Obituary Notice
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Fr. MARTIN Dougherty (1901-1966) OSITUARY NOTICE OF FATHER MARTIN C.F. Fr.,Martin of Our Lady of Sorrows passed peacefully to God in the early hours of January Iith.,1966. Mercifully he was spared what would normally have been a long,wentally deranging and excruciatingly painful illness.After a severe attack of influenza in -November he did not recover as éxpected,and suspicians arose that he was seriously ill.The local doctor diagnosed tumour of the brain and exploratory exavinations in thexham hospital confirmed the diagnosis.An operation in Newcastle Infirmary proved that Fr.Martin's case was desperate and that he only had a short time to live.He lingered for about three weeks,- peaceful,tiis cheerful self to the end,and perfectly resigned.When the brethren called to see him,his face lit up and usually; though his reflexes were very slow,he managed to concentrate for a few minutes and answer questions.When he Last Sacraments were administered,he did his best to reply to the prayers and kissed the crucifix with great devotion. Fr.Martin (Joseph Dougherty) was born in Belfast on May 27th. I90L.tie was professed on Sept.2Ist,1919 at the Graan,Enniskillen, and completed his studies at Mount Argus and Sutton,where he was ordained on Sept.18th.1926. After his ordination he pursued a post- graduate course at the Angelicus University, kome,where he ontained his Doctorate in #nilosoghy with disticction.After his return to Provincee,he taught philosophy to several classes of students. He was superior at Avénne Hoche,earis froyw 1956 - 1962,and rector at Sutton from 1962 ~ 1955. The Province owes him a great debt of gratit ise for iunny reasons.4lthough he was a physically strong,athletic,adventurous and virile man,Fr.Martin rewained at heart a child.terhaps that is the truest short summary of his personality.He retained the child's zest for life and: the child's curiosity about every form of life. Though he was not denoustratively affectionate,the cnildrer at Sutton loved him.They understood nin;he understood them.He was a mate, a. kindred spirit.Similarly the voluntary workers on the retreat house > at Minsteracres loved him.In fact,after his death,we were surprised
fo find how completely he had won their esteem and affection in such a comparatively short time.They vied with one another for the privilege of carrying nis reviains to his grave.Probably none of them haa ever suspected that Fr.Martin was an intellectual,such was iis siuplicity and complete unself-consciausness. During the exploratory exavination ii Hexham hospital,tiie doctors were intrigued and,despite its tragic implications,amused by one of his replies. "Of course,Father' one of them asked,"you know why you are in here?", "QO yes,there are three reasons,- social,political and econo-sic.Tfhe econovic reason is subdivid into.....'" That was the first clue they had got that they were dealing witii an intetlectual. And so it always was.He was never pretentious,and it was only wren a serious discussion started that the ac:1teness of his well-stored sind vecanie evident. Fr,Martin was a man of many interests,ana his versatility was perhags,his weakness.iie had always many irons in the fire.He was the stuff that explorers are made of.Although he had consideravle ability for awstract thought and retained his interest in Philosophy to the end,he was,by nature, a man of action,an instinctive mechanic and handy-wan.iis cell was invariably well-stocked with gadgets and tools,as well as with simple books of devotion such as the ordinary pious faitnful use. His versatility and varied interests,- C.Y.M.S., study-circles,concerts etc.- prevented hin from bringing any of his talents to full fruition. As a lector of philososhy,he was successful,though not, per-aps,to tne ervtent that one had hopec. sis exnrthousiasws and sucden insights soneti-res ranged too far afield for any but nis brigintest students.fiowever,he taught them to think and they loved ‘im for his centle ‘charity,as did everyvody else.He was never known to speax an unkind word.He frowned on any attempt to introduce uncharitable criticism into a convarsation.He was charity itself to the sick and tine downhearted,and always without fuss or effusiveness. In 1935 he translated and puvtished "Tine Passion for the People",an excellent little book of short,devotional sieditations.
His wissionary activity was sovewiat curtailed oy his commitments at home,but wherever he weut,whether for missions or retreats he did honour to the Congregation and wade a host of friends and adwirers. As superior at Paris he made wany improve:rents to the property and re-anivated the social and relisious life of tne Anglo-~ Irish-American community. . At Sutton he was responsible for many imporovements and extensions to the school buildings,and for the striking,long- desired new approach to the Church and Honastery. It was providential that he should have neen superior at Sutton at the tive of the deatification of Blessed VJominic.c:ie supervised the exhusation of xlessed Gominic's renains,tne Gesigning and construction of the artistic side-chapel and altar of the seato,tiie satisfying celebrat- ions of toe great event,the organization of the Roman pilgsrimage,and last put not vy any tweans Least,he scraned together the woney to pay for it all. Fie drove nizvself mercilessly to the point of exnaustion and it was largely dus to his self-sacrifice,adzsinistrative ability and untiring energy that everything went off so successfsily.tiis drive and efficiency took a load of resvonsabpility off the shoulders of the Provincial Curia. At Neart a coild,Fr. Martin aever showed is years and retrained vigorous and youthfully agile ali:ost to the end. As charity covers a cnuititude of sins,and as Fr.Martin had little to cover,vwe vay feel sure that ne received a bis welcome from his Divine Waster,Whor he had served with such sirplicity and devotion. May he rest in peace. Bernard C.P, Rector. — -_ —_ —_ —— —- —_ —- -_ —_ —_ —- —- —_ -_ —- -_ - o—
Source: Obituary Notices, Provincial Archive, St Joseph's Province. Passionist Congregation.