Joseph Smith entered the School with his elder brother Francis in 1896. He was a shy little boy who shunned publicity, and only slowly became well known. His intimates, however, soon realised that his quiet manner covered a bubbling gaiety of heart, a love of the ridiculous and a lightning wit. He was always third in the order of his class, and the two boys above him knew that he could be first if he were less lighthearted about his books. For most games he had a natural aptitude which he did little to develop. Not that he was indolent: he was lively and interested, but not to excess. He was incapable of unkindness, repelled by anything ugly in behaviour, and quietly pious. It was not surprising, therefore, that shortly after leaving school he applied to be received into the Community, and was accepted. Then an unexpected blow fell: his gay spirit was attacked and overwhelmed by fears and scruples so serious and prolonged that he was advised to leave.
Relatives arranged that he entered on a course of training in engineering. It was a wise decision for machinery was his second love. He became an able and ingenious mechanic, and also recovered control over his fears. For the remainder of his life he suffered from an over-anxious conscience, but he had it under, although only just under, control. Presently he felt able to aim again at the priesthood. He was guided by a priest-uncle who lived in Italy, and there he prepared for the priesthood and was ordained.
With a further growth in confidence he applied again to Ampleforth, and began his novitiate in 1919. He lived in the resident community for just over twenty years, mainly engaged in the Procurator's office, quietly efficient in all departments of that office, but happiest when tending a faulty piece of machinery. From 1928 he also had the care of the congregation of Kirbymoorside. In these years he showed himself a model monk, an example and a stimulus to us all.
In 1936 he was appointed chief Procurator, and presently had responsibility for devising and executing preparations for the Second World War. Whether by coincidence or in consequence he suffered a serious illness in 1939. On recovery he was relieved of office and appointed to the Cumberland parish of Maryport.
Maryport just then was an unhappy little town. The local mines were worked out, and there was little traffic in the harbour. Wartime busyness had not yet arrived. With unemployment and discontent there were frequent clashes with the law. In his first week Fr Joseph in all innocence joined the lawbreakers by unwittingly photographing a forbidden stretch of the coast-line. He was arrested and sentenced to pay a surprisingly heavy fine; and his parish took him to its heart.
After ten years of devoted work he was moved to the milder climate and easier conditions of St Joseph's, Brindle. His new parishioners, who had been served by a succession of elderly priests and hoped for the vigour and freshness of a young man, were dismayed by the appearance of the gaunt sexagenarian who now came to them. But they presently recognized and valued and loved his piety and warmth of heart, his dedicated and untiring attentiveness, and the austerity of his personal asceticism.
A few years ago his exceptionally strong constitution began to fail. He was relieved of responsibilities, but continued to work in the parish for as long as it was physically possible. He was spared a long period of disablement, and died gently on 24th December. Humble man that he was, he must have been astonished at the number of his brethren and his parishioners, and of non-parishioners also, who flocked to his funeral at St Joseph's. May he rest in peace.
JOSEPH EDWARD SMITH 24 December 1971
1886 Born Halton Lancs
1896- to 1904 Educ Ampleforth
1904 Habit at Belmont
1905 Simple Vows (dispensed)
1916 $$ Tonsure & Minor Orders Bishop Talcini of S Miniato dei Tedeschi
29 Sep Subdiaconate
1 Oct Diaconate
8 Oct Priesthood Bishop Talcini
1918 May Returned to Ampleforth
1919 29 Sep Habit Abbot Oswald Smith
1920 30 Sep Temporary Vows (3 years)
1923 1 Oct Solemn Vows
1928 Served Kirbymoorside
1936 Sep Procurator
1940 Parish Priest at Maryport
1950 St Joseph Brindle
1962 Assistant at Brindle
1971 24 Dec Died
30 Dec Buried at Brindle