REQUIEM MASS

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2779, 25 May 1916, Page 6

REQUIEM MASS

LATE REV. DR. WATTERS.

The crowded congregation that assembled at: St. Joseph's Church, Buckie Street, yesterday morning was an eloquent tribute to tho memory of the lato Dr. F. JV.Watters, the first Rector of St. Patrick's College, killed at Dublin during tho revolution, for the. repose of whose soul Solemn Requiem Mass was celebrated. Tho celebrant was the Rev. Father O'Connell, the Rev. Father Kimbell being deacon, and the Rev. Father Fay (Blenheim) sub-deacon. His Grace Archbishop Redwood, Monsignor M'Kenna, the Ven. Archdeacon Devoy, and' Dean Power (Patea) were among tho clergy present. The solemn music of the Mass was sung by the choir of St. Patrick's College. Master O'Meegan presiding at the organ.

. The . Rov. Father S. Mahoney, of Wanganui, one of tho oldest and among the first students under the control of the late Dr. Watters, preached an eloquent and touching tribute to his old -rector. They were,' he said, gathered together to tnouin the loss, and to pray for the repose of the soul of one who wcrald bo long remembered by those who were associated with the earlier history of St. Patrick's College. His name would be for all time connected with the foundation of tho Catholic secondary education in this Dominion. It was possible, he said,: that Dr. Waiters was shot outside the scholastic institution over which he presided, "and knowing him for a true patriot, I can well believe that as lie stood there he was indignant, and his heart bled at the sight of the destruction and .murder that were being purpetrated in the city he loved so well by some of his misguided countrymen,, who had been duped by' crafty and unficrupulous enemies of Ireland." . Sketching the late rector'p career, he said that as rector his whole heart and soul were in ilie welfare of his pupils, and how well he did his work wns well known to all who had followed the progress of the college. He was a. polished gentleman, a cultured English and Catholic scholar, a trno and faithful religious of, the Marist order, and an earnest and exemplary priest. His pupils had held, and are holding, responsible positions in every walk of life Twenty-five of the students of his day entered the ranks of the priesthood, and ono of theni, who was one of the first to enter the portals of the college, was His Grace Coadjutor Archbishop O'Shea. ' .. At the conclusion of tho Mass. the organist played the "Dead March" in "Saul," the congregation standing.