The Late Father Bogue

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXXI, Issue 23, 4 June 1903, Page 19

The Late Father Bogue

A Hokitika correspondent furnishes us with the following additional particulars regarding the late Father Bogue, of Ross, the report oi whose death, together with details of his missionary labors, etc., appeared in our last issue :—: —

Father Bogue was a native of Belfast, Ireland, where he received his early education under the Christian Brothers. He was afterwards sent to St. Macartan's College, Moiuiglun, to study classics Jlere he showed great signs of a leligious vocation, and with the intention of studying lor the priesthood he proceeded to St. Fatrick's College, Carlow, where he completed his theological studies. He was ordainod by his Lordship Bishop Grimes in the Church of Our Lady of Refu™ Rathmines, Dublin. After spending some time with his friends he started lor the diocese of Christchurch, which he had chosen as his missionary field.

About twelve months ago, whilst making his usual Easter \isit to his parishioners in South Westland, he underwent most extraordinary hardships. Owing to the inclemency of the weather the rivers were in a state of high flood. Upon reaching one in a singularly lonely place, miles away from any human habitation, he was unable to ford it ; here he had to remain for nearly three days without any food, his only shelter from wind and rain being a miserable shed. As may easily be supposed he caught a severe cold, and on his return home appeared greatly shaken in health. So great was his desire to oiler up the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass daily that he could not be persuaded to remain in bed for a few days. His health continued to fail and more serious symptoms began to appear, and finally they ended in an attack of rheumatic fever. After a week's skilful treatment, however, his physician, Dr. Morkane, was able to declare him out of danger. Soon afterwards Father Bogue proceeded to Rotorua to recruit his health. On his return, after two months' holiday, these hopes were dashed to the ground, for it was then found that he was suffering from that treacherous disease, consumption. A short time afterwards the doctors held a consultation, and thinking the end not far oft", told him his case was hopeless. When speaking of this to a friend he said : 'It is hard for one to hear his death sentence. I have heard mine, but welcome be the holy will of God ' ' The greatest praise is due to the Sisters of Mercy of the local convent, who were unremitting m their attention to the rev. patient during his long illness. Ihey, indeed,, have proved themselves Sisters of Charity as well as Sisters of Meicy, for from December until he breathed his last, their earnest, unwearying care never ceased, day nor night. The parishioneis of the deceased priest owe a debt of .gratitude to those good Sisteis, a debt which can never be repaid, for, besides their services in nursing him, they had often at their own expense, unknown to him and unknown to all others piocured whatever they thought would in any way afford him relief During his last moments they, with Rev. Father O'Connor, weie present at his bedside A few days before his death he became unconscious, but soon after rogainod consciousness and remained so until a few moments bel ore he du-d Having been pieviously fortified by the ntes ol Mother Church, he met his death calmly and bravely, as became a valiant soldier of .Jesus Chnst His unobtrusive piety , sound common-sense, and untiring 7eal endeared him to all, and the praveis and tears of hundreds followed him to the gi.ive immediately alter Chiistmas his Lordship Dr Crimes anxious to know and see for himself the leal state of Father Bogue's health, as well as to afford him all the comfort and consolation in his power, came to Ross to visit him. at great personal inconvenience.

All thiough In-, weary illness \ei y Rev Dean Martin, SM , Pokitikn. was kindness itself to the le\ patient, who legaided him as a \eiitable lather, and Ross people highlx aj)j)ieciate the t.houghtlulness ol the Bishop in appointing the I ic;i 11 to pieside at the obsequies It was Father Bonne's wish that he might lie bin ied in Hokitika, so that his lemams might cue clay be near the Dean's

From Saturday till Monday Ins body lay in state in his own little chinch in Koss 'J he -.anctuary was in deepi-st mourning, and his people, who appieciatod him during hie. showed how they % allied his priest lv \irtues after his death \'i»ht <nni day they watched beside his remains and thought thi'insd\is highly | m l'.eged to be allowed to i\o so On Monday a Missa Cantata was sung by the Very Rev Dean Martin, after which neailv e\ery member of the c ong-icgat ion came to bid a tearful adieu to their helo\ed pastor

At about 12 80 Iho funeral piocessum started from the chui eh It was one of the largest cv er seen in the distiict The coflin was carried by the voting men of the congregation as far as the cemetery hill The pedestrians in the procession proceeded for a considerable distance beyond this, while the whole of the equestrians, as well as those in vehicles, went right on to Hokitika Many mouineis lomod the procession en route, which, by the time Hokitika was ieache>d. was of pie.it length At Rii'iu the (ofTin was removed fi < m the heaise and car1 ied ih'io'.igh the township 1o t'c chuich, wheie a short setvicc vas conducted by Fnt' im O'Connor At its conclusion the remains weie cairn d 'o the summit of Rimu Hill .Hid Ilien unplaced in Die he>ise Opnes'l c t he Bellevue Hotel the coffin was remo\ed from the heavso and carried by (he pa 11-bearers to St Mary's Church where they were met by Rev. Father INlahony and nearly all the eleigv on the Coast

The church had been prepared by the members of the Altar Society. The sanctuary was draped in black,

and the remains were laid in state before the high altar During the evening large numbers visited the church including many from the south, Koss, Rimu, and also a great number of Hokitika residents i v }°^ a A m> c ?, Tuesda y a Solemn Req,uiem Mass was celebrated, Very Rev. Dean Martin being celebrant Rev lathers Leen and O'Connor deacon and sub-deacon respectively, and Rev Father Herbert master of ceremonies, the remainder of the priests joining in the solemn chantin f g + u n ™ "^u 1 im P r essive manner. At the conclusion of the Mass the Dead March in • Saul ' was placed by Mr. Clarke At 12 o'clock the fune.ral left for the cemeteiy, and, despite the extremely inclement weather there was a large attendance, including many persons of all denominations thus showing the great respect in which the Rev Father Bogue was held throughout the district The burial service at the grave was conducted by the Very Rev. Dean Martin. The priests present at the obsequies were : Very Rev. Dean Carew (Greymouth) Very Rev Dean Lightheart (Maori mission, N.I ), Rev Fathers O Hallohan (Kumara), Leen and McDonnell (Ahaura), O Connor (Ross), and Mahony (Hokitika).