Obituary Notice
This obituary notice has been digitally processed from a scanned archival document. Some words may be imperfectly rendered.
Declan O'Sullivan 1903 - 1981 Declan O'Sullivan, C.P. Shortly before Christmas 1981, the Community of St. Paul's Retreat, Mount Argus, Dublin, was saddened by the news of the death of Father Declan O'Sullivan. He had been in failing health for the past year or more, and was in St. Vincent's Hospital undergoing treatment for a variety of disorders. He was expected to return to the Monastery in a few days, but on the morning of 16th December, he fell into a coma and died shortly afterwards. Fr. Aidan Troy, C.P. Provincial, and Fr. Ralph Egan, Provincial Consultor, were with him at the end. Before entering the Congregation, he was known as Seamus O'Sullivan, whose family lived on Lr. Kimmage Road, close to Mount Argus where he was born on 30th December 1903. His early education was with the Christian Brothers, Synge Street, and he was a Mass server at Mount Argus. In tune with the political climate of the times, he was enrolled as a"Fianna Scout". In his late teens, he sought admission and was accepted into the Congregation. With the reception of the Habit on 28th January 1921 the novice, which was the custom then, received a new name, and he was known from thence as Declan of the Blessed Sacrament. His choice of devotion was very deliberate and indicative of his personal love for his Crucified Master, present in the Blessed Sacrament, and particularly in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. On completion of his novitiate, he was professed on 29th January 1922 at St. Gabriel's, Enniskillen. During the years of preparation for the Priesthood, he was a keen student and a great lover of the Sacred Liturgy. He was a regular subscriber to a French clerical magazine, "L'Ami du Clerge”, the chief purpose of which was to spread a better knowledge of things liturgical among the clergy. It kept him in touch with the Liturgical movement which was then gaining momentum throughout Europe. Long years before Vatican II he was keen on celebrating the Sacred Liturgy in the vernacular and the dialogue Mass. After his ordination to the Priesthood on 13th January 1929 at St. Paul's Retreat, Myddleton Lodge, Ilkley, Yorkshire, gifted as he was with a clear and penetrating mind, Declan was selected with others of his class to pursue a course of higher studies at University level in Rome. He specialised in Canon Law and won his doctorate with the highest distinction, "summa cum laude". On his return to Ireland, he was assigned to teaching. All his students who were privileged to benefit from his outstanding talent as a leader speak very highly and very gratefully of his devotion to duty, the assiduous care with which he prepared his work, the lucidity with which he explained the day's lesson, and made difficult subjects easy for even the less talented of his pupils. After several years of teaching, he was assigned the Pastoral ministry at Holy Cross Retreat, Belfast. Declan took up these new duties with characteristic zeal, and the youth of the Parish became his special apostolate. Always a man of principle, he was tireless in his efforts to instill into the youth an awareness of the sacredness of principle, the dignity of work and loyalty to the Church. To counter-act the ignorance of basic Christianity he found among the youth of the Parish, Declan introduced the "Y.C.W.", Young Christian Workers’ Movernent. It took firm root in the Parish and in a short while, spread to other parishes in the city. It brought about a remarkable change for the good of religion, indifference giving way to enthusiasm. While engaged in establishing this organisation in Holy Cross, he was also setting it up in England. He carried on a weekly correspondence, a course of instruction on the organisation and running of the Y.C.W. group witha teenager by the name of Keegan. This lad, afterwards as a young man, was invited to address the Fathers at Vatican II. World War II, 1939-45, between England and Germany had broken out and Belfast, with its shipyards and factories wasn't a pleasant place to live. A natural target for an air attack it became, and infallibly the enemy attack came. From 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. wave after wave of German planes flew over the defenceless city, raining down fire bombs, explosives, land mines. A night of terror and destruction which was contracted with courage amounting to heroism, among the rescuers, among whom Declan and Raymond moved with words of comfort and help. The last decade of Declan's life was spent as Archivist in Mount Argus. To this work he was truly devoted and brought all the skill of his penetrating and methodical mind to it. He researched with great patience and read any book or document that was of interest to the Congregation and St. Patrick's Province. Every item of information collected was card indexed with meticulous care. He brought order out of chaos and has built up a treasure of reliable information. This was his last service to the Congregation he loved. As Archivist, he gave invaluable help to the Vice- Postulator of the Cause of Ven. Fr. Charles of Mount Argus. His help was especially noteworthy in preparing photographs of people and places associated with the Servant of God. Another feature of his life was his love of evangelical poverty. His religious habit, his secular clothing, his shoes were always worn and threadbare, as was noticed by his brethren. Personal friends who remonstrated with him about this condition, always got the same reply: "they will do for another while". Although it was only in the last year or so that he was confined to bed for short spells, he had a life-long struggle with poor health. As a result of rheumatic fever in early life, his heart was seriously impaired. However, to Declan, delicate health was a Cross to be borne in union with his Crucified Master. Bravely he carried his cross and never made his infirmities an excuse for doing nothing or taking things easy. His constancy revealed a dogged determination to keep going and an admirable unwillingness to be a burden to any of his brethren. Indeed, he resented the proferred help. To all offers he would politely reply: "Thanks, but as long as I'm able, I will look after myself". He was an extraordinary man indeed. He was really very happy when in the early 70s he found himself a member of the community of Mount Argus. He did little social visiting. He loved his family and faithfully, every Sunday, as long as he was able, he went to see his one and only surviving sister, Maureen, who herself was in failing health for many years. When ill-health prevented his visits, he
would drag himself along to the nearest phone each Sunday, to speak to his sister and assure her he was fairly well. The last few weeks of his life were spent in Hospital.. He hoped and expected to be home for Christmas. However, the doctors held out little hope. It was an uphill battle. On the morning of the 16th December 1981, he fell into a coma and died shortly afterwards. So ended nearly sixty years of a life dedicated to the service of the Congregation. May he rest in peace
Source: Obituary Notices, Provincial Archive, St Joseph's Province. Passionist Congregation.