REV. FATHER PIUS (CAMPBELL), C.P. WITH deep regret we record the death of Father Pius, C.P., of St. Joseph’s Retreat, Collooney, Co. Sligo. While travelling by train from Collooney to Dublin, he became seriously ill and was taken to the County Hospital, Mullingar, on the evening of December 7th. On the following morning, Feast of Our Lady’s Immaculate Conception, death came swiftly and found Father Pius calm, resigned and strengthened by file Last Rites of the Church. May his good soul rest in peace. Known in the world as Edward Campbell, he was born in Pomeroy, Co. Tyrone, on May 7th 1909. He entered the Passionist Novitiate at St. Gabriel’s Retreat, The Graan, Enniskillen, in 1930, and was professed on September 4th, 1931. His student days were spent at St. Mary’s Retreat, Drum-mohr, Musselburgh, Scotland, and later at St. Paul’s Retreat, Mount Argus. On May 22nd, 1937, Father Pius was ordained in the Pro-Cathedral, Dublin, by the late Bishop of Thasos, Most Rev. Dr. Wall. Shortly afterwards he was appointed Vice-Master of Novices at St. Gabriel’s. Subsequently he served in St. Mary’s, Drum-mohr; Holy Cross, Ardoyne; St. Mungo’s, Glasgow; and St. Joseph’s, Collooney. He was widely known in Ireland and Scotland as a zealous preacher of missions and retreats. Throughout the twenty-four years of his priestly life, Father Pius was a faithful servant of his Master and a dutiful son of St. Paul of the Cross. When death took him from amongst us, he was making final arrangements for the long trip to South America as a volunteer missionary to the Argentine. On Monday, December 11th, the Solemn Obsequies were held at St. Paul’s Church, Mount Argus, Dublin. Requiescat in pace. (The Cross, Vol. LII, 1961-62; p. 260) Obituary : Fr. Pius Campbell of Our Lady of Sorrows On December 7th. 1961, a little parting ceremony took place in St. Joseph’s Retreat., Collooney. The Community said good-bye to Fr. Pius who was starting on the first part of a journey that he hoped would ultimately take him to South America. Some months before he had volunteered for work in the Argentine, and now he was setting off for Mount Argus to make the final preparations for his departure to the Province of the Immaculate Conception. Father Pius did not arrive in Dublin. Little did he or any of us think that he was starting his last journey on earth. On the morning of December 8th., Feast of the Immaculate Conception, the Province of St. Patrick was shocked to hear the news of his sudden death. While travelling on the train a short distance from Mullingar. he suffered a heart attack. Railway Officials phoned Westmeath Co. Hospital and when the train arrived at the station Father O’Connor, the Chaplain, and a doctor were there to meet the sick priest. He was taken to the hospital where he received the last sacraments. On examining him the doctors found they could do very little; they could only hope he would survive this first attack. Two of our Fathers visited him and found him very happy and resigned. About four o’clock the following morning his condition became worse. The doctor on being summoned pronounced the case hopeless. Sisters of Mercy who are in charge of the hospital, said the prayers for the dying and at 4.45 a.m., Feast of the Immaculate Conception, Father Pius went peacefully to God. Edward Campbell was born near Pomeroy, Co. Tyrone, on May 7th., 1909. After primary education he trained as a creamery manager. When he was nineteen, he went to St. Patrick’s Juniorate, Wheatfield House, where he matriculated after two years. He made his novitiate at The Graan, taking the name Pius of Our Lady of Sorrows, and was professed on September 4th. 1931. His was the first class of students to arrive in the new Retreat in Musselburgh which had just been opened. After theological studies in Mount Argus he was raised to the priesthood on May 22nd, 1937, by the late Most Rev. Dr. Wall, Auxiliary Bishop in Dublin. A short time after ordination he was appointed Vice-Master of Novices. Later he was stationed in nearly every house of the province from which he gave Missions and Retreats and engaged in parochial work. While serving in Musselburgh he opened the new parish of Moffat in the Galloway diocese and looked after it for eighteen months. For the last three years of his life he was stationed in Collooney as a member of the mission staff. Father Pius had a quiet, retiring and shy manner. He was not the type that takes the world by storm. Rather he loved the seclusion of the monastery and did not mix much with the laity. During the years of his priestly life not many came to know him well and very few knew him intimately. It was his practice to deal with the people among whom he worked in a reserved manner and then return to the solitude of the Retreat. Though on the exterior he seemed aloof, he had a kind heart and was capable of sincere friendship and loyalty. Those who knew him best were aware of his many acts of kindness and consideration. His love of poverty was remarkable; to the end he kept in his cell only what was necessary and barely necessary. The Mass and the Divine Office were dear to him. His brethren could not fail to notice how painstakingly and almost scrupulously he applied himself to the recitation of the Office. For one of his character it must have been a big decision to volunteer for work in South America. He had thought about this step for a long time and when the final arrangements were made he was very happy. One thing troubled him; he wanted to be sure he had sound health for the new life. The local doctor gave him this assurance. This year would have brought him the joy of celebrating the Silver Jubilee of his Ordination to the priesthood. Father Plus would not have minded that such a happy event should take place far away in Argentina, The real celebration for him would have been heartfelt act of gratitude to God for the gift of the priesthood. In God’s Providence it was not to be. Our Blessed Lady took him to Heaven on her lovely feast of the Immaculate Conception. The secret of his love for Mary he revealed a little while before he died. As a boy he had asked her for some great favour which had meant much to him. She granted his request on December 8th. Many years later She came with her request on the anniversary of the reception of that favour and Father Pius went joyfully with her to God. The remains were removed from Mullingar Hospital on Saturday, December 9th. The obsequies took place on Monday, December 11th, at St. Paul’s Retreat, Mount Argus. Father Campbell, nephew of the deceased, sang the Solemn Requiem Mass assisted by Fathers Salvian and Angelo as Deacon and Subdeacon. A special word of thanks must go to the Sisters of Mercy in Mullingar and the parochial clergy. These comforted the dying priest in his last hours and were most kind and hospitable when our Religious called. While praying eternal rest to the soul of Pius of Our Lady of Sorrows we remember with gratitude the good Sisters who helped him to a happy death. Signed Salvian Maguire.