GOLDEN JUBILEE OF FR. URBAN (YOUNG), C.P. PASSIONISTS of the Province of St. Joseph will have the rare privilege of celebrating on December 20th the Sacerdotal Golden Jubilee of one of their brethren, Father Urban Young, a member of the Community of St. Mary’s Retreat, Harborne, Birmingham. Fifty years of priesthood on earth is a privilege granted to few. To stand at the altar between God and men, to carry the sacred vessels of the Lord, to labour in His vineyard, for so long a period is, indeed, an enviable record, and the priest who attains it is worthy of heartfelt congratulations. But the record is still more laudable when, in all sincerity, we can say of the Jubilarian “Behold a great priest who during his long years has fully pleased God.” A great priest, indeed, Father Urban has been during half a century in the Sacred Ministry. Great according to the highest standard of priestly greatness. As his brethren can testify, he maintains in the fiftieth year of his priesthood the fervour of the young Levite on whose hands the sacred oil of ordination has scarcely dried. The source of his perennial, fervour must be attributed chiefly to his especial devotion to the Holy Mass and its complement, the Blessed Sacrament. He evidently learned early on in the ministry that if he would “Stir up the grace of God which is in him by the imposition of hands,” he must especially cherish the Holy Sacrifice and the Sacrament of the Altar; that if a priest is to be really “another Christ”, he must continually draw close to his original Divine Model. Thus our aged Jubilarian, for so many years, concentrated his energy first and foremost on the interior priestly life. Consequently, the ways of men, the transitory fashion of this world, have held a very subordinate place in his life. He has ever realised that “no man being a soldier of God, entangleth himself with secular business that he may please him to whom he hath engaged himself.” On the other hand, Father Urban has spent his long life in studies necessary for the efficient exercise of a priest’s active ministry. The sacred science of Theology, dogmatic and moral; the Sacred Scriptures, the works of the Fathers: Literature, sacred and profane: in all these spheres he has ever evinced a lively interest, acting, no doubt, on the advice of St. Paul: “Carefully study to present thyself approved unto God, a workman. that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.” As a preacher and writer, Father Urban has done splendid work for God and souls in the course of his long ministry, and brought honour to the Passionist Order in these countries. Apart from numerous missions to the people and retreats to the clergy and religious communities conducted in many parts of England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales, during the past fifty years, he has found time to publish biographies of the Ven. Father Dominic (Barberi) and Father Ignatius (Spencer), C.P. – biographies which form a valuable contribution to the contemporary history of the Catholic Church in England. As Vice-postulator of the “Cause” of Ven. Dominic, he has done much by his writings to focus the attention and excite the interest of many – Catholics and non-Catholics – in the life and labours of the founder of the Passionists in England. Born in Belfast in 1875, the son of a Presbyterian minister, James Young, as he was then known, was educated at the Royal Belfast Academical Institution and later at Queen’s College, now Queen’s University. In his 21st year (September 5th, 1896), he was received into the Catholic Church at the Passionist church, Ardoyne. by the late Father Martin Byrne, C.P., whose mortal remains now rest in the little cemetery adjoining St. Mary’s church, Harborne. Fr. Urban was professed as a Passionist in 1899 at St. Saviour’s Retreat, Broadway, Worcs., and three years later was raised to the dignity of the Priesthood by the then Cardinal Vicar of Rome in the Basilica of St. John Lateran on December 20th, 1902. For six years he held the office of Rector of our Retreats, at Broadway (1914-17) and Carmarthen (1917-20) respectively. On this memorable occasion of his Sacerdotal Golden Jubilee,. the heartfelt congratulations of his brethren and friends, far and near, are extended to Father Urban. Golden, indeed, may be the crown of glory which God has prepared for his fruitful and loyal servant! His Golden Jubilee on earth – may it be the guarantee of an Eternal Jubilee with Christ the High Priest in heaven! REV. SYLVESTER PACKER, C.P. (The Cross, Vol. XLIII, 1952-53; p.135.) FATHER URBAN (YOUNG), C.P. When at the Alexian Brothers, Nursing Home, Manchester, death took Father Urban (Young), C.P., a venerable and well-loved figure passed from the Passionist scene in these countries. Indeed it is difficult to write dispassionately of him whose name has been held in benediction by his brethren for well over half a century. Born in Belfast in 1875, the son of a Presbyterian Clergyman, James Young, as he was then known, was educated at the Royal Academical Institution and later at Queen’s University where he graduated with distinction. Ulstermen will long remember his famous uncle, Sam Young, who, although a non-Catholic, sat at Westminster as a staunchly Nationalist Member of Parliament. In his twenty-first year Father Urban was received into the Church by the late Father Martin (Byrne), C.P. at the Passionist Church, Ardoyne. It was while exploring the ruins of the old Abbey at Ballycastle, Co. Antrim that he felt the first faint desire to enter the True Fold. After his Profession as a Passionist at St. Saviour’s Retreat, Broadway, Worcs., he was sent to the Eternal City to pursue his ecclesiastical studies, and on December 20th, 1902, he was ordained a priest by the Cardinal-Vicar of Rome in the Basilica of St. John Lateran. During the fifty-three years that have passed since then, Father Urban became well known in Great Britain and Ireland as a preacher of missions and retreats. But he still found time for ceaseless study and writing. His great gifts of mind and heart, as well as his mastery of the English language are acknowledged by those who knew him personally or read his published works. From his facile pen have come a number of books, including his excellent biographies of Venerable Father Dominic (Barberi), C.P. and Father Ignatius (Spencer), C.P. – biographies which hold a foremost place in the history of the Catholic revival in England. Indeed it is scarcely an exaggeration to state that, for many years, Father Urban was recognised as the greatest living authority on Venerable Dominic and Cardinal Newman. As Vice-Postulator of Ven. Dominic’s Cause, he worked tirelessly to excite the interest of many – Catholics and non-Catholics – in the life and labours of the founder of the Passionists in England. Together with his other responsibilities, he had to carry the burden of office for no small part of his life – as Director of Students at Mount Argus, as Vice-Rector of several of our Retreats in England, as Rector of St. Saviour’s, Broadway (1914-19!7) and as Rector of St. Mary’s, Carmarthen (1917-1920). Father Urban’s popularity was evident when, in 1952, he celebrated the Golden Jubilee of his Ordination. Congratulatory messages without number were sent him by bishops, priests, religious and the laity. He received the personal felicitations of the Cardinal Archbishop of Westminster. On November 5th, his distinguished career came to an end. A God-fearing and learned Passionist had been called to his reward. Most fittingly, he was laid to rest in the Community Cemetery of St. Anne’s Retreat, Sutton, Lancs., close to the tomb of his beloved Venerable Dominic. May he rest in peace. (The Cross, Vol. XLVI, 1955-56; p. 207.) REV FATHER URBAN of the MOST HOLY SACRAMENT. On Saturday night, the 5th instant, Father Urban died in the Nursing Home of the Alexian Brothers in Manchester in his 80th year and the 53rd of his Priesthood. It is a remarkable coincidence that his death occurred or. the 114th anniversary of the arrival in England of tho Venerable founder of the Passionists in this Country – Dominic Barberi – for the “Cause” of whose Beatification he had been Vice-Postulator since the year 1912. Three years ago he underwent a serious major operation in Selly Oak Hospital and came through the ordeal successfully. On his return to St. Mary’s Retreat, Harborne, where he had been stationed since 1941, he seemed to have gained a new lease of life. Although unable to participate in the active duties of the Sacred Ministry, he was still able to celebrate Holy Mass until a comparatively short time before his death. A recurrence of a former illness however, necessitated his removal once more to Selly Oak Hospital in the month of August, _ and, despite the moat skilful medical attention, his condition was declared hopeless. Then Fr. Superior decided on the patient’s return to Harborne to give him every possible help, spiritual and material. A request for a qualified nursing Brother to the Superior of the Alexian Brothers at Manchester, to care for Father Urban, met with a ready response. Brother Ignatius came and for a month did everything possible for his patient, and then suggested it would be better to take Fr. Urban to their home in Manchester where full nursing facilities were available. Having consulted the Birmingham Red Gross Society, Doctor Good, medical adviser to St. Mary’s Retreat, arranged for Fr. Urban to travel by ambulance to Manchester, accompanied by Brother Ignatius. As already noted, death took place on November 5th, exactly three weeks after entering the nursing home. The passing of Father Urban removes a familiar figure and a striking personality from the Province of St. Joseph of which he was a loyal and devoted member. Fifty three years of priesthood on earth is a privilege granted to few. To stand at the altar between God and men, to labour in His vineyard for so long a period is, indeed, an enviable record and the priest who attains it is worthy of heartfelt congratulations. But the record is still more laudable when, in all sincerity, we can say of the deceased Passionist: “Behold a great priest who during his long life has fully pleased God”. A great priest, indeed, Father Urban has been during fifty odd years in the sacred ministry. Great according to the highest standard of priestly greatness. As his brethren can testify, he maintained to the end the fervour of the young Levite on whose hands the sacred oil of ordination has scarcely dried. The source of his perennial fervour must be attributed chiefly to his special devotion to the Holy Mass and its compliment, the Blessed Sacrament. He evidently learned early on in the ministry that if he would “stir up the grace of God which is in him by the imposition of hands”, he must especially cherish the Holy Sacrifice and the Sacrament of the Altar; that if a priest is to be really “another Christ” he must continually draw close to his original Divine Model. Thus did Father Urban, for so many years, concentrate his energy, first and foremost, on the interior priestly life. Consequently, the ways of men, the transitory fashion of this world held a very subordinate place in his life. He ever realised that “no man being a soldier to God, entangleth himself with secular business that he may please Him to whom he hath engaged himself” (11 TIM. 11.4-) On the other hand, Father Urban spent his long life in studies necessary for the efficient exercise of a priest’s active ministry. The sacred science of theology, dogmatic and moral, the Sacred Scriptures, the work of the Fathers; literature, sacred and profane: languages, classical and modern; in all these spheres he ever evinced the liveliest interest, acting, no doubt, on the advice of St. Paul: “Carefully study to present thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth” (IBID.11.15) As a. preacher and writer Father Urban did splendid work for God end souls in the course of his long ministry, and brought honour to the Passionist Congregation in these countries. Apart from numerous missions to the people and retreats to the clergy and religious communities conducted in many parts of Great Britain and Ireland, he found time to publish biographies of the Ven. .Fr. Dominic Barber! and Fr. Ignatius Spencer – biographies which form a valuable contribution to the history of the “Catholic Revival” in England. Since his appointment in 1912 as Vice-Postulator of the Cause for the Beatification of the Ven. Fr. Dominic, he did much by his lectures and writings to focus the attention and excite the interest of many – Catholics and non-Catholics alike – on the life and labours of the Founder of the Passionists in England. It was he who drew up the “Petition” for Ven. Dominic’s Beatification, signed by the hierarchies of England, Wales and Ireland, and presented to the Holy Father in 1945 Always a keen student of Newman’s works from his pre-Catholic days, he was invited to preach the special sermon in the Salesian chapel at Littlemore in October 1945, on the occasion of the centenary of Newman’s reception into the Catholic Church by the Ven. Dominic. He died knowing that Newman’s “father in G-od” had not yet been raised to the honours of the altars, but all who yearn for England’s conversion will surely pray for the speedy realisation of Father Urban’ s labours for the “Cause” of Ven. Dominic’s beatification. It will surely be a, great day for the Church in England generally and for the Passionist Congregation particularly when we may invoke and honour Ven. Dominic as “our father, model and patron”. Born in Belfast in 1875, the Son of a Presbyterian Minister, James Young, as he was then known, was educated at the Royal Belfast Academical Institution, and later at Queens College, now Queens University. Among his papers since his death was found a picture Post Card of Bonarnargy Abbey, Ballycastle, Co. Antrim, on which he wrote: “As a small boy I used to wander among the ruins of Bonamargy and ask myself: what is this Roman Catholicism?: who were these monks who built this place?, and what was their idea? This was the first dawn of the Faith in me”. The dawn was destined to be followed by the full light of the Truth when on the 5th September, 1896, in his 21st year, he was received into the Catholic Church at Holy Cross Church, Ardoyne, Belfast, by the late Father Martin Byrne, C.P. The call to “higher things” came two years later when he entered the Passionist Novitiate at St. Saviour’s Retreat, Broadway, Worcs. , where he made his profession on the 13th December, 1899- He was then sent by his Superiors to SS. John and Paul’s, Rome, to pursue his studies for the priesthood, and on 20th December 1902, was ordained priest by Cardinal Respighi in the Basilica of St. John Lateran. On his return to England he was appointed Vice-Master of Novices at Broadway, and subsequently Director of Students at St. Paul’s Retreat, Mount Argus, Dublin. In the Provincial Chapter held in 1914, he was elected Rector of St. Saviour’s Retreat, Broadway, and in 1917 he- was transferred to St. Mary’s Retreat, Carmarthen, as Rector. Then followed a short period as Director of a class of Student-priests at St. Anne’s Retreat, Sutton. From 1921 till 1938 he was a member of the Community of St. Mary’s Retreat, Herne Bay, Kent, and in the latter year was appointed Vice-Rector of St. Anne’s Retreat, Sutton, where he remained until 1941, when he was transferred to St. Mary’s Retreat, Ha.rborne, Birmingham. Three years ago he celebrated his Sacerdotal Golden Jubilee and on the occasion was the recipient of numerous messages of congratulation from his brethren, far and wide. On that Sunday in December 1952, on the conclusion of his Jubilee Mass, his reply to Father Provincial’s congratulations revealed his great love for and attachment to the Congregation – revealed also a rare spirit of humility that made a deep impression on the members of the Harbourne Community,. “When I became a Catholic and later sought admission int the Passionist, I was a beggar”, he said. “The Rector of Holy Cross, Ardoyne, paid my fare to the Novitiate at Broadway. I owe everything to the Congregation”. Very appropriately his mortal remains have found a last resting place beside the Church of St. Anne, Sutton, where rests also all that is mortal of his illustrious forebears – Ven. Dominic and Father Ignatius Spencer.- – whose labours for England’ s conversion his gifted pen brought vividly to the notice of the people of this country and far beyond it. Passionists from the Province of St. Patrick, led by their Provincial, joined their Brethren of this Province in the last tribute of esteem for and appreciation of Fa the Urban.s life and work. On Wednesday morning the- 9th instant, the Very Reverend Fr. Patrick, Provincial, sang the Solemn Requiem Mass for the deceased, assisted by Very Rev. Fr. Romuald. Superior of St. Mary’s, Harborne, and Rev. Fr. Declan of St. Michael’s Retreat, Dankeith, Scotland, as Deacon and Subdeacon respectively. The Very Rev. Fr. Jerome, Rector of St.. Anne’s, Sutton, gave the final Absolutions and officiated at the graveside. May Father Urban’s soul rest in peace.! “Pie Jesu Domine, dona ei requiem.”