Bro. Stephen of Holy Mary Died January 15 in St. Joseph’s Retreat, London, England; Province of St. Joseph. This estimable Brother of ours had always such strong constitution, that he seemed to be exempt from every disease and weakness, never having been sick in all the years of his life. At the very end of his long career he was stricken for four days with his first, and last ailment. On January 11 he was attacked with pneumonia, and on the 15th he died. Quiet and peaceful was his life; equally peaceful and quiet was his death, strengthened and consoled by all the sacraments and blessings of Holy Church, and surrounded by his sorrow-stricken brethren. This child of blessing was born at Clouncloher, County, Limerick, Ireland, on January 18, 1835, of a very well known and respectable family. His parents were John and Anne Hayes, and in baptism he was named after his exemplary father. In his youth, he left Ireland with several of his companions for Australia, where he was employed in the gold mines. He soon realized that while striving after the gold of this world he might easily forfeit eternal riches, so he left the mines and returned to his native country. In Dublin he met a young man who enjoyed. the reputation of being a distinguished journalist, and’ they both agreed to leave the world and become religious. The journalist became Father Columban, famous as a missionary in St. Joseph’s Province, and his companion, the subject of this sketch, made his profession as Brother Stephen of Holy Mary, on January 26, 1860. He was first sent to St. Anne’s, Sutton, Lancashire, where he lived until 1876, and then he was transferred to London, when (save for a brief stay in Dublin), he remained thirty years, till the day of his death. Wherever he was stationed, he always strove to be a good Passionist. Most punctual at all the acts of public observance, he was likewise most careful in the various offices entrusted to him. He never lost his time, for he detested laziness. Generally he acted as porter, all his life long, and easily acquired the regard of all those with whom he had to treat, his manners being exceptionally cordial. Toward his fellow religious likewise, he was ever affable and obliging; hence they loved and respected him and sincerely mourn his loss. Obituary Notice of Brother Stephen Hayes, On the 15th January of this year 1906, Br. Stephen of the Blessed Virgin (Hayes), departed out of this life. His death was peaceful and happy, and took place in the midst of his sorrowing brethren who were assembled around him, and offering up the prayers for a departing soul. His illness was short. On 11th January he went for his usual walk, and on that evening he felt unwell and had to take to his sick bed, from which he never arose. His disease developed into pneumonia, which soon became so serious that on the second day after his illness he received the last sacraments with great devotion, fervour and resignation to Divine Will. After this the religious watched by his bedside night and day until the evening of the 15th, when he expired without a struggle and with the prayers and sentiments of a good religious. Br. Stephen was born at Clouncloher, Co. Limerick, Ireland on 18th January, 1835. His parents were John and Anne Hayes, of a well known and highly respected family. He received in Baptism the name of John, and in his childhood and youth, like all the Irish children of his day, he received sound religious instruction in all his duties, and was accustomed to the strict observance of his religious duties as a devout Catholic. When grown to manhood, he with many other young men left Ireland for Australia, where he laboured for some years and with financial success in the gold-diggings, but a life in the world did not satisfy him, and, discontented with the manner of life in Australia, he returned to Ireland, and settled down in business in Dublin for a short period. During this time he made the acquaintance of the Rev. Fr.Columban O’Grady, who was then a journalist, and afterwards a Passionist, and a well-known missionary in these countries. Both entered about the same time the Novitiate of the Passionists at St. Saviour’s Retreat, Broadway, Worcestershire, where he made his religious profession on the 26th January 1860. After his religious profession he was sent to St. Anne’s Retreat, Sutton, St. Helen’s, where he was stationed for fifteen years, during which time he was engaged in the duties of questor for the Community and fulfilled as well many domestic duties in the Retreat. He was well known to the priests and people of the dioceses of Liverpool and Salford, and edified all by his exemplary life, so that he was esteemed and loved by all of them even to the day of his death. In the Autumn of the year 1876 he was appointed to St. Joseph’s Retreat Highgate, where he had been stationed from that time forward, with the exception of a short period spent in St. Paul’s Retreat, Mount Argus, Dublin. In Highgate he has acted as porter for nearly 30 years, and in that office he was always kind and considerate to the poor, and affable and courteous to all visitors. All respected him, and with good reason, for he was ever the true friend and religious brother. Besides acting as porter he fulfilled other duties in the Retreat with the most constant care and industry, ever concerned about the well being of the house and of his religious brethren. He was always occupied with some useful work, and those who have lived with him all those years can testify that they never knew him to be a moment idle. He was a most observant man and faithful to the Rule, which he had professed, and that for the long period of 46 years of his Passionist life. He enjoyed good health during all those years, and was never known to have had a serious illness until that to which he succumbed. His Loss is felt by all, and especially by the religious community, which he assisted so well and edified so much by his example and virtues during his long and laborious life. His death was what might be expected, the reward of a good religious life. He was saved the suffering and weariness of a long illness, and was blessed by the reception of the Sacraments of the Church, and by all the prayers and comforts which religious can afford to a soul on the occasion of its departure out of this life. May he rest in peace.