Father Xavier (Beale), C.P. Just as our last issue appeared, we learned of the sudden death, on August 20th, at St. Mary’s Retreat, Carmarthen, S. Wales, of Father Xavier (Beale), C.P. A member of an old Cork family, Father Xavier – whose secular name was Christopher Beale was born on December 24th, 1881. Having spent his schooldays in his native city, he entered upon a business career soon cut short by the dawning of his religious vocation. Accordingly, he entered the Passionist Novitiate, then situated at St. Saviour’s Retreat, Broadway, Worcs., in 1903, and there made his religious Profession on November 21st, 1904. He was ordained to the Sacred Priesthood in Dublin by the late Archbishop Walsh on September 23rd, 1911. During his long priestly career, Father Xavier resided in at least seven or eight of the Passionist Retreats in Ireland and England. These many changes of residence were the outcome not only of a versatility shown in his aptitude for various types of ministerial work, but also of the readiness with which he hastened to undertake any task directed by Obedience. He was engaged throughout his whole priestly life in conducting missions and retreats. In his younger days he was Director of Students, while in his maturer years he was twice elected as Rector of St. Saviour’s Retreat, Broadway; and even in his seventy-seventh year, he was still Vice-Rector of St. Mary’s, Carmarthen, to the day of his death. The characteristic virtue of Father Xavier’s life was his deep, simple faith, and by this he will be best remembered and revered. His genial manner as well as his sympathy for the sick and troubled will be recalled with gratitude by many who read these lines. While resident at Mount Argus, he showed a zealous interest in the Men’s Branch of the Confraternity of the Sacred Passion (of which he was Spiritual Director, and in the Metropolitan Police of whose Obsequies Society he was the popular Chaplain. May his soul rest in peace. (The Cross, Vol. XLIX, 1958-59; p. 188.) FR. XAVIER C. P. The sudden death of Fr. Xavier at St. Mary’s Retreat, Carmarthen, on the Wednesday afternoon of August 20th, came as a great shock, not only to his Brethren there, but to the entire Province of St. Joseph. Although he had been in failing health for some time, no one had the least suspicion that the end.” was so near, or would come so suddenly. He was, as the saying goes “In harness right to the end.” As Vicar of the Retreat, he had made out all the notices, both house and Church for the following weekend. On the day of his death, he had just finished reciting vespers in the choir, when he complained that he did not feel very well. Fr. Canice got him to his room and made him lie down on the bed. He asked Fr. Canice to bring him a cup of tea, as he thought this might give him some relief. After the tea, he felt a little better and told Fr. Canice to go and have his own tea. When the latter returned a little later, he found Fr. Xavier gasping for breath. He ran for the Holy Oils and anointed him at once, Then he went to call the Doctor, but when he got back to the room, accompanied by Fr. Flavian, Fr. Xavier had passed away. When the Doctor arrived, his verdict was Coronary thrombosis. Christopher Stephen Beale, as he was known in the world, was born in Cork on Christmas Eve 1881. After leaving School he worked for a time with his Brother in an Office in his native City, The call to the Religious life, as a Passionist did not come until he was 22 years old. He entered the Noviciate at Broadway in November 1903, and on receiving the Holy habit took the name of Xavier of the Sacred Heart. He was professed the following year on the Feast of Our Lady’s Presentation – November 21st, 1904. After his profession, he was sent to Mt. Argus, Dublin, to commence his studies for the Priesthood. His class was transferred to Broadway in 1911, and on the 12th December that year Fr. Xavier was raised to the Priesthood, at the same altar, where seven years before, he had made his religious profession. A few years after his ordination we find him back in Mt. Argus, where for some years he was spiritual Director to the Police Confraternity, He did great work amongst the men, often visiting them in their homes, and was very highly esteemed by all the members of the Dublin Force, with whom he came in contact. He was later elected Rector of Broadway and remained there for six years 1932 to 1938. He was also engaged at various times in Parish work at Highgate, Sutton and Carmarthen, as well as giving Missions and Retreats in England, Ireland, Wales and Scotland. Fr. Xavier was not gifted with high intellectual qualities, but one thing is certain; he made the fullest use of the gifts God had given him, He was popular with many as a preacher; not because of his erudition or oratory, but because he was always Xavier: He had a style of his own, very much out of the ordinary, and his “obiter dicta” with their simple witticisms amused his audiences. He was fond of Poetry and Drama – one would always find on his table Shakespeare and The Bible. One of the outstanding features of his life was his childlike simplicity, which was a source of much amusement to his brethren at times, Although he would put on a show of external pomposity at times, he was really humble at heart. He was very exact (one might say scrupulous at times), in saying the Divine Office, and it is a remarkable coincidence that one of his last fully conscious acts should be the recitation of Vespers. One more fact must be mentioned – his great devotion to Our Lady’s Sorrows. In addition to the ordinary Rosary, he never let a day pass, without reciting the Rosary of the Seven Dolours, and he always carried these beads about with him. With the passing of Fr. Xavier, St. Joseph’s Province has lost one of its ‘Characters’. His witty remarks (some times not intended to be so), were passed around the Province, and he was often amused when they got back to him, with new additions. The obsequies took place at St. Mary’s, Carmarthen. Fr. Germain (who was professed with Fr. Xavier) sang the Solemn Requiem, in the presence of Dr. Petit, Bishop of Menevia; after which Fr. Xavier was laid to rest in the little cemetery attached to the Retreat. Besides Fr. Patrick C.P. (Provincial) and Fr. Philip C.P. (First (Cons;), many of the brethren from our own Province and St. Patrick’s were also present. May he rest in Peace.