Obituary Notice
This obituary notice has been digitally processed from a scanned archival document. Some words may be imperfectly rendered.
Br. Joseph O'Neill (1872-1942) BROTHER JOSERN OF OUR LADY OF FERPETUAL guccoun. . | 7 | oO, Tn the Provinee of She Patrick, on the 14th Setober 17425 Brother Joseph of ant Lady of Perpetual Suecour pagsed to hie eternal rewards at the are of 70 yours, and the 45th of his religious profession. Fnom in the world: as John O'Neill, he was borm of a good old “Vieklow stock in the twon of Arklow on the 8th of Septembers 1872, Hiv relatives ineluded the late Tether GCornellus MoGrathsGePey the great social reformer of Glasgow; the late Reve Ur, NoGrathy secretary of the Arehbishop of Dubling the late Reve. . Father Galving Pef's of Howthy and the late Father Jones MeGrathy CoCey Vostland Rowe . | Responding to a eall to the religlotis Btate, he entered our Novitiate at St. Saviour's Retrent, Rroadwayy torecatershire, and was admitted to proTession on the 30th july, 1997, turing his religious 1ife he was stationed at our Retreata at Tlasgows, London, and Dublin, Often it was his duty to act ae Porter, and had to deal with all sorts and conditions of pedple. With St, Franoia de Sales he believed it an honour to guard the doors of the monastery, ag there 48 nothing 6mel1 in the ‘sorviee of dod, reereleing great charity towards the poor, he assisted them with whatever elma he gould procure, ond sent them away with words of consolation arid benedietions | a _ Ae Refetorion ot Mount Argue for several years, our good Brother showed that he had & special aptitude for this office, and gave general satisfactions Neat in hie tabites and attentive to the wante of the religious, he made every offort
, . «28 et that due hospitality should be extended to vieitors from other houses, as woll as to seculare who were invited to dine with the eommnitys Poverty, the great etendard of our Congregation, was strietly observed by him, and he had a Leaning for poverty of dress, a feature peculiar to our Holy Father and his first companions. He took great care of everything eommitted to his charge, | | Convinced that religioue perfection sonsists in the renuneiation of our own will, Brother. Joseph gave a ready and theerful response to the call of obedience, and, 4f posaible, would anticipate the wishes of his supertors. He had a great devotion to the Holy Maes, which he wes always ready to serve, to the Balessed Sacrament, and, it ie hardly necessary to say, @ deep and heartfelt devehkan Love of the Sacred Passion and the Doloure of our Lady. Tender and confiding wan his love of the Mother of God. He recited the Little Office and the Rosary every dey in her honours During his long residence at Mount Argus, he was accustomed daily to arrange with deft finger a vase of flowers, which he “placed at the Poot of her statue, Noticing thisy a religious remarked that our Brother was determined to seoure the friendship and protection of our Lady during life, #0 thet she might lead him at Last $0 her Mvine Bone - Cardinal Newnn's definition of a gentleman < one who never inflicts pain « Gould well be applied to Brother Jonophe Gentle and graceful in manner, he was | an agreeable and interesting companions Much of hie time, outeide his ordinary duties, was devoted to reading the Lives of the Saints, as well as asteticol ‘works, and thus he acquired a deep knowledge of the seience of the Saints which anak | enabled him to make his mental prayer with great spiritual Sakk fruit, . The Holy Rules were regularly read by him he had a great reverence for them and put then in practice to the best of his power, He also made himself conversent with our custome and traditions, and was conservative in his views regarding
eet a #3 their observances according to the principles "Nihil innevetur quod non traditurs" Brother Joseph's desire to vielt Rome and obtain our Holy Father, the Pope's | blessing, ae well as vielt the tomb of our Holy Founder and other great senetuaries, wes fuleitied when he joined 8 Plilgrimge to the Eternal Citys When his last illness Came, the dostor ordered hig removal to Jervis Street: Hospital, so: thet he might receive special medion? attention and careful nursing s While this treatment helped to assuage his pains, 4% proved unaveiling to save his lifes After a few weeks, there were signs that the end was approaching and he — received the Last Sacraments with gront fervour, faith end devotion in full ' resignation to God's Holy 111. The Mather who assisted him in hie last hour was the witness of a happy and saintly deaths, | The Obsequies took place at Yount Argua on Fridays 16th October, and the mortal. remains of our beloved brother were Inid to rest, beside the religious who had gone pofores in our little cemetery. | . ternal rest grant unto him, 0 Lordy And may pereptual light shine upon hime"
Source: Obituary Notices, Provincial Archive, St Joseph's Province. Passionist Congregation.