Obituary Notice
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Fr. Joseph Cassidy (1863-1890) Father Joseph of the Mother of God. _ 29 July.1890. Australian Mission.Prov.of St.Joseph. Father Joseph was born at Ardeath in [reland on the 19th Mareh 18383 and his secular name was Richard Cassidy. In the fifteenth year of his age he felt himself calisd by God to the religious state and entered our Novitiate in Broadway where he gave unequivocal signs of a true vocation. His profession took place on the 1Ilth of July 1883 and he was sent to Sutton to study Philosophy. Afterwards he went to the Retreat of St.Paul Dublin to prosecute the studies of sacred Scripture and Theology and was ottdained priest there, Soon after his ordination the Provincial sent him to our house in Glasgow a large city in Scotland. That mission is one of the most arduous and laborious in the Province and the eli~ mate is very cold. The young priest applied himself with great zeal in fulfilling the duties that fell to his lot, and was al- ways ready to hear confessions and to visit the sick poor in their own homes. His health which appeared to be of the best soon showed signs of deterioration and in the winter which was very cola he fell sick. It was thought at first 40 be a passing illness and in order to effect a speedy cure he Was sont to a town hear the sea, but he returned from there worse in health, The Superiors thought that the mild climate of Australia would prove effectual in restoring him to health and sent him there in company with other missioners.
His illness, it appears, was too far advanced and too deep- ly rooted to be cured and after a few months residence in that country he passed to a better life, cheered by the prayers of his brethren and comforted by the last rites of the Church. .This young priest was naturally very simple and sincere and for this reason was loved by all who knew him and although he was not gifted with those qualities whieh would have made him a great missioner still the charity of Jesus Christ by which he was inspired made him work earnestly for the short time he was in Glasgow in converting sinners, in suppressing drunkenness and in promoting in a singular manner devotion towards the Pagsion of Jesus Christ. He was only twenty-seven yearg qld, eight of which he had spent in the Congregation.
Source: Obituary Notices, Provincial Archive, St Joseph's Province. Passionist Congregation.