The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-10-09
FUNERAL OF BELOVED PRIEST.

at the head OF the centre aisle, upon
low draped catafalque. was exposed the
body OF the deceased clergyman. repos-
ing in a magnificent oak casket, which
was slightly inclined so that all could see
the beloved and familiar features.
The casket was entirely open. and the
remains OF Father Fitzgerald. robed in
the purple and white ecclesiastical vest
ments with a heavy silver chalice be-
tween the clasped hands, gave no evil
dences OF the sufferings that he had |
passed through. but rather appeared ike |
one in a peaceful sleep
Just before the beginning OF the SER |
vices, robed clergymen from every section |
OF the state. Massachusetts, and Connecu-
cut all OF whom had been close friends or
the deceased, occupied the seats reserved
for them in the first three rows or pews.
and a large number OF Sisters OF Mercy
also took seats to the right of the side
aisle.
At precisely 9 o'clock, Rt. Rev. Bishop
Tierney OF Hartford, Conn, accompanied
by several clergymen. entered the sane
tuary. and the office was chanted. Then
followed the solemn mass of requiem.
OFFICERS OF THE MASS.
The officers OF the mass were: Ceie-
brant. Rt. Rev. Matthew Harkins bishop
| of Providence high priest. Very Rev, l.
f. Doran. V. c.: deacons or honor Kew
| Christopher Hughes. Fall River rev.
James Fitzsimmons. Ashton; deacon Oh
| the mass, Rev. j. s. Mahoney, Woon-
| socket: sub-deacon. Rev. j. II. Mckenna,
Providence; master of ceremonies, fev.
It. r. McGee cathedral; acolytes, Kew. T.
| ]. McGee Rev James Ward. ST. Joseph
| church, Providence, formerly curates at
| the church of the Immaculate Concep-
ton.
/ In the sanctuary also were Rt. Rev.
| Bishop Tierney, with Rev. II. +. kinner-
4 nv. OF Pawtucket and Rev. T. r. Grace,
| of Newport. as deacons OF honor.
| Beautiful and impressive was the sa-
/ cred service for the dead. and the grand
| and solemn Gregorian mass music, wnich
| was given under the direction OF Prof Al
| exander McCabe by the full choir or the
| church. caused many In the vast congre-
CATION to weep silently. This was paruc-
ularly noticeable when. during the oner-
| tory ''Pie Jesu," composed by Prof. NC
| Ca6e and dedicated to the late Father
Fitzgerald, was sung by Miss Teresa NC
| Cabe.
The sermon. which was in the nature OK
| a brief review OF the life of the departed
priest, was delivered by the RI Rev
Bishop Harkins, whose remarks were SUI
! stantially, as follows:
BISHOPS TRIBUTE.
| Holy mass has Just been offered for the
| repose of the soul of Father f1tzgeraiu
| IL is noticeable that in all the liturgy OF
the church for the dead there Is no wol'
| of praise for the deceased There are re-
| heated prayers to spare. to forgive ano
| for eternal peace. However. In one ol
| the prayers an appeal Is made TO AimiEh'
| ~ God to have mercy on the soul OF the
| deceased because he believed ana hopeo
| in the Lord. These are the oniy "oro'
| approaching to the praise OF the HE Una
| has gone.
This we can indeed say of he who has
gone from us-he believed and hoped u
the Lord and we hope that he now o.
very soon will enjoy that reward whici
is everlasting. You all know the simpi'
story OF his life Trained for the church
| be received the holy priesthood at al
early age He first iabored at the Ole
cathedral in Providence under the Ia
mented Bishop Mcfarland and his nobl
! work there is still remembered. IN
presence here today OF the bishop
| Hartford. a fellow worker with Fathe
| FITZGERALD In those early days, bears tes
| timony to that noble work
, He spent n short time under my belove
| nredecessor Bishop Hendricken, an
, then went to North Adams. and fror
| there 10 Central Falls as pastor or IN
: | Sacred Heart church. His work In cen
| trial Falls, Pawtucket and Providence
| known 10 all and can never be forgotten
I | Kind to all who came In contact Wit
| him, showing deep interest In the wei
fare Of both old and young he was believe
: | wherever he was known. -.
I Six years ago he came TO the church
I the immaculate Conception and sine
that time his constantly active and Zeal
: ous life has been before every day n
. was rarely seen outside Of his parish an
= he seemed 10 find among his own 'peopi
! the place not only Of the judge. but
{ the tender father.
His life can briefly be summed up Y
e these words: Belief and hope In IN
Z | Lord"
e He sanctifed himself In order tina
n | through this sanctihcation others Nigh
: pront In his addresses 10 his peopl
n were always seen evidences OF his dee
: faith. and he spoke from the heart
J. earnest sincere and persuasive. Hi
II words never stopped until they reache
c another heart.
This was the life of your pastor, an
II he has been called 10 his reward. ]
le the last interview 7 had with him h
T., said
'o II have striven 20 do my duty. and
m | have never failed IN any respect know
% 10 me In discharging that duty. l =
ID with confidence n the Judgment"
x We loved him too much and respecte
% him 20 much not 20 feel that ~ is OF
n duty 10 pray for the repose OF his sou
le | He sanctifed his soul and he sanctihe
Is us. and we shall pray for him lest thei