Obituary Notice
This obituary notice has been digitally processed from a scanned archival document. Some words may be imperfectly rendered.
Fr. Damian Lavan (1892-1918) >) Ainian Leten FATHER DAMIEN OF THE SORROWFUL VIRGIN. _ oo tn te The long period of delicate health through which Father Damien passed prepared us, in some measure, for his death at such an early age. Symptoms of constitutional weakness set in during his student days, which, on one otcasion at least, assumed such an acute form as to place Kies life in danger. Mowever, he rallied and it was not till 2Ist. October 1918, that the end came. Well prepared by the geception of the das$ Sacraments, full resignation to the Divine Will and with burning words of love for the Sacred Passion on his lips he went to his reward. It may well be said of him that he was an edifying religious, a faithful son of 8%. Paul of the Crossand an ardent imitator of Blessed Gabriel. Yather Damien, whose secular name was Kieran Patrick Lavan, was born at Kilmore, Oo. Roscommon on 3rd May, 1892, and on the completion of his classical and philosophical studies entered the Passionist Novitiate at Blessed Gabriel's Retreat, Enniskillen, where he made his profession on I4th, September, 1915 . Me was ordained at All Mallows College, Dublin, in June, 1917, by Most Rev. Dr. Cohalan Bishop of Cork. Father Damien possessed intellectual gifts of a superior(mumitty)prder, was a brilliant and successful etudent, and gave promise of achiving great work for the salvation of souls, had God willed to spare hime He was a model religious, gentle and retiring in disposition, and beloved by the members of the Communities in which, he lived. The disease from which he sufferedgained a mestery over him day by day, neither medical ekill nor change of climate checked its ravagess. Though his life was a brief one, yet, in that short space Father Damien, by his love of the Sacred Passion, cultivation of religious perfection, inspiring example to those around him and spirit of unswerving piety, grew in holiness and in the love of God and won for himself an exceeding great reward. The obsequies took place at Mount Argus on 23rd, Octobere TV bowed 2 Dn Bohs. ‘i‘
Source: Obituary Notices, Provincial Archive, St Joseph's Province. Passionist Congregation.