FATHER PLACID, C.P. The religious of the Province, will already have learnt with sorrow, of the death of Father Placid, of the Most Holy Redeemer, a member of this community of St. Saviour, Broadway. During his long life in the Congregation he had the genuine respect of his brethren. It has followed him to the grave, and we hope will bear fruit in long remembrance of him and fervent prayers for the repose of his soul. He entered the Congregation in the year 1866, being then twenty years of age, and in the. following year made his sacred. profession. Already he had received a superior education: first in the Benedictine College, at Douai, and afterwards in the house of Father Roche O.S.B. at Blackmore Park, Worcestershire, Possessing more than ordinary abilities, he passed easily and successfully through his course of studies for the priesthood, and, in a few years after his profession was ordained. From that time, until rendered unable by his last illness, he worked zealously in the vineyard of Jesus Christ. During his priestly life of nearly fifty years, he gave himself generously to God and to his neighbour. As a director of consciences, he was much sought after. and always to be found. Very seldom, indeed, had anyone to ring the confessional bell a second time for his presence. His obedience to it was most prompt, though in later years, this often meant great physical effort and no little suffering. He took his share of the Parochial work of the Province. Glasgow and Belfast principally were the scenes of his labours but, wherever stationed, he always helped in the work of the parishes attached to our churches. He was frequently upon missions and, although not a preacher of the style usually associated with such apostolic efforts, he was always eagerly listened to, whilst his labours in the confessional on such occasions must always have been a considerable asset , in lessening the burdens of his companions. But it was chiefly in giving retreats to priests, ecclesiastical students and religious that he found congenial scope for his special gifts. For many years he was engaged in teaching our own students. For this work he was well equipped, and undoubtedly our young men owe much to his culture and erudition. He loved his Lord and Saviour for Whom he laboured, with a great personal love. His knowledge of the Sacred Passion was profound. Both by tongue and pen, he used this means to inspire others with the love for Christ which filled his own heart. Witness his “Highway of the Cross”, so devotional yet so historically accurate, well worthy of being rescued from the fugitive pages of our Magazine, and given, in book ,form to the public. For nearly nine years he held the office of Superior or Rector. These were passed at. Wareham, Caemarthen and Harborne. In all he proved himself a wise and careful administrator. Yet or therefore he never deprived the religious of what the rule allowed, or of what was granted to them by legitimate custom. He was anxious also for the spiritual welfare of his subjects. These are not always perfect. Some offend not only once, but even twice. The rule supposes they may even fall occasionally, and actually makes provision for such a contingency. This will not surprise those, who remember the accident of Adam’s fall and the necessary result of original sin. As Rector, Father Placid was equal to his responsibilities. If he had to reprimand, it was done in the spirit of St. Paul of the Cross. He never “inflicted ten wounds, in the effort to heal one”. His was a charity that did not rejoice in iniquity.. We do not know if Our Holy Founder’s “Letters to Rectors” was available in his time, but if he had not read it, he acted upon its precepts. More he could not have done, if he had obeyed the injunction of perusing it once a week, enjoined upon Rectors by St. Paul. That of Provincial Consultor was also one of the offices he held in the Congregation. In it also he edified his brethren . He was very successful in minding his own business, and equally so in not interfering with that of others. He knew that it was only in the absence of the Rector and Vicar that he had precedence of jurisdiction in the community. When they were present he always considered they were quite able to bear the burden of their own responsibilities and support the burden of their own houses, however thickly they came upon them, and thought that his duty to the congregation was best done by confining himself strictly to his “Consultorial work”. He never assumed over the religious an authority he did not possess. He did not wish to be big with pragmatical greatness. It is not the temptation of a refined mind. Apart from this he had a fund of true humility and a sense of proportion. These would save even the “vulgar human” from the antics of the fabled jackdaw. Father Plsacid was in his 75th year of his age when he died. For the past twelve months, he had been in failing health. Nothing absolutely necessary for his state was left unattempted, and he had acquired the virtue, so necessary to the religious of this Province in the evening of their lives, of being grateful for small mercies. At the same time when kindness was shown him, savouring of the generous charity of the rule, he was very responsive, though in the promptness of him there was something of the pathos of surprise. In all his sufferings he displayed a moat edifying patience. Most of them could not be helped. Some of them were avoidable. A want of elementary forethought deprived the religious of St. Saviour’s of fires during some of the coldest days of the present winter . They do not yet have advantage by the heating apparatus. It is at considerable risk to their health that our parishioners attend Holy Mass. Under such conditions one of Father Placid’s years necessarily suffered, but his complaints, indeed, were very few.. If there was no fire in his room, an oil lamp was kept burning, which he told us warmed the atmosphere. Then the help, his disease required should be given to nature, was always forthcoming; and kindly enough bestowed. But he grew steadily worse. At length, by the advice of his doctor. he decided to undergo an operation.. For this purpose, he went to a nursing home in Birmingham It was performed on Thursday the 9th of December. At first, hopes of his perfect restoration to health were entertained. But his previous long suffering at so advanced age had so weakened him that he could not combat the effects of the operation, and he succumbed to them on the following Saturday. He received the last Sacraments with great faith and love, and perfect resignation to God’s Holy Will. He was able to answer prayers for the dying which Father Bruno said and to accede, though unwillingly, to the request for his blessing. Then the dying priest insisted upon Father Bruno blessing him in return and a few moments afterwards he breathed his last. His last resting-place is the little cemetery attached to our Church at Harbourne. May the earth lie lightly on his remains, and. more lightly still on his soul, the frailties human life. For ‘he has fought a gallant fight, in death’s cold he persevered”. May he rest in peace! George of the Mother Good Council, Rector.