V. Rev. Fr. Terence (Barrett) C.P. THE announcement on Wednesday, August 15th, of the death of Father Terence at St. Patrick’s Retreat, Wheatfield House, Belfast, came as a very real shock to all the members of St. Patrick’s Province. Though he had been in indifferent health for some time previously, he had been active in fulfilling his duties as Superior of the Alumniate. He celebrated Holy Mass as usual and seemed to be in reasonably good spirits on the day of his death. A heart attack in the evening, however, proved fatal and he passed away peacefully in a few minutes. Father Terence was born at Curry, Co. Sligo, on January 8th, 1900, and was known in the world as Michael Francis Barrett. He entered the Passionist Novitiate at The Graan, Enniskillen in 1917, where he made his Profession of religious vows on August 15th, 1918. Having completed his course of ecclesiastical studies, he was raised to the Priesthood by His Grace Most Rev. Dr. Byrne, Archbishop of Dublin, on December 22nd, 1923. SHORTLY after his ordination the task was entrusted to him of teaching Philosophy and Theology to students preparing for the Priesthood at St. Paul’s Retreat, Myddelton Lodge, Ilkley, Yorks. He was a man of many talents and his period of Lectorship was one of marked success: those who pursued their studies under his direction pay generous tribute to his diligent and devoted efforts. In 1929 he was transferred to Ireland and was appointed Vice-Rector of St. Gabriel’s Retreat, Enniskillen, for three years and of Holy Cross Retreat, Ardoyne, Belfast, for nine years. At the Provincial Chapter of 1941 he was elected Rector of St. Gabriel’s Retreat, Enniskillen, and continued in this office until 1947, when he was elected to the Provincial Curia as Second Consultor. To the fulfilment of these responsible assignments he brought a happy blend of maturity of judgment and the ability to give sound advice on matters of consequence. In May, 1950, he was appointed Superior of the Passionist Alumniate at Wheatfield House, Belfast, where he remained until his death. In the field of missionary activity Father Terence distinguished himself as a capable preacher. His friendly, affable approach to people in his ministrations achieved for him a great measure of popularity in conducting missions and retreats. In the true spirit of his Congregation he was ever zealous to promote in the hearts of his hearers a grateful remembrance of the Sufferings of Christ. The distinctive feature of his life, however, which all who knew him intimately will remember most was his intensely personal devotion to the Mother of God. To all in need of help, spiritual or temporal, he would advocate enthusiastically unwavering trust in her all-powerful intercession. It is significant that he made his Religious Profession and dedicated his life to the service of God on the Feast of Our Lady’s Assumption and that it was on the same Feast he passed away. It is hardly a presumption to believe that his death, sudden from a human viewpoint but occurring on such a day, was a gracious assurance of Our Lady’s maternal solicitude for him. We ask our readers to join with us in our earnest prayers that God in His Infinite Mercy may grant eternal rest to his soul. His Lordship Most Rev. Dr. Mageean, Bishop of Down and Connor, presided at the Obsequies, which took place in the presence of a large congregation of clergy and laity at Holy Cross Retreat, Ardoyne, Belfast. (The Cross, Vol. XLII, 1951-52; p. 105.) Father TERENCE of Our Lady of Perpetual Succour (Barrett) Michael Francis Barrett, he was born at Curry, Co. Sligo, on the 18th January 1900. Having made his Novitiate at the Graan, he was professed there on this day 1918. He did his Philosophy and Theology at Mt Argus, and was ordained Priest by Archbishop Byrne, at Clonliffe, on 22nd December 1923. He then came to England and taught Philosophy (the final months of their course) to the 16 who would- be the Class of 1929. He then became their Lector in Theology. This was at our Retreat at Ilkley, Yorkshire. Among his students were Frs. Philip Hayes and Benignus Duffy, both later Provincial of St. Joseph’s Province (England and Wales), This class of his also produced 1 D.Ph, 2 D.D.s 1 D.C.L, 2 Lic. Scrip. , 1 Apostolic Delegate, 4 Rectors, and as already mentioned 2 Provincials, and all had been much influenced by this man. His outstanding devotion was to our Blessed Lady. (And, he died on her Feast!) Back to Ireland, where he was on the Missions-staff, as well as being Vicar several times, his most notable one being at Ardoyne, where he encouraged the starting of the Young Christian Workers, the first Section ever in Ireland. In 1947, he was made 2nd Consultor (he had been Rector of the Graan) and in 1950, he became Superior of the Juniorate, then at Wheatfield, Crumlin Road, in our parish of Holy Cross. His funeral Mass, was in Holy Cross, the Bishop, De Mageean, presiding, and in the adjoining cemetery his body lies today. Ar Deis De, go rambh a anam! Source: Cenni Necrologici, Vol. 70 (Anno 1952) p. 52-3