The Late Father Matthew (Kelly), C.P. On Saturday morning, May 12th at St. Joseph’s Retreat, Highgate, London, the senior priest of the English Passionist Province – Rev. Fr. Matthew (Kelly), C.P. – departed this life. His death was not unexpected; for, in addition to the weight of years, he bore for the past two years the burden of a long and tedious illness. At the beginning of May, however, it became evident, despite the extraordinary vitality so often manifested during his illness, that the last days of Fr. Matthew’s earthly life were nearing their close. He was perfectly resigned to the Divine Will; in fact he longed to be dissolved that he might be with Christ. His last audible words after midnight on his dying day were: “Jesus, Mary and Joseph, come for me.” Towards dawn he lapsed into unconsciousness and seemed to sleep peacefully without pain or suffering. The religious Community knelt by his bedside, responding to the prayers for the dying recited by the Father Rector, and whilst they prayed, the gentle spirit of Fr. Matthew, full of years, ripe in virtue, and rich in the sincere affection of his brethren, entered into eternal rest. Fr. Matthew was born at Rathfarnham, Co. Dublin, in the year 1850. He was twenty-four years of age and already engaged in business before he received from God his religious vocation. In August, 1874, he entered the Passionist Novitiate at Broadway, Worcestershire, and in the following year made his profession. He was ordained to the sacred priesthood in 1879, and soon afterwards was appointed assistant priest at Avenue Hoche, Paris, where he remained for fifteen years. Nowhere more in religion does the Scriptural saying sound so true: “We have not here a lasting city.” Superiors, for various reasons, change their subjects from one Retreat to another, and very rarely priest or brother remains for a prolonged period in a definite place. Fr. Matthew, however, was an exception to this rule, and his long Passionist life, extending over fifty-three years, was passed in only three Retreats of the Order. In Paris he was very popular and universally beloved. There he devoted himself especially to the watchful care of the English-speaking girls, employed in various occupations, many of whom came from his native city. In the year 1895 his health became somewhat impaired and he was transferred to Broadway. He celebrated his Silver Jubilee in 1904. Soon after this event, which was fittingly honoured and afforded his host of friends an opportunity to prove their affection, Fr. Matthew went to Highgate and laboured there for nearly a quarter of a century. Fr. Matthew was never prominent as a missioner; but this was due to his adaptability for other work, as well as to his lack of robust health. His preaching, simple in style, had a peculiar attractiveness arising from an intense earnestness and a vivid personality. His work in the confessional was more than ordinary. Hundreds of people from all parts came to him for spiritual advice and consolation. His proficiency in French and Spanish made his labours as a confessor, if not more arduous, at all events more extended; but this work, so dear to the Sacred Heart, was the delight of Fr. Matthew, and when he could hardly walk he would drag himself to his little “box” under the shadow of Our Lady’s statue. Here he made his last visit on this earth. As a Passionist, Fr. Matthew was a model of observance and was never known to be a moment late for the performance of any duty. Singularly unambitious, he had no desire for the honours of office, yet none ever loved his Order with a more absorbing devotion than he did. This love was filial to a degree, as his own words amply testify – “our dear Mother the Congregation.” His piety, unostentatious and unobtrusive, was solid and sincere. He possessed a rare sense of innocent humour and a gift of repartee, which always elicited genuine amusement without ever causing pain. So to-day all who knew him mourn their loss in his death, because all were his friends – he never had an enemy. The Requiem Mass was sung at St. Joseph’s on Monday, May 14th, by the Very Rev. Fr. Malachy, C.P. (Rector), assisted by Frs. Eugene and Augustine. Fr. Hyacinth as M.C., and Frs. Cuthbert (Provincial Consultor) and Herbert (Vicar) were Cantors. Besides the Community, Canon Tynan, Frs. Howlett, Browne, McCabe, McCarroll, and O’Neill, O.S.M., were in the Sanctuary, and a large congregation attended the Mass and obsequies which took place in the mausoleum of the Retreat. HERBERT GREENAN, C.P. (The Cross, Vol. XIX, 1928-29; p. 68)