THE LATE VERY REV. FATHER MARNANE

New Zealand Tablet, 16 July 1908, Page 14

THE LATE VERY REV. FATHER MARNANE

On Wednesday morning a Solemn Requiem Mass was celebrated in St. Mary's .Church, Manchester street, for the repose of the soul of the late pastor of the parish, Very Rev. Father Marnane, S.M. His Lordship the Bishop pontificated, the Very Rev. Dean Ginaty, s.M., V.G., being assistant priest, the Very Rev. Father Regnault, S.M. (Provincial) and Rev Father Coffey (Adm. St. Joseph's Cathedral, Dunedin) deacons of honor at the throne, Yen. Archpriest Le x Menant des Chesnais, S.M. (Temuka), and Rev. Father Hyland (Rangiora) deacon and subdeacon respectively of the Mass, and the Very Rev. Father Price (Adm. Christchurch Cathedral) master of ceremonies. The other clergy .present were the Yen. Archdeacon Devoy, S.M., Very Rev. Father O'Shea, S.M., V.G., and Rev. Fathers Hickson and Bartley, S.M. (Wellington), Very Rev. Dean Smyth, "S.M. (Hastings), Rev. Father Goggan, S.M. (Napier), Very Rev. Father Clune, C.SS.R., Very Rev. Dean Bowers (Geraldine), Very Rev. Dean -O'Donnell (Ashburton), Rev. Father Tubman, S.M. (Timaru), Rev. Father Hills, S.M. (Leeston), Rev. Father Richards (Hawarden), Rev. Father Cooney (Lyttelton), Rev. Dr. Kennedy, Rev. Father O'Hare, S.M., and Rev. Father Peoples, S.M. (Cathedral), Rev. Fathers Bell, S.M., Kerley, S.M., and Hoare, S.M. (St. Mary's), Rev. Fathers Ahem and McManus. A choir of the • clergy intoned most impressively the music incidental to the solemn occasion. Before giving the absolution at the coffin his Lordship the Bishop, in very touching terms, spoke of the sad occasion which had drawn them together in such great

numbers, and of the sacred rites performed over the venerated remains of one whose loss they all so much deplored. With deep feeling he referred to the life struggles in the face of illhealth, and subsequent edifying death, of their dear fellow-laborer in the work of Almighty God. - The splendid results of his zeal, self-sacrificing efforts, careful administration, and sure but steady progress were plainly evident throughout the expansive and widely scattered parish. Under his skilful guidance, mainly, St. Mary's had arisen within comparatively few years from very small beginnings indeed to one of the most important parishes in the diocese. His Lordship also alluded to the religious life of the lamented departed, his great devotion to our Blessed Lady, strict observance to the duties and ceremonies of the Church. He had thoroughly at heart the spiritual welfare of the flock entrusted to his care. At the termination of Mass the funeral cortege left the church, which was crowded to the doors, wending its way to the Linwood cemetery, amid atmospheric conditions winterly in the extreme. The pallbearers were Rev. Father Kerley, S.M. (nephew of deceased), and Rev. Father Hoare (assistant priest at St. Mary's), as chief mourners, Rev. Father Tubman, S.M., and Rev. Father Hyland, Rev. Dr. Kennedy, and Very Rev. Father Chine, C.SS.R. This was the first instance in the history of the city that a priest has been buried here. The church was draped in mourning, due to the ladies of the Altar Society, and as the body was .borne from it the organist (Mrs. W. Cronin) played the Dead March from 'Saul.' The funeral cortege was of enormous size, and said to be easily one of the largest ever seen here. Plis Lordship the Bishop officiated at the graveside, and, although the rain fell in torrents during the impressive ritual of the interment, the immense concourse remained unmoved by the uncomfortable conditions prevailing, few, if any, leaving the spot until the termination of "the sad ceremony.

There was a very largo congregation at St. Mary's Church, Manchester street, on Sunday evening. At the conclusion of Vespers the Very Rev. Father Regnault, S.M. (Provincial), delivered an eloquent and touching tribute to the memory of the late pastor, Father Marnane. From the text embodied in St. Paul's Epistle to the Hebrews, xiii., 7, ' Remember your prelates who have spoken the Word of God,' he referred to the solemn and impressive, and at the same time sad, ceremony preformed within the walls of that sacred edifice on last Wednesday morning. There in the nave was the coffin containing the mortal remains of their dear departed pastor, upon whose well-known form their eyes should never again rest in (his world ; there were the mournful drapings of the walls and sanctuary — a fitting accompaniment to the solemnity of the Mass of Requiem, and the plaintive dirges of the assembled clergy ; and, finally, th-i procession to the cemetery, all of which formed a scene never before witnessed in this city of Christchurch. Tears were brought to the eyos of many in that large congregation, even strong men were overcome by their feelings. This manifestation of sorrow was a great consolation, and inspired a hopefulness, it being an excellent proof of the faith and piety of a Christian people. It showed devotion to their pastor, "and an undying love and attachment to him who was to them not only a true priest, but also a father and a friend. Discoursing at considerable length on the privileges and powers of the priesthood, the very rev. preacher went on to say that the words quoted seemed applicable to their late pastor, who, having been given by a saintly mother from among an ideal Irish family to the Church, he never rested until his day of ordination came. With the desire of greater perfection, he entered as a religious of the Society of Mary, to work for the greater 'glory of God under the patronage of the Blessed Virgin. How he fulfilled the three vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience was well known to his superiors, as it was to those of his flock. Father Regnault spoke of the great devotion of the deceased to the Blessed Eucharist; how he loved to offer the Holy Sacrifice as long as he could ascend the altar steps. One of his last visits to the Blessed Sacrament was on the festival of Corpus Christi, when, dragging himself along with faltering steps, helping hands had to be held out to assist him. ; Almost his last action * was the reception of the Holy Communion, whilst his last words in fervent thanksgiving was the desire to see his God. Surely something good marked his particular manner at that moment. What passed will only be revealed hereafter, but there seemed little doubt he received- a glimpse of the New Jerusalem. His words were like, those of the Blessed Chanel— ' This day is good, for me, for it. is good to die.' On the .last day of life he gave another proof of his love for his people, for he asked to be propped up to watch them coming to church at 11 o'clock. Half

an hour later he was struck with paralysis, and at 5.30 in the evening, surrounded by those he loved besc, the Sisters of Mercy, and his devoted medical attendant, he departed with a prayer on his lips. Solicitating their prayers and good works on behalf of the deceased, the Ver}' Rev. Provincial said he had remained with them until that day to mingle his sympathies and mourn with them on the death of their pastor, who was to him personally more than a friend. In the name of the Society of Mary, he wished to convey an expression of deepest gratitude to all who had assisted their late confrere and had watched over him with such love and devotion ; to Father Kcrley, who had come from South Canterbury for the sole purpose of being at his side to make him as happy and comfortable as possible ; to Father Hoare, who was both a friend and a son to him and a source of edification and admiration to all ; to the Sisters of Mere}' not alone for their noble work in the parish, but for their constant care of him and upon whom lie bestowed his last blessing on earth; the servants and nurses, and Dr. O'Brien, whose medical skill prolonged his life, but could not save it. against the designs of Providence, nevertheless enabled his lasL illness to be both painless and happ\ .