Obituary Notice
This obituary notice has been digitally processed from a scanned archival document. Some words may be imperfectly rendered.
ong Fr. XAVIER Beale (1881-1958) FR, XAVIER C.P. The sudden death of Fr. Xavier at St. Mary's Retre@t,Carmarthen, on the Wednesday afternoon of August 20th, oame as a great shock, not only to his Brethen there, but to the entire Province of St.Joseph, Although he had been in failing health for some time, no one had the least suspicion that the end was so near, or would come so suddenly. He was, as the saying goes "In harness right to the end! As Vioar of the Retreat, he had made out a11 the notices, both house and Church for the following weekend. On the day of his death, he had just finished reciting vespers in the choir, when he complained that he did not feel very well. Fr. Ganice got him to -his room and made him lie down on the bed. He asked Fr.Canice to bring him a cup of tea, as he thought this might give him some relief. After the tea, he felt a Little better and told Fr.Canice to go and have hig own tea, When the latter returned a little later, he found- Fé, Xavier gasping for breath. He ran for the Holy Olle -and ann.:inted him at once. Then he went to call the Dostor, but when he got back to the room, accompanied by Fr.Flavian, Fr.Xavier had passed away. When the Doctor arrived, his verdict was Coronary thrombosis. Christopher Stephen Beale, as he was known in the world, was born in Cork on Christmas Eve 1881. After leaving School he worked for q time with his Brother in an Office in his native City. The call to the Religpus life, as a Passionist did not come until he was 82 years old. He entered the Noviciate at Broadway in November 1903, and on receiving the Holy habit took the name of Xavier of the Sacred Heart. He was professed the following year on the Feast of Our Lady's Presentation - November @lst,1904, After his profession, he was sent to Mt.Argus,Dublin, to commence his studies for the Priesthood, His Class was transferred to Broadway in 1911, and on the 12th December that year Fr.Xavier was raised to the Priesthood, at the same altar, where seven years before, he had made his religious profession» A few years after his ordination we find him back in Mt. Argus, where for some years he was spiritual Director to the Police Confraternity. He did great work amongst the men, often visiting them in their homes, and was very highly esteemed by 211 the members of the Dublin Force, with whom he came in contact. He was later elected Rector of Broadway and remained there for six years 1932 to 1938. He was also engaged at various times in Parish work at Highgate, Sutton and Garmarthen, as well as giving Missions and Retreats in England,Ireland,Wales and Scotland. Fr.Xavier was not gifted with high intellectual qualities, but one thing is certain; he made the fullest vse of the gifts God had given him. He was popular with many as a preacher, not because of his erudition or oratory, but because ne was always Xavier: He had a style of hie own, very much out of the ordinary, and his “obiter dicta | with their simple witticisms amused his audienccs, we wag Tons of Poetry and Drana - cne would always find on his table Shakeepeare an? The Bible. One of the outetanding features of his life was his childlike simplicity, which was a source of -Ll-
~D~ much amusement to hie brethren at times. Although he would put on a show of external pomposity at times, he was really humble at heart. He was very exact (one might say scrupulous at times), in saying the Divine Office, and it is a remarkable coincidence that one of his last fully conseious acts should be the recitation of Vespers. One more fact must be mentioned - nis great devotion to Our Lady's Sorrows. In additicn to the ordinary Rosary, he never let a day pass, without reciting the Rosary of the Seven Dolours, and he always carried these beads about with him. With the passing of Fr.Xavier, S$t.Joseph's Province has lost one of its "Characters". His witty remarks (some times not intended to be so), were passed around the Province, and he was often amused when they got back to him, with new additions. The obsequiestook place at St.Mary's, Garwarthen.Fr, Germsin (who was professed with Fr. Xavier) seng the Solemn Requiem, in the presence of Dr.Petit,Bishop of Menevia: after which Fr,Xavier was laid to rest in the little Cemetery attached ta the Retreat. Besides Fr.Patrick 6.P. (Provincial) and Fr.Philip 6,P.(First Gons:), many of the brethren from our own Province and 91.Patpick’s were also present. May he reeset in Peace,
Source: Obituary Notices, Provincial Archive, St Joseph's Province. Passionist Congregation.