Obituary Notice
This obituary notice has been digitally processed from a scanned archival document. Some words may be imperfectly rendered.
Fr. Robert Kelly (1875-1938) father Robert (Kelly), C.P. FHA HE scythe of Death, the reaper, has teen unusually active of late amongst the Passionists of St. Patrick’s Province. Within the space of ohe month, no less than four priesta—whom the Pro- vince could ili afford to lose—have been éalled to their eternal reward. Last month, it was out melancholy duty to chronicle three deaths; now the name of the late Father Robert, C.P. must be. added to the list. The sad event, however, was not unexpected, as for some time prior to his death the medical advisers held out no hope of recovery. He himself fully realised his danger, and cheerfully rosigning himself to God’s Holy Will, he spent his last days on earth in pious ejaculations and fervent prayers. He remained fully conscious to the last; the end came peacefully. on the morning of Thursday, January 26th. “ Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord,’ The late Father Robort—who was known in the world as Edward Kelly—was born at Ballymore, Westmeath, on June 23rd 1875. He was educated at Glastonbury, Sdmerset; and at the conclusion of his studies, in response to a, call to the religious state, he etitered the Pagsionist Novitiate ‘at St. Saviour’s Retreat, Broadway, Worcs. On the completion of his year of probation, he was admitted to profession on July 3lst, 1895, and wis transferred to St. Anne’s etroat, Sutton, Lancs., to commence his ecclesiastical studies. Here he was raised to the priesthood on September 8th, 1901. Nowhere more’than in religion does the Scriptural saying sound so true: “ Wo have not here a lasting city.” Superiors, for various reasons, change their subjects from one Retreat to another, and very rarely does a Passionist religious remait. for & prolonged period in a definite place. In the course of a long and active priestly life, comprising more than thirty years of strenuous labour in the ministry, Father Robert was associated with almost every centre of Passionist activities in these countries. It speaks volumes for his adaptability of temperament and for his gertuine zeal for souls to say that he found congenial fields for labour in Dublin, Lotidon, Belfast, Glasgow, Sutton, Birmingham and Carmarthen. In these widely-separated places, his name is held in affectionate remembrance by those to whom he unselfishly ministered. More especially did his heart beat in sympathy for those in distress and infirmity. In Glasgow, when epidemics were raging, he spent long hours all througli the day; and often far into the night, administering the Sacraments to the sick, bringing solace to those in sorrow, and imparting strength and consolation to the dying. The grandest arid most characteristic trait in the life of this devoted son of St. Paul of the Cross was his ufailing charity towards all. His gentle, unassuming disposition won golden opinions from those who had the privilege of his friendship. He possessed a pleasant sense of innoceht humour, which often olicited genuine amusement without ever causing pain. So to-day all who knew him mourn their loss in his death, because all were his friends-—-he never had ah enerny. Singularly unambitious, he had no desire for the honours of office, yet few ever loved his Order with more absotbing devotion than he did. : Many relatives of Father Robert have entered the service of the Church both as priests and as religious, and several have enrolled themiselves in the ranks of the Passionists. Amongst his kinsfolk was one of the former venerated Provincisls of the Congregation, V. Rev. Fr. Vincent (Grogan), C.P., whose name was a household word to a former genetatioh. The obseqtiies, which were attended by a large and devout congregation, took place at Holy Cross, Ardoyne, Belfast. May his good soul enjoy eternal rest.
Source: Obituary Notices, Provincial Archive, St Joseph's Province. Passionist Congregation.