Fr Denis' Oblate Crucifix Recently we have farewelled one of our Oblate confreres, Fr Denis, whom the Lord Jesus called to himself. Many years ago Denis, a young Irish lad, heard the voice of the Lord calling him to the priesthood. After some time of prayer and reflection on what he was hearing in his heart he went to his Parish Priest and revealed to him his vocation to serve the Lord Jesus. Denis spoke to him about a few religious orders he could choose from when his PP, a diocesan priest, asked: “Why not the Oblates?” The random question of the pastor was a prophetic voice as Denis was deeply struck by it and couldn’t get it out of his heart and mind. Soon he joined the Oblate in his home country Ireland where he eventually made his final vows and was ordained a priest in 1950. Five years ago when he was celebrating his Diamond Jubilee of the Priesthood he reflected on the long journey that took him from that conversation with his pastor to the shores of Australia: “On this day 60 years ago God conferred on me the wonderful gift of the Priesthood. On that day 14 were ordained and 11 have returned to God. Never in my wildest dreams did I ever think I would reach this milestone. Over the years I have often asked myself: “Why did I become a priest?” We were taught in the seminary that even Our Lady was given the privilege of the priesthood. Of course Christ himself gives us the answer: You have not chosen you – it is I who have chosen you. In moments of doubts and unworthiness these words provide comfort and consolation… If I had my life over again, I would do exactly the same. I have been very happy as a priest. I have been given opportunities that no other calling would have given me. Our Lord promises us a 100-fold return but he has given me 1000-fold or even 10,000.”
Fr Denis’ faith in Jesus and his commitment to his Oblate Congregation enabled him to laid solid foundations to the Iona College in Queensland where he was a founding staff member. His hard work and even firmer faith in the Divine Providence resulted in the establishing of the collage. Later Fr Denis was called by his Provincial to look after M.A.M.I. – the office which supports various Oblate missions here in Australia and particularly overseas. The M.A.M.I. support enabled the Australian Oblates to establish flourishing missions in Indonesia and in China. Fr Denis travelled tirelessly our vast country to promote the Oblate missions and to share with others his enthusiasm for the work of the Evangelisation.
However his most striking quality was seeing goodness in every person. “What a marvellous person he is.” was his common comment on the people he met. In the homily at his Diamond Jubilee he revealed the secret of his many and lasting friendships: “If you want to make friends and keep them, Rule Number 1 is: Be kind to people; Rule number 2 is the same; Rule Number 3 is still the same.”
According to the Oblate tradition Fr Denis’ Oblate crucifix which was given to him on the day of his final vows was replaced by a simple black cross. The Oblate crucifix which is the most distinct feature of our Oblate religious habit doesn’t go to the coffin of the deceased Oblate but is kept in the Provincial archives as a sign of our unity with the Oblate who have gone before us and so that in the future another young man could take it up. Let’s hope and pray that Fr Denis’ Oblate crucifix doesn’t need to wait long before it is given to another man who will make a life commitment to Christ and his Church.
Fr Denis’ faith in Jesus and his commitment to his Oblate Congregation enabled him to laid solid foundations to the Iona College in Queensland where he was a founding staff member. His hard work and even firmer faith in the Divine Providence resulted in the establishing of the collage. Later Fr Denis was called by his Provincial to look after M.A.M.I. – the office which supports various Oblate missions here in Australia and particularly overseas. The M.A.M.I. support enabled the Australian Oblates to establish flourishing missions in Indonesia and in China. Fr Denis travelled tirelessly our vast country to promote the Oblate missions and to share with others his enthusiasm for the work of the Evangelisation.
However his most striking quality was seeing goodness in every person. “What a marvellous person he is.” was his common comment on the people he met. In the homily at his Diamond Jubilee he revealed the secret of his many and lasting friendships: “If you want to make friends and keep them, Rule Number 1 is: Be kind to people; Rule number 2 is the same; Rule Number 3 is still the same.”
According to the Oblate tradition Fr Denis’ Oblate crucifix which was given to him on the day of his final vows was replaced by a simple black cross. The Oblate crucifix which is the most distinct feature of our Oblate religious habit doesn’t go to the coffin of the deceased Oblate but is kept in the Provincial archives as a sign of our unity with the Oblate who have gone before us and so that in the future another young man could take it up. Let’s hope and pray that Fr Denis’ Oblate crucifix doesn’t need to wait long before it is given to another man who will make a life commitment to Christ and his Church.
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