Obituary Notice
This obituary notice has been digitally processed from a scanned archival document. Some words may be imperfectly rendered.
PASSIONISTEN Mechelsesteenweg 82 1970 WEZEMBEEK-OPPEM { 8 et pny { / Wezembeek-Oppem, 11/08/03 Rev. Fr. Aidan CP St Joseph’s Retreat Highgate Hill LONDON N19 5NE Dear Father Aidan, I arrived very well at Brussels, but with a retard of three quarters of an hour. Jt was around half past seven (local time) when IJ was at home. I promised You an answer about that rail-accident at St. Hellen’s. The man in question was Fr. Sebastiano della Purificazione (Enrico).. He was an Italian born at Tovofaraldi (diocese of Alberga) on 29th June 1827. He entered the Passionist Congregation and was professed in 1846. On the 26th of June 1854 he came to the French-Belgian Province of St Michael’s at Bordeaux. From 1866 until 1872 he was the superior of the monastery at Hardinghen. In 1871-72 he founded the house at Boulogne-sur-mer and was there also the first superior. Fr. Sebastiano is know as one of the most succesful preachers of that time, and was named the Apostle of the Pas-de-Calais. Because of the anti-clerical laws in France in 1880 he was expelled from France, came to England on the Sth of November. Through an intervention of the Italian Consul in Boulogne Fr. Sebastiano returned in France in January 1881, but after a sermon to the dockworkers at Calais, he was again expelled and returned to England. On the 16th of November 1881 he intended to take the train to Liverpool at St HellewrS Junction; he crossed the rails in a hurry not to miss his train. Going over the first rails he didn’t see on the second rails the Manchester Express passing from the other side in great speed. His body was totally mutilated. This is the story of Fr. Sebastiano. I hope You will be satsfied with that rather pedant historical exposé of mine.. All the best, Fr. Aidan, and my best regards to the Brethren in Highgate. In union of prayers... Yours in Christ crucified, _ 7: en que 4A Fr. Paulinus Vanden Bussche CP.. Hien _ Datriay Col boms poe Doe fe
Source: Obituary Notices, Provincial Archive, St Joseph's Province. Passionist Congregation.