CONFRATER FERDINAND OF THE SACRED HEART. The just man, if he be prevented with death, shall be in rest. For venerable old age is not that of long time, nor counted by the number of years: but the understanding of man is grey hairs. And a spotless life is old age. (Wisdom x.7-9) For death, at the end of a long life and years of fruitful labour, there is a consolation in its inevitability, and in the realisation of work done. When it comes in youth, it is the more repugnant to our nature in that it is the frustration of high hopes, and the prevention of promised fruit. We feel death’s cold presence keenly, when it lays its icy hand on the young; most of all when the life that is ended was so full of hope and holy ideals, as that of Confrater Ferdinand of the sacred Heart. The death of this Religious is a sorrow to every member of St. Patrick’s Province; but we are consoled by our conviction that he was translated, because like the just man he pleased God (Wisdom iv,10) Gerard Carroll was born in Dublin on the 20th July 1922. He received his early education from the Christian Brothers in the O’Connell Schools. He was but fourteen years old when in 1936 he took his first step towards the attainment of his ambition to become a Priest and a Passionist; he went to our Alumniate at St. Patrick’s Retreat, Belfast. In November 1938 he entered the Novitiate at St. Gabriel’s Retreat, Enniskillen, and on Sept 18th 1939 he was professed, under the name of Confrater Ferdinand of the Sacred Heart. The short years of his Religious life were spent in St. Paul’s Retreat, Mount Argus. Confrater Ferdinand was but a few months a Student when he became ill. The doctor diagnosed pulmonary tuberculosis. Everything possible was done to arrest its progress. But in spite of the efforts of the doctors, and months of treatment in a Sanatorium, only temporary improvement was attained. The disease soon returned, more virulently than before; he was removed to hospital. For months the flame of his life flickered faintly, until, on the morning of February 27th 1944, it faded out. Short as were his years in Religion, Confrater Ferdinand’s life showed signs that the seed of God’s word was growing into the tree of sanctity in the soil of his soul. He bore his illness, its inconveniences, and the separation from his companions which the infectious nature of his disease demanded, with patience, fortitude, and resignation to the Holy Will of God. During the periods in which his health improved, he was anxious to continue his study, longing as he did to make progress towards the priesthood. Yet in all things he submitted to the judgement and commands of his Superiors, without murmur and without complaint. In the last months of his life, he knew and said that he was dying; but he accepted all from the hand of God, and the knowledge did not ruffle his serenity and peace of soul. When, two days before he died, Father Director visited him, his first words were an inquiry about the success of his class-mates who, the previous day, had done their priesthood examination. It was a selfless thought in keeping with his character. Worthy of particular note was Confrater Ferdinand’s devotion to St. Gabriel of our Lady of Sorrows; a devotion which was in fact remarkable and remarked even among Passionist Students who have St. Gabriel as their special model and patron. While he was yet young, Confrater Ferdinand learned to love the Passionist Student Saint; and his devotion to Gabriel grew when as a Religious he began to live the life that Gabriel lived. Often he was heard to make pious complaint that we, Passionists, do not strive more earnestly to spread devotion to St. Gabriel as the Model of modern Youth. St. Gabriel heard his prayer and rewarded his devotion; for we cannot but regard it as a special mark of Gabriel’s favour that he died on his Feast Day – on the same day, at the same hour, of the same disease, as Gabriel died. Like St. Gabriel too, he had been five years a Passionist. “He was taken away lest wickedness should alter his understanding, or deceit beguile his soul.” (Wisdom iv,11) May God in His mercy grant that he may now enjoy, with St. Gabriel, the reward of one “Qui pius, prudens, humilis, pudicus Sobrium duxit sine labe vitam.” The obsequies and interment of Confrater Ferdinand took place at Mount Argus on Tuesday, February 29th. The celebrant of the Mass was Rev. Father Vivian, Director; the Deacon, Fr. Cyril, Sub-director; Subdeacon, Rev. Father John Baptist. The other offices were performed by his class-mates. “They that trust in Him shall understand the truth, and they that are faithful in love shall rest in Him: for grace and peace is to His elect.” – Wisdom iii,9. ———————— Conf. Ferdinand (Carroll), C.P. At the early age of twenty-one years, Confrater Ferdinand (Carroll), C.P., a student of St. Patrick’s Province, died on February 27th. A native of Dublin, where he was born on July 20th, 1922, Gerard Carroll was educated at the Christian Brothers’ Schools, Marino, Dublin. Having spent some time at the Passionist Alumniate, St. Patrick’s Belfast, he entered the Novitiate in 1938, taking the name of. Ferdinand of the Sacred Heart. He made his religious profession on September 18th, 1939, and was transferred to St. Paul’s Retreat, Mount Argus, Dublin, to commence his studies for the priesthood. His state of health soon gave cause for some anxiety and his course of studies was interrupted in the hope that rest and care might restore his strength. After many months of ill-health borne with uncomplaining patience and resignation it became evident that any hope of recovery was remote. Fortified by the consolations of Holy Church he peacefully passed away. May his everlasting reward be with the Saints of God. (The Cross, Vol. XXXIV, 1943-44; p. 233)