Obituary Notice
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1G 4 Fr. CONLETH Caldwell (1840-1911) BX Pe 7 | Death of the | “Rev. Father Conleth Caldwell. —— Passionist. It is always a sad task to chronicle the death of any friend and companion. If the deceased died early or have met an untimely fate, the task is sadder still; éven if they have lived to.a ripe old age and éndured many infirmities the task is still sad, but yet not without its consolation. “ They have run their course, they have finished with this vale of tears forever and in the recesses of our hearts we say “ well they have gone to rest, their labours are ovér, the longdrawn agonies of pain are thankfully hushed and they are in the peace of God at last. Such are the thoughts that fill us as we chronicle the sad tidings of our dear friend Fr. Conleth, whose death took place at a quarter past nine o'clock on Saturday morn, 23rd September IgIt. | Fr. Conleth, as he was known among our Fathers, had been in declining health for some time, but on the Wednesday preceding his death, although very ill, he celebrated Mass as it was his 71st Birthday and the Anniversary of his mother’s death. Subsequently he became worse and although the Last Sacraments had been some weeks previously administered by the Very Rev. Fr. Kevin (Rector) it was deemed advisable by the Rev. Fr. Francis (Vicar) to again give him all the Consolations of Religion, assisted by the Rev. Fr. Damien, who nursed the deceased during his lingering illness.
Touching was the scene as each evening after night prayers and the solemn Chanting of Matins and Lauds, the Community assémbled in a body in the dying man’s cell, each priest in turn gave the poor patient his blessing and each in return received the old priest's blessing and words of grateful thanks. ©: ; What lessons earnest faith can teach even the most ehlightened amongst us. During his lingering illness, nothing could have béen more instructive or edifying as the sight of Fr. Conleth so patient, so resigned, so full of simple Faith ; cheerful and grateful for the least act of kindness shown him. 7 aq Pgs It was typical of the man that he should express constantly his fears lest he were giving scandal to any of his brethren by his inability to celebrate, as was his unfailing custom, the daily Sacrifice of the Mass. It was indeed a touching lesson in charity and humility—the more touching coming from one, who as a matter of fact was scarcely ever Known to have failed in either. Sometimes he was heard to exclaim; in his dread of causing anyone the least iuconvenience, ‘Oli: I fear | am aburden on the community.” Such he was not, nor was he likely to have ever been made to have such a feeling, for both the Rector himself, and more especially his kind and affectionate brother in Religion—Fr. Damien—were night and day in constant attendance on him, displaying an affection that can only exist between brother and brother in suffering. . . Conscious to the last he endeavoured to lisp the responses of the Litany of the Dying. As his brethren gathered round his bed they continued their supplication till his holy soul had at last ‘‘ passed into the great shadows.” | . ’ The death of Father Conleth removes an interesting link with the days of the Paruell “movement, and to hinv the great Irish leader owed his introduction to public life. The deceased priest was born at Crossdrum, near Oldcastle, Co. Meath, on September 2zoth, 1840. He was ordained at Limouges in 1863, and served as a secular priest in his native diocese of Meath for a period of twenty years. Whilst attached to that diocese Father Conleth erected schools at Turbotstown, Whitehall and Finea. He had charge of Taughmon, ‘ the mountain parish,” from 1867 to 1869, and during his pastorate improved and beautified the little church, among dther things providing it with seats, a convenience which the simple parishioners had not hitherto enjoyed. Father Conleth was of Protestant and English descent. He experienced the singular happiness of seeing his grandfather, a Protestant and an Englishman, received into the Church, of which he proved a worthy member. Father Conleth was a cousin of the-late Most Rev. Dr. Nulty, Bishop of Meath, SaSYP DIENT cercemeiy erent taney
and of the late Rev. Father Richard O'Neill, the well-known ‘ Priest of Tyldesley.” In 1884, succeeding the death of his father, Father Conleth joined the Passionist Order; the canonisation of whose founder—St. Paul of the Cross-—he attended with Bishop Nulty in 1867. Leaving the noviciate at Broadway, Worcestershire, he was sent to Harborne, _ then to the various Irish houses of the Order, and finally to Sutton, Lancashire. _ The funeral oration was delivered by Rev. Father Damien, who speaking with emotion, paid a touching and beautiful tribute to the memory of his old friend. Ina few words he summarised the life of the deceased. ‘Asa priest” he said” he reflected the life of the Great High Priest Christ. As a religious, he reproduced the life of St. Paul of the Cross. Asa patriot and true son of Ireland he copied the life and devotion of St. Patrick praying incessantly for the welfare and freedom of his native land. The obsequies took place on Tuesday morning in the cemetery attached to Sutton Monastery,. and were preceded by soleinn Requiem Mass sung in the presence of a large congregation. The massive casket enclosing the mortal remains of the deceased priest had been conveyed to the church on Monday evening, and was placed upon a catafalque immediately fronting the high altar, and surrounded by candelabra and palms. Surmount: ing the coffin were the emblems of the priestly office, the chalice and paten, biretta and stole. The Rev. Father Francis Kelly, C.P., Vicar of Sutton Monastery, was the Celebrant of the Mass, and was assisted by the Rev Father ‘Fheodore, C.P. (Deacon), and Rev. Father Ambrose, C.P. (Sub-Deacon). Father Damien, C.P.,! officiated as Master of Ceremonies. ‘The Gregorian music of the Mass was impressively rendered by a choir of priests, the Cantors being the Rev. Father Herbert, C.P., of London and formerly attached to Sutton, and the Rev. Father Wm. Daly (Sacred Heart, St. Helens). The Very Rev. Father Kevin and all the Community were assembled in the Sanctuary, and the Rectors of all the adjoining parishes were present and a great number of his friends in the clergy. The last Absolutions were pronounced by Father Francis, and preceded by cross-bearer and acolytes and the officiating clergy, the remains were borne froin the church for inter- ment to the strains of the “In Paradisum.” The congregation followed to the graveside, where affecting scenes were witnessed. The Vicar conducted the burial service, at which assisted members of the community at Sutton, and relatives of the deceased priest. ‘May he rest in peace.
Source: Obituary Notices, Provincial Archive, St Joseph's Province. Passionist Congregation.