Obituary Notice
This obituary notice has been digitally processed from a scanned archival document. Some words may be imperfectly rendered.
Fr. Lambert Hayden (1889-1966) OBITUARY NOTICH OF TH LATE FR. LAMBERT C.P. 8T, PATRICK'S PROVINGE On Monday, November 14th, Fr, Lambert passed very peacefully away in St. John's Private Nursing Home, Crumlin Road, Belfast. For months before he had not been feeling well. Yet, few of his Brethren in the Community, on hearing of his entry into hospital, suspected that he was going to St. John's for the last “time, and that the old familiar figure, who, unobtrusively, so often glided along the corridors, would not be joining them again. Some days before the. end, when it had become clear that his condition had definitely deteriorated, he received the last Sacraments. The end came at the time the doctor had predicted two days before, and it was a fitting, quiet and peaceful end to a life that was lived quietly and peace- fully. Fr, Lambert, who was known to the world as Charles Hayden, was born in Dublin. When he completed his secondary education with the Jesuit Fathers at Belvedere he took up the study of Medicine at University College, Dublin. During this period, however, he felt that God was calling him to the priesthood, and, before completing . his medical studies, he had finally decided to become a priest. He was twenty-four when he entered the Passionist Novitiate and, after fourteen months there, he was professed in 1916 and ordained in Dublin in 1922, Shortly after ordination he was sent to work in St. Joseph's Retreat, Highgate, London. After some years working on the parish there he was compelled to enter hospital, suffering from tuberculosis. He recovered and went to Herne Bay, Kent, -to recuperate, He was told by his doctor that from then on he was to take more care of his health by eating good and sufficient quantities of food and by not rushing too much. For the remainder of his life, in the perfect spirit of obedience, he followed, with meticulous care, the doctor's injunctions. In 1930, when he felt that he was much better, his Superior transferred him to Holy Cross Retreat, Ardoyne, Belfast. Here he spent the remainder of his life, for the first yearsy on the parish and later, in less arduous duties. . For: the last few years he felt. the desire to visit Fatima ‘:House, Coodham = the only Retreat House . for Laity in our Province, Perhaps he felt the end was near when, weep nelly made up his mind to go there for a few months from July, 1966, Through all these last years he was a well known and well loved priest in Ardoyne. He must have said many rosaries daily and attended may Masses, and, was always, when not otherwise occupied, kneeling in hfs accustomed place whenever Benediction was held in the Church, +44
One of the familiar sights that greeted visitors to Ardoyne Church was the old, tired, slow-moving Passionist shuffling from station to station on the Way of the Cross, ; Fr. Lambert impressed all who came in contact with him by his genialness and Christ-like gentleness. His prayerful life was a constant inspiration and encouragement to all who lived with him in Ardoyne. He never used harsh or sarcastic language to any of his Brethren and he was among the most charitable of men. Even to the end he was always available for pric¢ests' confeasions and blessings that might be needed in the parlour, especially on Saturdays when the other pricsts were occupied in the confessional. The simply things of life had much appeal for him. A run in a car along the lovely Antrim coast road, on a sunny Summer afternoon, was a most exhilarating experience, The venture might keep his layman driver out of his office for the rest of the day - but such a triviality was merely incidental to the whole exciting drive, We, who have lived with him, now mourn our loss. We miss the familiar shuffle along the corridor, the bright and cheerful morning greeting and the saintly figure wrapped in prayer in a quiet corner of the Church, He was, above all else, a gentleman, and our sorrow is lightened by the realisation that, with God's help, we shall have the joy of his company for all eternity. HOLY CROSS, ARDOYNE, BELFAST. DECEMBER 1966, FAFFHAH4E HE 2 tHtttttet
Source: Obituary Notices, Provincial Archive, St Joseph's Province. Passionist Congregation.