The Late FATHER HILARY (MARA), C.P. “In the long catalogue of our missioners,” wrote the author of Preachers of the Passion, “one name stands out alone in a prominence that none other has ever reached – Father Hilary (Mara). For years he has held the premier place as preacher of the Province, and even today, when fifty years of Passionist life have sapped the fire and energy that made him the prince of missioners, his beautiful sermons, woven from God’s own words, can bring weary souls very near to the wounded Heart he has loved and served so faithfully and so long.” These words, written some two years ago, could have been repeated with equal truth until the very end of Father Hilary’s life. Born in Dublin on 21st October, 1853, he was known in the world as John Patrick Mara. He was educated by the Jesuits at Belvidere College, Dublin and by the Benedictines in Douai. Towards the end of 1872 he sought admission into the Passionist Congregation. By what was to prove a strange coincidence, he received the holy habit on 31st September, 1872, the very day on which Providence decreed he should end his earthly life fifty-three years later. Having performed the usual novitiate at St. Saviour’s Retreat, Broadway, Worcestershire, he was professed a Passionist on New Year’s Day, 1874. Ordained in the early “eighties,” Father Hilary immediately commenced his missionary labours in Ireland and England. From the outset it was evident that his talents and disposition for such a life were of no ordinary worth. The zeal and eloquence shown in all his missions and retreats were ever backed by the example of his own personal sanctity. His favourite theme, the personal love of Christ, was propounded in words which came directly from his own generous heart, ever aflame with the same priceless love. Ever untiring in his activities for the salvation of souls, one mission or retreat quickly followed another, the intervening time between these labours being always devoted to serious meditation for the reinforcement of his own personal sanctity. Father Hilary seemed to realise in a very special way the truth of Cardinal Manning’s words: – ” Let us bear in mind this truth – that on the bed of death, and on the Day of Judgment, to have saved one soul will be not only better than to have won a kingdom, but will overpay by an exceeding great reward all the pains and toils of the longest and most toilsome life.” In Father Hilary’s case, however, it was not a case of saving one soul, for to how many his preaching and his work as a confessor brought the balm of pardon, peace and consolation, will be known only in eternity. His sphere of activity was very extensive, comprising missions to the people in general, the number of which is beyond record, retreats to the laity of every walk of life, and the numerous spiritual exercises conducted for nuns. Perhaps, if any comparison can be made, it is his retreats to priests that stand out most prominently, for in this kind of work he especially excelled. Many of the clergy in these countries, and also in far-off Australia, must have, on learning of his death, recalled grateful memories of at least one of his retreats during which he directed their souls in the way of God’s love. Many responsible offices were entrusted to Father Hilary during his long career. These include the Rectorships of St. Anne’s Retreat, Sutton, Lancashire, St. Paul’s Retreat, Mount Argus, Dublin, and St. Paul’s Retreat, Glen Osmond, Adelaide, Australia. Three times he was Master of Novices – twice in our Province and once in Australia. Those who were his novices recall with tender and cherished memories those early lessons in the school of Christ Crucified, learned under the tuition of such an able master. Twice he was Provincial Consultor in our Province. In 1916 he was appointed General Consultor; during the period he held this high position of honour he resided, as is always the case, in the Mother House of the Order, the Retreat of SS. John and Paul, in Rome. He held this office for some four years. In his latter years, he would often remark that he was near life’s sunset but he was not one to sit idly waiting and watching the gathering shadows. To the very last he continued his work of Retreats. His last Retreat, given to the Presentation Brothers, Enniskillen, closed just one week before his death. He was taken ill on 28th December, when he was conveyed to St. John’s Private Hospital, Belfast. Three days later the end came. Thus did Providence ordain that when the year 1925 had almost run its course the sunset came for the great missioner, quickly followed by “the night wherein no man can work,” terminating life’s day, which had been spent ever and anon in “working the works of Him who sent him” to make known to souls the all-embracing nature of His changeless love – the everlasting love of God. The obsequies were most impressive. His Lordship, the Most Rev. Dr. McRory, Bishop of Down and Connor, presided, at the Solemn Office and Requiem Mass in Holy Cross, Ardoyne, Belfast, on 2nd January, and the funeral oration was delivered by the Very Rev. Father John, C.P., Provincial Consultor. The celebrant of the Mass was the Very Rev. Father Richard, C.P., Rector, Ardoyne, who afterwards officiated it the graveside, assisted by the Very Rev. Father Sebastian, C.P., Rector, Mount Argus, and the Very Rev. Father Gerald, C.P., Rector, the Graan, Enniskillen, as deacon and sub-deacon respectively. The large attendance of clergy and laity testified to the universal esteem in which the deceased was always held. Lux aeterna luceat ei, Domine! WILFRID BRODIE, C. P. (The Cross, Vol. XVI, 1925-26; pp. 331f.)