Obituary Notice
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Fr. William Brennan (1865-1925) THE LAT Fp WILLIAM OF THR SACRED HEARTS OF JESUS AND MARY, The sed tidings of Fr.Williaa's doath came as a shook. not only to his Religious Bretheen of the Provine of St.Joseph, but to his friends amongst Whom he laboured as a priest for the past nineteen yeors. Not for a groat many yoars has there been such sincere rogrot shown as at the lose of this good, genital and kindly son of St.Paul of the Cross - Br.¥iliiam of the Sacred Hoarte of Josue and Mary. The many messages of sympathy from religious and laity When the neWs of his death became known, Were a striking tostimony, if such Were needed, of the exteom and affection With Which he had been held. Born at Monaghatown, Co.Westmeath, on 6th July. 1865, -Pro"411iam Was knoWn in the World as Om Brennan. Aftor completing his elenentary studies at tho National School of hia native place, he Was engaged for some tWenty years in commercial Work. Though the vocation to the religious life 414 not come until he Was Woll advanoed in yoars, those Who Were his companions in business unaninously agrees that Fr oWillian's life in the World Waa o fitting preparation for the higher life Which he embraced later one . Raving ontered the Novitiate at St.Saviour's Retreat, Broadway, early in the year 1900, he made hin Religious Profession on the 23rd of February, 1901. Transferred to Mount Argus, Dublin, Whore a class of etrdonts Was then residing, he continued his course of Foclesias- tical studies for the next six years. During that time he Was regarded by his conpanions 48 © model student. Though unceasing in his efforts to become officiont in the sciences necessary for the pricsthood, he 414 not forget to develop the interior spiritual life. Those of us Who Were intimately/
a Dew intinately/ connected With him could not fail to obscrve his unobtrusive piety; his unfailing charity and kindness: traits in his character Which became more predominant in his later life. On the Feast of the Seven Dolours, September 22nd, 1906, he Was ordained Priest by the fost Rey.Dr.Ponnolly in Clonliffe College, Dublin. His priestly life embraced the rather brief period of nineteen years. From this time until tho day of his death, the words of Holy Writ might Well be applied to him: "Being made perfoot in a short space, ho fulfilled a long time." His years as a priest Were given unselfishly and uneparingly in the interest of the Congregation. While it Was Well knoWn that he suffered for many years from the painful disease Which ultimately proved fatal, Fr.William Was ever ready to take up the duties impésed upon him by the commands of his Superior. As a Missioner ond Rotreatist he Was very successful. His kind, fatherly advico, his prudent judgaont, and unfailing patience as a Confessor, made him much sought after. . In the yoar 1911 he Was made Vioe-Reotor of St.Paul's Rotreat, Mount Argns. At the Provincial Chapter of 1914 he Was elected Rector of the same Retreat. Three yoars later he Was transferred as Reotor to St.Gabriel's Retreat, Enniskillen. When his term of office expired he became Vian-Reotor of our Retreat tn Belfast. Whon he returned to Bnni skillen in 1923, it Wns apparent that his hoalth Was failing; he took up, novertheless, his neW duty as Vice-Reotor with the same unsolfigh spirit Whioh characterised all his undertakings. | Nis last painful illness cane With startling suddenness. fn the third Wook of Advent he gave a short Retreat to the Irish Sisters of Charity at Banada, Co.Siligo. On his return hone he seemed much improved. in health and spirits, He Was busy preparing for another Retreat to be given to the Sisters of St.ouie, Middleton, When he Was suddonly strikken doWn,. ;
On the advice of his medical attendant, Dr.Smyth, he Yas sont to Dublin, and éntered St.Vincont's Private Home for special troatmoent. It Waa evident fron the boginning that hia case Yas serious. All that nodical and surgioal ald could do Was unavailing to stop tho progress of the disease, On Sunday, February, 22nd, he Was told that his recovery Was hopeless. Hea resaived the fatal noWs With that spirit of resignation befitting one Whose life Was a continuous preparation for death. "ith feelings of. deep faith and loving piety, he received tho last Sacramenta, and at three o'olock on the afternoon of the following day, tho tWenty- fourth anniversary of hie Religious Profession, ho peacefully passed away. Surrounded by a large numbor of priesta, both secular and regular, and a host of sympnthisers, the interment took place on Wednosday, Fobruary. 26th, in the Cemetery attached to our Retreat, Mount Argna. It Was fitting that Fr.William's last rosting place, and ihe scene of his future resurrection, should be, the Church and Rotresat he loved so dearly, and Where most of his priestly Work Was accomplished. Ne if gone from amongst us for ever, but his arduous lebours for the Congregation, his unobtrusive piety, his amiable disposition, and his unfailing charity Will long be remonbored by his many friends and admirers. May the truly saintly soul of this humble son of 5t.Paul of the Cross, rest in poade. Gerald of the Seored Heart, , Rector. 8t.Gabriells Retroat, Enniskilion,
Source: Obituary Notices, Provincial Archive, St Joseph's Province. Passionist Congregation.