Obituary Notice
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Fr. Cormac Healy (1899-1950) Father Cormac of the Mother of God. "Tt ds a great privilege to have known such a worthy priest, such a devout child of Mary". Such were the words spoken by one of the Religious who stood by the death bed, when, carly on the morning of St» Anne's Feast, 1950, Father Cormac of the Mother of God returned his pure soul to his Creators For several weeks Fathor Cormac. had suffered recurrent heart attacks and for some time before he died he knew thet his work on earth was drawing towards its closes His calmness and resignation in the face of death were a constant source of edification and consolation to those privileged to be near him. Those appointed to nurse him were kept busier joining with him in Rosary after Rosary than “n administering to his temporal needs. At his Religious Profession in 1918 he had chosen to be known as Cormac of the Mother of God, and as her faithful »riest he departed this life thirty-two years leter. _-Father Cormec was born in Belfast in 1899, the son of John and Mary Healy. At Baptism he received the nanes Patrick Joseph. Educated first by the Irish Christian Brothers, he afterwards went to the Passionist Alumniato at Sandymount « Having completed his studies there he entered the Novitiate at St. Gabriel's Retreat, Enniskillen, where he was professed on the 15th August, 1918. After Profession his student years were spent in Mount Argus where he was ordained on 2drd December, 1925. After a short spell of work in England he returned to Mt. Argus as Assistant Editor of "The Gross", Later he was transferred to Sts Mungo's, Glasgow, where most of his priestly life was spent. In the Parish work allotted to him here Frs Cormac found scope for his zeal. Ceaseless visitation of his district brought many an erring goul back to the feet of Christ. He was ever mindful of the words of the late Cardinal Vaughan "A house-going priest means a church-going people", As chaplain to the Society of the Children of Mary he was constant in his endeavours to promote loving devotion to the Mother of God, and a strong flourishing Society to-day bears witness to the success of his endeavours. In 1941 Fr. Cormac was appointed Vicar of the Retreat of Mary Immaculate, Musselburgh. When the position of Master of Novices became vacant in 1945 his Superiors showed their faith in Fr. Cormacts deep knowledge of the Religious life by promoting him to this high offices Under his paternal guidance the young novices were 1.011 grounded in the religious and missionary spirit of our Holy Foundor.s The Provincial Chapter of 1947 elected Fras Cormac to the onerous position of Rector of ut. Mungots Retreat, Glasgow, and back he went to the scenes of his early labours, much to the joy of the parishioners. Again in the Chapter held this year the Capitular Fathers confirmed their faith in his administrative abilities by re~electing him for another three years, However, unknown to all but himself, Fr. Cormacts health was declining. Early in May he suffered a severe -heart attack. Even then only at the enrnest persuasion of his brethern did he allow a doctor to attend him. The doctor ordered complete and absolute rest, and revealed to the Community that their Rector must have suffered long in silence. It was the veginning of the ond. Gradually bece oming weaker he died early on the 26th July, the Feast of St. Annes Petes
As a Religious, Father Cormac was conspicuous for his deep devotion to the Mother of Gods Despite his busy administrative life, being fully imbued with the true Passionist spirit he was engaged from time to time oh missions. and retreats. Abt this work he ever sought to. épread devotion to thé Passion of Christ and the Sorrows of Marys | He had botindless faith in Maryts loving protection | and guidarices His daily édntenplation of her sorrows was a constant. sources of stréngth to him in the trials of life and especially in his last illness. Her words to the angel "Plat voluntas tual he made his owns They stood him in good stead during life; they stood him in good stead at the. hour of his death. May his good soul rest in peace.
Source: Obituary Notices, Provincial Archive, St Joseph's Province. Passionist Congregation.