FR. EPHREM (O’CONNELL), C.P. On Wednesday, June 17th, we received the sad news that Father Ephrem, C.P. had passed away in his sleep at Holy Cross Retreat, Ardoyne, Belfast. Though his death was comparatively sudden, he had enjoyed only indifferent health for some years past; and ever conscious that his days would be short, he prepared for the end with edifying fervour. Thomas O’Connell, as he was known before he became a religious, was born at Glasgow on May 24th, 1882. At the age of sixteen he felt the call to the religious life and sought admission to the Passionist Novitiate at St. Saviour’s Retreat, Broadway, Worcs., where he was professed on August 27th, 1899. He completed his course of clerical studies at St. Paul’s Retreat, Mount Argus, Dublin, and was ordained to the priesthood by Most Rev. Dr. Donnelly at Holy Cross College Clonliffe, on September 22nd, 1906. After his ordination he was appointed Vice-Master of Novices, Director of Students, and Vice-Rector of Mount Argus. In 1915, on the election of the late Father Hilary (Mara), C.P. as Consultor-General, he was elected as Master of Novices and remained in this important office until 1920. Some time later he sailed for Argentina to conduct missions and retreats in the Passionist Province of the Immaculate Conception. The veneration and affection with which his name is still remembered by the people to whom he ministered is an eloquent testimony of the enduring success of his labours in this sphere. On his return to Ireland in 1932 he was stationed for a short period at Mount Argus before being transferred to Holy Cross Retreat, Ardoyne, Belfast where he was engaged in conducting missions and was for some years Director of the men’s confraternity. Ever unsparingly devoted to the duties and demands of the sacred ministry, Father Ephrem was first and before everything else a man of God whose deep spirituality permeated even the most ordinary actions of his religious and priestly life. A special feature of his spiritual life, however, which was readily recognised by all who knew him was his filial and solid devotion to the Mother of God. This was especially evident in his inspiring sermons and addresses on Our Blessed Lady and in the earnest zeal with which he endeavoured to inculcate this devotion to the members of the Legion of Mary to whom he had acted as Spiritual Director for many years. His brethren, too, did not fail to notice when they visited him in his cell during the recurring illnesses of his last years that he was constantly reciting the Rosary. In being called away on the eve of his feast-day, he went to his eternal reward as a lifelong client of Mary and a devoted son of St. Paul of the Cross. May he rest in peace! Most Rev. Dr. Mageean, Bishop of Down and Connor, was present at the obsequies, which took place at Holy Cross Retreat, Ardoyne, Belfast. (The Cross, Vol. XLIV, 1953-54; p.66.) OBITUARY FATHER EPHREM OF THE .INFANT JESUS. Shock and grief combined to cast a gloom over Holy Cross Retreat, Belfast, on the morning of June 17, 1953, when the senior member of the Community – and the senior but two of the Province – Father Ephrem of the Infant Jesus, was found dead in bed. In some cases, the death of one who has entered upon his 72nd year is not altogether unexpected – more especially when such a one has been in delicate or failing health; but, although Father Ephrem had had, for upwards of a decade or more, a chronic disease of the heart which caused considerable concern at times, the element of shock was very little lessened when the end came so suddenly. He had been on his feet and in the best of spirits up to the very night before, when he was chatting cheerfully with his Brethren and looking forward in happy anticipation to a visit from his brother and sisters – one of the latter being a Sister of the Cross and Passion stationed in England. His obsequies took place at Holy Cross on June 19, when Very Rev. Father Provincial was the celebrant of the Solemn Requiem Mass and the Bishop of Down and Connor, Most REv. Dr. Mageean, presided. Known in the world as Thomas O1 Cornell, Father Ephrem was born in Glasgow on May 24, 1882, and received his early education at St. Mungo’s Academy. While still in his seventeenth year, he entered our Novitiate at St. Saviour’s Retreat, Broadway, Worcestershire, and was professed on August 27, 1899. His years as a Student were spent at St. Paul’s Retreat, Dublin, and he was also ordained in Dublin on September 22, 1906. From his earliest years as a Passionist, his Superiors did not fail to notice his personal piety, his fidelity to the Observance in Choir, his deep devotedness to the Holy Rule and his love for our traditions, as well as his gentle and gentlemanly manner, coupled with an intensely priestly attitude in all things. So it was no surprise to his Brethren when he was appointed Vice-Master of Novices while still a very young priest. Further confidence was reposed in him as Director of Students, Director of Student-Priests and Vice-Rector of St. Paul’s Retreat. Then, in 1915, when the late Father Hilary became Consultor-General, Father Ephrem was elected to replace him as Master of Novices at St. Gabriel’s Retreat – an office to which he was re-elected. Those of us who were his Novices remember and revere him with more than ordinary respect, affection and gratitude. In an especial way do we recall his impartial kindness, his infectious refinement and, above all, his burning, heart-bidden words in his unforgettable talks on the Sacred Passion and the Mother of Sorrows. We recall also that, at the Provincial Chapter of 1917, it was mainly through his arguments and good offices that leave for butter at the morning collation was obtained for the Novices of the then Anglo-Hibernian Province. During all these years, -while he never spared himself in unremitting discharge of the various offices assigned to him, and also for many years afterwards, Father Ephrem gave many missions in Ireland and Great Britain, as well as conducting a very large number of retreats for Sodalities (especially Children of Mary) and Religious Communities. In this sphere of his many-sided apostolate he was characteristically a Passionist as is so readily remembered by the unnumbered priests, religious and lay-folk to whom, for and under God, he rendered such edifying and such untiring service. Many a soiled or sorrowing soul he sanctified in his sacred secrecy of his confessional, where he was so sought after and so patient and so kindly. His wise counsel and valuable advice were always at the disposal of those of his Brethren who confided to him their worries .or doubts; and few were more understanding or more encouraging, even when one’s worry might be partly begotten of some little weakness or waywardness. Worthy of mention is Father Ephrem’s ready willingness when, in the twenties, his Superiors invited him to go, with the late Father Thomas, to minister in a missionary capacity to the English-speaking Catholics in Buenos Aires. At this work he spent some fruitful years, and spoke often since with very pleasant recollection of his experiences. While there, as cordially related by our Argentinean Brethren, he discharged this temporary task with characteristic zeal and much success. He returned in 1930 and, after a short term at St. Paul’s Retreat – during which he was once again Director of Student-Priests – he came ‘de familia’ to Holy Cross where the remainder of his life was spent. “Nihil de mortuis nisi bonum” is an axiom or principle seldom dishonoured in its breach – though there are some, practically-minded rather than unkind, who regard it as sometimes over-stressed and who hold that objective or historic truth should not be sacrificed for exaggerated charity. In this necrology, however, there is no room for false euphemism, nor is there need for strained eulogies. In the life of Father Ephrem, as we who lived with him knew it, there was no fault to hide. Earlier passing reference has been made to his gentleness, gentlemanliness and charity. Yet he was no man for the soft word when righteous indignation simmered, or even boiled, within him. He was a ruthless wrecker of the unkind untruth, and a challenging champion of any cause which to him seemed right and just and good: fearless in dignified denunciation, devastating in defence of those detracted or unable to plead their own cause. In discussing matters regarding which he had strong feelings or convictions, he could be amusingly, and almost irritatingly, wordy; but never rough or rude or even slightly unrefined in word or bearing. His grand and priestly virtues arc too many to mention and extol. We remember his edifying recital of the Divine Office and Community Prayers. We remember his Mass – a lesson in liturgy and a sermon in sanctity: not only his correct and devout celebration of the Holy Sacrifice, but also his hunger for hearing as many Masses as he could and his love for serving another’s Mass when the chance came his way. We remember how the people revered and respected him, and how many besought and believed in his prayers. And we remember and miss his genial jocularity at recreation to the very day before his death, These lines, however, would be wanting and unworthy were there no word of what was the spiritual mainspring and the outstanding trait of his life – his deep devotion to Our Blessed Lady, colouring and beautifying his every interest and endeavour. To hear him preach of Her was an unforgettable experience; to see him pray to Her, to watch him work for Her, are memories that we cherish. Never would he omit, Monday after Monday, to take part with the people in at least two of the four Devotions of the Perpetual Novena in honour of Her Sorrows. No one but himself dare pluck and trim and fix the flowers lovingly laid by him at the feet of all Her statues in the Retreat; and, if unwell or away, his reminder to his deputy was: “Don’t forget fresh flowers for Our Blessed Mother.” In his later days, when heavier work was forbidden him by Superiors and physician alike, his love for Her and his zeal for souls struggled for and found an outlet in his devotedness to the Legion of Mary. He would never, unless really ill, miss a meeting of his own Presidium, whose members were so moved and motivated by his words and example; and he loved to go, on Sunday mornings, to the Sancta Maria Hostel in Belfast to celebrate Holy Mass and talk about Our Holy Mother to the poor souls who had wandered away from the law and the love of Her Divine Son. A few days after his death a devout Legionary said to one of our Community: “We’ll never replace Father Ephrem at Sancta Maria. He was so holy, so kind and so cheerful; but he was at his best when he talked to us of Our Lady. ” And this was but one of many similar and sincere tributes. When we found him dead, reposing peacefully with no sign of stress or struggle on his features or his frame, his fingers still clasped Mary’s Rosary.’ And no one wondered ….. . May perpetual light shine upon him. Peter Paul of the Seven Dolours, Rector,