The Late Father Benedict, O.P.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXXIII, Issue 29, 20 July 1905, Page 6

The Late Father Benedict, O.P.

(From our Auckland correspondent.)

After a long illness Father Benedict, of the Dominican Order, breathed his last on Tuesday, July 11, at Sit, Patrick's presbytery. Throughout the whole diocese his death will be mourned. By his missionary labors he had, during the last four years, endeared himself to all. To have known him either in hfis priestly or private capacity was to lov© him. His knowledge, experience, and travel were wide. To the diocese his demise is a severe loss. From all parts of the Colony the Bisfapp received messages- of condolence. The late Rev. Father Benedict, known in the world as AJfred Benedict Tickell, was born in England on No- \ ember 11, 1844, and was professed at Woodchester in 1865 as a member of the Dominican Order. He was ordained' in October 1871, an,d was Prior of Newcastlie-on-Tyne from 1893 to 1896. He spent some time at the great priory of St. Dominic's, Haverstock Hill, London, was also at Hinckley, Woodchester, and Leicester, and labored on the mission in the East Indies. He arrived in Auckland in February, 1901, and came out to give a series of missions, being allowed by his Superior to serve in the Auckland diocese for a period of five ytiars. He conducted a great number of missions in various parts of the dioces^, and through his ministry, aided by the local clergy, about 2000 candidates were prepared for Confirmation. On Wednesday morning a Solemn Requiem Mass was celebrated at St. Patrick's Cathedral by Father Hoibrook. At this and at the earlier Masses large congregations attended. During the whole day numerous friends and sympathisers from all parts of the district visited the Cathedral, where the body lay in state. In the evening the solemn office for the dead was chanted, Bishop Lefnihan presiding. There were also present in the sanctuary : Right Rev. Mgr. O'Reilly, Very Rev. Dean Hackett, Very Rev. Fathers Brodie, Gillan, Rev. Fathers B. Kehoe, T. Keohoe, Darby Corcoran, Holbrook, McMillan, Meagher, Zanna, Cahill, Dignan, and Euge, and also the Marist Brothers. At the conclusion of the office the Bishop addressed the congregation in most feeling terms. On Thursday at St. Patrick's a Pontifical Requiem Mass was celebrated by the Bishop, Very Rev. Dean Hackett being deacon, Very Rev. Faither Brodie suttdeacon, Right Rev. Mgr. O'Reilly assistant priest, and Very* Rev. Father Gillan master of ceremonies. There were also present in the sanctuary Very Rev. Dr. Egan, 0.5.8., Rev. Fathers Kehoe (2),, Meagher, McMillan (2), Darby, Corcoran, Oahill,, Edge, Mahoney, Zanna, Dign-an, Buckley. Rev. Father Furlong arrived later on from Gisborne. After Mass the ablution was given at the bier by the Bishop. The funeral procession moved out of the Cathedral to the strains of the Dead March from ' Saul,' played by the organist, Mr. H. Hiscocks. "The cortege then moved off to Panmure, where the interment took place beside the remains of the late Very Rev. Mgr, McDonald. His Lordship the Bishop officiated at the graveside, the assembled clergy" assisting. Although the gravd has closed over all that was mortal of the late Father Benedict, his good works, his sterling merit and example, his great charity, his stirring exhortations will remain for a long time in the memory of those who knew him and profitea by his spiritual minis-trations.—-R.I.P.