OBITUARY : REV. FR. MARK (GAVIN), C.P. (d. 9th October 1935, aged 67 years.) A familiar figure has been removed from our midst by the death of Rev. Fr. Mark (Gavin), C.P., which occurred at Holy Cross Retreat, Ardoyne Belfast, on Wednesday, October 9th. His death was not unexpected, for he bore for the past twelve months the burden of a long and tedious illness. Some months ago, however, it became evident that despite his extraordinary vitality, his last days were approaching. Born in Dalystown, Co. Westmeath, on April 2nd, 1868, the late Fr. Mark came of a family which has given many distinguished members to the Passionist Congregation. In 1884, he entered the Passionist Noviciate at Broadway, Worcs., and in the following year made his profession. He was raised to the priesthood on September 19th, 1890. It is as a veteran missionary that Fr. Mark will best be remembered. At a time when missions were not so common as they are at present, he was indefatigable in fulfilling this arduous and exacting ministry. Gifted with a commanding presence, and a fine sonorous voice, he left a lasting impression upon the minds and hearts of his hearers. Even to-day m many parts of the country, old people will recall with pride that they once attended a mission given by Fr. Mark or that they were at confession to Fr. Mark. Thus engrossed in the active life of a missioner, Fr. Mark had little leisure time to act in an administrative capacity. For some years he was Rector of Sutton Monastery, and when the Passionist Noviciate was transferred to Ireland, he acted as the first Master of Novices at St. Gabriel’s Retreat, Enniskillen (1909-11). His last years were spent at Ardoyne Monastery. To his brother, Rev. Fr. Malachy, C.P., and to his bereaved relatives, much sympathy will be extended upon the passing of this venerable figure, whose memory will ever be held in benediction, not only by his brethren, but by all who had the privilege of knowing him. R.I.P. (ex. “The Cross”, November 1935, Vol. XXVI, p. 297) Father MARK of the Seven Dolours (Gavin) The Good Friday of that year (1935), the writer met Fr. Mark as he came in from the church at Ardoyne having preached one of the 7 Last Words. He was wiping large gouts of very dark blood from his lips. Tho’ neither of us knew it then, he was coming to the end of his days. Nice to think that he had been preaching Christ Crucified up to the end! Peter Gavin was born at Dalystown, Co. Westmeath, on 2nd April 1868. He received his early education at the local National school, and desiring to become a Passionist, he became an Alumnus at St. Paul’s COLLEGE, Mt. Argus. He did his Novitiate in Broadway, Worcs., and was professed there on 16th May 1885. Five years later he was ordained priest at Highgate, on 19th September 1890. With his powerful physique, his sonorous voice, his zeal for souls, his sermons carefully prepared he was an obvious choice for the Apostolate of Missions. The Missions and Retreat Books show there were few parishes in Ireland where he did not labour. He was on the Parish Apostolate too. He never wearied in his attention to the people in the district confided to his care: He was never-tiring in the work of Visitation: so, his people knew him. He was the first to go to his Confessional, the last to leave when the session was over. Priests, Religious and lay folk sought him as their Director. He never lost sight of WHY he became a Passionist. ‘Beneath that external appearance of cheerfulness and broad-mindedness, was a profound spirit of Simple Faith.’ He was scrupulous in regard to his obligations as a Passionist. His devotion to our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament was deep, thorough and personal. He always made his Preparation Before Mass, and offering Mass, his every gesture, the intonation of his voice, his bearing, proclaimed aloud he believed in what he was doing: re-presenting the Sacrifice of the Cross to God on high. The last food that passed his lips was ‘his daily Supersubstantial Bread’, his last word: ‘Viaticum’. Twice on the 8th October the Brethren had gathered round his bed to help him with their prayers as he died. Twice they rose from their knees, but at 4.30 p.m. the end came with them all around his bed for the third time. One remarked afterwards: ‘We’ve been at the deathbed of a saint!’ That was in Ardoyne. He was buried on the 10th in the Cemetery attached to Holy Cross Retreat. Please God he is happy in Heaven now with Paul of the Cross whose Rule he did his best to keep! SOURCES: Obituary Notice 1935.10.08 Cuttings Vol. 2, page 78 1893 Catalogue. THE RE. FATHER MARK OF THE V11 DOLOURS, PASSIONIST. R.I.P. With sorrow we chronicle the demise of the Rev. Father Mark (Gavin) of the V11 Dolours, which took place at Holy Cross Retreat, Ardoyne, Belfast, October 8th, 1935 Born in Dalystown, Co. Westmeath, on April, 1868, Peter Gavin received his early education at the local national school, during which period the desire of becoming a Passionist evidenced itself, and with this end in view, he sought admission to and was accepted as an alumnus in the preparatory school then attached to St. Paul’s retreat, Mount Argus, Dublin. Having completed the prescribed course of studies there, he passed to the Novitiate House, St Saviour’s, Broadway, and made his profession on 10th May, 1885. Five years afterwards, on the 10th of September 1890, he was raised to the dignity of the priesthood Immediately after his ordination Fr Mark was placed on the missionary staff, for which ministry he was admirably equipped; of powerful physique, sonorous voice, with unflagging zeal for souls, and with his sermons and lecturers most carefully prepared, he swayed the minds and the hearts of all who heard him, and in the confessional he reaped the abundant fruits of his eloquent and appealing discourses. So keen were his missionary activities appreciated that from the records of our missions, there is scarcely a parish in Ireland which Fr Mark did not visit, and wherein, even to today, his name, and fame are recalled with feelings of grateful gratitude. That zeal for souls was maintained even to the end, for, when no longer capable of enduring the strenuous labours as a missioner, ways and means were afforded him, under obedience, to continue his a consuming desire for the salvation of souls. He never wearied in his attention to the people of the district committed to his care. He was a father to all and exhausted all his energies in bringing comfort and consolation to the suffering and sorrowing. His lectures at one of the principal masses on Sunday were listened to with attention because in them he spoke from his heart and from his wide experience. He was the first to go to his confessional and the last to leave it. Priests, religious and people sought eagerly his administration therein, and many a bitter tear was shed when such learned that they were deprived of their highly esteemed and equally valued spiritual director. Although consumed with zeal of the spiritual interests of others, he never lost sight of the chief end for which he entered the congregation, and it was really and that account that his labours for others were so blessed by God. Fr. Mark was a Passionist religious in every sense of the word. Beneath the external appearance of cheerfulness and broadmindness, there was that profound spirit of simple faith, and if it may be said, of scrupulosity with regard to the obligations he took upon himself on the day of his holy profession. Justsus ex fide vivit (Rom.1.17) This spirit of faith evinced itself unobtrusively in his every act. It was indeed, his very life. Those whose privilege it was to act as his spiritual directors, realised that he walked by faith, and many a time withdrew, chastened, and with the difficulty repressing the tears that welled up in their hearts. His devotion to the Blessed Sacrament was thorough, deep, personal. Never did he approach the altar of God, without spending the prescribed time in preparation and thanksgiving. Whilst offering the holy sacrifice, every movement, every act, every intonation breathed that deep spirit of fate and intensity of devotion. It was, indeed, a source of supreme edification to his brethren, and to the fateful to see the venerable priest, when scarcely able to walk, insisting upon offering the holy sacrifice each morning. In fact, it was whilst at the alter he received that seizure to which he succumbed 14 days later. Realising his physical weakness, and that the end was not far distant, he expressed a wish to receive the last rites, which were administered, and from that time until the end came, he looked forward with anxious desire to the reception of holy viaticum each morning. The last food that passed his lips was “His daily Super-Substantial Bread”, and the last words he uttered was viaticum. The end came on the evening of October the 8th. The brethren had assembles on two occasions on that day, and the prayers of the church were recited by all. For the third time at 4.30 p.m. all gathered again around his bedside, and when the prayers were completed Fr Mark’s soul had passed to eternity His death was a powerful transition from a life as a true Passionist to an eternity of glory. One of the fathers remarked, “We have just witnessed the passing of a saint. On the 10th of October the obsequies took place. His Lordship the Bishop of this diocese presided at the office and Requiem Mass and gave the absolution after mass. Over 60 secular priest were present, the very Rev Frs. Provincials of St Patrick’s and St Joseph provinces both of whom passed through the novitiate with Fr Mark as master of novices. Rectors from almost every retreat of both provinces, the community of Holy Cross, and the spacious church was filled with the faithful. His mortal remains were laid to rest in our little cemetery, besides the beautiful church which he reared and dedicated to God and the good of souls. His voice will no longer be heard therein; his wise councils in the confessional are of the past, but his memory will live on in the hearts of a grateful people, who loved him and life and do not forget him in death. May perpetual light shine upon him Fabian of Jesus Crucified, Rector.