REV. FR. VICTOR LOUGHRAN, C.P. We regret to chronicle the death of Rev. Fr. Victor of the Seven Dolours, which occurred in an Edinburgh Nursing Home, after a comparatively brief illness, on May 30th, 1948 at the age of fifty years. Born in Belfast on December 2nd, 1898, Patrick Loughran entered the Passionist Congregation in 1916, taking the name of Victor of the Seven Dolours. He made his religious profession on July 29th, 1917 and was ordained in Dublin on December 23rd, 1922. Only a few months ago he celebrated the Silver Jubilee of his ordination. He was stationed for some years at St. Gabriel’s Retreat, Enniskillen, but for almost twenty years he was a member of the community of St. Mungo’s Retreat, Glasgow, where he acted as Vicar for a considerable period. For the past few months he had been in charge of the mission at Prestonpans, Musselburgh, where his untiring efforts and spirit of self-sacrifice contributed not a little to his untimely end. Gifted with a deep, sonorous voice, the late Fr. Victor was a very successful missioner, in which capacity he was frequently engaged both in Ireland and in Scotland. His earnestness in preaching the word of God never failed to make a deep impression upon the congregation; his zealous attendance in the confessional brought comfort and peace to many a wearied soul. His many years in Glasgow were spent in the service of the poor and the afflicted; he was assiduous in visiting the sick and no appeal for help ever found him unresponsive. His funeral was the occasion of a remarkable demonstration of popular sympathy. Fr. Victor’s remains were conveyed to Glasgow, where Requiem Mass, at which His Grace the Archbishop of Glasgow presided, was offered at St. Mungo’s. The spacious church was crowded to the doors; many had travelled from Musselburgh and Prestonpans to be present at the obsequies. After the Mass, the funeral took place to St. Kentigern’s Cemetery, Lambhill. (The Cross, Vol. XXXIX, 1948-49; p. 80) OBITAURY Rev. Father Victor C.P. In many parts of Scotland and Ireland deep sorrow was felt and expressed when on May 30th. 1948 it was announced that Fr.Victor, Passionist, was dead. To the many who had been unaware of his short but fatal illness the sad news came as a great shock. Only six months previously, 23 Dec., 1947, he had celebrated the Silver Jubilee of his Ordination to the Priesthood. Quietly happy amidst his religious Brethren during the festive celebrations of that grand occasion, Fr. Victor had been the humble recipient of numerous good wishes and deserved tributes. Even the most astute observer could not have suspected on that happy day that the Angel of Death was hovering around the Jubilarian. Yet on May 30th of this year, after receiving two strokes within the short space of one month, he was summoned on the Sunday within the Octave of Corpus Christi to meet the Master in whose service he had spent himself. His death, holy and peaceful, took place in St. Raphael ‘s Nursing Home, Edinburgh, in the presence of the Nursing Sisters, Fr. Rector and Fr. Patrick. Patrick Laughran was born in the parish of’ Holy Cross, Ardoyne, Belfast, on Dec. 2nd, 1898. On the completion of his secondary education at the Christian Brothers’ Schools he had conceived the desire to consecrate himself to the service of God in the Passionist Congregation. Revealing his intentions to our Superiors he was judged a suitable aspirant for our Novitiate. Accordingly, he received the Holy Habit of the Passion at St.Gabriel’s Retreat, Enniskillen, on July 28th , I9I6. The name given him was Victor. The Devotion he chose was the Seven Dolours. On July 29th of the following year he made his Religious Profession and on Dec. 23rd, 1922 he was ordained Priest at the Pro-Cathedral Dublin. Fr.Victor’s twenty-five years in the Priesthood represent a period of solid spiritual achievement. Earnestly and fruitfully he employed the powers conferred upon him on the day he became an “Alter Christus”. To be a priest, was for Fr. Victor to live by Christ’s life and to impart that life to others. Hence the singleness of purpose, the marked and remarkable earnestness, the unwearying efforts, the industry and sympathy, that everywhere accompanied his quest for souls. No wonder that he was so much sought after by the wayward and the weak, the needy and the poor, the despondent, the suffering. Of these there were many in Glasgow City which was the sphere of his labours for the greater part of his priestly life. For almost twenty years he gave himself in unstinted service to the people of St.Mungo ‘s parish. They were years when these people needed much a priest with the courage and zeal of Fr.Victor. He was with them during the trying years of depression between the two world wars. Around him, on every side, were suffering and hardship, unemployment and misery. For all so heavily laden, Fr. Victor’s staunch faith and inspiring courage were a source of strength and hope. In various capacities Fr.Victor served well the Congregation, which he loved. While stationed at St .Mungo’s, he held for a considerable time the office of Vicarship. Possessed of a splendid orotund voice he conducted many successful missions in both Ireland and Scotland. As a preacher, he was most convincing because of the earnestness of soul he revealed. His words and prayers touched the heart. And it is true to say that none could hear him preach or pray without being made God-conscious and reverential. When Fr. Victor was appointed to look after the parish at Drum-Mohr, St. Mango’s loss was Drum-Mohr’s gain. However the Community and the Parish at Drum-Mohr were to benefit by his example and labours for only a few months. But that time was sufficient to endear him to all inside and outside the Retreat. His brethren will always remember him as a man of prayer, a man who, amidst increasing parochial activities, maintained a true sense of values, always placing first things first. He remembered at all times that as a religious he was not his own master and in everything he depended on the direction of his superiors whom he obeyed more humbly and, indeed, more readily than the best of novices. The vast congregation of young and old that assembled at St .Mungo ‘s for the Requiem Mass and funeral was evidence, if evidence was needed, of the admiration and esteem in which Fr. Victor was held. His body was laid to rest near the scene of his many activities, ‘midst the people he had learned to love and for whom he had untiringly laboured. REQUIESCAT IN PACE….. Fr. Angelo, C.P. I ,