The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1899-02-10

time to his friend and benefactor Of so
many years brought the tears TO many
eyes. He said:
Father and dearest friend. feel
that your spirit is allowed to hover
near us now that we are here assem-
blcd before your earthly tenement Of
clay to implore Gods mercy for the
eternal reposs of your soul. Could you
speak / know you would rebuke me,
and your well-known voice would ad-
dress me as ever: Ignatius, no words
of praise for me- not praise, but pray
ers. know 1t my dear father in
Christ; l ought not speak words or
praise, but suffer your boy to express
even thus feebly his feelings and TO lay
this slight tribute on your coffin for
Gods glory and the cdihcation OF all
your people.
OVER HALF A CENTURY.
For flfty-six years your bishop stood
daily at the altar and offered up that
holy sacrifice OF the real body and
blood Of his Divine Savior. For nifty
six years he was ever faithful in the
confessional. No matter how late
the hour, as long as there was a peni-
tent to be heard, he was at his
service. Ever e. father, q phySi-
clan, teacher and a merciful
judge to the sinner in that sacred
tribunal, the salutary pool for the heal
ing of all spiritual disorders. Like the
good Samaritan, no one could have
been more attentive to the sick and
dying. Daily before coming to the Sem
mary for his class in theology he would
visit the sick, whose names were al
ways given him by the assistant
clergy.
Like the good shepherd, his heart
would GO out towards the lost and
G 20 GIN 90 81, al hfN
would strive 20 bring them back 10
their duty. In word, he was a model
priest. No wonder his devoted people
of St. Patrick's parish, in Philade-
phia, loved and reverenced him. He
knew them all by name, old, young,
little children. He carried them all in
his heart. i am speaking of my own
personal knowledge about him. Such
he was in his public ministry. He hon
ored that ministry. AS man, ad
mirable simplicity, wonderful meek
ness, sweetness and affability marked
HIS character. lie was absolutely de-
taChed from the riches of earth. He
lived literally according to the teaching
Of st. Paul: Goodness with content
mcnt is great gain, for we brought
nothing into this world and certainly
we can carry nothing out, but having
fOoG and wherewith to be clothed,
with these we are content ]. Tim
othy, vi, 6-7.
GENEROUS TO A FAULT.
He never took any salary during
his years as pastor, and l am sure
that all he received as bishop was
devoted to the church and charity,
except what was absolutely required
for his personal wants. He was man
of deep. simple, childlike faith and
sterling piety. What he was as a priest
and M I am certain all of
priests, religious and faithful laity,
will declare he was also as q bishop.
over thirty years a bishop, and the
first bishop of the diocese of Scran-
ton.
And his life will live on constantly in
the souls of those who came under his
influence and care in the souls of their
children. Let his life be for us all an
inspiration. Let us follow his example.
This, our imitation, will be a nobler
monument to his memory than any of
marble or bronze.
The sermon concluded the absoluton
was begun. 1t was performed by
Archbishop Ryan, assisted by Bishop
Hoban, Bishop Fitzmaurice, Bishop
Prendergast and Bishop McFaul.
The remains were then enclosed in
| the casket and conveyed to the crypt in
| the basement by the pall-pearers as
| previously published. Before being
| lowered into the vault brief services
were conducted by Bishop Hobdn, as
| sisted by the other bishops and priests
| Later a stone slab was cementel Over
the opening of the crypt and the re-
| mains Of the much beloved first bishor
| of Scranton were shut out from mortal
| sight probably forever.