Obituary Notice – Father Columban of the Immaculate Conception
By the death of Father Columban of the Immaculate Conception, which occurred at St. Paul’s Retreat, Mount Argus Dublin on Saturday, December 20th, 1947, at the age of eighty-three years, the Province of St. Patrick has lost one of its most venerable figures.
Born at Gortnahoe, Co. Tipperary on March 18th,, 1865, Michael Tyne gave early indications of enterprise and initiative by departing from the conservative traditions of the country and starting life as a journalist. He was still a junior reporter for the provincial press when he felt the call to higher things and resolved to dedicate his life to the service of God. At the age of twenty-four, he entered the Passionist Novitiate at St, Saviour’s Retreat, Broadway, Worcs., where he was professed on December 8th., 1890.
The first years of his student course ware spent at St. Paul’s Retreat, Mount Argus, Dublin where he had the privilege of knowing the Servant of God, Fr. Charles of St, Andrew. After Father Charles’ death, he put his literary talents and journalistic training to good purpose in preparing for the press the first Life of the Servant of God which appeared under the name of Father Austin. Later, he gave valuable evidence in the Beatification Process; and in his conversations he frequently recalled his memories of Father Charles, for whose virtues and holiness he had a profound veneration.
Towards the close of the year 1893, his class was transferred to St. Joseph’s Retreat, Highgate, London; but after a time, his health gave cause for anxiety, and his Superiors thought it advisable to transfer him to St. Michael’s Retreat, Wareham, Dorsetshire (a Retreat long since abandoned), where he completed his theological studies. On Sunday, December 22nd., 1895 he was ordained at Spettisbury by His Lordship Mgr. Graham, Co-adjutor Bishop of Plymouth. His companion on that occasion was Rev. Fr. Eugene, C.P., – still happily with us. Both had the happiness of celebrating the Golden Jubilee of their ordination in 1945.
Immediately after ordination, Father Columban was attached to the Passionist Church, Avenue Hoche, Paris, where he laboured with no little success until 1902, when the Community was expelled by the anti-clerical legislation of the French Government. In a farewell address to the weeping congregation, he declared that ‘although tyranny might break earthly ties, the golden chain of love no human power could sever.’ Subsequently he ministered for some years at Harborne, Birmingham; but the greater part of his religious life was spent at St. Paul’s Retreat, Mount Argus, Dublin, where he was known and loved as a zealous priest and a most sympathetic confessor.
Among his manifold interests, it is probable that the Apostolate of the press held the first place in his affections. For some years he was connected the New Era, an important Catholic periodical that was highly successful during its brief life. From 1918 – 1922 he was Editor of the Cross, and guided its fortunes during the difficult post-war period of the ‘troubled times’ in Ireland. He was most assiduous in preparing reports for the metropolitan journals: obituaries, funerals, jubilees were chronicled for posterity by his ever-ready pen. Indeed, the last thing he did before having to take to his bed was to prepare for the Press an Obituary notice of his old friend, Fr. Kevin (McKeown) of St. Joseph’s Province who predeceased him by eight days. Father Columban was not a little proud of his flowing script with its clearly bold and legible characters. Keenly interested in broadcasting he never failed to secure a place beside the radio when a religious topic was on the air. Especially was this the case when the radio speaker was a Passionist; he listened eagerly, was warm in his approbation and helpful in his criticism.
Being an exceptionally gifted preacher, Father Columban won wide-spread recognition as an outstanding missioner in his younger days. Even in his old age his voice was clear and resonant and if the fire of youth was no longer there, his carefully prepared discourses and well-rounded periods showed the practised hand of the polished preacher. His prudence and long experience made him a much-sought confessor especially by the secular clergy. He was frequently confessor for our novices, as well as for several convents. Even when advancing years made the labour arduous and protracted his weekly attendance In the confessional was exemplary; he showed himself ready and willing to assist and advise all who approached him.
To the poor he was kind-hearted and charitable. He never left the Retreat without bringing a small supply of coins which he placed in an easily accessible pocket to be bestowed as alms.
Father Columban excelled as a controversialist, for his memory was amazingly accurate and his recollection of past events both vivid and detailed, His witty comments on current events, especially those of a domestic nature, were often quoted with gusto in the community recreation. As a tribute to his venerable appearance no less than to his years, he was usually referred to by the affectionate soubriquet of ‘Daddy Columban’, and he ever had a true fatherly interest in the younger religious. No one was ever more pleased to hear tidings of a successful mission or of an outstanding sermon; he had the true Passionist’s love for the progress and expansion of the Congregation in every part of the world.
He took a special interest in the young students, listened attentively to their reading in the refectory, and later made appropriate comments which were sometimes pointed but never unkind.
A couple of years ago, he suffered an attack of partial paralysis which affected his right arm. He fought bravely against this disability and recovered sufficiently to be able to celebrate Holy Mass. His last illness was brief, only a week. Fortified by the Holy Sacraments, he passed peacefully to his eternal reward just a few days before Christmas. His death breaks another link with the past, and removes from our midst a venerable and beloved figure.
May he rest in peace.