Obituary Notice of Fr. Gabriel (McCarthy) of Our Lady of Perpetual Succour The announcement of the death of Fr. Gabriel of Our Lady of Perpetual Succour caused great regret throughout St. Patrick’s Province. Although all were aware of the poor state of Fr. Gabriel’s health, it was felt, nevertheless that the restful atmosphere and healthy surroundings of Belvedere Hall, Greystones to which he had been transferred just six months previously, would bring about an improvement in his condition. Almighty God, however, willed otherwise and mercifully in the early morning of July 30th 1962 He called His long-suffering servant to that “place of refreshment, light and peace”, “where sorrow shall not be any more, for the former things have passed away.” James McCarthy, as Fr. Gabriel was known in the world, was born at Castlecomer, Co. Kilkenny on October 27th 1913. As a result of a Mission conducted in his native town by the Passionist Fathers, he felt drawn to the life of a Passionist Priest and at the age of sixteen years, entered the Preparatory College which was then at Wheatfield House, Crumlin Road, Belfast. In those days there existed only three grades in the Preparatory College – Junior, Middle and Senior – and having successfully passed through these with a creditable showing of intelligence, he obtained the Matriculation Certificate of the National University of Ireland in 1932. His year of Novitiate was spent in St. Gabriel’s Retreat, Enniskillen where he was given the name of Gabriel of Our Lady of Perpetual Succour. His Religious Profession was made on September 17th 1933. Student days followed at St. Paul’s Retreat, Mount Argus, Dublin and in due course he was raised to the Priesthood on June 3rd 1939 at the Pro-Cathedral, Marlborough St., Dublin. With the other members of his class he spent a year after Ordination at St. Gabriel’s Retreat, Enniskillen engaged in writing sermons and in immediate preparation for the work of the Sacred Ministry. But even at that early stage in his Priestly life he began to manifest symptoms of the Pulmonary Tuberculosis which proved to be the Cross God willed him to bear for the remainder of his comparatively short life, twenty one years of which were spent as a member of the Community of Holy Cross Retreat, Ardoyne, Belfast. His personal experience of chronic illness made him genuinely sympathetic towards others who were sick or ailing or burdened with sorrow while his natural charm of manner and tactful method of approach earned for him the gratitude and friendship of all those who sought his advice and help in difficult situations. The nature of his malady caused him to be easily fatigued and distressingly breathless, but when not prevented by recurring bouts of illness he took his turn with the Community in the Choir Observance, Confessional duty, supply work and parochial ministrations. Being endowed with a pleasing singing voice he was frequently in demand as Chanter at Solemn Liturgical functions. Those who remember him in his boyhood days will doubtless recall with nostalgia his rich clear soprano singing which was a delight to hear. The long warm Summer of 1955 produced ill effects upon his health as it caused a re-activation of the disease which, with Sanatorial treatment and post-Sanatorial care, had been fairly well under control. The normal course of drugs proved ineffectual and eventually resection of the lung was resorted to, but evidently in vain as, from then onwards, his vitality remained at a very low level. In order to build up his constitution and to provide him with all the rest he needed, it was thought advisable to give him a change of air away from the city of Belfast and in the December of last year (1961) he was transferred to Belvedere Hall, Greystones, Co. Wicklow, where other invalided Priests and Brothers had greatly benefited in health, but his ravaged lungs were seemingly beyond repair. During a short vacation at the home of his married sister, at Timahoe, Co. Laois, he developed bronchial pneumonia. Obviously aware that his end was approaching he had a message sent to Mount Argus on Saturday, July 28th to request the spiritual administration of Fr. Paulinus. Having performed all that was to be done in this respect, Fr. Paulinus arranged for Father Gabriel’s admission to Leix County Hospital in Portlaoghise under the care of the Sisters of the Holy Family. Sunday morning brought encouraging news of his condition, but later on Sunday night shortly after 10 o’clock the Matron of the Hospital telephoned Mount Argus to express her fear that he might not last until morning. Whereupon Very Rev. Fr. Valentine, Provincial accompanied by Fr. Sylvius, Provincial Secretary, hastened by car to the Hospital, and by 12.30 a.m. were at the bedside of the dying Priest, who, on their arrival, had already lost consciousness. Final absolution was given by Fr. Provincial, and while the prayers for the Dying were being recited Fr. Gabriel passed peacefully to his reward. His life as a Passionist was not that of the Missioner preaching the Sacred Passion to crowded congregations: his was the way of the Cross bravely borne in the footsteps of his Crucified Master, and the cheerful resignation with which he carried his chafing burden through the years was in itself a telling sermon not only to the faithful who revered and loved him, but to us his Passionist brethren whose lives derive their very meaning from the saying of Our Saviour: “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself and take up his Cross daily and come after me” (Luke ix.23) Thus, mindful of the words of St. Paul to the Romans that we are “heirs indeed of God and joint heirs with Christ, yet so, if we suffer with Him, that we may be also glorified with Him” we may feel assured that Fr. Gabriel now possesses and enjoys the knowledge “that the sufferings of this time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to come that shall be revealed in us”. His remains were conveyed to Mount Argus, on Monday, July 31st. At 8 p.m. On Wednesday morning the Obsequies took place. Right Rev. Monsignor Charles Hurley, St. Kevin’s Harrington St., Presided. Celebrant of the Solemn Requiem Mass was Very Rev. Fr. Aidan, C.P., Rector of Mount Argus, with Fr. Alexis, C.P. St. Joseph’s Retreat, Collooney, as Deacon, and Fr. Brendan, C.P. Holy Cross Retreat, Belfast, as Sub Deacon. Many Passionists were present from St. Patrick’s Province, and from St. Joseph’s Province to pay their last respects. There was also a noteworthy representation of the Secular Clergy, and of Religious Orders, as well as several Officers of the National Army, in which Fr. Gabriel’s brother, Patrick, holds a Commissioned Rank. Present also were Fr. Gabriel’s sister, Sister M. Carmel Therese of the Cross and Passion Sisters and other members of his family. It was a sad occasion, no doubt, considering that Fr. Gabriel was in his 49th year, but the words of Ecclesiasticus may be aptly recalled: “Weep for the dead for his light hath failed …… Weep but a little …. for he is at rest. May he rest in peace. Signed: Aidan of the Immac Heart of Mary. (Rector) St. Paul’s Retreat, Mount Argus, Dublin. REV. FR. GABRIEL (McCARTHY), C.P. On July 30th, 1962, the death took place of Rev. Father Gabriel (McCarthy), C.P., Belvedere Hall, Bray, Co. Wicklow. Few Passionists in this Province have been called upon by God to bear so many years of trying illness as Father Gabriel. Indeed the cross of ill-health had cast its shadow across his path for over twenty-two years – almost since the day of his Ordination. Known in the world as James McCarthy, he was born in Castlecomer, Co. Kilkenny, in 1913. Having completed his secondary education in the Passionist Juniorate, he entered the Novitiate at St., Gabriel’s, The Graan, Enniskillen, and was professed on September 17th, 1933. He pursued his ecclesiastical studies at St. Mary’s Retreat, Drum-mohr, Musselburgh, Scotland, and later at St. Paul’s Retreat, Mount Argus, Dublin. On June 3rd, 1939, he was raised to the Sacred Priesthood. Shortly after ordination, he was transferred to Holy Cross Retreat, Ardoyne, Belfast, where he ministered until 1961 when he went to Belvedere Hall. During his years in Belfast, Father Gabriel was much sought after as confessor and counsellor. When a few days before his death, his condition gave rise to grave anxiety, he received the last Sacraments with calm resignation. And in the early hours of Monday, July 30th, he passed peacefully to his reward. The Obsequies were held in St. Paul’s Church, Mount Argus, on Wednesday, August 1st. Solemn Requiem Mass was celebrated by Very Rev. Father Aidan, C.P., Rector. Afterwards, the interment took place in the Community Cemetery. (The Cross, Vol. LIII, 1962-63; p. 140)