FR. AMBROSE (HAYES), C.P. The Irish Province of the Passionists has sustained a distinct loss by the death of Fr. Ambrose (Hayes), C.P., which occurred in a Belfast nursing home on April 21st, after a comparatively brief illness. BORN in Beragh, Co. Tyrone, on April 24th, 1878, Joseph Vincent Hayes sought admission to the Passionist Congregation at the age of nineteen. In religion he received the name of Ambrose of Our Lady of Perpetual Succour, and made his profession at St. Saviour’s Retreat, Broadway, Worcs., on June 7th, 1899. He followed the usual course of ecclesiastical studies at Mount Argus, Dublin, and in September, 1906, he was raised to the priesthood at Holy Cross College, Clonliffe, Dublin, by the late Most Rev. Dr. Donnelly, Bishop of Canea. During the thirty-five years of his priestly life, Fr. Ambrose was engaged in the work of the ministry both in England and in Ireland. He was at various periods a member of the communities in Dublin, Enniskillen, Birmingham and Belfast. In the distinctive work of the Passionists, the giving of missions and retreats, Fr. Ambrose was engaged with much success and with great fruit to souls His kindly disposition and prudent zeal enabled him to achieve results where others had striven in vain. For the last years of his life he had charge of a portion of the parish of Ardoyne, and in this pastoral work he found a congenial field of labour. The people instinctively sensed his deep solicitude for their spiritual and temporal welfare, and came to consult him and to ask his advice in their every need. By his passing, the people of Ardoyne especially mourn the death of a devoted friend of the poor and the afflicted. A zealous and hard-working priest, Fr. Ambrose shunned all publicity and preferred to remain unnoticed by the world at large. He had a gifted pen, and from time to time contributed articles on devotional topics to The Cross, the Irish News and other publications. He had a very special devotion to Our Blessed Lady and to St. Bernadette of Lourdes, and a pilgrimage to that world-famous shrine was the fulfilment of a long-cherished desire. Amongst his religious brethren, Fr. Ambrose was deservedly popular; his experience and his counsel were ever at their disposal, whilst his affable manner and genial disposition made him always approachable. Fr. Ambrose was in his usual good health almost to the end. The indisposition which eventually proved fatal declared itself only a short time before his death. Fortified by the Last Sacraments, he calmly awaited the summons of the Master Whom he had served with such fidelity. May his good soul rest in everlasting peace. (The Cross, Vol. XXXII, 1941-42; p.84)