratula- tions from a host of friends far and near on the occasion of his Silver Jubilee of ordination. During the course of his priestly life Fr. Charles was attached to various houses of the Congregation, and his name and his memory are held in benediction in such widely separated centres as Dublin, London Enniskillen, Belfast and Glasgow. At different periods he filled the office of Vice-Rector of Holy Cross Retreat, Ardoyne, Belfast, and of St. Gabriel’s Retreat, Enniskillen. During the Great War, Fr. Charles formed one of the numerous band of Passionists who volunteered their services to assist in giving spiritual aid and consolation to the thousands of Catholic troops who took part in the conflict. As Chaplain to the Forces, Fr. Charles was attached to the Hospital at Port Suez, Egypt. He also performed excellent work on the hospital ships in the Mediterranean, and at the Base Hospital on the island of Lemnos. A man of considerable experience in the guidance of souls, Fr. Charles won golden opinions from all those with whom he came in contact. Possessed of a fund of unwearied patience, he was always ready to give assistance and advice to those who came to consult him in their difficulties. In fact, it may be truly said that Fr. Charles was a model of self-sacrifice ; ho never spared himself in attending to the poor, the sick and the suffering. His duties often called him to the hospitals and to the prisons, where he was untiring in giving consolation and spiritual help to those who needed it. His greatest happiness lay in the exercise of this practical spirit of charity ; and he would perform even a trifling service with the air of one who received a favour rather than bestowed it. By his brethren in the Congregation Fr. Charles was loved and esteemed. His genial sense of humour and genuine kindliness of heart endeared him to all. All through his life, his own uprightness of character made him the unflinching opponent of any form Of injustice ; zealous for the interests of the poor and the oppressed, he ever stood. by them in the hour of need, when otherwise they would scarcely have had a friend to espouse their cause. Their prayers of gratitude frequently went up on his behalf; now that he is no more, their sorrow will be great and uncomforted. For some months before his death, Fr. Charles was obviously in failing health. Soon he recognised the seriousness of his condition, and like the good soldier of Christ that he was, he prepared himself—as he had prepared many others—for the crowning blessing of a peaceful and happy death. Solemn Requiem Mass was celebrated at St. Mungo’s Church, Glasgow, and the funeral took place immediately afterwards. The crowded congregation testified to the esteem in which the deceased Passionist was held by the parishioners of St. Mungo’s, to whose spiritual and temporal interests he had devoted the last years of his life. R. 1. P.
Source: Obituary Notices, Provincial Archive, St Joseph's Province. Passionist Congregation.