We regret to announce the death of a member of St. Joseph’s Province, Rev. Fr. Cyril (Barker), C.P., which occurred after a comparatively brief illness at St. Anne’s Retreat, Sutton, Lancs., on Saturday, April 1st.
The late Fr. Cyril, a Londoner, was born at Highgate on October 10th, 1874. As a youth Edward John Barker served Mass at the Passionist Church, and was therefore well acquainted with the community of St. Joseph’s Retreat. At the age of twenty-two he entered the novitiate at St. Saviour’s Retreat, Broadway, Worcs. where he made his religious profession on March 10th, 1897, taking the name of Cyril of the Blessed Sacrament. Having completed his ecclesiastical studies, he was raised to the priesthood in London on February 27th, 1904.
At different periods, Fr. Cyril was stationed at Highgate and other Retreats of St. Joseph’s Province. For six years he acted as Vicar at St. Mungo’s Retreat, Glasgow. Subsequently he was attached to St. Joseph’s Church, Avenue Hoche, Paris, where he was one of the chaplains in charge of the spiritual interests of the large English-speaking community in that city. His last years were spent at St. Anne’s Retreat, Sutton, Lancs.
A most genial and affable companion, the late Fr. Cyril was a man of many enthusiasms. He was well-read in the best of current literature, and contributed articles to THE CROSS and other periodicals. An accomplished musician, he favoured the classic composers, and devoted much attention to the training of choirs in the various churches where he ministered. As a preacher, he spoke with vibrant emotion, and his inspiring words invariably gained a remarkable response from his bearers.
In his spiritual life, Fr. Cyril avoided any ostentation, but to those who knew him best, his piety was marked by the, utmost simplicity. He had a special devotion to St. Therese of Lisieux, and with childlike. confidence in her intercession, he had immediate recourse to her in any difficulty. He took a particularly keen interest in the Cause of the Venerable Father Dominic, C.P., and preached several times at the Annual Pilgrimage to his tomb at Sutton.
Father Cyril enjoyed his usual good health up to a week or so before his death, when he was stricken with a heart attack, which quickly proved fatal. A tragic feature was that his brother had died only a few weeks previously. Fortified by the consolations of Holy Church, Fr. Cyril departed this life mourned by his brethren, and by all those who had enjoyed his friendship and who had profited by his ministry.
(The Cross, Vol. XLI, 1950-51; p.22.)