BROTHER GILBERT (MURPHY), C.P. It is also our sad duty to announce the death of the senior Brother of our Province – Brother Gilbert of the Sacred Heart. Last June marked the fiftieth anniversary of his Profession as a Passionist. But no celebrations were held on the occasion of his Golden Jubilee, because, even then the long years of toil in his Master’s service had taken serious toll of his never robust health. Thomas Murphy – to give him the name by which he was known to the world – was born in Belfast on December 20th, 1882. As a young man of twenty, he entered the Passionist Congregation at St. Saviour’s Retreat, Broadway, Worcs. It may be remembered that in those days the Passionists of Great Britain and Ireland formed one Province, the Novitiate house of which was at Broadway. When, in 1927, a division of the Province was effected Brother Gilbert chose to labour in the Province of St. Patrick. The call of obedience summoned him to toil in many of our Retreats, including those at Dublin, Sutton, (Lancs.), Herne Bay, Harborne, Musselburgh and Glasgow, where for many years he acted as Sacristan. His quiet passing into eternity was in keeping with the retiring disposition which was a feature of his long life. In St. Gabriel’s Retreat, The Graan, Enniskillen, Brother Gilbert, strengthened by the grace of the Last Sacraments, rendered his soul to God on February 5th. May he rest in peace. (The Cross, Vol. XLV, 1954-55; p.276.) St. Gabriel’s Retreat, The Graan, Enniskillen Obituary of Brother Gilbert C.P., Province of St. Patrick. Death came peacefully to Brother Gilbert on the morning of February the sixth. We to the sad news with that sense of shock, for although Brother Gilbert was in chronic ill health for the last few years, and at times apparently in extremise, somehow he always seemed to rally. His illness was of such a nature which gave rise to alarming setbacks from time to time. We had come to regard such setbacks as being symptomatic of his disease, and so, had hopes to the very end that he might recover from what proved to be the final attack. His frail body was exhausted by the ravages of years – Brother Gilbert was a Golden Jubilarian in Religion – no less than by disease, proved unable to sustain a further suffering. Strengthened by the saving grace of the Last Sacraments, he died a happy and holy death. A fitting close to a long life spent in the service of God and the Congregation of the Passion of His Divine Son. Know in the world as Thomas Murphy, Brother Gilbert was a member of a well-known Belfast family. He was born on the 20th of December 1882 and became a member of the congregation on June 17th 1904. From that day until his death he served the congregation faithfully. A willing worker, he was much sought after, and as a consequence laboured from time to time in most houses in the Province during his earlier years. The last eight years of as life were spent in this retreat, and despite infirmity, he was a useful member of the community and a source of edification to us all. Being of a retiring disposition he always sought solitude and did not move much abroad. All with whom he came in contact, however, were not left unimpressed, for they saw in his ready sympathy the marks of holiness and there were many who sought his prayers, Indeed it was only after death that the citadel of his hidden life was invaded, and I am sure he would have been the very last to seek the honours which were paid to him then. Most Reverend Eugene Callaghan, Bishop of Cougher, presided at the obsequies and walked with representatives from every walk of life in a simple funeral procession to pay tribute to brother Gilbert and as a manifestation of the esteem in which he was held during his life. His mortal remains now rest in the Community Cemetery at the Grann. As I write this obituary notice I am surrounded by a curious assortment of memories, memories of Brother Gilbert. I am sure you may have sources of memories of him too. Turning them over together we cannot fail to find in each memory we have of him a blessed simplicity. By way of example, his hidden life; his unobtrusive desire to be of some help, even while in the grip illness; his charity towards all; his love for all God’s creation. Now having such wonderful memories of him, I think we will be pardoned if we look into the Sanctuary of his Soul. There the Most Holy Mary, model of humility and simplicity, had a very exalted place. That does not surprise us because Brother Gilbert valued humility and simplicity. He learned of their value through his great devotion to Mary. Neither does it surprise us when we discover that his heroes and heroines among the Saints were all men and women of simplicity when they walked with us on earth – St Paul of the Cross, St Francis of Assisi, St Teresa of the Child Jesus. I chronicle these things because our memories of this saintly Brother will die with us and for the benefit of those who are too young to have known him and for those who will come after us I think it good that we should pass them on what. May his good soul rest in peace. Alphonsus, C.P.