Arizona republican., 1922-01-06
SOLEMN SERVICES
MARK LAST RITES
FOR MOTHER PAUL

While the solemn Gregorian meas
ures Of the office for the decd were
carried on the clear desert air, and
while hundreds of those who had
known her during her life time were
gathered in tears about her last rest
ing place, the body of Mother Mary
Paul, founder of st. Joseph's sana-
torium and for 27 years its superior,
was inferred yesterday morning at
the Catholic cemetery.
Among those who gave her the last
tribute Of respect at the graveside
were a number OF local physicians
and surgeons who had been intimate
ly associated with the hospital and
who had watched its growth from
an insignificant beginning to the
large and important institution 1t is
today.
The services at the cemetery fol-
lowed a solemn pontifical requiem
mass at st. Mary's church. The
celebrant OF the mass was the Rt.
Rev. Bishop Granjon, bishop or the
Catholic diocese Of Arizona, with the
Rev. Frs. Paul and Pascal OF the
Franciscan order here acting as
deacon and sub deacon. The funeral
sermon was preached by the Rev.
Novatus Benzing, o. F.. NJ, pastor OF
st, Mary's church, whose address
was q glowing tribute to the religious
who for SO years had devoted her life
to the service of God and her suf-
fering fellowman as q Sister OF
Mercy.
st. Mary's church was crowded to
the doors when the solemn high mass
started. Conspicuous among those
assisting at the mass were nearly
100 sisters, representing several
congregations. who were present not
only from Phoenix but from Los An
geles, San Diego, Tucson, Prescott
and Nogales. A large number or the
officials OF the state, county and city
were also in attendance.
The pallbearers, all of whom were
physicians or surgeons, were DIR. +.
Payne Palmer, DIR. ]. ]. McLoone, DIR.
r. w. Craig, DIR. Win WyHe, DR..
Charles Suit, and DIR. George Good
rich. The music during the mass
was furnished by the children's choir
of st. Mary's.
In delivering the funeral eulogy
Father Novatus spoke in part as fol-
lows:
1--WE are gathered to do honor to
venerable woman, commonly known
as Mother Paul to the city and state,
and held in high esteem by ecclesi-
astical authority. Legions are they
to whom she ministered in sickness,
or whom she consoled in affliction,
or encouraged in despair.
1T was a holy ambition she had,
enkindled by the love of Him who
came to preach the gospel to the
poor and to healsthe afflicted-a holy
ambition famed into flames by the
remembrance of Gods call to Abra-
ham: Leave thy country, leave thy
kindred, and go into the land l will
show you" 1t was this holy ambi
tion which compelled Mother Paul to
join the Sisters of Mercy in the prime
of life when the worlds attractions
pervert so many hearts.
"a call came from this land, this
state of ours, through the Bishop of
the then struggling diocese of Tue
son, comprising all Of our state and
a part OF the state Of New Mexico
and Of Texas The call came. petit
ton or rather supplication--a plea
to the Sister of Mercy of Ireland to
come and help the spiritual and ply
Csc. The lot fell upon few--a small
band OF heroic volunteers, and Mother
Paul was one of this band.
Father Novatus ended with a beau
tiful eulogy of Mother Paul, asking
that the Sisters remember her in
their prayers and in their good
works.