The news of Father Bernard's death on November 23rd, 1926, came as a shock not only to his friends away from Ampleforth, but also to the members of the Community amongst whom he lived. A week previously he had been unwell, apparently from a chill, but he had recovered sufficiently to resume his work, though he complained of a touch of rheumatism in his leg. The pain from this compelled him to retire to bed on Saturday, November 20th. By the doctor's orders the leg was fomented at intervals, but there was no marked change in the patient's condition. He wore his customary calm expression, exchanged banter with his visitors, and was, as ever, anxious not to cause trouble. Shortly after 5 o'clock on Tuesday, November 23rd, one of the novices left the sick room for a few minutes and, during his absence, one of the Community heard groaning from the sickroom and rushed in to find Father Bernard in great pain and in a state of collapse. Several of the brethren gathered round him and Father Herbert brought the Holy Oils. As he began his ministrations Father Bernard quietly passed away within a quarter of an hour of the final attack. It may be imagined how the Community was stunned by the suddenness of the end, as no one had suspected the gravity of the illness. A clot of blood seems to have formed in the leg, and owing to some movement of the limb, the clot had been dislodged and shot straight to the heart, with the inevitable result. May God's will be done!
In his death Ampleforth has lost a most devoted son, the Church of God a most edifying and devoted monk and priest, and his Community a loyal and generous hearted brother.
Father Bernard was born at Preston on May 3Ist, 1871, and was the third son of the late Nicholas Hayes and of Mrs Hayes, who still survives to mourn the loss of her son. He came to Ampleforth at the age of eleven and passed through the school course in seven years. A quiet, unassuming boy, he was always genial and a general favourite, possessed of good average ability and a fund of sound common-sense, with balanced judgment and high principles of schoolboy honour. His athletic prowess was marked and he had the qualities of a good leader. The musical talent of his family was worthily represented in him - he was first treble for years with a voice that would not break and he played the viola in the orchestra. No career in life ever appealed to him other than that of the priesthood, and his genuine piety was consummated in the vocation to the Benedictine Order. Clothed at Belmont, the common novitiate in those days, in 1889, after residing four years there, he returned to Ampleforth, where he was ordained to the Priesthood in 1897.
His monastic life fulfilled the promise of his early years - the child was father to the man - solid piety, a strong sense of duty, constant cheerfulness, intense loyalty to his house and his vocation, governed his actions. He proved a most useful member of the Community, combining strict monastic observance with hard work on the teaching staff, with the position of choir master and orchestra conductor thrown in. Early in his career he was made a prefect of discipline, and in this position his powers matured. Knowing how to mingle strength and gentleness in his dealings with the boys, he made them feel that they had in him a prudent adviser and a firm friend. Many of them kept in touch with him throughout his life, and they felt that they could always rely on his sympathetic interest in themselves. These qualities could not fail to attract the notice of his superiors and it was no surprise to those who knew him to hear that he had been appointed novice master at Belmont in 1905. For nine years he discharged this responsible task, successfully shaping and moulding the rising generation of English Benedictines. The traditional training of Belmont, with its pride in the Sacred Liturgy, its strict observance, its simple piety, was faithfully carried on. In his sole literary production - the Via Vitae - published during his stay at Belmont, he embodied the principles that animated his teaching and at the same time afforded a glimpse of the manner in which his spiritual life was deepening, based as it was on the essential spirit of the Rule of our Holy Father - St Benedict.
From Belmont, he passed to the Chaplaincy of Stanbrook Abbey, and, in this way, came into contact with the devoted lives of the English Benedictine nuns. For five years he was their spiritual Father and was beloved by them all. His reputation as a man of God spread to other convents and, by means of retreats and conferences, he formed close ties of intimacy with, and exercised deep and lasting influence on, many a religious soul. When, in accordance with the instructions of the Holy See, Ampleforth established its own novitiate, Father Bernard was the obvious choice for the position of Novice Master. He came back here in 1919 and devoted himself heart and soul to the work of training the young monks of his own house. It was a labour of love to him and he won the esteem and confidence of all who were privileged to be under him. When the end came, no one felt the void left by his loss more than those to whom he had so faithfully pointed out the Benedictine viam vitae and so admirably exemplified it in his own life.
A word must be said on his pastoral work. He had a great love for souls and it is no secret that his was one of the names put forward for the Bishopric of Lancaster. It was a great joy to him to be given charge of the mission at Kirby Moorside, which is served from the Abbey. To his little flock he endeared himself by his wholehearted devotion to their interests. He made a number of converts, beautified the church, laid out the grounds, and raised the status of the Catholic religion in the town. Not only his own people, but many of the non-Catholic inhabitants of Kirby Moorside sincerely mourn his loss. To all, his own family, his brethren, his friends, we offer our deep sympathy. May he rest in peace!
WILFRID BERNARD HAYES 23 November 1926
1871 31 May Born Preston
1882-89 Educ Ampleforth
1889 3 Sep Habit at Belmont
1890 11 Sep Simple Vows
1891 17 May Minor Orders
1894 12 Jan Solemn Vows Ampleforth Prior TA Burge
1895 31 Mar Subdiaconate
1896 22 Mar Diaconate
1897 7 Feb Priesthood Bishop R Lacy
1897-9 2nd Prefect
1900 1st Prefect at Ampleforth
1905 7 Jan Novice master at Belmont
26 May Canon of Newport
1914 1 Oct Chaplain at Stanbrook
1919 Sep Novice master at Ampleforth
1921 30 Jan Served Kirby
1926 23 Nov Died at Ampleforth
25 Nov Buried at Ampleforth
Published Meditations on the Rule 'Via Vitae'