Obituary Notice
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—- hath’ prepared for those who love and serve iim. co . . Fr. Louis Sherwood (1855-1929) ‘Father Louis (Sherwood) of Saint Joseph. “ 2gy On the 8th March, the Province of St. Patrick joined in felicitating Rev. Pr. Louis on that rare occasion, which falls to the lot of so few of our religcious, viz. the celébration of his Golden Sacerdotal. Jubilee. It was indeed a memorable day. In the presence of a crowded congresation, Solemn Tigh Hass was offered, the Jubil- arian beins celebrant. Immediately after the Mass, the blessine of the Noly Father was imparted to all. Soneratulations poures in wishing Tr. louis "ad muitos annos." But alas, God's ways are wonderful. Waving obtained permiesion to tdke a little rest, in our Retreat, Mt. Argus, Dublin, he no sooner avrived there tuan that internal ailment, which he had borne with silent heroic patience, seriously developed Althourh receiving every care and attention from the physician and the comminity of “t. Argus, he manifested a desire to return to Woly Cross, and his wish was complied. with. On the advice of ovr medical attendant, Fr. Louis entered 4 private nursing home. Tipon examination it was found that an operation was necessary, which, however could not be effected for some days. In the meanthme a preliminary one took place which was extremely trainfuls; afterwards the physician asked the patient if be felt much pain, the reply vas, "Yes, hot T thoucht of the Gufferinges of our Blessed Saviour, end T-hore all petiently for his sake". Cn the day apnointed, Tr. Lopis heving received all the rites of Moly Church and with) perfect resionation to God's Moly Will, went throuch thet dread ordeal. The operation wes found to be more serious than wie anticipated ond for threes deye following little hope was entertained for his recevery. Vowever, to tha delicht of all. he rallied and seemed to eain crester strength daily, but en the evenin: of the feast of St. Mark, 25th April 1929, complications set in, and deepite the careful attentions of the physiciengsand nursing staff, be began to sink slowly. The relig- lous watehed hy his bedgide’ until the wormins of the 27th April, the eve of the of our Holy Pounder, when at 6.45a.m. hé passed quietly sway jn the arms. of ¥. Tr. Sehastian, Provincial, conscious te the end. Office and Solemn Requiem Mass took place on Fonday 29th April, the celebrant being Ve. Rev. Fr. Provincial, in the presence of the religious of this and of the other Retreats of the Province, and of over 30 secular priests, with the VY, Rev. Ganon Crolly, Vicar Capitular, presiding. ; fr. Louis of St. Toseph, known in the world as Louis Sherwood, was bor in Rathmines, Dublin, on August 20th 1855. At the ace of I6 years he entered. : the Passionist Novitiate and made his religions profession on Oct. 3%st 1872. Taaring completed his studies he was ordained on March 6th T6879. In the first chapter of our Rules and Constitutions we read, "he religious ought in the first place to provide for their own eternal salvation in the manner preseribed in the Constitutions; then they should devote themselves with diligence to the offices of charity towards their neighbour, which two objects should never he absent from tueir mind and heart", Mus is epitomised the life of the deceased. 7 An exemplary religious, a-man of deep, simple faith, a man of prayer: he laboured not “merely to fulfil. the essentials, but even the smallest pointe of Rule. Tle aimed. at nothing extraordinary, nor were his attempts of a spasmodic nature, rather, following the footsteps of St. Gabriel of the Addolorata, he endeavoured to advance in relig- ious perfection by the exact observance of the smallest points of Rule. It is unnecessary to speak of his intense devotion to the Pleased Sacrament, to Holy Mass, the Sacred Pession and our Blessed Lady. Tis seal for hie own personal 4 sanctification did not in the smallest way diminish his all consuming deshre for tne salvation. of souls; nay rather intensified it. . For gome years after his ordination Fr. Louis was placed on the missionary staff with remarkable recults. © However, not being of a robust constitution, his Superiors appointed him te the various offices of the Sacred Ministry ine-mbent upon the religious of our different Retreats. Whether in Dublin, London, Marborne, Sutton, Glasgow, Nerne Ray or Velfust, his activity knew no bounds. a It was indecd edifying to his b¥ethren with whom he spent the last three years of his veligious life, to find. oné who had already reached the alloted spany so fervent, bo active ard so desirous of. taking part in the work of the confessional, thé pulpit and the Sacred Ceremorties of the Church.» ‘As he lived, so he died. Death had-no terrors for hime Jt was a peaceful traneition from thig vale of tears to the enjoywent of the good things which God - eres 4
Source: Obituary Notices, Provincial Archive, St Joseph's Province. Passionist Congregation.