ST. PATRICK’S COLLEGE AND THE WAR

New Zealand Tablet, 16 August 1917, Page 28

ST. PATRICK’S COLLEGE AND THE WAR

THIRTY STUDENTS MAKE THE SUPREME SACRIFICE. There was a crowded congregation at the Solemn Requiem High Mass celebrated at St. Joseph's Church, Ruckle street, on last Wednesday morning for the repose of the souls of those old boys of St. Patrick's College who have fallen in battle. The Veu. Archdeacon Devoy, S.M., first Vice-Rector of the College, was celebrant, Rev. Fathers O'Connor, S.M., and Dignan, S.M., deacon and subdeacon respectively, and Rev. Father Hurley, S.M., master of ceremonies (all exstudents of the college). His Grace Archbishop O'Shea. also an ex-student of the college, was present in the sanctuary, and among those in the body of the church were the Mayor (Mr. J. P. Luke), Major-General Sir Alfred Robin, Surgeon-General Henderson, Colonel R. J. Collins. C.M.G., 1.5.0., Major Sleeman, Captain Bryan, Lieutenant-Colonel Hughes, Mr. W. T. Jennings, M.P., Dr. Cahill, Dr. Mackin, Mr. Maurice O'Connor, Mrs. Martin Kennedy. Mr. O. P. Lynch (father of two of the boys killed), Mr. J. W. Bridges, Mr. M. Crombie, Mr. J. J. L. Burke, and many of the old boys. The religious Orders were represented by the Sisters of Mercy and the Sisters of Compassion. The students of the college and the College Cadets in full military uniform were present. In front of the altar was a catafalque draped with the college flag (blue and white), for which the fallen heroes had fought on the football fields of New Zealand, and the Union Jack, under whose folds they fought their greater fight in Gallipoli. on the Somme, and at Messines. The Very Rev. Dr. Kennedy, S.M., Rector of the College, taking for his text, "Greater love than this no man hath shown, that he lay down his life for his friend," gave an eloquent and impressive discourse. No words were quoted (he said) so frequently' during this war than those of our Divine Saviour. None were so consoling, none so inspiring, none so encouraging. The words of his text should therefore be our consolation for the thirty gallant boys who a few years ago were students at the college. Young men who bravely and cheerfully laid down their lives that we may live in peace and security. Nine were having the long sleep on the now hallowed shores of Gallipoli—Philip Blake, Henry Lynch, William Lynch, Robert Daniel. Horace Philp, Archibald Simpson, Frederick Moore, Oscar Lynch, and Albert Beswick. In 1916, nine were killed almost at the same time, on September 15, at the Somme —Edward Garth, Charles Browne, Matthew Wall, Onslow Cullen, Harold Jennings, Francis Condon, William Dath, Andrew Currie, James McGarrigle. In 1917 eleven were killed at Messines—Melville Johnstone, William Redmond, Francis Cranston, Thos. Hodgins, Maurice Dignan, Frederick Crombie, Daniel Scanlon, Patrick Morland, Ivan Bridge John Brophy, and James McGinley. These were the brave young heroes whose memory they were honoring that day ; young men whose courage, brave deeds, and generous and heroic selfsacrifice, had emulated the example given by their Divine Saviour in sacrificing their lives for all they held dear. Our Divine Lord's command was: "Love one another as I have loved you." St. Paul says: "Love is fulfilling the law." Again our Lord, in speakin" of Mary Magdalen: "Many sins are forgiven her

because she has loved much.” Had they not reason to be comforted and consoled by these words from Sacred Scripture ? These young heroes would receive their reward in dying for their friends and their country and our Lord, Who said that a cup of cold water given in His name would not go unrewarded, would, when He came to separate the good from the bad, address to them these consoling words: “Come ye blessed of My Father and possess the kingdom prepared for you. When I was hungry you gave Me to eat, when I was thirsty you gave Me to drink, when I was naked you clothed Me, when I was in prison you visited Me.’’ “Lord, Lord, when did we give You food to eat and drink? When did we see thee?” “Amen; since you have done it to the least of My brethren you have done it to Me.” Surely, then, our young heroes would be among those to hear these consoling words. These words should serve as a trumpet call to us, awakening us from a life of ease and selfishness to fight beneath the standard of the Cross. “Let him take up his cross and follow Me,” says our Divine Lord. Three dreadful years of war have passed, three years of bright, heroic deeds and sacrifice. There was now no need for us to search for brave and heroic deeds and for heroes in the histories of other countries. We had now no need to go beyond our own land nor our own flesh and blood for heroes and valient deeds. This heritage should bo treasured in the casket of loving and generous hearts. All should pray for the repose of the souls of the heroes whose memory was being perpetuated. It was a great consolation to know that we can assist them by our prayers, by offering up our Holy Communions, and good works for their benefit. We should strive to emulate their spirit of self-denial, and make our lives acceptable to God so that when the end came we could say with St. Paul: “I have fought the good fight, I have kept the faith.” At the conclusion of the Mass, the “Dead March” from “Saul” was played by Mr. G. O’Meeghan, the whole congregation standing. The college choir rendered the music throughout the Mass. Sir James Allen (Minister of Defence), in expressing regret at not being able to attend, wired as follows: “I desire to express to you my appreciation of the splendid services rendered to the Empire by the old boys of St. Patrick’s, and I wish to extend my sincere sympathy to the parents of the boys who have fallen.”