Notice of the death of Fr. John of the Sacred Heart 11th November 1903 It is our sad duty to record the death of Fr. John of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, which took place on Wednesday 11th November of this year 1903. Although his death was sudden, yet from remarks made by him from time to time, it does not seem to have been unexpected. He was one of those who dreaded a long illness, and lived always prepared to meet death at short notice. Born on 6h September 1868, he had but entered on his 36th year, when God called him to Himself. His birthplace was the town of Ballarat, Victoria, but he was of Irish extraction, his father having emigrated from the old lands in the troubled times of 47. He entered the Noviciate at Mary’s Mount in the year 1893 and having passed his year of probation in a true spirit if religious fervour, he was professed on 8th February in the following year. The six years of his studentship were marked by industry that never flagged and, as he was a student of undoubted abilities, his acquirements in philosophy and theology were both extensive and lasting. To industry he added a sincere piety, which, to a certain extent, he concealed under a manner not usually found in this association, but which evinced in the most practical of all ways, by an unremitting observance of all his choir duties, and a great devotion to the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. This he was always anxious to be present at, whensoever celebrated, and to serve without ostentation or affectation. The six years of his studentship being finished and the intermediate orders having already been duly received, he had the happiness of being ordained priest by Most Rev. Dr. Gallagher, Bishop of Goulburn on first of April, 1900. Shortly afterwards he w as appointed de familia of our house of St. Paul of the Cross, at Adelaide and here in every way he showed himself a zealous and unselfish worker for God and a true religious. He remained in Adelaide until the October of 1902, when he was recalled by his superiors to our Retreat of the Presentation, Mary’s Mount. From that time until the day of his death he was an example of the observant, humble and charitable Passionist. During all that time he suffered much from insomnia, yet when the Matins bell sounded he always responded by his presence in the choir. His charity was of that true character that thinks no evil and although blessed by God with large abilities his conduct in deferring to the opinion of others in every way less talented would argue a simple unconsciousness of his own powers as rare as it was edifying and attractive. We ask you to join your prayers with ours for the repose of his soul, that so the time may be hastened, when freed from the stains which human frailty has left upon it, it may posses the reward God has prepared for those who serve Him faithfully in the life. (Signed) Fernando of the Sacred Heart, Mary’s Mount, Golburn, Australia.