OBITUARY : FR. FRANCIS (KELLY), C.P. (d. 8th February 1937, aged 70 years.) For the third month in succession it is our sad duty to chronicle the death of yet another member of our Province, REV. FR. FRANCIS (KELLY), C.P., who died at St. Paul’s Retreat, Mount Argus, Dublin, on Monday, February 8th. Throughout his long priestly life, he had laboured in the most diverse spheres for the Congregation which he had loved so well and served so faithfully; and his passing leaves a gap in our ranks which will not easily be filled, whilst he leaves, too, an example and a memory which will prove a lasting inspiration. Born at Ballinlig in the parish of Ballymore, Co. Westmeath, on August 7th, 1866, the late Fr. Francis came of a family which has long had associations with the Passionist Congregation in these countries. He was a nephew of the late Fr. Vincent (Grogan), C.P., and a cousin of Fr. Malachy (Gavin), C.P. and the late Fr. Mark, C.P. His brother, Fr. Robert, C.P., died only a few years ago:; whilst his nephew, Fr. Oliver, C.P., and his cousin, V. Rev. Fr. Fabian, C.P., at present Rector of Holy Cross Retreat, Belfast, continue the family tradition in the present generation. Entering the Congregation in 1884, at the age of eighteen, Francis of the Seven Dolours, as he was known in religion, made his profession in the following year; and after the usual course of ecclesiastical studies, he was raised to the priesthood at Highgate, London, on June 11th, 1889. Having laboured for some years on the home mission, in June 1902, Fr. Francis was appointed Superior of the Passionist Retreat at Glen Osmund, Adelaide, South Australia. This Retreat had been founded only some six years previously, so doubtless there were many difficulties to be faced, incidental to a new foundation in a distant land. So capably did he discharge this task that he remained Superior of Glen Osmund for nine years, until he finally returned home in 1911. At successive Provincial Chapters, his administrative talent received such recognition from his brethren, that he was repeatedly chosen for the most delicate and most important offices. Thus, at various times, he was elected Rector of St. Gabriel’s Retreat, Enniskillen (1914-1917), Rector of Mount Argus (1917-20; 1926-1929); Rector of St Paul’s Retreat, Ilkley (1923-1926); Master of Novices (1920-1923); and Provincial Consultor (1929-1935) Gifted with an imposing presence and a talent for preaching, Fr. Francis was an ideal missionary. His resonant voice would make a crowded church ring with his vigorous denunciation of the malice of sin, yet in the hush which followed, his voice would descend almost to a whisper as he invited sinners to pardon and repentance. Throughout Ireland and England, and in far-off Australia, he had gained no mean repute as an orator of distinction, whilst the number of missions and retreats which he preached make up a formidable total. His wisdom and prudence as an administrator were evidenced on repeated occasions. In Adelaide, he was honoured with the confidence of the late Bishop O’Reilly, who held him in the highest esteem, and did not hesitate to consult him with regard to diocesan affairs. His love for the Congregation which he had embraced was an outstanding trait. Outside the work of the Order, he had no other interest in life. It was his lasting ambition to see the Passionist Congregation prosper and make progress at home and abroad, and to this single end he devoted all his energies. Simple, genial, loveable, Fr. Francis was an ideal Passionist; he was in truth “homo simplex et rectus et timens Deum”; and if some, at first acquaintance thought him somewhat aloof and dignified, their subsequent impressions modified their first experience. He is survived by a brother, Mr. Joseph Kelly, by a sister in Australia, and by two sisters in La Sainte Union Convents. To them our sympathy goes forth in their great bereavement. (ex. “The Cross”, March 1937, Vol. XXVII, p.487) OBITUARY Rev. Fr. Francis (Kelly) C.P. For the third month in succession it is our sad duty to chronicle the death of yet another member of our Province, REV. FRANCIS (KELLY) C.P., who died at St. Paul’s Retreat, Mount Argus, Dublin, on Monday February 8th. Throughout his long priestly life, he had laboured in the most diverse spheres for the Congregation which he had loved so well and served so faithfully; and his passing leaves a gap in our ranks which will not easily be filled, whilst he leaves, too, an example and a memory which will prove a lasting inspiration, , Born at Ballinllg in the parish of Ballymore, Co. Westmeath, on August 7th, 1886, the late Fr, Francis came of a family which has long had associations with the Passionist Congregation in these countries. He was a nephew of the late Fr. Vincent (Grogan) C.P., and a cousin of Fr. Malachy (Gavin) C.P., and the late Fr.Mark, C.P. His brother Fr. Robert, C.P, died only a few years ago; whilst his nephew Fr. Oliver C.P., and his cousin, V.Rev.Fr. Fabian, C.P., at present Rector of Holy Cross Retreat, Belfast, continue the family tradition in the present Congregation. Entering the Congregation in 1884, at the age of eighteen, Francis of the Seven Dolours, as he was known in religion, made his profession in the following year; and after the usual course of ecclesiastical studies, he was raised to the priesthood at Highgate, London, on June llth, 1889. Having laboured for some years on the home mission, in June 1908 Fr. Francis was appointed Superior of the Passionist Retreat, at Glen Osmund, Adelaide, South Australia, This Retreat had been founded only some six years previously, so doubtless there were many difficulties to be faced, incidental to a new foundation in a distant land. So capably did he discharge this task that he remained Superior of Glen Osmund for nine years, until he finally returned home in 1911. At successive Provincial Chapters, his administrative talent received such recognition from his brethren, that he was repeatedly chosen for the most delicate and most important offices. Thus, at various times, he was elected Rector of St. Gabriel’s Retreat nniskillen, 1914-1917); Rector of Mount Argus (1917-1920); (1926-1929); Rector of St. Paul’s Retreat, Ilkley, (1923-1926); Master of Novices (1920-1923); and Provincial Consultor (1929-1935). It was during this last term of office that he first began to show signs of increasing age and infirmity, and it was at his own desire that he laid down the burden which he had borne with such honour to himself and such luster to the Congregation. Endowed with rare qualities of mind and heart, he was a man of consummate eloquence and profound spirituality, one who never spared himself in the cause of souls. Ever ready to extend a helping hand to those who came to him in time of trouble, his unfeigned sympathy and ready charity gained him the gratitude and esteem of those who profited by his ministrations. Gifted with an imposing presence and a talent for preaching, Fr. Francis was an ideal missionary. His resonant voice would make a crowded church ring with his vigorous denunciation of the malice of sin, yet in the hush which followed, his voice would descend almost to a whisper as he invited sinners to pardon and repentance. Throughout Ireland and England, and in far-off Australia, he had gained no mean repute as an orator of distinction, whilst the number of missions and retreats which he preached make up a formidable total. His wisdom and prudence as an administrator were evidenced on repeated occasions. In Adelaide, he was honoured with the confidence of the late Bishop O’Reilly, who held him in the highest esteem, and he did not hesitate to consult him with regard to diocesan affairs. Admirably tactful in dealing with those difficult situations which arise from time to time, Fr. Francis knew how to combine firmness with charity and to temper his zeal with prudence. Always a strict disciplinarian, Fr. Francis was never a martinet, and those whom he had occasion to admonish were the first to recognise the justice of his strictures. His love for the Congregation which he had embraced was an outstanding trait. Outside the work of the Order, he had no other interest in life. It was his lasting ambition to see the Passionist Congregation prosper and make progress at home and abroad, and to this single end he devoted all his energies. Simple, genial, lovable, Fr. Francis was an ideal Passionist; he was in truth HOMO SIMPLEX ET RECTUS ET TIMENS DEUM; and if some, at first acquaintance thought him somewhat aloof and dignified, their subsequent impressions modified their first experience. To those in trouble or affliction he was the soul of kindness and charity; ever solicitous for the needs of the religious, he was a Superior after the mind of St. Paul of the Cross, one who was a true father to the Community over which he ruled. Many of the brethren cherish vivid memories of his thoughtfulness and his solicitude. He is survived by a brother, Mr. Joseph Kelly, by a sister in Australia, and by two sisters in La Sainte Union Convents, To them our sympathy goes forth in their great bereavement. May he rest in peace. Fr. Cronan, C.P., Rector.