Death of Father Raphael. On 16 January a telegram from St. Anne’s, Sutton, brought us the sad news of the death of Rev. Father Raphael of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, Gorga, which had taken place the night before in the Retreat of St. Anne’s, Sutton, near St. Helen’s, Lancashire. R.I.P. Father Raphael was born in Brocco, Diocese of Sora, in the Kingdom of Naples, Italy, on 14 June, 1826. Was clothed with the holy habit of the Passionists on 10 June, 1842, at Paliano, and made his profession on 11 June of the following year. He studied philosophy at the Retreat of St. Mary, in Aquila, Kingdom of Naples, and Theology at the Retreat of Saints John and Paul, Rome, under the mastership of Father Eugene of St. Anthony, who afterwards was sent to England as Visitor General. After his ordination Father Raphael came to England, in the month of September, 1849, with Father Salvian and Father Bernardine. Vale Prater amatissime. Day by day, we all shall miss him Words would fail our loss to tell, But in heaven we hope to meet him, Never more to part again. Good was his heart in friendships sound, Patient in pain, beloved by all around, His pains are o’er, his griefs for ever done, A life of everlasting joy has now begun. # The following article is taken from the Universe. Our dear deceased had supplied many interesting articles to the Editor of the Universe for several years. “The late Father Raphael.” “Eleven years ago today, we chronicled in the columns of The Universe one of the most dreadful catastrophes that has ever occurred in a Catholic Church. (See the full account of it, volume 2nd, page 388 of the Annals.) The Passionist Fathers were giving a mission to an immense congregation in St. Joseph’s Church, Liverpool, when a panic ensued by a false alarm of fire, caused by the breaking of some panes of glass on one of the church staircases. A rush was made for the doors, and fifteen persons were killed. During the panic the voice of the preacher was powerless to stay the excited people, until the good priest, whose name heads this article, intoned the hymn “Jesus my God”. The words and music, falling on familiar ears, were taken up by those nearest the altar, and gradually spreading through the building, allayed the fears of the more frightened, and mitigated a calamity which otherwise might have been far more disastrous. Father Raphael’s courage and presence of mind had saved the lives of many who must have inevitably been killed, had the panic continued. He sang the subsequent Requiem Mass at the funeral.” “As we briefly announced in our last issue, Father Raphael has passed to his reward. He had for the past few weeks been lying ill at St. Anne’s Retreat., Sutton, near Liverpool, but his death was not anticipated either by his brethren, or his medical advisor. On Saturday the 15th however, the last sacraments were administered to him, and the same evening he peacefully yielded his pure soul to the hands of his Maker. “Father Raphael whose name was a household word amongst Passionist missionaries throughout the three Kingdoms, was born in the parish of Brocco, Diocese of Sora, in Italy, on 14 June, 1826, his name in the world being Basil Gorga. He consecrated his young life to God before he attained his 16th year in the Passionist Novitiate of Paliano. He completed his studies in Rome, under the venerable Father Eugene, and was ordained by dispensation in Saint John Lateran early in 1849. Shortly afterwards, in company with Fathers Salvian, Evarist and Bernardine, he came to England, where he was soon called upon to discharge the duties of “a Superior in either a principle or subordinate capacity. He was the first Passionist Father who went to Broadway (Worcestershire) as a pioneer of the foundation, and to negotiate its transfer from the Benedictines, to his own Order, and was very active and ingenious in the foundation of the Mission at Highgate. While this latter work was in progress Father Raphael designated a little receipt book, in tinted paper, the ordinary print been surmounted by the well-known Badge of the Passionist Fathers, a leaf from which formed a pretty little reminder to each member of a family of the amount they had subscribed for the building of the new Church. We afterwards heard of one juvenile member of a family, whose mind had been impressed by the reception of one of these little souvenirs, explaining when he saw the Church opened “Oh mama do give me six pence more, to give to Father Raphael to build another Church.” “He was first made Superior of St. Wilfrid’s, in 1850, and Rector of the same house in the Chapter held in 1851, and continued in office until 1857. He was the first Superior in Belfast, and afterwards had charge of St. Mungo’s, Glasgow. In 1878 he was appointed vicar in Highgate, and afterwards transferred to the same office in Sutton, in which position he was when called away by death. “Father Raphael was remarkable for a geniality of humour and a coolness of disposition which nothing seemed capable of disturbing. As a religious he was very fond of his habit, of the rules under which he lived, and of exactitude in their observance, as far as his strength and duties permitted. “He was an excellent Catechist on the missions, indefatigable in the confessional whenever his duties called him thither, and very charitable “in medendo contritis corde”. For some few years past his health was none of the best, and he suffered periodically from attacks of the complaint which finally brought him to the grave. He was very patient under privations, and if forgotten in his necessities even, he passed the infliction off with a well timed joke. He was cordial, genial, and as Superior never refused a reasonable request. He lived, loved by his acquaintances; and died, deeply regretted by his brethren. May he rest in peace! The following is from St. Helen’s newspaper. “We regret to report the death of the well-known religious, which took place at St. Anne’s Retreat., Sutton, on Saturday last, in the 55th year of his age, and 39th of his religious profession. Father Raphael came to England when quite a young priest, and has laboured faithfully in this country for upwards of 31 years. He died surrounded by his religious brethren, and fortified by the sacraments of Holy Church. “Father Raphael was buried at Sutton on Tuesday last (18 January), the funeral had been preceded by the Office for the Dead, and the solemn Requiem Mass. Father Isidore was celebrant, assisted by Fathers Wilfrid and Constantine as Deacon and subdeacon. The master of ceremonies was Father Salvian. The funeral sermon was preached by Father Athanasius. There were present in the sanctuary, the Rev. Fathers Cardwell S.J., Milner S.J., Henly S. J., Walmsley, Rigby, Byrne and James Lennon, Very Rev. Father Bernardine, Daniel and Denis Passionists, besides the Celebrant, Deacon, subdeacon, master of ceremonies and the preacher. Mr Unsworth, organist of Holy Cross, St. Helen’s, played the organ at the Requiem Mass, and his pupil (organist of our new Church at Sutton) Mr George Ashcroft, Father Bernardine and others sung the Requiem, Kyrie, Dies Irae etc. etc. from the organ gallery. All the children from the schools, boys and girls, attended the Mass. There was a very large congregation from our Parish, as well as from that of Peasley Cross and St. Helen’s.