Obituary Notice
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Fr. Colman Fitzgerald (1886-1965) JuXP.o OBITUALY wOTICh. Father Colman of the Seven Dolours,. It is with feelings of deep regret that we chronicle the death of Father Colman of the Seven Dol- ours, one of the most senior members of our Province. The late Fr. Colman, who was seventy~-nine years of age, had been bed-ridden for many years as a result of a par- alytic stroke. His death occurred at Our Lady's Hospice, Harold's Gross on November I6th. 1965. He remained fully conscious almost to the end. He received the last Sac- ranents with edifying fervour, answering the prayers in a firm, strong voice. Born at Ballyclough, hallow, Co. Cork in the Dioc- ese of Cloyne on March I5th I886, Thomas Patrick Fitzgerald was for sone years engage in coiuercial pursuits. at the age of twenty-two, he sough admission to the Passionists and on the completion of his novitiate made his religious profession on February 2Ist I909. He completed his eccles- iastical studies at St. Paults Retreat, mount Argus, and in due course was raised to the Priesthood by Host Rev. Dr. Yalsh, Archbishop of Dublin, Shortly after Ordination he was appointed Vice- taster of Novices, and later Director of Students. From 1929 ~ 1935 he was Rector of ot. Mungo's, Glasgow, where he
-~ 2 = was highly esteemed by the parishioners, in whose spiritual welfare he always took the keenest interest. For a further period of six years, 1935 - I941, he was Provincial Consul- tor, and in this capacity attended the General Chapter held at SS. John and Paul's Retreat, Rome in 1937. In IQ4I he was again elected Rector of St. tungo's for a third term of three years. Throughout most of this period, with the exception of his time at St. mungo'ts, Fr. Colman was constantly engaged in the distinctive Passionist apostolate of missions and ret- reats, being well~read and versatile, he proved a gifted and inspiring preacher whose serions never failed to hold the attention of the congregation. On missions he was a4 genial companion with a talent for conversation; his good humour often lightened the heavy and exhausting work of big paroch- ial missions. By tewperanent active and vigorous, he bore with ex- enplary patience the long years oi enforced inactivity due to his infirmity. He was genuinely anxious to receive visits from his brethren, and it was no unusual experience, on enter- ing nis roo, to be greeted with a query regarding the unduly long interval since the last visit. He was always optimistic about his condition, pathetically anxious to demonstrate his progress (which in actual fact was nil). Always he cherished the hope that some new treatment would be found to restore his
-~ 3 - health. Alas, it was not to be, and so by degrees he resigned to what everyone else knew to be inevitable - the life of an invalid. However, he was not without some measure of consolation during this prolonged period of trial. In 1903 he had the happiness of celebrating the Golden Jubilee of his Ordination. Unavle to celebrate fiass himself, he assisted at the Jubilee Mass in a wheel-chair. His tears of joy were eloquent testimony to his happiness on such a great occasion. afterwards he was individually greeted by each member cf the community, all of whoia had come to assist at the tiass in the chapel of Our Lady's Hos- pice. Before his death he alsu had the privilege of mak- ing a pilgrimage tu Lourdes. This was an event that he had long looked forward tu, and it gave hin great spiritual con- solation. His cundition which had not varied iauch over many years suddenly bexan to detericrate and it was judged prud- ent to adiitinister the Last Sacranents. It is only right to mention too that, over the years, he nad received the unrem- itting attention and skilled nursing care of the Sisters and Staff of Our Lady's Hospice. To them he wished a special word of gratitude should be given after his death. The obsequies tovk place at St. Paults Retreat, Mt. argus on ‘thursday, Noveiber ISth. Sclenn Requiem Mass was
-h- celebrated by Very Rev. wr. aidan, C.P., iicctor. The Deacun was Rev. Fr. Frederick and the Sub-Deacon Kev. Ire Timothy, C.P. «a large and representative number of Pass- ionists attended the funeral and the interment took place in the monastic cemetery adjoining the church. May he rest in peace. 3 ae ae (OCs Olden QD. poof Ke FP ncn thie . ran eo A. fd.f~o afl “4 Od Rector.
Source: Obituary Notices, Provincial Archive, St Joseph's Province. Passionist Congregation.