OBITUARY : FATHER ROBERT KELLY C.P. (d. 26th January 1933, aged 57 years. ) The scythe of Death, the reaper, has been unusually active of late amongst the Passionists of St. Patrick’s Province. Within the space of one month, no less than four priests whom the Province could ill afford to lose -have been called to their eternal reward. Last month, it was our melancholy duty to chronicle three deaths, now the name of the late Father Robert, C.P. must be added to the list. The sad event, however, was not unexpected, as for some time prior to his death the medical advisers held out no hope of recovery. He himself fully realised his danger, and cheerfully resigning himself to Cod’s Holy Will, he spent his last days n earth in pious ejaculations and fervent prayers. He remained fully conscious to the last; the end came peacefully on the morning of Thursday, January 26th. ” Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord’. The late Father Robert who was known in the world as Edward Kelly was born at Ballymore, Westmeath, on June 23rd, 1875. He was educated at Glastonbury, Somerset; and at the conclusion of his studies, in response to a call to the religious state, he entered the Passionist Noviciate at St. Saviour’s Retreat, Broadway, Worcs. On the completion of his year of probation he was admitted to profession on July 31st 1895, and was transferred to St. Anne’s Retreat, Sutton, Lanes., to commence his ecclesiastical studies. Here he was raised to the priesthood on September 8th, 1901. Nowhere more than 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 does a Passionist religious remain for a prolonged period in a definite place. In the course of a long and active priestly life, comprising more than thirty years of strenuous labour in the ministry, Father Robert was associated with almost every centre of Passionist activities in these countries. It speaks volumes for his adaptability of temperament and for his genuine zeal for souls to say that he found congenial fields for labour in Dublin, London, Belfast, Glasgow, Sutton, Birmingham and Carmarthen. In these widely-separated places, his name is held in affectionate remembrance by those to whom he unselfishly ministered. More especially did his heart beat in sympathy for those in distress and infirmity. In Glasgow, when epidemics were raging, he spent long hours all through the day, and often far into the night, administering the Sacraments to the sick, bringing solace to those in sorrow, and imparting strength and consolation to the dying. The grandest and most characteristic trait in the life of this devoted son of St. Paul of the Cross was his unfailing charity towards all. His gentle, unassuming disposition won golden opinions from those who had the privilege of his friendship. He possessed a pleasant sense of innocent humour, which often 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. Singularly unambitious, he had no desire for the honours of office, yet few ever loved his Order with more absorbing devotion than he did. Many relatives of Father Robert have entered the service of the Church both as priests and as religious, and several have enrolled themselves in the ranks of the Passionists. Amongst his kinsfolk was one of the former venerated Provincials of the Congregation, V. Rev. Fr. Vincent (Grogan), C.P., whose name was a household word to a former generation. The obsequies, which were attended by a large and devout congregation, took place at Holy Cross, Ardoyne, Belfast. May his good soul enjoy eternal rest. (Ex. “The Cross”, March 1933, Vol. XIII, p.449)