Obituary Notice
This obituary notice has been digitally processed from a scanned archival document. Some words may be imperfectly rendered.
Fr. Vincent Gaffey (1907-1978) a a FR. VINCENT, C.P. Forty-three years ago an ordination took place at St. Joseph's, Highgate. Four deacons were raised to the priesthood: Frs.« Flavian, Conisius, Augustin and Vincent. I was there - in the congregation. I little thought then, at the beginning of Fr, Vincent's priesthood, that I should today witness the end of that priesthood he practised so long and so devotedly. Three years after his ordination, Fras Vincent was appointed assistant to the Master of Novices in Broadway. I know this because I was there too, a novice (like Frs Michael) = a learner. And it was Fr. Vincent who helped us to learn. I should sayssss made sure we did learns You wouldn't call him an easy man to persuade, or easy to cons Even then, we knew and did not forget that he was a priest, that he was a Passionist, as we were hoping to be. He was proud to bear the name of a great Passionist, Sts Vincent Strambis I can remember in the novitiate, on the feast day of St. Vincent, he told us novices "There's not much known about St. Vincent Strambi, but ohe thing we do know and that is his devotion to the Sacred Passion'', ; And of Fr. Vincent I think we can say the same. He was not an effusive person. We did not know much about him. But one thing we did know! his devotion to the Sacred Passions Not merely in word and sermon - but in life and action. He never forgot he was a priests He never forgot he was a Passionist. And no-one else who met him forgot it either. If anyone did, he took care they didn't. He held many positions of responsibility in the CaPs Province - he was Rector and Vice Rector in several different houses, including this one where he ended his days, and for which he had a warm affection. But he was quite happy just to be one of the family, doing what he could to help in the work of the comminity, inside ahd outside the retreat, joining wholeheartedly in recreations. Some dozen or so years ago, as you know, he sufferéd a severe stroke which seriously incapacitated him. But with the dogged refusal to give in that characterised him, he battled on. You soon learnt never to offer to relieve him of some job that could have taxed his strengths "I can do itt! He would says And do it he would. And do it well. If being a priest means - as it does - being one who is, in St. Pius X's words "solicitous for the salvation of souls"! then Father Vincent was truly a priests. I don't need to remind you in this parish of thats. ‘Alter Christus! another Christ - is what every priest is called to be. And this not only when fulfilling sacred ceremoniess He has to be at all times a witness to Christ, a spokesman of God's word, a faithful maker of the Sacrament of Jesus Christ's Body and Bloods And - he has to remember the words of Jeremiah the prophet “Cursed is he who does the work of the Lord with slackness". I don't think Fr. Vincent had reason to fear that curses. Even in his last years, when his physical disabilities made discharge of his duties onerous and difficult, he . still struggled as always to carry out faithfully what he was ordained to do and appointed to fulfil. No one who saw him could forget that he was a priest and a Passionist.
An occupational hazard of the priesthood is that one's approach to its duties may tend to become professional rather than apostolic. The duty to be done may loom larger than the person who is served, or the Person, Jesus Christ, for Whom it is dones Fr. Vincent was indeed no respecter of persons. He spoke of his convictions as he saw thems But I don't think he forgot for Whom he was workings With every inducement in later years to take things easy, to withdraw from active apostolate, he continued to give of himself to the full measure of his now sadly restricted powerss It was a cross to him. TI know that. But he never forgot he was a Passionist - and he recognised the cross for what it was - a mark of God's especial love - and carried it without complaint. I don't remember ever hearing one word of complaint about what he had to suffer - the limitation, the frustration, Besides his devotion to the Sacred Passion we have to mention his devotion to Our Blessed lady. Nothing of the sentimental or emotional here, but solid practical pietys Proof of that is the work he did here so faithfully for the Legion of Marys Regularly every Tuesday evening he would make himself available, and under his guidance and leadership the Legion here has grown into the most numerous and flourishing in the whole of Thanet. And as I am sure every Legionary would agree, this is due largely to Fr. Vincent's unfailing interest, © practical advice and constant encouragements Now he is at rests It seems strange that we shall never again hear that familiar gravelly voice. ‘And we are glad that he has at last laid down the cross he bore so long. ; This is Easter season, when we know that Christ crucified has risen in glory and triumph. Frs Vincent's last illness spanned the days from Wednesday in Holy Week to Easter Monday .ssss the last Supper - Gethsemane - betrayal and denial and desertion ~ condemnation and crucifixion ~- the final effect of the Crossassess and its harvest, the glorious triumph of rising after pain and frustration to the victory of peace and a new life. Need we say more? The combat is over and the victory achieved. May he who carried the cross now reap in heaven the everlasting fruits of its victory. Eternal rest give unto him O Lord And let perpetual light shine upon him May he rest in peace, (By Fr. Aidan Baker, CP. )
Source: Obituary Notices, Provincial Archive, St Joseph's Province. Passionist Congregation.