We regret to announce the death of Rev. Fr Dermot of the Mother of God, a member of St. Joseph’s Province, which occurred at St. Saviour’s Retreat, Broadway, Worcs., on December 9th, 1942, at the early age of forty-eight years.
A Londoner by birth, the late Fr. Dermot was born on June 17th. 1894, and made his religious profession on February 17th, 1912. Subsequent to his ordination, in 1920, he was at various times stationed at Glasgow, Highgate, Herne Bay, Paris, and Harborne, where for some years he acted as Vicar. In these various localities he was occupied for the most part in parochial duties, and by his conscientious fulfilment of the varied tasks that fell to his lot, he rendered himself universally beloved and respected. His thoughtful charity and his unassuming kindness were keynotes of his character. Never one to seek the limelight, he devoted himself to labours for souls without desiring either popularity or applause. His untimely death has taken from his brethren a hard working and zealous priest, a gentle and kindly companion, an edifying and exemplary religious, a true son of St. Paul of the Cross. R.I.P.
(The Cross, Vol. XXXIII, 1942-43; p. 192)
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Fr. Dermot of the Mother of God:
On the evening of Wednesday the ninth of December 1942, the community of St Saviour’s retreat at Broadway received a severe shock. The news was received from Cheltenham that Fr Dermot had passed away in the hospital there. He had been ill, but not seriously so, for some weeks, during which he had been able to say Holy Mass each morning. However at 1 p.m. on the day of his death he had collapsed at the foot of the stairs. The fall was not a heavy one, and was insufficient to cause any injury: but it’s cause was evidently a heart attack. The doctor was immediately summoned, and meanwhile the patient recovered sufficiently to be removed to bed, where he was made very comfortable and improved rapidly, so that there appeared a good hope of his ultimate recovery. Nevertheless, Father Rector deemed it wise to administer the last sacraments without delay. The community, therefore, was summoned to the bedside, and Fr Dermot received the last sacraments with the most edifying dispositions and in full possession of his faculties, repeating before the Apostolic Blessing was given that he accepted death willingly from the hands of God as a punishment of sin.
When the doctor arrived he advised the immediate removal of the patient to Cheltenham General Hospital. This was done, and Father Rector accompanied the ambulance to the hospital, staying there until the preliminary medical inspection was over, and the patient had received an injection and was permanently settled for the night. Father Rector then returned to a room he had engaged not far from the hospital; but he had not been there long before the sad news was ‘phoned to him from the hospital that Fr Dermot had suffered another hack attack, and despite all medical attention had passed away, cause of death being a coronary thrombosis.
Born in Highgate on June 17, 1894, Edward Maurice Cronin was under Passionist influence from his earliest years, being baptised and making his first holy Communion in our church of St Joseph’s, and receiving his early education in St Joseph’s schools. His parents were good practising Catholics, and the home life of the future Passionist was such as to make fitting preparations for a life of a religious. At the age of 14 he left home for the Alumniate, which was then at Carmarthen. From there he entered the novitiate at Enniskillen, where he was clothed in February 1911 taking the name of Dermot of the Mother of God. After profession the following year his student years were spent first at Mount Argus and afterwards at St Anne’s, in which latter placed he was ordained in 1920
The years of Father Dermot’s priestly life were spent for the most perfect in retreats actively engaged in work for souls, Glasgow, Paris, Harborne and Highgate. He was in turn Vicar at Harborne, Paris and Highgate, and then returned to Paris as superior of our house there. In 1940 became a member of the community of the Novitiate House of St saviour’s, Broadway where he remained until his death.
Of a sensitive and retiring nature, Fr Dermot would sometimes appear to casual acquaintances as of a rather reserved disposition. To those, however, who knew him intimately, this external reserve hid an affectionate and charitable character, quick to respond to any kindness, and ready to speak well of others and if necessary also in their defence. As a part of his priestly equipment, he took pains to be well read in all branches of Catholic literature, particularly apologetics; and occasionally at recreation time he would unobtrusively introduce subjects for discussion which could be debated with interest. He was versed, too, in church music and choir work generally, and was able should occasion arise to take the place of the organist at Mass or Benediction. His chief work as a priest, however, lay in the parish, where he found a satisfying outlet for his zeal for souls, particularly in St Mungo’s, Glasgow and St Joseph’s Highgate, in preaching, hearing confessions and instructing converts. Occasionally he gave missions; and was often employed in the important work of conducting retreats, which he did with commendable efficiency and zeal.
He died at the comparative early age of 48 years, of which 34 had been spent in Passionist houses (including the Alumniate) and 22 as a priest. His loss is a severe one, and will be felt not only by those who shared with him his religious life, but also by the many who benefitted by the years of his toil in the vineyard of the Lord.
May you rest in peace.
FINIAN OF THE MOTHER OF GOD
Rector,