THE LATE SISTER MARY JULIANA RYAN.

Kumara Times, Issue 1671, 6 February 1882, Page 2

THE LATE SISTER MARY JULIANA RYAN.

[communicated.] A day or two since there was buried in the Hokitika cemetery, one of the Sisters of Mercy, belonging to the Convent of Saint Columbkille. The announcement of the death, of the good lady was heard of with feelings of deep regret, and this feeling of sympathy was truly shown at the funeral by the numbers of people present, it being one of the largest seen in Hokitika for some years. Her death was not unexpected by the community in which she lived, the gentle sister meeting with calm and pious resignation that inevitable end that assuredly .will come to all that is moital in this world. The notice of interment was given fur ten o’clock on Thursday morning, accordingly the coffin containing the remains of the gentle and holy nun was removed from the Convent chapel to St. Mary’s Church, where it was temporarily laid to west in the body of the church. The coffin and its surroundings were plain and simple in every way, and on the lid lay a wreath of white flowers, emblematic of the life of the departed, both pure and beautiful. At nine o’clock the solemn Mass for the dead was celebrated by the Rev. Father Devoy, assisted by the Rev. Father Martin. , During Mass time the choir sang the “ Gregorian chant,” filling the church with its sad and pensive tones of lament—meet invocation, as it weie, for that sweet hope of mercy from on high on the soul of the departed one. After Mass the Rev. Father M'Guinness ascended the altar steps and delivered a touching and eloquent sermon. In tremulous accents the reverend gentleman drew a vivid picture of the life of the Sisters of Mercy, of the sacrifice made of all that life holds dear, in order that by the religious life an absorbing devotion can be given to visit the sick, help the poor, educate the young, instructing them in -the commandments of God, and thus in the fulfilment of a useful and pious life earn salvation as a reward for doing the good work of their holy Master. Immediately after the sermon, and at the foot of the coffin the last solemn prayers for the dead were intoned by the priests, the Bisters of Mercy standing in a circle lound the bier, where rested the body ot their late companion in religious life; their downcast eyes, clasped hands, and mournful-looking faces only too plainly indicating the feeling of deep sorrow they felt at the time. The church was crowded with people, many, of those present being of different denominations. The scene was a sad and impressive one, and many a tearful eye was to be observed among those standing around. The coffin was taken from the church to the Convent, Father Devoy intimating at the same time that as the morning was so wet the funeral would not take place until four o’clock in the afternoon. Close on the hour named it moved from the Convent, the people formed into procession and followed to the cemetery. The clergyman present took up ther position abreast of the hear.-e, th.* ladies of the Convent, two and two, walking after it. Many persona came in from the country parts to show their respect by attending. The deceased lady was one of those Sisters of Mercy, nine in mim>-er, that landed in Hokitika from Ireland, in October, 1878, to establish a branch of their order in this part of New Zealand. It may he seen from the homely beauty ot their establishment, of the good work daily done, and of the golden Oj.in ions won on every side, how well they have succeeded in the good cause they have so much at heart. , The late Sister Mary Juliana Ryan

was highly accomplished, well educated, and an excellent musician ; of amiable and winning manners, of the most gentle disposition ; and it was no wonder that she was beloved by the children attending the Convent school, The deceased lady was a native of Ireland, born and reared in the town of Killaloe, county Clare ; and, though deep and undivided was the love she gave to her ho'y mission, yet equally true was the feeling of affection for the “ Green Isle of the West,” the home of her early and happy childhood.