Obituary Notice
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Fr. John McMullan (1856-1934) t (1) ii aA 7 FATHER JOHN OF JESUS CRUCIFIED. On Saturday morning, lst December 1954, the community of St. Paults Retreat Mount Argus, were summoned to the bedside of the doyen of St. Patrick's Province, lather John(McMullan) who after a long but not painful iliness, borne with edifying resignation to Godts Holy Will, was breathing his last. This venerable religious, who had attained the age of 78 years, had already received the Last Sacraments, and while the prayers for bhe dying were recited he went to his reward. The obsequies, at which the Right Rev. Monsignor Cronin,V.G., presided, took place the following Monday, and were attended by the Provincials of St. Patrick's and St. Joseph's Provinces, the Rectors of St. Anne's Retreat, Sutton, and St. Mary's Retreat, Harborne, and all the Superiors of St. Patrick's Provincey as well as by a represen+ tative assembly of both secular and regular clergy. The Solemn Requiem Mass was celebrated by Rev. Fr. Austin,c.P. (nephew of the decensed Passtonist) who afterwards recited the prayers at the graveside. A nstive of Dungannon, Co. Tyrone, where he was born on Ath October 1856, Father John received the name of Francis at Raptism. From the pious associations of a good catholic home he went to the primatial city of Armagh, where, under the tutelage of the Vincentian Fathers, he acquired a knowledge of the classics, and at the same time made steady progress in the spiritual life. Responding to a vocation to the religious state his application for admission to our congregation met with favourable consideration, and he entered our Novitiate at St. Saviour's Retreat, - Broadway, passed through the probation period successfully, and was admitted to profession on 26th April 1876. Privileged in being sent to our Mother House at Rome for his studies for priesthood, his character and ideals were moulded according to the example and teaching of our Holy Founder, Thus, well equipped in theological science, as well as ina knowledge of the customs and traditions of our Congregation, by a happy coincidence he was ordained on the same day (20th December 1879) as Our Holy Father Pope Pius X1, in the Basilica of St. John Lateran, by Cardinal Patrizi, Cardinal Vicar of Rome. For over half a century Father John took an active and prominent part in the history of our Congregation. He possessed that spirit of christian manliness which insptred him to undertake Fa
(2) with courage and confidence any duty, no matter how difficult and perplexing, which holy obedience imposed upon him. Knowing that he was endowed with qualities of prudence, tact and quick perception, bis Superiors often consulted him and sought his aid when confronted with any task which required wisdom and diplomacy to grapple with. The sequel shows that he was never found wanting, and. that the confidence reposed in him was not misplaced. After his ordination, Father John returned to England,and having apent some time as Lector, entered the Missionary field. In this work of the Apostolate, both on the platform and in the confessional, he laboured with untiring zeal and fervour, and during the course of his lone life brought back many sinners to the feet of Our Crucified Masters, In search for the lost sheep he went far afield to the Argentine and Australia. We can easily understand the fatigues mak hardships and physical discomforts which he underwent, and the long and wearisome journeys in the backwoods which fell to his lot, when giving Mission: at the "Bush Stations" The Capitular Fathers on many occasions showed their appreciation of Father John's qualifications for Superiorship. His first appointment was that of Rector of St. Anne's Retreat Sutton, in 1881, and in subsequent years was elected Rector of St. Joseph's Retreat, Highgate, St. Mungo's Retreat Glasgow, Holy Cross Retreat Belfast, and St. Paults Retreat Adelaide. His last office was that of Rector of St. Mary's Carmattthen, from 1926 to 1929. At the Chapter held in 1914, Father John was elected Provincial of St. Joseph's Province, and in the following Chapter the Fathers set the seal of their approbation on his wise and prudent government by re-electing him to this responsible and onerous office. In 1903 the Parts Church and house of the Congregation, in Avenue Hoche, were threatened with confiscation by the French Government, owing to the operations of the law against religious orders. No effort was spared by the Gongregation to keep the Church open and save the prbperty. Our elaim to exemption, although supported by the sympathy and co-operation of the ecclesiastical authorities in Rome, Paris and England, and éspoused by the British and American Enbassies, met with strong opposition, and it was only after a long drawn out and anxious struggle that 4% compromise was arrived at. The result was that the Church was spared from the fate of other religious churches in Paris, and remained with its doors open for public worship. Father John was selected by the Superiors of the Congregation to complete the arrangements with the French Government and in carrying out these sonewhat complicated and delicate negotiations, he displayed a finesse and diplomatic tact which proved that no mistake was made when the interests of the congregation were entruated to his
ro wre. (3) enpable hands. Material proofs of Father John's zeal are to be found in the new edifices which he erected, or in the improvements which he effected in existing Church pudldings. He built the substantial Retreat of St. Mungots in Glasgow, and enlarred the already spacious Ghurch. The splendid sanctuary and High Altar withfm its noble baldachino, at St. Joseph's HWighrate, were also due to his initiative. But his greatest success is undoubtedly Holy Cross Church Ardoyne, Belfast, which, complete in all its details, is an enduring monument to Father John's sound judgement and architectural taste. In 1929 Father John had the happiness of celebrating his Golden Jubilee in the priesthood. The gladness of the occasion was considerable enhanced by the fact that amongst the congratulatory mossages which he received was one from Cardinal Pacelli, conveying xk the blessing of His Holiness the Pope, as well as one from our own Father General. Anone the virtues which beautified Father John's life his charity - and charity includes all the virtues - stood out prominently. St. James eulogises the perfection of the man who does not offend in speech, and Father John was exemplary in this respect. Whilst faithful to consctlence, principle and duty, he was ever ready to cast the mantle of charity on the action of others and to assist the needy and afflicted. Tt is an axiom of Catholic teaching that from the contemplation of the things around us we can come to a knowledge of God. Father John was often seen absorbed in meditating ~ on the beauties of nature - no doubt he used this means as a reminder of God's presence and God's providence. We can well believe that he who during Jife was an apostle of charity, and loved and preached Christ Crucified, Is now enjoying a sight more enduring and enrapburing than tho vistas of this world could give, the Beatific Viston. Requiem acternam dona ei Domine. Et lux perpetua luceat 41.
Source: Obituary Notices, Provincial Archive, St Joseph's Province. Passionist Congregation.