The Irish standard., 1917-10-27


happened on several occasions in re-
cent years, It would infuse new vigor
into him when he would preach with
his old-time fervor and earnestness.
The mission commenced on Sunday,
September 30. and on Tuesday evening
Father Robert preached powerful SER
mon on death. The effort was too
much for his shattered health. Soon
after he was taken with congestive
chill which did not yield to medical
skill, and he was removed to st. Mary's
Hospital, Orange, N. J. He received
the last sacraments. On Saturday
morning there seemed marked i'm
provemelt. but it was like the flick
ering of the candle before it dies out.
He soon collapsed, and died while
prayers were being said for him. Word
had been sent to the monastery in
West Hoboken. and several of the
fathers started for Orange. arriving
just before the beloved missionary ex-
pired.
Bishop O'Connor certificates.
The body was brought to St.
Michael's Monastery in West Hoboken.
The funeral was held on Tuesday, Oc-
tober Bishop O'Connor, of Newark,
was the celebrant of the Solemn Pom
tifcal Mass of Requiem. The Rev.
Father Byers, of st. Augustine's
Church, Union Hill, N. j., and the Rev.
Father, Bogner, of Hoboken. were dea-
con and sub-deacon, respectively. The
Rev. P. w. Smith, of St. Johns
Church, Jersey City, and Rev. Father
Callan. of St. Paul of the Cross
Church, Jersey City, were deacons OF
honor. The Rev. John Duffy, D. D.,
chancellor of the Newark diocese, act
ed as master of ceremonies, and the
Rev. Charles Smith, of st. Joseph's
Church, Newark (where Father Robert
was giving the mission). was assistant
priest.
An eloquent sermon was preached
by the Rev. Father Alexis Cunneen,
C. p, former rector of the Boston
Monastery. He told of the arduous
life of missionary work that had been
led by Father Robert for almost half
Z century and pointed out that where
in most instances priests have been
unable to continue missionary labors
for more, than ten or fifteen years,
Father Robert increasingly toiled at
this branch of priestly service for
thirty-six years without murmuring.
The speaker related how the famous
missionary had travelled from the At
Iantic to the Pacific, and from the
Great Lakes to the Gulf of Mexico,
giving missions until he came to be
known by priests throughout he entire
land. Father Roberts wonderful ora
torical ability, his magnetic person
atty and lovable modesty, traits that
endeared him to all those with whom
he came in contact, were admirably
described by Father Alexis.
Father Roberts body lay In a black
draped coffin box in the middle of the
aisle of the church, in front OF the
altar. After the Mass the absolution
was given by the Bishop and the body
was viewed by several hundred per-
Sons in the church. Through the mist
and rain the body was conveyed to the
monastery burying ground, as the
choir chanted, and was laid to rest.
Among the priests who attended
we're the Rev. John Hughes, Provincial
Of the Paulist Fathers, of New York;
Father McAdams, of the Fathers OF
Mercy, Of Brooklyn. There were rep
resentatives from the orders of Carme-
lites. Benedictines, Franciscans, Paul
.sts, Redemptorists, Christian Brothers,
and different orders of Sisters. Many
monsignori and several clergymen
we're present, among them: Right
Rev. Nonsignors McGean and 3D.
wards, of New York City; Very Rev.
Nonsignors Flannery and Fitzgerald.
OF Brooklyn, and Right Rev. Monsig-
1ors Mooney, Cody, Smythe and
O'Neill, Of Newark diocese.
Known Throughout Country.
Father Robert was born January 1.
1852. in Dunkirk, N. Y, and was the
son of Thomas Mcnamara and Julia
nehan. He was baptized on January
Z. He entered the Passionist congre-
cation and made his religious profess
sion April II, 1868. He was ordained
\ priest on December %, 1874. Shortly
after Father Robert was appointed to
the Office of vice master Of novices In
Pittsburgh, and from this office was
sent to Cincinnati, Ohio, to take
charge of q class of students OF whom
Father Andrew, C. p, is now the sole
survivor. But not long after he COM
menced his career as missionary.
preaching missions throughout most OF
the States of the Union.
He received a special Papal docu-
ment from the Pope conveying the
blessing Of the Holy Father on having
completed FIVE hundred missions
which he had given. Since that time
he has given perhaps hundred more.
Father Robert was elected rector OF
louisville, KY. monastery OF the
Sacred Heart, rector Of tho monastery