FR. SYLVIUS RUDDEN, C.P. At the comparatively early age of forty-seven years, Father Sylvius of Our Lady of Perpetual Succour passed to his eternal reward on November 21st, 1948. Born at Ashwood, Co. Fermanagh on July 15th, 1901, Philip Rudden first became acquainted with the Passionists when they came to Co. Fermanagh to establish the new Retreat of St. Gabriel, near Enniskillen, in 1909. His admiration for the Passionist way of life determined his vocation, and at the age of nineteen he entered the novitiate, making his religious profession on January 6th, 1921. He pursued his ecclesiastical studies at St. Anne’s Retreat, Sutton, Lancs., where he was raised to the priesthood by Most Rev. Dr. Keating, Archbishop of Liverpool, on September 18th, 1926. His first appointment was to Mount Argus, Dublin, where he became Director of Students; some years later, in 1932, he was appointed Vicar of St. Mungo’s Retreat, Glasgow. At the Provincial Chapter of 1938, Fr. Sylvius was elected Rector of St. Gabriel’s Retreat, Enniskillen, whilst from 1944-47, he was Rector of the Retreat of Mary Immaculate, Musselburgh. Father Sylvius was a very zealous missioner, and preached with considerable success in many parts of Ireland and Scotland. Energetic and hard-working, he was tireless in his efforts to do good to others and never counted the cost to himself. He had no time for slackness or incompetence, and he rightfully expected a high standard of accomplishment from those engaged in work for souls. His high ideals of duty inspired his whole life; on unimportant details he could be yielding and accommodating, but on matters of principle he was ever inflexible. The high esteem in which he was universally held was an implicit recognition of his strength of character. Some months ago Fr. Sylvius had a severe attack of heart-trouble, and at the time, his. recovery appeared doubtful. His indomitable spirit asserted itself, and he made a good recovery, but alas, the respite was only temporary. He knew himself that his health was precarious, and his lease of life short and doubtful. When it was suggested that, as a precautionary measure, he should receive the last Sacraments, he welcomed the suggestion with joyful anticipation. Despite the most devoted care, he succumbed to another heart-attack and peacefully passed away on the Feast of the Presentation of Our Blessed Lady. His Lordship Most Rev. Dr. Mageean, Bishop, of Down and Connor, presided at the obsequies which took place at Holy Cross Church, Ardoyne. (The Cross, Vol. XXXIX, 1948-49; p. 245) THE REV. FATHER SYLVIUS OF OUR LADY OF PERPETUAL SUCCOUR The Province of St. Patrick sustained a great loss in the death of Fr. Sylvius of Our Lady of Perpetual Succour which occurred at Belfast on the Feast of Our Lady’s Presentation, 21st November, 1946. Born at Ashwood on July 15th 1901 Philip Rudden entered the Novitiate at the beginning of January, 1920 and took in Religion the name of Sylvius of Our Lady of Perpetual Succour. On the Feast of the Epiphany of the following year he was professed. Immediately after Profession he began his studies at St” Anne’s Retreat, Sutton, where he was ordained on 18th Sept., 1936. His first appointment as a Professed Priest was as Director of Students at St. Paul’ s Retreat, Mount Argus, and in this office he continued until 1930 when he was transferred to St. Mirage’s Retreat, Glasgow. After the Chapter of 1932 he was made Vicar of St. Mungo’s, and at the following Provincial Chapter he was transferred to St. Gabriel’s, The Graan, as Vioar. At the Chapter of 1933 he was elected Rector of S t .Gabriel’s. He remained as a member of St. Gabriel’s Community from 1941 until 1944, when he was elected Rector of the Retreat of Mary Immaculate, Mueselburgh. After the Chapter of 1947 he returned once more to St. Mungo’s, and was only a few months engaged on Parish Work when his health suffered a severe collapse. So severe was the collapse that from the very beginning there was little hope that he would ever fully recover. After nine months, however, he recovered sufficiently to return to Ireland, but while recuperating he suffered a relapse, which proved fatal. Only forty-seven years of age, his death was a severe blow to the Province of St. Patrick. As a missioner he was a vigorous preacher and his zeal for souls was, indeed, outstanding. He did not know what it was to spare himself t and to such an extent did his unselfish zeal burn up his energy that he scarcely reached the prime of life when he was no longer able for active work For one fired with such enthusiasm for the salvation of souls, for one who undoubtedly lived only to work, this must have been a heavy cross. But he accepted it with heroic resignation. For almost a year his sufferings were well nigh unbearable, yet he never complained. His only concern was lest he give trouble to others, Those who were privileged to attend him during his illness realised that only a man of deep spirituality could suffer so cheerfully and heroically. Fr. Sylvius was a man of solid piety, devoid of frills. His sense of duty was at all times the principle of his daily life, and both as superior & subject be was fearless in the execution of that duty. Always regular in the observance and the keeping of his rule of he could never relax when duty was to be done. Indeed it was his sense of duty which inspired him as a Passionist in his monastic and missionary life. But the depth of his spirituality was never seen until the Cross lay heavily on his shoulders. It was then that we realised his worth and the loss that death was to bring. He died as he lived. His approach to suffering was nothing less than heroic. To accept his illness with cheerful resignation was, for him, only another duty, – a duty which was executed with all his heart and “soul. May She who undoubtedly was the inspiration of his heroism and on whose Feast he died rest his good soul in peace.