V. Rev. Fr. Cormac (Healy), C.P.
We regret to chronicle the death of V. Rev. Fr. Cormac (Healy), C.P., Rector, St. Mungo’s Retreat, Glasgow. For some months past he had been seriously ill and the end came peacefully on the morning of July 26th.
Known in the world as Patrick Joseph Healy, Fr. Cormac was born in Belfast on August 17th, 1898. He entered the Passionist Novitiate, St. Gabriel’s Retreat, The Graan, Enniskillen in 1917; made his Religious Profession on August 15th, 1918, and on the completion of his ecclesiastical studies six years later was raised to the Priesthood by the Most Rev. Dr. Byrne, Archbishop of Dublin.
For some years after his ordination Fr. Cormac was Assistant Editor of THE CROSS, subsequent to which he joined the pioneer community of Mary Immaculate Retreat, Musselburgh. He was later transferred to St. Mungo’s Retreat, Glasgow, where he spent many years of his priestly life.
Gifted with a gentle, amiable disposition, he will long be remembered by those with whom he came in contact in his priestly ministrations for his kindness and approachability; selfless and unassuming he was always ready to give what assistance he could to others. One to whom half measures were abhorrent, he gave himself unsparingly to his duties in the Ministry; whatever was asked of him in holy obedience he performed thoroughly and conscientiously.
In the field of missionary activity he was a capable preacher and a zealous confessor. His whole bearing, which revealed his deep sincerity and spirituality. gave to his sermons and exhortations an unction which did not fail to impress his hearers. Always he was a Passionist, in the truest sense of the word, who had at heart the salvation of souls and the good of his Congregation.
The members of the Province of St. Patrick are keenly conscious of the loss they have sustained by his death. That he was held in highest esteem by his Brethren, who placed confidence in his mature judgment and ability to give counsel in matters of moment, is in evidence from the various offices which were entrusted to him: Vice-Rector, Mary Immaculate Retreat; Master of Novices; Rector, St. Mungo’s Retreat.
In recording his death we ask our readers to join us in our earnest prayer that God in His Infinite Mercy may grant eternal rest to his soul. May he rest in peace.
(The Cross, Vol. XLI, 1950-51; p. 132.)
Father Cormac of the Mother of God.
“It is a great privilege to have known such a worthy, priest, such a devout child of Mary”. Such were the words spoken by one of the Religious who stood by the death bed, when, early on the morning of St. Anne’s Feast, 1950, Father Cormac of the Mother of God returned his pure soul to his Creator. For several weeks Father Cormac had suffered recurrent heart attacks and for some time before he died he knew that his work on earth was drawing towards its close. His calmness and resignation in the face of death were a constant source of edification and consolation to those privileged to be near him. Those appointed to nurse him were kept busier joining with him in Rosary after Rosary than in administering to his temporal needs. At his Religious Profession in 1918 he had chosen to be known as Cormac of the Mother of God, and as her faithful priest he departed this life thirty-two years later.
Father Cormac was born in Belfast in 1899 , the son of John and Mary Healy. At Baptism he received the names Patrick Joseph, Educated first by the Irish Christian Brothers, he afterwards went to the Passionist Alumniate at Sandymount. Having completed his studies there he entered the Novitiate at St. Gabriel’s Retreat, Enniskillen, where he was. professed on the 15th August, 1918. After Profession his student years were spent in Mount Argus where he was ordained on 23rd December, 1923. After a short spell of work in England he returned to Mt. Argus as Assistant Editor of “The Cross”. Later he was transferred to St. Mungo’s, Glasgow, where most of his priestly life was spent. In the Parish work allotted to him here Fr. Cormac found scope for his zeal. Ceaseless visitation of his district brought many an erring soul back to the feet of Christ. He was ever mindful of the words of the late Cardinal Vaughan “A house-going priest means a church-going people”!. As chaplain to the Society of the Children of Mary, he was constant in his endeavours to promote loving devotion to the Mother of God, and a strong flourishing Society to-day bears witness to the success of his endeavours. In 1941 Fr. Cormac was appointed Vicar of the Retreat of Mary Immaculate, Musselburgh. When the position of Master of Novices became vacant in 1945 his Superiors showed their faith in Fr. Cormac’s deep knowledge of the Religious life by promoting him to this high office. Under his paternal guidance the young novices were well grounded in the religious and missionary spirit of our Holy Founder. The Provincial Chapter of 1947 elected Fr. Cormac to the onerous position of Rector of St. Mungo’s Retreat, Glasgow, and back he went to the scenes of his early labours, much to the joy of the parishioners. Again in the Chapter held this year the Capitular Fathers confirmed their faith in his administrative abilities by re-electing him for another three years.
However, unknown to all but himself, Pr. Cormac’s health was declining. Early in May he suffered a severe heart attack. Even then only at the earnest persuasion of his brethren did he allow a doctor to attend him. The doctor ordered complete and absolute rest, and revealed to the Community that their Rector must have suffered long in silence. .It was the beginning of the end. Gradually becoming weaker he died early on the 26th July, the Feast of St. Anne.
As a Religious, Father Cormac was conspicuous for his deep devotion to the Mother of God. Despite his busy administrative life, being fully imbued with the true Passionist spirit, he was engaged from tine to time on missions and retreats. At this work he ever sought to spread devotion to the Passion of Christ and the Sorrows of Mary. He had boundless faith in Mary’s loving protection and guidance. His daily contemplation of her sorrows was a constant source of strength to him in the trials of life and especially in his last illness. Her words to the angel “Fiat voluntas tua” he made his own. They stood him in good stead during life; they stood him in good stead at the hour of his death. May his good soul rest in peace.