
F A T H E R G I L B E R T C A R L I N, C. P. The numerous congregation of the faithful in St. Mungo’s Church, Glasgow, on the morning of Tuesday, 11th. February, 1969 was reminiscent of the busy Sunday Masses in the days before the depletion of the population of the Townhead. It was a tribute to the memory of Fr. Gilbert Carlin whose obsequies were being celebrated and it was a testimony to the faith of the Glasgow people and the high esteem in which he was held. The most Rev. James Donald Scanlan, Archbishop of Glasgow, presided at the Requiem Mass concelebrated by Very Rev. Fr. Provincial and several of our Passionist priests. Passionists from communities of St. Patrick’s Province and several fathers from St. Joseph’s Province were present. There was a numerous representation of the diocesan clergy and of the religious orders and congregations of the city. Among the esteemed friends of the Passionists and personal acquaintances of the late Fr. Gilbert were: Rt. Rev. James Ward, V.G., Bishop of Sita, Very Rev. George Canon Aylward (St. Philomena). Patrick Canon Gilmartin (Our Lady of Lourdes), Patrick Canon Conway (St. Luke) and John Canon Rooney (Rutherglen, Motherwell Diocese). George was the name, his father’s name. given to Fr. Gilbert at baptism. Born on 18th. May, 1903, he was associated with the Passionists from early childhood. He was an altar boy in St. Mungo’s and received his primary and secondary education in the parish. On completion of his secondary education he took employment as a clerk in the former Caledonian Railway Works located in St. Mungo’s parish. But when he was almost twenty years old he entered the novitiate of the Passionist Anglo-Hibernian Province and was professed on 4th. February, 1924. At the division of the Province he elected to be a member of St. Patrick’s Province. His studies for the priesthood at Myddleton Lodge, Ilkley and Mount Argus led to his ordination in Dublin on 14th. June, 1930. After ordination he was sent to Rome to take an advanced course in Canon Law. Fr. Gilbert spent some time in Dublin where he was engaged in the general ministry, missions and retreats, There followed a period of teaching in Drum-Mohr, Musselburgh before his return to Mount Argus where he proved himself to be a most successful director of the Confraternity of the Passion. Returning to Scotland he was given the opportunity to show his ability as an administrator of temporalities in Fatima House, Coodham. Following the Provincial Chapter of 1962 he was appointed Vicar of St. Mungo’s, a post which he filled to his death on 8th. February, 1969. Fr. Gilbert is remembered for his placid and friendly disposition. He had that special charm and ability which enabled him to speak words which reached the minds and hearts of little children and it is no surprise that for many years he had charge of the Boy’s School and the Children’s Sunday Mass. He was a kind and understanding confessor. His very considerable ability as a preacher was not widely known in Scotland where for many years teaching and administrative posts together with ill health restricted his activity. But among his brethren and in the districts where he ministered he will long be singled out for his love of liturgical music and chant. By diligent study and practice he became a proficient organist and choirmaster and was ever ready to give of his profound knowledge in this sphere for the glory of God. While we mourned the death of Fr. Gilbert Carlin our brethren of the neighbouring Province of St. Joseph mourned the death of Fr. Patrick Sheridan who died on the same day. May they rest in peace. Amen.