Obituary Notice
This obituary notice has been digitally processed from a scanned archival document. Some words may be imperfectly rendered.
Fr. Raphael Gorga (1826-1881 ) RATHER RAPHARL GOUGA Father Raphael of the Sacred Heart of Jesus (Gorga) was born in Bareci in the Diocese of Sora, Italy, on 14th. June, 1825. He entered the Novitiste at Paliano in 1842 and was professed on llth. June, 1843. He was ae student st SS.John & Paul's under Father Bugene (Martorelli) and was ordained in St.John Lateran by dispensation early in 1349. With Fathers Salvian, Hvarist and Bernardine of his class he volunteered for Englend. The party left tiome on 24th. August, 1849, end arrived at Tournai on 7th. September, there to learn of the recent death of Ven. Father Dominic. On his arrival in England Father Hephael was appointed Lector of Theology at Woodchester. In August 1850 the Benedictines, Fathers Kendal and Glazebrook , came to Wood- chester to offer us the foundation at Broadway. In a letter written in 1857 Father aphael describes the occasion: "This took place about the 20th. August, 1850. Father Hugene, Visitor delegated by the General, end Father Vincent, Super- ior of the Retreat, as also lather Honorbus, Viwe-superior, had gone to Aston, Staffordshire; the offer was therefore made to Father hapheel, Lector of Theology, who was at home with six students, five of whomé were priests. Father itaphsel communicated this offer to Father Hugene without delay and he was afterwards eppointed to go and see the place to know wh whether it would be suitable for our Congregation." soon fater this, in the Fall of 1850, he was appointed Superior of St.Wilfrids, Cotton “ell, and atvthe Chapter of 1851 became Rector of St.Wilfric's and continuea in that office until 1857. He was the first Superior of Arcoyne and afterwards hed charge of St.Mungo's. In 1808 he was appointed Vicar in Highgate and from there trnasferred as Vicar in Sutton in which office he remained until his caeath. As a Missioner he was distinguised as a Catechist end con- fessor. His obituary notice records this eulogy: "Father naphael was remarkable for a generality (sig) of humour and a coolness of disposition which nothing seesed capable of disturbing. As 4 Religious he was very fond of his habit, ofthe rules under which he lived, ané for exactitude in their observance as far as his strength and duties pernitted." In the last yeras of his life he suffered from rheumatic gout and an internal abscess, but was noted for his patience and good hunour in his pain. He died on the 13th. January, 1881 at Sutton where he is buried.
Source: Obituary Notices, Provincial Archive, St Joseph's Province. Passionist Congregation.