Bro. Philip of Our Lady of Good Counsel. On Monday, May 3rd, Brother Philip of Our Lady of Good Counsel passed to his eternal reward peacefully at St. Paul’s Retreat, Mount Argus, Dublin. He had been troubled with lumbago and a chest trouble for several years, and was confined to bed for about one year before his death. Towards the end of April he grew noticeably weaker and the doctor diagnosed a mild form of pneumonia. On May 3rd he received the last Sacraments and died shortly before eight o’clock in the evening. William Brennan, as Brother Philip was known in the world, was born in Birmingham in I887. Little is known about his life until his application to enter the Congregation as a Brother when he was twenty seven years of age. All his surviving relatives are living in Canada. One indication, however, remains of a devout boyhood in the form of a prayer book found in his cell after his death. This was presented to him by the Parish Priest of Smethwick and bears the inscription – “To William Brennan. In grateful acknowledgment of your devoted services to the sanctuary of St. Philip’s.” On being accepted into the Congregation, he came to St. Paul’s Retreat, Mount Argus, and spent six months there as a postulant. In March, 1915, he went to St. Gabriel’s Retreat, The Graan, Enniskillen and spent his year of novitiate there. He was professed on March 29th, 1916, and was transferred to Mount Argus shortly afterwards. There he was to spend the remaining forty-nine years of his life. It is above all as questor that Brother Philip will be remembered. For almost forty five years he was employed in this office in the Diocese of Meath. Few brothers in the history of the Congregation fulfilled this office so unsparingly. He was known to successive Bishops of the diocese, and three generations of its priests and laity. For years he covered every town and village, mostly on his bicycle. Indeed, the rheumatic troubles of later years may have resulted from all the hardship that this involved. In his dealings with the people, he was kindly and courteous, and was a welcome visitor to every homestead on his annual call. Of necessity he had many contacts with the clergy of the diocese, and with them he was always tactful and respectful. To all, his attendance at daily Mass in the various parish churches, his attention to his daily prayer and his performance of the Stations of the Cross were a source of edification. Numerous tributes to his loyal service were paid by Diocesan Priests and people, especially to our Missioners. Brother Philip’s spiritual life was simple and regular. He invariably served one of the early Masses of the day. On his return to the Retreat nightly after his labours, he would always make his way to the Church or Choir to say his Rosary. A special feature of his private devotions was the number of Cardinal Newman’s prayers he had made his own. In community he was always cheerful and kindly. No one ever heard an angry or impatient word fall from his lips. Thoughtfulness and attention to detail were characteristic of all his undertakings. About 1960, he retired as quester and continued to attend daily observance, often in spite of pain and discomfort. From May 1964, he was confined to bed but received Holy Communion every morning. A few days before his death he referred to the Golden Jubilee of his profession which would have been due in March 1966. and jokingly remarked he would have to be fit for that. God was to arrange otherwise. Very Reverend Father Aidan, C.P. celebrated Solemn Requiem Mass in the presence of Very Reverend Father Valentine, Provincial, and members of the Communities from St., Patrick’s and St. Joseph’s Provinces. The interment took place in the adjoining Cemetery. May his good soul rest in peace. REV. BRO. PHILIP (BRENNAN) C.P. At St. Paul’s Retreat, Mount Argus, Dublin, on May 3rd, the death occurred of Rev. Brother Philip (Brennan), C.P. For many years, Brother Philip had been in failing health, and recently he had become noticeably weaker. Born in Birmingham in 1887, he entered the Passionist Novitiate at Broadway, Worcs., and after his Profession served in many houses of the Province. Most of his long and fruitful life, however, was spent at Mount Argus, where he had held the office of Questor. The obsequies were held in St. Paul’s Church, Mount Argus, and the interment took place in the adjoining cemetery. May he rest in peace. (The Cross, Vol. LVI, 1965-66; p. 32)