Rev. Fr. Conleth (Boothman) C.P.
We regret to chronicle the death of Rev. Father Conleth (Boothman), C.P., of St. Joseph’s Province, which occurred at Herne Bay, Kent, on October 3rd.
Born in Dublin on February 12th, 1900, Louis Boothman entered the Passionist Novitiate in 1916 and was professed on October 24th, 1917, taking the religious name of Conleth of the Seven Dolours. On the completion of his studies for the priesthood at St. Paul’s Retreat, Mount Argus, Dublin, he was ordained by the late Archbishop Byrne on December 23rd, 1922.
On the division of the former Anglo-Hibernian Province in 1927, Fr. Conleth remained in England, where he was attached to the missionary staff. A vigorous and forceful preacher, he was busily engaged on mission and retreat work in many parts of England. From 1941-47, he was Rector of St. Gabriel’s Retreat, Ormskirk, Lancs.
For the past couple of years he was not in good health; he had contracted a heart affection to the effects of which he eventually succumbed. By his death the Province of St. Joseph has lost a zealous and willing worker, who was unsparing in his labours for souls. May he rest in peace.
(The Cross, Vol. XL, 1949-50; p.190)
Obituary: Fr. Conleth of the VII Dolours.
The Angel of Death came peaceably to Fr. Conleth on the afternoon of Sunday, 2nd October 1949. In the latter weeks of his life, he had longed for and desired its coming, and prayed that God would call him home to Himself. It can be affirmed without hesitation that the words of the Holy Ghost had their fulfilment in his death “Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord’ In the morning, he had once again received Holy Viaticum, and in the act of expiring, he was given his final absolution and received the Sacrament of Extreme Unction. Since the beginning of July, he had suffered much from recurrent heart attacks which rendered him more weakened in body and caused him much distress. He anticipated that his death would come in one of these turns which added to the intensity of his sufferings. But his prayers were answered, and death came to him calmly and quietly, and welcomed as a friend.
Amongst his papers after his death, was found a prayer which was evidently much used by him and which reflected his deep and solid spiritual life. It was an offering of his sufferings and afflictions to God to purify and sanctify his soul and bring it closer and make it more conformable to The Sacred Heart of Jesus. His offering was accepted and for the last five years of his life, he endured sharp pain and acute distress from heart attacks, insomnia and weakness.
Known in the world as Louis Boothman, he was born in Dublin on the 12th February 1899. He received his vocation to the Passionists in his early teens, and having completed his early studies at the Alumniate, Sandymount, Dublin, he was professed at “St. Gabriel’s Retreat” Enniskillen on the 24th October 1917. His Student years were spent at “St. Paul’s Retreat” Mount Argus :Dublin, and he was ordained to the Priesthood on the 23rd December.
A year later he was transferred to “St. Saviours Retreat” Broadway where he began his missionary work to which he was much devoted. Gifted with a deep clear resonant voice, he used it with much effect in the pulpit and on the platform, and clergy and laity spoke highly of him and of the good done by him.
On missions, he was very keen and zealous in visiting the houses of the people and won then by his affability of manner and his patient understanding of their difficulties and problems. In the confessional especially, he was noted for his zeal and he never tired of the work, but was always glad and rejoiced when this particular work of the priesthood was long and heavy.
After some years spent at Broadway, he was transferred to St. Anne’s Retreat” Sutton, and for a time he was appointed to parish work there. He endeared himself to the people by his self sacrifice and work on their behalf and won the hearts of the men who remember him with gratitude down the years. He spent some years on the missionary staff at “St. Paul’s Retreat” Ilkley, and at “St. Gabriel’s Retreat” Ormskirk and was always ready when called upon to give missions and retreats supply work and charity sermons.
In 1939, he was appointed Vicar in “St. Mary’s Retreat” Harborne, and at the Provincial Chapter of 1941, he was elected Rector of “St. Gabriel’s Retreat” Ormskirk. The work connected with the Alumniate appealed to him, and he gave himself whole heartedly and completely to the work there which was still in its infancy and beset with many problems. in a special manner he worked for the success of the Retreat movement particularly of the Clergy Retreats whilst Rector for six years at “St. Gabriel’s Retreat”. He was at much pains going into the smallest details to increase and extend the work and many of the secular clergy from the Liverpool, Salford and Lancaster dioceses spent happy and fruitful days on retreat there, and spoke with gratitude of the welcome and hospitality shown there and the care and provision made for them in every way.
As a religious, Fr. Conleth was conspicuous for his charity and patience. Of a phlegmatic nature, he did not let things ruffle or disturb him unduly and kept an even balance when confronted with problems and awkward situations. He had great hope and trust in God, and this was manifested and reflected in his interest in and charity towards others and the weaker and the less fortunate of his follow-men.
In the last few days of his life spent at Herne Bay, he edified the Community and those who came into contact with him by his cheerfulness, patience and sustained suffering. But the outstanding virtue whose memory lingers longest with us is the sacrifice he made morning after morning, very often after a sleepless night to go unto the altar of God to offer the Adorable Sacrifice. It was all, he declared, that he had to live for . It meant to him grace and strength to suffer more and to be made more conformable to the Divine Victim of Calvary.
R.I.P. : Signed: Ronan of the Five Wounds. Superior.