St. Mary’s Retreat, Harborne Death of Father Martin C.P. Father Martin of the Assumption of B. V. M.”, son -of’ Daniel &: Mary Byrne, born 1 April 1845 at , Killevy, Ireland, professed a Passionist at Broadway Worcestershire, 27 August 1865 and ordained priest 29 September 1869 – died at 10 p. m. on Monday 8 April at St.. Mary’s Retreat, Harborne, where he spent the last 15 years of his life. A few days before his death, Father Martin received all the last Sacraments, although it was not thought then that the end was so near. He said Mass for the last time on 26 March – Tuesday of Holy Week. For something like 5 years he had been in poor health, and when able to say Mass generally did so privately in the Choir of the Community. Beyond a few odd Confessions he was unable for any further priestly work for some years. The deceased priest was one of the first Passionists associated with the foundation of St. Mary’s Harborne, in 1870, which was first at a small place, still to be seen in the High Street. Father Martin, but recently ordained, was Vice-Master of Novices at Broadway and came to Birmingham to obtain faculties from the Bishop.. He was accompanied by his Rector ,the late Father Alban Cowley, C.P., and the two priests celebrated the first two Masses in the temporary Chapel, each serving the other in turn. At a later period Father Martin went to the Argentine to obtain financial help for St. Paul’ s Retreat, Mount Argus, Dublin and during the visit was offered a foundation at Buenos Ayres, which became the nucleus of the South American Province of Passionists. After his return home he spent a considerable time at Belfast,. chiefly in connection with Ligoniel, which was then served by Passionists from Holy Cross Retreat, Belfast. At another time he was Superior of’ St. Mary’s Retreat, Carmarthen, where he erected the present beautiful stone building to replace the old and inconvenient Retreat. In the chapter of 1902 he was elected Rector of St. Saviour’s Retreat, Broadway, when that house was still the Novitiate of the Anglo-Hibernian province. The funeral in the little cemetery attached to St. Mary’s followed Solemn Requiem Mass, which was sung by Fr. Bruno, C.P., at 10.30 on Thursday 11 April, Father Thomas, C.P., (Vicar), being Deacon and Father Bernard, C.P., Subdeacon. Father Cornelius C.P. was Master of Ceremonies. Amongst the clergy present, besides the Community, were the Rt. Rev. Msgr. Cronin, Chancellor of the Archdiocese, the Rev. Fathers Hamlin (St. Peters), Bedwin PhD (Kings Norton), Hamill (Bearwood) and Memnagh (Ashted Row). Letters of sympathy were received from Archbishop Iisley and Archbishop McI ntyre as well as from a number of clergy who wrote expressing regret that they were unable to attend. The Congregation present at the Requiem included a number of the Little Sisters of the Poor and the Sisters of Mercy from local convents, as well as Sister of Charity of St. Paul from Vernon Road, Edgsbaston. Six gentlemen of the congregation acted as bearers. Antoninus of the Hearts