Obituary Notice
This obituary notice has been digitally processed from a scanned archival document. Some words may be imperfectly rendered.
Fr. GERARD O'Neill (1891-1955) a _ FATHER GERARD OF THE MOTHER OF SORROWS The announcement on 20th August of the death of Father Gerard of the Mother of Sorrows caused great sorrow among his brethren of the Congregation. Although he had been feeling unwell for some time, no one realized, until a few weeks before his death, that there was anything very seriously wrong. Even then, the trouble was not thought to be as serious as it eventually proved to be. He took part in the different duties and observances of the Retreat and gave Missions and Retreats almost up to the end. His last Mission, given in Ballinasloe, ,Ca. Galway, finished on 12th June, and he was listed for a Brothers' Retreat which was to finish on Auth August. This Retreat: was ultimately given by another of our Fathers. He spent a short time in St. John's Nursing Home, Belfast, where the trouble suspected by the Retreat Goctor was confirmed, and an operation was considered to be the only hope, if his lifé were to be saved, Out of consideration for his family, he obtained permission to go to Dublin-for his operation, which was performed on the Feast of Our Lady's Assumption. The malignant trouble was found to be much more serious than had been anticipated, and although his heart - not thought to be too robust - stood up well to the trying ordeal, he never seemed to make any definite progress. On 19th August he received the last Sacraments, and quite conscious and resigned to the end, gave his soul to God early on the morning of 20th August, 1955. He was buried in the cometry attached to St. Paul's Retreat, Mount Argus on 23rd August after the Solemn Requiem Mass which was sung by Very Reverend Father Fergus, Provincial.
Qe Known in the world as Henry O'Neill, Father Gerard was born in Dublin on 7th May, 1891. After studying, under the Holy Ghost Fathers, at St. Mary's College, Rathmines, he spent some years in business in Dublin, with a well-known Grafton Street firm. Even here, it seems, he was praying for a Religious vocation. When our Alumniate was opened at Claremont Park, Sandymount, Dublin, in 1914, Henry O'Neill was one of the first Alumni and, he was then twenty-three years of age, he was made dean of the students. Proceeding to the Noviciate in July, 1916, he was professed in St. Gabriel's Retreat, Enniskillen on 29th July, 1917. Shortly after- wards he arrived with his class in St. Paul's Retreat, Mount Argus, to pursue his Ecclesiastical Studies, and was ordained at Clonliffe on 23rd December, 1922. In May, 1924, when his class was dispersed, he was appointed 'de familia' to St. Saviour's Retreat, Broadway, Worcestershire, but shortly afterwards was appointed to St. Mungo's Retreat, Glasgow, where he spent about seven years of his priestly life. After his stay in Glasgow he was recalled to St. Paul's Retreat, Mount Argus, where he was destined to spend the greater part of his life as a Passionate Priest. In 4953 he was sent to Holy Cross Retreat, Belfast, to which he was attached at the time of his death. It is hardly likely that anyone will challenge the statement that Father Gerard was one of the most lovable and beloved members of the Province of St. Patrick - both outside end inside our Retreats. Although, naturally, of a shy and retiring disposition, he was always a welcome member of any company, and was ever ready to join in any
Be innocent fun in the recreation. His outstanding virtues were his kindness and his charity. With Father Gerard, these were not newly acquired virtues. Those of us who knew him as a student will recall his "habe caritatem" when anyone was’ inclined to be the least uncharitable, and no uncharitable word was allowed to pass his om Lipse | We would be surprised if these traits did not show themselves in a special manner in the confessional, but we do know that in the tribunal of penance they were outstanding. Whether in St. Mungo's, Glasgow, in St. Paul's, Dublin or in Holy Cross, Belfast, he was found by penitents to be exceptionally kind snd sympathetic. Although his stay in Holy Cross was short, Letters were sent here after his death, from regular penitents, who lived many miles from Belfast, bemoaning the fact of his death and their own great loss of a confessor so full of kindness and sympathy. During his thirty-three years as a Passionist Priest, Father Gerard conducted very many Missions to the faithful and Retreats to Religious Communities mostly in Ireland, and his kindness and sympathy were manifest to all to whom he ministered, After other misecioners, perhaps more learned or more eloquent than he, had been forgotten, the memory of Father Gerard seemed to remain. May the kind and c ompassionate Lord whom he served and whose virtues he always tried to imitate, have mercy on his good soul, and grant him Eternal Rest. 1 Holy Cross Retreat, ucla. J he Leste be loers, Ardoyne, BELFAST, Rector
Source: Obituary Notices, Provincial Archive, St Joseph's Province. Passionist Congregation.