Obituary Notice
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Fr. Damian Green (1901-1977) if OBITUARY NOTICE : FATHER DAMIAN GREEN, C.P. Father Damian Green, who died on 5th July 1977, could be said to be a Passionist "from his earliest years''. Born in 1901 only a few miles from St. Joseph's Retreat, London, he was educated as a boy in our parish school. When later on he decided to become a Passionist, he went to our Juniorate at Wheatfield; and after his novitiate at The Graan, Inniskillen, he was professed in 1923. Seven years later, he was one of 14 to be ordained in Dublin. 47 years of priestly life and work were to follow. It is not realised, perhaps, how much those years were dogged by constant ill-health. After a medical inspection before ordination, the doctor told the Superiors that Fr. Damian might as well receive Orders so that he could enjoy three or four years in the priesthood. Father Damian in later years would tell this story with evident appreciation of the way he had proved them all wrong for nearly half ’a century. In his early priestly life, he gave parish missions and retreats in various places, but his health was not strong enough for such demands. Accordingly, for more than 40 years, he devoted himself to pastoral work for souls in our various parishes in London, Sts Helens, Birmingham, Carmarthen and Paris. In several Retreats he was appointed Vice Rector. From Paris, he eventually came to Herne Bay, where he spent the last 14 or 15 years of his life. He would readily agree that there was nothing spectacular in his life. He was one of the most unassuming of men, and entirely lacking in conceit. The unassuming are so often taken for granted: "Things in motion sooner catch the eye Than what not stirs''. But work for souls is no less thorough and effective for being humdrum and hidden. His activities in schools, on parishes, in ~ ‘ hospitals, among sodalities as chaplain, and at home in administration - all were characterised by thoroughness and efficiency. His manner of leaving life was as uncomplicated as was his living its On Tuesday 5th July, the Rector visited him in his room at 8.15 asms and found him breathing with difficulty and barely consciouss The doctor was called, diagnosed a severe stroke, and arranged for him to be moved to the local hospital at once. Here he was anointed, and lapsed into unconsciousness. When visited at 3.00 p.m. his condition was unchanged, and we gave him our blessing. At 9.00 p.m. that night, news. came from the hospital that he had died peacefully without regaining consciousness We have to recognise God's goodness in the very swiftness of his last hours. The stroke he had suffered was a severe one, and would have rendered him ineffective, a situation anathema to one who at 75 was still, within his physical limitations, active and willing. He would have been barred from the music he loved, from the pastoral duties he was so diligent in, and from the many administrative tasks in fulfilling which he was so exact and painstaking. Though so unassuming, he was blessed with many gifts. He was a good community man; hard-working despite his ill-health, and always cheerful, a welcome companion at all times. He would never ask off any task, and was appreciative of and grateful for any small sign of care and attention by others. He was always ready to play his part - literally so very often, since he had considerable musical gifts. ‘The parishes where he worked are indebted to him for his regularity at various services, for his devotion, and painstaking attendance. Nevertheless, his feet were firmly on the ground. One effusive parishioner told him that she would like to come to the church one afternoon, and he could play her Gounod's "Missa Solennelle'ts The reply must have disconcerted her: The Creed alone takes 20 minutes!"
This humour of his was another characteristic: always keen, often tart, never malicious: As he had written in some sermon notes "It is pessimism that paralyses''s Once he was appointed to say an early morning Sunday Mass, and though unwell, was prepared to do so when the Rector saw him and thought it better to relieve him of public duties for that occasion. He was told to say his Mass quietly in the choir; and afterwards confided to another of the community: "T feel like George Best - sent off!" Another time, just before a Budget, he entered a shop, dumped his bag on the counter, and announced to a startled shop- assistant: "I've come to beat Mr. Healey!'' He watched on TV with close attention the solemn enthronement of Cardinal Hume as Archbishop in Westminster Cathedral, and after 24 hours of solemn pageantry and dignified ritual, he turned round with the customary twinkle in his eye and said in mock sorrow: "And they never took up a collection!", One well-meaning Provincial consulted him about what he would like to do when he retired (retirement was a word he never took kindly to). He considered for a moment, then said: "Well, I suppose I can always put a tin round my neck and sing ‘Danny Boy! in Oxford Street!', As an administrator, he was always competent and shrewd. Nothing delighted him more than to catch out unwary computers that presented inaccurate bills. One Government Department was incautious enough to send in a demand for income tax. With relish he wrote back his broadside to bureaucracy: "I have never paid income tax in my life, and at my age I'm not going to start now!". The words on his memorial card, those of St. Thomas More, fittingly describe his attitude to life: "Pray for me, as I will for thee, that we may merrily meet in Heaven", But his loyalty was even more heartwarming than his humour. He was loyal to the people whom he served with such fidelity and devotion, unfailing in his attention despite his failing health; loyal to his fellow Passionists in the Province, for whose wellbeing and growth he was so concerned, and much grieved at the fewness of vocations. He was Loyal to the Uhurch and the Holy Father, indignant at so much current disobedience, and careful to carry out what was prescribed, even at times at the sacrifice of personal inclination. He was above all loyal to God, in his attention to Mass and the Divine Office, and in his own simple but fervent private devotions, For his spiritual life was like himself - simple and unaffected. Those who heard his sermons would know this. Perhaps they would not know the careful preparation they entailed: After his death many tattered and well-thumbed books of prayers and devotions were found which gave witness to his simple faith and love of Godse _ Yet he would be the first to admit that after his death he needed prayers. His piety was always down-to-earth. A note found after his death perhaps epitomises this realistic approach: "God created me to love Him. To God I go. Each day brings me one step nearer to Eternity; whether I sleep or wake, work ‘or rest, the course of my life runs 4..5" Tuesday 5th July brought him that one step nearer that we all have to take. He would not have wished to be the burden that the stroke he suffered would have made hims As the Rector bent over him before the doctor arrived, and asked "How do you feel?" he just caught his last words: "All right". Let us pray for him that indeed all may be "all right". MayHe Rest in Peace. Aidan of Our Lady of Sorrows, C.P. alt” Segh. 1997
Source: Obituary Notices, Provincial Archive, St Joseph's Province. Passionist Congregation.