Obituary Notice
This obituary notice has been digitally processed from a scanned archival document. Some words may be imperfectly rendered.
Br. LUKE Brannigan (1881-1965) OBITUARY NOTICE of BROTHER LUKE BRANNIGAN, C.P. After a prolongued illness patiently borne, death claimed Brother Luke of Holy Cross at the age of eighty-four years. He had been bedridden for many months and gradually losing strength. He died at St. Paul's Retreat Mount Argus, Dublin, on July 25th, 1965, Patrick Brannigan was born on November 18th, I88I, at Creghan, Co. Armagh and was baptised two days later. Guided in his early years by the example of his staunchly Catholic parents, he grew to manhood with a love of faith and fatherland firmly implanted in his heart. For some years he followed a business career in Belfast, and there he came in contact with the Passionists at Holy Cross Retreat, Ardoyne.e. Encouraged by their counsel and inspired by their example, he made a courageous decision. He made up his mind to abandon the world and all it had to offer himy to embrace the hard-working and humble life of a Passtonist brother. He entered the novitiate of the Anglo- Hibernian Province, then situated in the picturesque old- world village of Broadway, Worcs, There in the little monastery chapel he made his profession on the Feast of the Presentation, November 2Ist., 1904. Thus began for him a life of dedication to God's service, aided by grace and fortified by self-sacrifice and prayer, During the years which followed, he served in many of our retreats, including St. Joseph's Retreat, Highgate, London, where he was well-known as sacris- tan. Because of his versatility and great willingness, his Superiors were never slow to transfer him, even at very short notice, to undertake the work of another who was ill or
wat a incapacitated. Thus he might find himself acting for some months as cook, and a short time later engaged in some entirely different task. Amongst the manifold tasks that fell to his lot, perhaps his preference was that of carpenter and general handyman. He took pride in his well-kept kit of tools which were kept with loving care and meticulously arranged in order. Repairing doors and windows, changing locks, fixing tap-washers, repairing clocks, checking the oil-burners and furnaces - these were some of the many duties that gave him genuine satisfaction, and to each task he brought a true craftsman's pride in a job well done. To his spiritual life he brought the same spirit of thoroughness and fidelity. He was most diligent. in serving the early Masses and his unconscious example was often an inspiration to his younger brethren. On November 2Ist, 1954, Bro. Luke celebrated the Golden Jubilee of his religious profession, and ten years later, in 1964, he had the added happiness of celebrating his Diamond Jubilee. On these occasions he received the cordial congratulations and prayerful good wishes of his brethren, and was also honoured with a special Apostolic Blessing. For more than sixty years he served the Master well and faithfully. May he now enjoy the happy reward of his unselfish life and labours. May he rest in peace. .St. Paul's Retreat, Mount Argus, Dublin. —bb.tans af he RE RECTOR, ry 2a. 4 axe
Source: Obituary Notices, Provincial Archive, St Joseph's Province. Passionist Congregation.