GOLDEN JUBILEE OF BRO. LUKE (BRANNIGAN), C.P. On the Feast of Our Lady’s Presentation, November 21st, 1904, Brother Luke was professed a Passionist. The ceremony took place in the Monastery Chapel of the Novitiate House in the beautiful old-world village of Broadway, Worcestershire, England. Thus began for him a life of dedication to God’s service, of humble toil, of self-sacrifice and of prayer. Thus, too, were his links with the world finally severed. The world was not unknown to him; he had lived in the midst of it for twenty-three years before he heard and answered the call to the religious life. Born on November 18th, 1881, at Creighan, Co. Armagh, he was baptised two days later. Patrick Brannigan was the name they wrote in the Baptismal Register. Guided in his early years by the example of his staunchly Catholic parents, he grew to manhood with a love of Faith and Fatherland deeply implanted in his heart. Still, on leaving school, it did not occur to him to be a religious. Instead, he took up a business career in Belfast. But while there, he came under the influence of our Fathers of Holy, Cross Retreat, Ardoyne, and encouraged by their counsel and inspired by God’s Grace, he made the greatest decision of his long life. He made up his mind to exchange the world and all it had to offer for the life and toil of a Passionist Brother. Thomas a Kempis reminds us, in his Imitation of Christ, that to live in a monastery is no small or easy thing. It was never meant to be. Nor is the life of those who wear the livery of Christ’s Passion meant to be a pleasant one, as the world understands the word ‘pleasant.’ Therefore, we can be sure that the past fifty years have brought Brother Luke not only abundant joy, but also a share in the sufferings of His Divine Master. Shortly after his profession, he was transferred to St. Paul’s Retreat, Mount Argus, Dublin. During the intervening years, he served in many of our Retreats, including St. Joseph’s Retreat, Highgate, London, where he was well known as Sacristan. Because of his versatility and great willingness, his Superiors were never slow to transfer him, even at very short notice, to undertake the work of another who was ill. We who have lived with him as his brethren, can appreciate his worth and the humble service which he has rendered to God and to his Congregation during the half-century that has passed. On November 21st, 1954, the Community of St. Paul’s Retreat, Mount Argus, Dublin, joined with Brother Luke in celebrating the Golden jubilee of his religious profession. On that occasion, he received the sincere congratulations and prayerful good wishes of his brethren. We now offer him our own hearty felicitations. While doing so, may we ask our readers to give a remembrance in their prayers to one who for fifty years has served his Master nobly and well? (The Cross, Vol. XLV, 1954-55; p.216.) BRO. LUKE BRANNIGAN, C.P. As briefly noted in our last issue, Brother Luke Brannigan, C.P., died at St. Paul’s Retreat, Mount Argus, Dublin on July 25th at the age of eighty-four years. He was horn at Creggan, Co. Armagh in 1881 and as a youth in Belfast he came into contact with the Passionists at Holy Cross Retreat, Ardoyne. Inspired by their example, he abandoned his career in the, world to embrace the hard-working and humble life of a Passionist brother. On November 21st, 1904, he made his religious profession at the novitiate at Broadway, Worcs., and thus began for him a life of dedication to God’s, service. Because of his versatility and great willingness, his superiors were never slow to transfer him, even at short notice, to undertake the work of one who was incapacitated. To his spiritual life he brought the same spirit of thoroughness and fidelity. On November 21st, 1954, Brother Luke celebrated the Golden Jubilee of his religious profession, and ten years later, in 1964, he had the added happiness of celebrating his Diamond Jubilee. For more than sixty years he had served the Master well and faithfully. May he now enjoy the happy reward of his labours. R. I. P. (The Cross, Vol. LVI, 1965-66; p. 131) Obituary Notice of Brother Luke Brannigan C.P. After a prolonged illness patiently borne, death claimed Brother Luke of Holy Cross at the age of 84 years. He had been bedridden for many months and gradually losing strength. He died at St. Paul’s Retreat, Mount Argus, Dublin, on July 25th, 1965. Patrick Brannigan was born on November 18th, 1881, at Creghan, Co. Armagh, and was baptised two days later. Guided in his early years by the example of his staunchly Catholic parents, he grew to manhood with a love of faith and fatherland firmly implanted in his heart. For some years he followed a business career in Belfast, and there he came in contact with the Passionists at Holy Cross Retreat, Ardoyne. Encouraged by their counsel and inspired by their example, he made a courageous decision. He made up his mind to abandon the world and all it had to offer him, to embrace the hard-working and humble life of a Passionist brother. He entered the novitiate of the Anglo-Hibernian Province, then situated in the picturesque old-world village of Broadway, Worcs. There in the little monastery chapel he hade his profession on the Feast of the Presentation, November 21st, 1904. Thus began for him a life of dedication to God’s service, aided by grace and fortified by self-sacrifice and prayer. During the years which followed, he served in many of our retreats, including St. Joseph’s Retreat, Highgate, London, where he was well-known as sacristan. Because of his versatility and great willingness, his Superiors were never slow to transfer him, even at very short notice, to undertake the work of another who was ill or incapacitated. Thus he might find himself acting for some months as cook, and a short time later engaged in some entirely different task. Amongst the manifold tasks that fell to his lot, perhaps his preference was that of carpenter and general handyman. He took pride in his well-kept kit of tools which were kept with loving care and meticulously arranged in order. Repairing doors and windows, changing locks, fixing tap-washers, repairing clocks, checking the oil-burners and furnaces – these were some of the many duties that gave him genuine satisfaction, and to each task he brought a true crraftsman’s pride in a job well done. To his spiritual life he brought the same spirit of thoroughness and fidelity. He was most diligent in serving the early Masses and his unconscious example was often an inspiration to his younger brethren. On November 21st. 1954, Bro. Luke celebrated the Golden Jubilee of his religious profession, and ten years later, in 1964, he had the added happiness of celebrating his Diamond Jubilee. On these occasions he received the cordial congratulations and prayerful good wishes of his brethren, and was also honoured with a special Apostolic Blessing. For more than sixty years he served the Master well and faithfully. May he now enjoy the happy reward of his unselfish life and labours. May he rest in peace. Signed: Aidan of the Immac. Heart of Mary, Rector.