Obituary Notice
This obituary notice has been digitally processed from a scanned archival document. Some words may be imperfectly rendered.
Fr. Chrysostom Rothwell (1854-1922) Father Chrynostom of Saint Joseph The sorrow of death fell upon St, Josephs Retreat, bighgate, ile the aunity were actively preparing to celebrate the joyful Feast of RiNnAG oe uonday Wontnn, Dee. 18. Fr, Chrysostom of St. Joseph, senior pricat of the Province, having paid 2 visit to a doctor, who had been his friend and soe adviner for many yeors,wac hurrying to board a iromcax,in order to return to Highgate, when an omnibus coming from behind struck him down and pan over himesusing injuries so severe that he succumbed to them in the course of the nightsThe passers by were prompt in coming to the aid of the victim of the accident, The nearest ambulance was aummoned and the priest, bleeding, torn and shocked, though not unconscious,was carried to the Royal Northern Hospital where he received immediate care and attene tion, The doctors found his condition. 80 grave that from the first they ave Little or no hope of his revoverytthers were serious injurico in he head and the Left leg was so badly fractured that amputation would heave been necessary if the patient had survived, A messenger came direct from the soene of the accident bringing the news of what had happened, and imnediately the Father Rector accompanied by Father Charles hastened to the bedside of the dying priest. They found him in a gentle slunber from which he awoke in about ten minutes but he felt no pain and could not believe that anything serious had befallen him, When assured,however, that this was the case, he asked to: receive the last SacranentssIn full consciouencas he made his Confession, and then with sentiments of deep faith and picty reccived the Holy Viatioun and Extreme Unction af fer which the bast Blessing and Plenary Indulgence ‘in articulo mortis’ vere imparteds Father Rector discharged these aad offices, the stricken priest j | joining in the responses and when ali was finished he expreased his de atitude, Having completed their ministrations the two Fathers left their eonfrere for the night, but an assurance was given then vefore they left that in cease there should be an operation or any change for the worse a telephone message would be immediately sent to St. Joscphie At 3 in the morning there wae a telephone calletho nurse on duty rang up to say that the Father had passed away in his sleep, The end came about eight hours after the accident on the I9 Deo. 1922, The deceased priest«Knowm in the world as Joseph RothwelleWas born at Manchester on the 23 Feb. 1854, Following {in the footsteps of his elder brother who had taken the habit of the Pasebon,he applied to the Superiors| of our Institute for admission to the Novitiate,and having, been aceeptod ag oO subject and fulfilled the ordinary term of probation a8 Broadway, he yas allowed to make profession of the Holy Vows of Religion on the wxeReex 4 October 1871, Next he was transferred to Mt, Argus, Dublin for the*usual courre of eccleseastical studios and here he gained the affece toin and goodwill of all by his cheerfulness and diligent application i to study ahd attachment to the Religious observances. In due time he received the Minor and Major Orders and the crowning happiness of his life was achieved on the II Nov, 1877, when in the Church of St .Michael, | Kingstown, he received the Order of Priesthood at the hands of the then auxiliary Bishop if Dubline DR, Edward MoGabe,later Cardinal Archbishop of _ that dbocese,f00n after this event, the young priest entered upon mission= ~ ary work with great enthusiaem and zeal and in the course of » Long career acquired considerable distinction as o preacher and controversialist > }
6 rn ae Indowed with a fine presence and a volee ef wonderful resonance which he knew how to employ with telling effect,he was exceedingly careful in the preparation of hia diecourses,The matter of these wan invariably solid and the parte well arranged and reasoned out according to the rules of dialectics,His sermons were never dull or prosaic.As a preacher his appeal was to the hearts no less than to the minds of hio auditors,Ne was much sought after acs a mbesioner and often invited to return to the places where he had sowed the seed of the Divine Word with especially favourable results, Though long years of practice had brought to him considerable facility as 4. Public speaker yet his brethren always observed how revere ently he treated the ministry of Gode Word. Ne might well have attempted to speak extempore he could never bring himself to depend upon the passing inapiration or dabitur vobis as it is called. Careful preparation. preceded his every effort in the pulpit and to the end he adhered to this practice His Missionary labours were interrupted by the cares of Office, die was first called to be REctor of Broadway and his term there being expired he was afterwards appointed to Button, The Religious who were privileged to live under his direction all have testified to his fatherly solicitude for their welfare, spiritual and temporal,But he longed for the time when he could return to the work he Lloved,that of preaching the ignominy and “the glory of the Gross+ the vocation of the Passboniest Missionary. However, the strain of the Apostolate and advancing years sak affected his heart and he was reluctantly compelled to devote the last years of his life to not les@ arduous and not less useful work as a member of the Community of &t,Josephs. Here his untiring Seal found new scope in caring for the infirm in the hospitals, in the parish and especially amongst the poorsA true Alter Ghristus the privations of the latter touched the gocore of his heart and urged him daily to invent new devices to relieve their misery, If is due to his sole effort that a flourishing branch of the Vincent de Pail Soolety now existe in Highgate, In his work he was a living sermon, An aged and infirm priest, trudging through slums,early and late in fair weather and in foul, to minister to the wants of the sick and poor could not but excite attentlonsAnd here it may be noticed that on the morning of the day of the fatal accident he war. seen at an early hour,in one of the poorer atreets off the district bringing Communion to the aged having previously said a Convent Mass at TAsgH#e The result was but natural Converte,attracted by his seal,came to him for instruction. about a religion which begot so much of eaynestnens. Withal he retained hin usual cheere fulnese and whether amongst his religious brethren or the members of his flock the& cheery word was always on his Lips. His genial and kindly disposition endeared him to all and won for him an esteem which was teati« fied by the expressions of deep sorrow that were heard when the news of his death became knovm. Numerous letters of condolence were received , by including one from Cardinal Bourne, The funeral Mase was attended by many priests and the Church was thronged to the doors by sorrowing people, The m gad cirqumstances moved the Father Prov,to depart ,as he deolared,fron our usual custom,and pay tribute to the late Father.As he outlined his life and dwelt upon hia untimely end many « broken sob was heard,many an eye wos. dimned with tearas.Fr.Chrysostom rests in the burial place at 68. Josephs, but his memory hae not died.While all mourn his loss they make intercession by prayer that his sovl may rest in peace that his lifework may be rewarded with a orown of immortal glory. / A ph ,
Source: Obituary Notices, Provincial Archive, St Joseph's Province. Passionist Congregation.