Death visited our Province for the fourth time within as many months when Brother Edward (Carolan) passed away on Palm Sunday, 28th March, at Mount Argus, Dublin, in his 77th year. Although his health had been failing for some time, his demise was somewhat sudden, for even on that Palm Sunday there seemed no evident symptoms of imminent. death until he became unconscious quite unexpectedly, from which state he never recovered.
Born at Killinrere, Co. Cavan, on 26th December, 1849, Brother Edward was known in the world as Michael Carolan. He entered the Passionist Novitiate at Broadway, Worcs., in 1867, and was professed on 5th February of the following year.
Shortly after his profession he was appointed to Mount Argus, Dublin, for which house he was questor for a time. His next move was to London, thence to Sutton (Lancs.), and later to Paris. For many years afterwards he was stationed in Belfast, where he resumed the role of questor which he had formerly taken in Dublin. Next we find him at Broadway, whence he came back to Dublin for a short period; back to Belfast, and then to Highgate Hill, London, where he remained until last Autumn. Some months ago, the doctor recommended him a change from London, as the well-known fogs there were injurious to his bronchial affection. Thus did he come to Dublin to end his days at Mount Argus.
Brother Edward’s capabilities may at once be described as very versatile. By his qualities of mind and character, and by his attractive disposition, he was found competent and successful in the many diverse phases of activity to which he devoted himself wholeheartedly during his long life in the service of Our Divine Master.
In 1920, in spite of his infirmities, he made the journey to Rome to be present at the canonisation of St. Gabriel of Our Lady of Sorrows. Pie Jesu Domine, dona ei requiem!
(The Cross, Vol. XVII, 1926-27; p.25)
Brother Edward of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
For the fourth time in as many months death visited our province when Brother Edward of the Sacred Heart passed peacefully away on Palm Sunday evening (28th March) at Mount Argus. Although it was well known that he had been in poor health for some time past, his death was completely sudden. He had been confined to bed for almost a month previously, yet the usual symptoms of the approaching end were not evident. On that Sunday afternoon he was speaking to his fellow religious in his usual clear and bright manner, when he suddenly became unconscious, and in less than half an hour later he slept in the peace of death.
He was born in Killenure, Co. Cavan, on 26th October, 1849, and was known in the world as Michael Carolan. At the age of seventeen he entered our congregation and was professed at St. Saviour’s Retreat, Broadway, Worcestershire, on 5th February, 1868. Shortly after his profession he was transferred to Mount Argus where he acted as quaestor for some years. From Dublin he went to Highgate, London and thence to Ardoyne, Belfast, where he once more assumed the duties of quaestor, which he faithfully carried out for almost thirty years. Later we find him once more in Broadway, then in Dublin and Belfast. From Belfast he went to London and remained there until last Autumn, when a doctor pronounced the proverbial London fogs injurious to the bronchial affection under which Brother Edward laboured for a long time. From London, then, he came to Dublin, as many of his brother religious had done, destined by Providence to be laid to rest in the cemetery beside St. Paul’s Retreat. His last journey to Mount Argus was of short duration, lasting about six months ‘ere the summons of death called him to his eternal rest.
Notwithstanding old age and poor health. Brother Edward undertook the journey to Rome in 1920 to be present at the Canonisation of Saint Gabriel.
His versatile talents and natural disposition qualified him for many different phases of activity during his long life, and endeared him to all who knew him.
His obsequies took place at Mount Argus on Tuesday 30th March. After the office of the Dead had been sung by the religious, Solemn Requiem Mass was sung by the Very Rev. Father Sebastian, Rector, assisted by Fathers Wilfred and Austin as deacon and sub-deacon respectively. The funeral took place immediately after the mass. The large crowd of laity at the obsequies testified to the esteem in which the deceased was held.
Requiescat in Pace.