He was born in Arklow, Archdiocese of Dublin, Ireland, January 26, 1848, and his secular name was Daniel McGrath. He lost both of his parents in his childhood, and went to live with some of his relatives in Dublin, where he first went to school. At fourteen years of age he was employed in a mercantile house, where he remained for some six years, when he applied for admission amongst us.
He had been teaching catechism in our church for a few years previous to setting out for the novitiate, commencing thus early to discharge the role of an apostle. Then feeling himself called to a more perfect life, he began to study Latin privately, during every free moment not only of his evenings, but even during his business hours whenever an opportunity offered. To the joy of his heart he was finally accepted as a student novice, and repaired to our novitiate at Broadway, in Worcestershire, England, being then 20 years old. There he was invested with the holy habit and made his profession on the 29th of May, 1869; and on the termination of his studies was ordained priest at Pentecost 1875.
Being blessed with a robust constitution, and what was better, with a fervent soul, he applied himself to the work of preaching, and in a short while acquired an honorable and enviable reputation as an efficient missionary. For the space of 12 years he was almost incessantly occupied on missions and retreats both in Ireland and England. But he laboured most, and effected the most for the welfare of his neighbour in St. Mungo’s parish, Glasgow, Scotland. Let it he said without any invidious comparisons, that no priest in Glasgow, or maybe in all Scotland was more widely known and respected than our good F. Cornelius. There was even a time when he attained national fame, on account of the heroic stand he took in checking or repressing public excesses and abuses, and it was owing to his untiring zeal and the absolute justice of his cause that he succeeded to a very great degree in the face of the most determined bigotry and sordid interest.
Besides working for the welfare of the parish, F. Cornelius was chaplain of the city prisons for seven years. It was indeed in this latter capacity that he became so well known and had numberless opportunities of helping the unfortunate. His charity and self-denial were unlimited, and it was at this price that he won recognition and appreciation from both Catholics and Protestants alike. He proved himself the friend, the shepherd and the father of all the prisoners, men and women; ever ready to redress their grievances, adjust. their difficulties, solace their conscience; and after their liberation, was solicitous in finding them sympathetic friends, and suitable employment. Yet whilst thus engaged in the multiform details of practical and often thankless charity, he was always, and everywhere the exemplary religious and the perfect Christian gentleman.
The hour of his reward was now at hand. On the 10th of August he was attacked with an obstinate blood-poisoning, as the result of an injury. His malady steadily grew worse, where- upon the last sacraments were administered and with Singular piety he prepared for eternity. Having received the last blessing, and assisted by all his brethren, he yielded up his zealous soul into the hands of his God.
The news of his demise spread quickly thru’ the city; and tho’ his popularity was never questioned it showed itself on the largest scale by the thousands that flocked to pay their last respects to the dead Passionist. Vast crowds assembled to view his remains; and a countless throng of respectful and grateful mourners followed all that was mortal of good, dear F. Cornelius to the cemetery, where he slumbers in the hope of a glorious resurrection.
FACT SHEET ASSEMBLED BY FR. DECLAN
Daniel McGrath, as he was called, was born in Arklow, Co. Wicklow, on 26 January 1848 (tho’ Fr. Salvian Nardocci’s Register has 1844, amended to 1846). He lost his parents while quite young, and was brought to live with relatives in Dublin. School over, at the age of 14 he was placed in a business establishment (as his Obit puts it) and was there for 6 years. During this time he was in contact with Mt. Argus and its Christian Doctrine Society, spending many hours on Sundays teaching the Catechism.
He felt he was called to the priesthood, and on the advice of his Confessor, took up the study of Latin, and so on, with a private tutor. When he had acquired sufficient knowledge, he applied for admission to the Congregation. Accepted he went to Broadway, Worcs, and at the end of the year’s testing, made his vows as a Passionist on 18th May 1868.
He returned to Mt. Argus to read Philosophy and Theology, and was ordained Priest on Whit Sunday 1875 (May 16th).
A man of strong constitution, of great energy of mind and body, he became a Missionary of note, for 11 years continually giving Mission and Retreats in various parts of Ireland and Great Britain.
But, the main scene of his work as a priest was in St. Mungo’s parish. Here for some 16 years (1890 – 1906) he laboured among the Catholics of the Townhead district. For 7 years he was Catholic Prison Chaplain, and was well-liked by all the prisoners, be they Catholic or Protestant.. He succeeded in getting an Act of Parliament passed which would protect young women prisoners in the field of morals, and he started the Prisoners’ Aid Society to help well-disposed ex-prisoners to make a new start in life.
The extent of his influence and the widespread esteem in which he was held can be in part gauged form the huge stream of people who came to visit his remains, and the 5,000 plus, who assembled to pray for him and to do him honour on the occasion of his burial.
He was a good Passionist. God rest him.
SOURCES: Anglo-Hibernian Catalogue 1878 No. 56 (1899, no. 24)
Salvian Nardocci “Register”, no. 201.
Obituary notice 1906.08.24
Anglo-Hibernian Chronicles II:286, III:100
Death of Father Cornelius of St. Joseph, 24th August 1906.
It is our sad duty to record the death of Reverend Father Cornelius of St. Joseph, which took place at St. Mungo’s Retreat, Townhead, Glasgow on the 24th August, 1906. Although failing in health for the past year, he continued to fulfil his office as Vicar of this Retreat, and to take his share in the work of the Mission and fulfil his duties as Prison Chaplain up to a fortnight before his death.
On the 10th August he got a severe chill and had to take to his bed. He gradually grew worse, and notwithstanding the efforts of the best medical men in Glasgow, and the skilled and careful attendance of a professional nurse, it was found that nothing could save his life. He devoutly received the last sacraments and blessing of the Church, and in the presence of his brethren calmly breathed forth his soul into the hands of his Creator on the morning of the 24th August 1906.
Father Cornelius of St. Joseph, in the world known is Daniel McGrath was born in Arklow, Ireland, on the 26th January 1848. His parents died whilst, he was quite young, and he was taken to reside with relatives in Dublin. Here he spent his school days. Whilst still a youth of little more than fourteen years he was placed in a business establishment and continued in it for about six years. During these years he made the acquaintance of the Passionist Fathers at Mount Argus and became a member of the Christian Doctrine Society attached to the Church. For some years he spent the greater part of his leisure hours on Sundays teaching Catechism. He felt called to a higher life, and by the advice of his confessor set himself with great energy to study classics under a private tutor in order too qualify himself to go on for the ecclesiastical state. When he had acquired the necessary knowledge of Classics he applied for admission into our order and was accepted by our Father Provincial. He entered the Noviciate in April 1868, and made his solemn profession on 18th May 1869 in St. Saviour’s Retreat, Broadway.
Immediately after his profession he returned to Mount Argus, Dublin, and began his formal course of studies. These he went through with marked success and to the entire satisfaction of his superiors, and was raised to the priesthood at Pentecost 1875.
Being a man of strong constitution and of great energy of mind and body, he soon became a preacher of note, and a very successful missionary. For eleven years he was almost continuously engaged in giving missions and retreats in various parts of Ireland and Great Britain.
But the chief scene of his priestly zeal was St. Mungo’s Parish, Glasgow. He spent a short time here after his ordination, and returned again eighteen years ago. During these years he has been labouring, and that too with marked success, amongst the large Catholic population of the Townhead; and it may he said without exaggeration that there was no better known or more highly esteemed priest in Glasgow than Father Cornelius.
During the last seven years he held the office of Catholic Chaplain to the prison, and his zeal, energy and tact in dealing with the prisoners was an object of admiration on to all Glasgow, Protestant as well as Catholic. He succeeded in getting an Act of Parliament passed to suppress immoral practices connected with young female prisoners, and he established the Prisoners Aid Society, which has done and continues to do excellent work in aiding well disposed prisoners to make a new start in life after they have left prison.
The esteem in which Father Cornelius was held may be judged by the enormous concourse of people who came from all parts of the city to visit his remains, whilst they were laid d out in the Church, and huge gathering – over five thousand – that assembled to do honour to his remains and to pray for him on the occasion of his burial.
Father Cornelius had a truly religious spirit. He was a great lover of regular observance but excelled in his spirit of obedience and respect for those placed over him. May God grant him the reward of his laborious life – May he rest in peace.
St. Mungo’s Retreat, Townhead, Glasgow. 3rd September 1906.