The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1877-04-22
8orBIng Star and Catholic essen er.
aEw ORLEANS. SUNDAY, APRIL ~ 1877
SKETCH OF THE LIFE
REV. JOHN B. DUFFY, C.SS.R.
by Of his Pupils and Friends. Priest of thi,
City
OF THE LATE


one of hi. Pupils and Friends now a Priest of tn
S IConcluded
He entertained 9 truly cbildlike affection TO
he Blessed Virgin Mary. Many were the d.
votions he praOticed in her honor. He love
10 preach about her, and to ipstill into tb
h arts of all the same love for. and confdenc
her that be himself enjoyed. He WON'T
sver omit recitip & the rosary, no matter no
usy, how fatigutd how sick or exhausted b
hight be, the rosary never left him either nigh
IS day. May we not say that Mary loved bin
5ery dearly, since she took bin, her loving son
! pom this vale of tears Oh her own birthday
Father Duffy was a true Redeuptorist. Hi,
sye for his vocation WAS truly admirable. NJ
ross, no trial, 10 4 mptation, conld diminish II
the least. He gicried in being R-dempto
&ist, q SOD of st. Alpbopsus He attributed al
fhe good f. cted through his instrumentality
and the visible blessing of God on bis Iabors
ITO the fact that he belonged to the Congrega
stion of the Most Holy Redeemer, The only
thing that would make him tremble was the
fear of losing bis vocation. Every year daring
his ten days retreat he noted down all the
points of the rule he bad traDsgressed in the
to amend Aud not satisfied with this, he IN ade
most strenuous efforts to correct his least
faults. He possessed in remarkable degree
two of the most necessary qualities for Re
demptorlst, VIZ the spirit OF obedience and
love for Community life He never liked to be
an exception even when he was sick. Heloved
to assist at all the exercises in common, for be
wanted to be with bis brethren in religion on
4 all occasions when the rule prescribed that
they should perform exercises in Community.
when with the students and poviees be was az
one OF them, and delighted TO join with them
in the performance of their spiiitual exercises.
Even when he was so sick and weak as to be
unable to walk, he would yet manage to drag
himself to the place where the Community were
assembled, SO aHxiens wss he TO be with them.
Father who had long been bis superior testi.
fes of him follows: 1--WE all knew his love
Tor community exercises ] often requested
him, when be- was sick, to remain in bed and
room, but he always answered: Please
T atner' allow me Go come to the oratory
long as 1 eau, for love to be with the Com
munity.' And come he would, though he could
sometimes scarcely stand on his feet"
He was not less remarkable for his spirit of
obedience. He always showed exteriorly the
|enbmissive attention to their commands; and
interiorly he venerated them as holding Gods
place towards him. He on all occasions
'showed himself TO be sincere and open. he arted
TO them. Whenever he found it necessary, he
would humbly state his reasons for differing
with them. This he would do with due respect
,And with holy indifference to what they
night decide. On this subject, the Father
above quoted gives the folio wing testimony:
"a can truly say that Father Dnffy was one Of
she most obedient religious / ever met. He
OF the least Importance, though he need not to
have SO done. What shall say of his zeal. his
'oharityf We all know what it cost him when
ne had to give up preaching, hearing confess
sions, etc. Nothing but the fear of acting
against the will of God could restrain him, I
have never found . more tender conscience,
greater simplicity, or deeper humility than
in Father Dnffy."
His we'll known charity towards his brethren
in religion made him beloved, for he made
all to all. Among the students he was
his class. He loved his brethren not only in
general, bnt each one in particular. His love
did not consist merely in words, bnt proved |
itself by deeds, for he was ever ready to do a |
favor to others. He Smpathizsd with them,
attended to their wants, and constantly en-. !
desvored to show them that he loved them |
His love was sincere; he abhorred h4ttery, for |
ne never omitted to privately admonish them |
of their faults, but al ways in the most loving |
and tender manner If harsh word escaped |
from his lipa at such times, he would either ask |
pardon for it, or would make amends in some
other more proper manner. He would never
speak Ill OF any one, nor would he allow others
10 do SO in his presence. None were more for
giving than he, for he would never show She
east resentment to those who had injured
him. he dearly loved his native country, Ire
and He gloried in being an Irishman. He
was likewise warmly attached to the land of
lis adoption. But he was not so narrow
minded as to be able to perceive good only in
ais own country and countrymep, and find
anlt with every other nationality. Whenever
allied upon to do go, he preached in German
md felt proud of being able to do so. Though
lot g master of that language, he often, of his
wn accord, gave con- erences in German to the
nemb ers OF the Comm unity, in order that'the
ay brothers, who understood English very
mperfectly, might not be deprived of the
ruitso of the conference.
What distinguished Father Daffy SO much,
nd rendered him such universal favorite
vas his ardent zeal for souls. All his actions,
lot having in view his own immediate sanctih
alton, were performed for the honor and glory
God and the salvation of souls. He loved to
reach and give Instructions He never refused
preach except when physically incRrable
nd no matter how fatigued and exhausted he
hight be, he always joyfnlly took the place of I
theirs in preaching. If anything could make I
i'm sad, it was to forbid him to preach {
.oring the last years of his life, he often {
uty of the ministry. he always felt happy
hen called upon to baptize or to administer !!
ny OF the other sacramenGs. He loved child
en-. The school which he established with SO t
luoh difficulty il sufficient proof of this. He {
ways returned the salute of even the sn allest
nd poorest child. He was never SO happy as {
,hen engaged in preparing children for their
lrst Communion. When they made their re-