Fr. PATRICK of the Immaculate Conception (Cornelius Fagan) Today’s Anniversary is of a Passionist who is of historic interest. As you go citywards and cross the Canal Bridge at Harold’s Cross, from the crown you can see on your left, Gordan’s Fuel-Yard. (One of the family was buried from Mt. Argus, a week or ten days ago (1980)). Near it are two Pubs. The second one is the one of interest to us Passionists, for there was born Cornelius Fagan. He joined us CPS in 1876, when he was only 16 years of age. (They seemingly took little account of Canon Law in those days!) Professed in 1877, he seemingly did his studies at Highgate and was ordained Priest there in 1883. Four years later he made history: It will be remembered that the first attempt to establish the CPs in Australia ended in failure. One of these pioneers was Fr. Louis Gierlandi, a relative, it seems of Bld. Dominic, and was with Dominic when he died on his way to Woodchester, at Reading. The second attempt, at the request of Cardinal Moran, was made in 1887. Four CPs, Fr. Alphonsus O’Neill, Fr. Marcellus Wright, Fr. PATRICK FAGAN, and Bro. Lawrence Carr (the 1st Belfastman to be a CP). were the founders of what is now the Holy Spirit Province. 25 years later, he was the sole survivor of this band and was able to join in the celebrations of the First Retreat, at Marrickville. During the Boer War. Fr. Patrick served as an Army Chaplain. he had a rather tough time and contracted diabetes. He returned at the end of the war, to Sydney, and ‘de fa’ at Marrickville was ‘Director of Missions’, but, in 1912, his health collapsed, and he died on, 12th January 1913. His Rector at the time was Fr. Clune. His funeral was quite a big one, and there were some non-Catholics there including the local Anglican clergyman. Somehow or other, when the Ven. Charles died, Fr Patrick got hold of the old man’s snuff- box and gave it to his family. They in turn gave it to their neighbours, the Gordans, mentioned above, and they in their turn were decent enough to hand it back to Fr. Oliver, the Vice-Postulator, which explains its being in the showcase in the Ven Charles’ Room. In 1909, Fr. Patrick was Rector of the house in which Bro. LAWRENCE CARR, CP, (one of the CP pioneers mentioned above) was ‘de fa’. Bro. Lawrence had lived in Mt. Argus under the Rectorship of Fr. PAUL MARY PAKENHAM. When Fr. Joseph Smith, CP, was writing Fr. Paul Mary’s ‘LIFE’, he wrote to Australia, and Fr. Patrick Fagan took down in longhand what Brother Lawrence had to tell about the First Rector of Mt. Argus. Bro. Lawrence, signed the account ant it is today one of the ‘treasures’ of Mt. Argus Archives. Attached below is the OBITUARY NOTICE, Fr. Francis, his Rector sent, to the houses in the Province on our side of the world. As can be seen he used the local paper’s OBITUARY and attached a half-tone photo of Fr. PATRICK. DEATH OF REV. PATRICK FAGAN, C.P. A Notable Missionary Priest. The last of the noble band of pioneer Passionist priests who founded the community in Marrickville, New South Wales, passed to his eternal reward on Sunday afternoon, in the person of the Rev. Father Patrick Fagan. Marrickville, Catholic and non-Catholic, sorrowed when the news was noised abroad that Father Patrick had died. He was extremely popular on all sides. A father to the children and a guide in all movements connected with parish work, the little ones and the faithful parishioners there will miss his inspiring personality. Fr. Patrick was born in Dublin in July, 1860, entered the Passionist Order at the early age of 16 years, and served his novitiate at Broadway, Worcestershire, England. He was professed in 1876, and was ordained at St. Joseph’s, Highgate, London, in 1883. He devoted himself to the work of giving missions in England, Scotland, and Ireland. He and three other members of the Order came to Australia in 1887, and established a branch of the Passionist Fathers at Marrickville. On the Feast of the Presentation in November, the Order celebrated its twenty-fifth anniversary of settlement in Marrickville, and Father Patrick, the only surviving member of the pioneer group, was warmly congratulated on the splendid work achieved. When the Boer war broke out Father Patrick volunteered to go with the first contingent to the Transvaal, but no chaplains were taken. When the second contingent was decided on, Father Patrick again offered his services. This time he was successful. Prior to his departure in January, 1900, Father Patrick was tendered a public farewell in the local Town Hall, and presented with a purse of sovereigns. Practically throughout the long and dreary war, Father Patrick held fast to hard campaigning. Many a sorely troubled heart was lightened by the works of comfort and spiritual advice tendered by the genial missionary priest. Fatigue and hardships were met smilingly, but misfortune fell to Father Patrick’s lot there, when he contracted diabetes, which, after many years of suffering, ended in his death. He returned to Sydney, and resided afterwards at the Retreat, Marrickville. During the last few years his work chiefly consisted of superintending the missions throughout the State, and in this respect his services were largely sought. A couple of weeks ago his condition became serious, and Father Patrick entered the Lewisham Hospital. He was spiritually attended by the Rev. Fathers Phelan, P.P., and J. Sherin. On Saturday last it was seen that the end was at hand, and he lingered until Sunday afternoon, when he passed peacefully away, fortified by the last rites of the Church at the hands of the Very Rev. Father Clune C.P. At the Solemn Office and Requiem Mass held in St. Brigid’s Church, Marrickville, on Monday morning, Vern. Archpriest Collins, P.P. presided, assisted by Very Rev. J. P. Moynagh, V.F., and the Very Rev. P. Byrne, P.P. The celebrant of the Requiem Mass was the Rev. Father Bernard C.P., the deacon being the Very Rev. Father Francis, C.P., the sub-deacon Rev. Father Ignatius, C.P., and the Rev. Father Calistus, C.P., master of ceremonies. The chanters were the Revs. J. M. Kelly and T. Phelan, the responses being made by the clergy present, among whom were: Very Revs. P. B. Kennedy (Commissary-Provincial of the Franciscan Fathers), P. Treand (Provincial of the Sacred Heart Fathers), J. Field, M.S.H., J. L. Begley, O.F.M., P. Keating (Rector of St. Ignatius’ College), P. Piquet, S.M.; Rev. Fathers T. Barry, B. A. Comaskey, T. Cahill, S.J., E.J. Sydes, S.J., J. Furlong, J. Hunt, C.M., P. B. Lawler, O.F.M., E. O’Brien, Dr. Toumey, E. Rohan, M. Rohan, J. J. O’Driscoll, J. Grace, J. S. Joyce, O.F.M., R. Lonergan, J. Walsh (Gunnedah), M. O’Donnell, J. S. M’Namara, O.F.M., D. O’Sullivan, G. P. Birch, O.F.M., J. Cusack, R. Halpin, J. M’Donald, J. Peoples, and Troy, M.S.H. Among the representatives of the various societies present were the following members of the A.H.C. Guild: Bros. E.J. Taylor, J.P. (warden) J. J. Cahill (deputy-warden), Charles Glass (secretary), A. Masters, E.W. Quinn, C. Hunt, W. Eppel; Messrs. A. J. Macauley, Dr. N. Larkin, R. Stapleton, J. O’Meara, J. Clapham, W. Waddock. The Hibernian Society was represented by Bros. G. Denlay (secretary), G. Cheadle, P.P., J. O’Malley, Freister, and J. Stapleton; Messrs. W. Hartley and C. Hunt represented the St. Vincent de Paul Society; and Mr. R. O’Donnell (president, men’s branch of the Sacred Heart Society), J. Connolly (church committee). Many persons were unable to gain admittance into the church to assist in the religious ceremonies. Many non-Catholics attended, including an Anglican minister. Throughout the day hundreds visited the church, where the body was lying in state, and prayers from grief-stricken parishioners ascended to the throne on high for the repose of the soul of the zealous missionary. And so on until evening, when arrangements were made for the funeral procession. At 5.30 prayers for the dead were recited in the church by the Very Rev. Father Francis, C.P., assisted by Fathers Calistus, C.P., Ignatius, C.P., and Bernard, C.P. Father Francis, C.P., in a brief address, dwelt upon the lovable and unassuming disposition of the deceased priest, whom was especially dear to the children of the parish. At the close of the religious ceremonies the funeral left for the Marrickville station, en route for Goulburn. The procession was headed by the clergy, then came the hearse, which was followed in order by: Cross-bearer and acolytes, St. Brigid’s Children of Mary, women’s branch of the Hibernian Society, the women’s branch of the A.H.C. Guild, the men’s branch of the Hibernian A.C.B. Society, the Boys’ Guild, and the Sacred Heart Sodalities attached to the parish and members of the St. Vincent de Paul Society. More than a thousand persons followed the cortege, while thousands thronged the route of travel. At Marrickville the coffin was transferred to the train and taken to Sydney. Hundreds journeyed to the Central Railway Station and waited until the 8.10 train left with the remains for Goulburn. Very Rev. Father Francis, C.P., Fathers Ignatius, C.P., and Calistus, C.P., were passengers by the train. On Tuesday morning a Solemn Requiem Mass was celebrated at Goulburn, and the remains were then interred in St. Mary’s Mount cemetery. The funeral arrangements, including the embalming of the body, were efficiently carried out by Mr. Bull, junr. —–R.I.P. News was received in Brisbane on Sunday writes our Brisbane correspondent) of the death of the Rev. Father Patrick in Sydney. Father Patrick was a well-known missioner of the Passionist Order, and has given many successful missions in Queensland, and his many friends will be sorry to hear of his death.