OBITUARY NOTICE of FATHER PAUL FRANCIS (WALSH), C.P. The end of many journeys and of a rich priestly ministry came for Father Paul Francis on Wednesday, May 26, 1965. A soldier in his youth, he faced eternity with the bravery of a soldier of Christ. The news of his death was received with shock and grief throughout the Province of St. Patrick and in distant Africa where he had spent six toil-filled years. Though it was widely known that his illness was mortal, no one expected that his earthly pilgrimage would come quite so swiftly to an end. Besides, there is added poignancy in death when it comes to a priest of forty-nine years who, until the last few months of his life, had always enjoyed robust health. Thomas Walsh – to give him his secular name – was born in Tubbercurry, Co. Sligo, on the Feast of St. Paul of the Cross, April 28, 1916. Biographers of the old school would no doubt have seen a hint of prophecy in the fact that Father Paul Francis first saw the light of day on the Feast of our Holy Founder. Though we may have no taste for reading portents into every coincidence, we can well believe that Paul Francis Daneo had a special care for the child who would one day be known as Father Paul Francis. Young Thomas, however, showed no early signs of a religious vocation. When he had left school, he went to Dublin to join his uncle who owned a licensed premises in the city. In 1939 he joined the Irish Defence Forces. Here his worth was soon recognized, but more than once he refused promotion as he felt that added responsibility would have prevented his studying for Matriculation. Obviously, at this stage, he was making remote preparations for the religious life and the priesthood. In 1943 he Matriculated, obtained his discharge from the army and entered the Passionist Novitiate at St. Gabriel’s, The Graan, where he took the name of Paul Francis of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Having completed his student course at St. Joseph’s, Cloonamahon, and later at Mount Argus, he was ordained on May 28, 1950, and was soon afterwards transferred to St. Mary’s Retreat, Drum-mohr. Here he remained until his appointment to Bechuanaland in the autumn of 1952. It is interesting to note that it was from Africa that some of the most touching letters of sympathy were received. Passionist Fathers and Sisters in Bechuanaland wrote to tell of the goodness and zeal which they had witnessed n Father Paul Francis during his years in their midst. In the heart of Africa his name and work will long be remembered. When, in 1958, he returned to his Province, he was appointed de familia of St. Michael’s Retreat, Dankeith, Kilmarnock. Here he commenced his all too brief career as missioner and retreat-master. As a mission preacher, he favoured a style that was quietly persuasive rather than flamboyant, while in the confessional penitents found in him a patient and sympathetic father. In this he was admirable since by nature he was of the forthright sort. He took his obligations as a preacher with the utmost seriousness, and never dared to deliver from the pulpit what he had not carefully prepared beforehand. Evidence of this was often noticed by his brethren in the form of meticulously typed sermon notes. In his preparation of mission and retreat material he read with discrimination, and had a special regard for the writings of Monsignor Ronald Knox. During his years in Scotland Father Paul Francis showed considerable interest in ecumenical affairs, and seldom lost an opportunity to make friendly contact with our separated brethren. Not a few non-Catholics responded to the kindly interest which he continued to show after his transfer to The Graan in 1960. Indeed in his last illness he was visited twice by a local Protestant Clergyman, Rev. Mr. Howe, who was deeply moved by the example of resignation and fortitude given by the dying priest. A new field of apostolic activity opened up for Father Paul Francis when, in September, 1964, he was appointed to conduct enclosed retreats at Fatima House, Coodham, Kilmarnock. In this specialized work he was highly successful. Few if any of our Fathers can have conducted so many enclosed retreats in such a short time. The many hundreds of retreatants to whom he brought spiritual aid and comfort during his brief period at Coodham have special reason to mourn his passing. It was in the Spring of the present year that signs of serious ill-health first showed themselves. His doctors advised an exploratory operation which was performed in Kilmarnock Hospital. Surgery provided unmistakable evidence that his illness was grave and that, in fact, he had only a short time to prepare himself for the end. When this was explained to him by one of his brethren, he accepted the news with calmness and Christian resignation. Out of consideration for his relatives who wished to visit him, he asked to be allowed to come to St. Gabriel’s, The Graan. Permission for the transfer was readily granted. However, he was in The Graan only a few weeks when increasing infirmity forced him to enter the County Hospital, Enniskillen. Before leaving St. Gabriel’s for the last time, he was careful – like Pope John – to see that “his bags were packed” for his journey into eternity. Calmly and fervently he received the Last Sacraments, and edified his brethren by his blunt references to his approaching death. In hospital, too, his bravery was a cause of admiration to Catholic and non-Catholic members of the medical and nursing staffs. Early on the morning of May 26 a message from the hospital indicated that the patient was sinking. Immediately Very Rev. Father Fergus, Rector, and Rev. Father Eustace, Vice-Master of Novices, hastened to his bedside and remained with him, until a few hours later, he passed quietly to his reward. On Friday, May 28, the Obsequies were held in the Church of St. Gabriel, The Graan. Most Rev. Dr. Eugene O’Callaghan, Bishop of Clogher, presided at the Solemn Requiem Mass celebrated by Rev. Father Valentine, Provincial, assisted by Very Rev. Father Raphael, Superior of Fatima House, as Deacon, and Rev. Father Flannan, Vicar of St. Gabriel’s, as Sub-Deacon. Rev. Father Eustace was Master of Ceremonies. In the choir were Right Rev. Monsignor P. J. Flanagan, P.P., V.G., Archdeacon of Clogher; Very Rev. Patrick Canon Mulligan, President of St. Michael’s Grammar School, Enniskillen; together with several other members of the diocesan clergy and a representative gathering of Passionists from the various houses of St. Patrick’s Province. Very Rev. Father Augustine (Lane), C.P., was present to represent the Provincial of St. Joseph’s Province. May the soul of Father Paul Francis rest in peace. Signed: Dermot of St. Theresa, Rector. The Graan. July 17, 1965. Rev. Father Paul Francis (Walsh), C.P. 0n Wednesday, May 26, at St. Gabriel’s Retreat, The Graan, Enniskillen, the death occurred of Father Paul Francis (Walsh), C.P. The news of his passing was received with genuine sorrow by his brethren of St. Patrick’s Province. They had looked upon Father Paul Francis as a strong, active missioner who, at the age of 49, could well look forward to many more years of fruitful apostolic work. In far-off Bechuanaland, too, where he had laboured with untiring zeal for many years, the news of his death brought grief to the Passionist Fathers and Sisters with whom he had served. Fiat voluntas Dei. Known before his entry into religion as Thomas Walsh, Father Paul Francis was born near Tubbercurry, Co. Sligo, in 1916. Having finished his secondary education, he embarked on a business career. Shortly after the outbreak of World War Two, however, he joined the army, in which he served until, in 1943, he entered the Passionist Congregation at St. Gabriel’s, The Graan, Enniskillen. He was ordained in Holy Cross Church, Clonliffe, Dublin, on May 28, 1950. A zealous missionary in Bechuanaland, Father Paul Francis was no less enthusiastic as a preacher of missions and retreats since his return from Africa. As missioner and retreat master he was known to and will be mourned by many parishes and religious houses in Ireland and Scotland. Shortly before his death Father Paul Francis returned to St. Gabriel’s from Fatima House, Coodham, Kilmarnock, Scotland. He faced the end with noble Christian fortitude and cheerfulness, and passed to his reward fortified by the Last Rites of the Church. Following solemn Requiem Mass celebrated by Very Rev. Father Valentine, C.P., Provincial, the remains of Father Paul Francis were interred in the Community cemetery at St. Gabriel’s Retreat, The Graan. May he rest in peace. (The Cross, Vol. LVI, 1965-66; p. 64)