The fact that he was not an Old Boy of the School and had had pastoral experience unrelated to the Valley gave his role a special dimension at a time when the Novitiate, consisting largely of old Boys, might have run the risk of becoming inbred. He attached no special importance to the background of the novices. He had a healthy affection for the School without having any particular interest in its happenings. He was tolerant both of the frivolity of younger novices and of the rather different characteristics of older ones. He made a point of ensuring that the Novitiate should be as unglamorous and as tedious as possible, since he believed that one of its main purposes was to strip novices of any illusions they might have about the monastic life, so that their subsequent commitment to it might be realistic and down-to-earth. The best tribute to him is that his novices invariably remained on terms of warm friendship with him after the Novitiate. He never made any claims on their gratitude, but he certainly had it.
Memories and Reflections by Jonathan Cotton O.S.B.
Fr Kenneth was a man intensely interested in people, thoughtful and reflective, who saw pretty clearly into the reality of what life is. He would neither unduly exalt his fellow human beings, friends, relatives, fellow monks or acquaintances, nor ever despise or look down on them. He knew the limitations of men and women, their weaknesses, and he knew how to love, encourage and support them.
Born in Ireland, on the borders of Kilkenny and Laois, he had the memory and support of a God-fearing and loving family. The solid goodness and down to earth piety of his parents was instilled into the six living brothers and sisters and this family was a close and loving support for him all his life, with the new generations of nephews and nieces being a close part of him, as he was of them.
He had a genuine deep faith in God which ranged far beyond a limited or particular vision. As a young boy he was the cleverest lad in the village school, and both his parish priest and teacher ear-marked him for priesthood early on.
After seminary training he entered the Arch-diocese of Glasgow. Why he particularly chose that diocese I do not know, but l do know that he did not want to stay in the particular rut of that calling, because he asked the Bishop each year for eight years if he could become a Religious, and later on the decision was made to become a Benedictine of Ampleforth Abbey. He was a well known young priest in the diocese, he was the first priest ever to broadcast from Glasgow in the Empire exhibition from the Catholic pavilion in 1938, and he was well known for his sermons. His fellow diocesan priests were astonished at his decision to become a Religious and a monk of Ampleforth. He was loved by the people of Glasgow and at St. Peter's, Partick, where he used to visit his old friend Fr Tierney, he was remembered affectionately.
He entered the monastery in 1938 at the age of 3l. He had been ordained at the very young age of 22, with special permission from the Vatican, and so had the distinction of being in his 56th year as an ordained priest on his death. Few priests indeed can count such a high number of years in the ministry. He always told me the reason he became a monk was because he wanted to be a better priest, and typically he would say, with humorous realism for his self-understanding, that he was not sure it had had the effect.
He felt all his life that others over-estimated his capabilities; again from his understanding of himself we can understand his view. But I don't think he realised sufficiently what a support and encouragement it was to be in the company not of an administrative genius, nor of a brilliant thinker but of a formed and whole personality who was well-read, with a dry and amusing wit, gentle and courteous, and above all in love with God and his fellow men. He was undoubtedly an original thinker and any contribution whether in personal advice or dealing with 'weighty matters of policy' his contribution would not have the mark of a stereo-type.
A quality he had was his openness to new ways and new ideas. He was able to appreciate and live with the post Vatican 2 church through his rich humanity rather than through theological conviction. Temperamentally he belonged to an earlier era, and he was thoughtfully worried about the present state of world and Church. But for companionship, counselling and friends he was sought after by all the generations. The young primary school children loved him, as he told them to regard him as their special friend. Those of the twenties to thirties felt understood by him, as he could relate to them about things wbich were at the heart of their lives, and so many people confided in him, of all ages and both men and women.
He was particularly interested in those who suffered, whom he would help if possible. For instance, at his death-bed was a boy of a family of six children who had come to visit him. They had lost their father about five years before, and Fr Kenneth remained continuously in touch with them. fondly looking after them with visits and his interest. The young forty year old widow described him as like a new father to the whole family.
He had a strong interest in younger priests and their progress; and he would also do his best to support and help them, as I know from a long experience of my whole priestly life since 1971. The way he helped was by his friendly kindness and interest, although he was also capable of kind correction.
It is clear to me now also that he remained a thoughtful man right to the end. One week before he died he told me he wanted to talk over one or two matters of importance and so he did, despite his tedious illness which might have left him to turn in on self. He got very deaf at the end of his life, and he found it dull to remain in his room for almost three months. But there seemed to be no alternative. Just before Christmas he confided in me in hospital that he thought he probably had cancer so I asked him if he wanted to get better 'If it is God's will' was the reply. There was an insight into his mind which gave him the strength to remain day interested in all that was going on around him. He greeted with a wave or a word of farewell all those who came to him on the last day. His illness was his last prayer and he offered it all for the conversion of sinners, for the monks, parishioners and his friends and family. He was down to earth about the reason for his interest in those who were far away from God. He said that to die with God is hard enough, how hard it must be for those without him? He was a man the better for knowing and he has left a gap that will be felt by many people. May he rest in peace.
MICHAEL KENNETH BRENNAN 7 Feb 1986 1906 6 Dec born Teallyragget Kilkenny Eire 1930 24 Jun Priest Archdiocese of Glasgow 1938 19 Sep Habit Abbot Matthews 1939 29 Sep Simple Profession Abbot Byrne 1942 29 Sep Solemn Profession " " 1941 9 Sep Infirmarian 1945-6 PP of village parish - Ampleforth 1946-54 Novice Master 1954-55 Blyth (Douai mission) - assistant 1955 Sep Cardiff - assistant 1964 Sep Kirbymoorside PP 1970 Sep St. Alban's Warrington PP 1974 Feb St.Louis - recuperation Aug Brindle - assistant 1979 Oct Leyland - assistant 1986 7 Feb died at Leyland 13 Feb Buried at Ampleforth