Obituary Notice
This obituary notice has been digitally processed from a scanned archival document. Some words may be imperfectly rendered.
Fr. PHILIP Hayes (1905-1977) Father Philip Hayes, C.P., R.I.f., 6th January, 1977 (Text of Sermon in Church, Herne Bay, 12th January, 1977, and . now offered as an obituary notice) I wonder if I am alone in thinking that the empty chair in the Sacred Heart altar is in our thoughts tonight. JI don't think I am. It is the place where for so long we have expected to see Father Philip, for whom we are now offering the Sacrifice of the Mass, and who will never occupy it again. He was born in St Helens, Lancashire in 1905, and was professed a Passionist in 1922. Ordained priest in 1929, he went to Rome for further studies until 1931: and on his return to England began teaching theology to our students in various houses. During the war of 1939-45 he was Rector at the Retreats in Ilkley and London. a From 1931 he was in great demand for Missions and Retreats for priests, religious, parishioners, and lay-organizations. In 1956 he became Provincial Consultor; and from 1959-1965 he was Provincial. Growing.ill-health compelled him to retire to Herne Bay, where he remained for the last twelve years of his life. But these, I am sure you will agree, are merely cold-blooded facts: how much they conceal of real warmth and life. This evening I just want to share with you all that happened in his last few days. Christmas live was a busy time for all the community. As usual we took it in turns to hear confessions in the church; I myself was in the confessional from 3.30 - 53 but unknown to-me, Fr Philip looked round from his corner in the Sacred Heart chapel, and went down to the other confessional at 4.15. There he stayed until 5, when he came up to take over from me and went on hearing penitents until 6 o'clock. Over Christmas, he was far from well, but there was never any complaint. He said Mass fox the last time on the Sunday, and after- wards received Holy Communion in his room. The doctor was called early in the week and prescribed anti-biotics; but there was little improve- ment and we again sent for the doctor on New Year's Day. Fr Philip was ordered to hospital where he was given oxygen treatment. Still, there was no cause for alarm; and he continued to receive Holy Communion each morning. On Wednesday, January 5th, we were called to the hospital about 2.50 a.m., and on arrival found him very weak. He received the Sacrament of the Sick and the usual prayers were said. He tried to make us understand something but his voice could not be heard. Eventually he wrote shakily; “Credis hoc": "Do you believe this?". I asked him whether he wanted read to him the story of our Lord, Martha, and Lazarus, and he nodded. So I read the passage from the Gospel where our Lord says to Martha: “Your brother will rise again"; and she replies "I know that he will rise again, in the resurrection at the last day." Then our Lord says "I am the resurrection and the life: he that believes in me, although he be dead, shall live: and everyone that lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?" And she says, “Yes, Lord, I have believed that you are the Christ the Son of God ..." This is the Gospel Fr Oliver has just read to you in this Mass. After that, we understood he wanted the passage in which the "many mansions" in the Father's house were mentioned by our Lord in His last discourse to His disciples ... "Let not your hearts be troubled; believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions ..." Appropriately enough, a few verses later on, mention is made of Philip the Apostle, who asks "Lozd, show us the Father, and we shall be satisfied ..."
In the afternoon Fr Philip seemed to rally considerably; he spoke more strongly, but I had the impression that this was just the last flickering of life at the very end. His brother and sisters and other relatives had arrived, and each time they left him fox short periods to give him a rest, he carefully blessed each. Once he told. them "I won't die today, I'll die tomorrow". When priests were there, he always asked for their blessing and always gave it when asked. After giving him Holy Communion, Fr Oliver sat by his bedside to say some of the Divine Office. When he closed the breviary, Fr Philip opened his eyes, and made signs to him to give him the book. He wanted the prayers at the end of the breviary: the thanksgiving after Holy Commmion; and had read to him the Universal Prayer of Clement XI, and the Prayer to our Lady. Thursday was the l'east of the Epiphany. Fr Philip received Holy Communion in the morning, but grew weaker soon afterwards. About 1 o'clock he drifted into unconsciousness, and died very peacefully at 3.30 p.m., just as one of the community at home was finishing the Rosary for him. There are three things that stay in my mind and that I should like . you to know. First, was the way he humbly begged forgiveness, not once only, of all his brethren for "all my faults". Again, when I was reading. out to him the renewal of Baptismal promises: "Do you believe in God, the Father almighty, Creator of heaven and earth .....do you believe in Jesus Christ His Son our Lord, who was born of the Virgin Mary, was crucified, died and was buried veeeedoO you believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Catholic Church, the communion of saints.....?" and each time he replied in a firm and heartfelt voice "Yes, I do". Finally, towards the end, I said to him "Don't forget to pray for us all when you get up there" ~ and with his eyes still closed he nodded his promise. , So it was on the Epiphany he died. The day when we celebrate the manifestation of God to all nations was the day on which He manifested Himself in full vision to Fr Philip ... ‘Lord, show me the Father, and I shall be satisfied". After his death, we found written on a piece of paper in one of his prayer-books, written in his own handwriting, some verses from Psalm 55: “I have bound myself with vows to thee, 0 God, and will redeem them with due thank-offerings; for Thou has rescued me from death to walk in Thy presence, in the light of life". Finally, the words in which the Church prays on the Feast of the Epiphany are the most fitting conclusion, "... Lead us from the faith by which we know you now to the vision of your glory, face to face". MAY HIS SOUL, AND Ti; SOULS Ol ALL TH FATTuFUL DEPARTED, THROUGH THE M@RCY OF GOD REST Til PEACE. AMEN. Aidan, C.P.
Source: Obituary Notices, Provincial Archive, St Joseph's Province. Passionist Congregation.