Sermon at the Requiem on May 5th, 1905, by the Rev. J. P. Whittle, O.S.B.
Right Reverend Father Abbot, Very Reverend and Reverend Fathers and Brethren.
For the fourth time within the space of eighteen months we have assembled in this part of 'God's own country' to pay the last Rites to one of our Benedictine Brethren. A little more than a year ago, he, whose remains lie here hidden away from our sight, stood, in obedience to his Superior, in the spacious sanctuary of Saint Mary's, Brownedge, to speak of his life-long friend, Abbot Bury. And today, in obedience to the same Superior, I stand here in Saint Joseph's, Brindle, to speak of him whose tongue, so often raised here to warn and to encourage, is now silent till Judgment Day. There is little time on such an occasion for quiet thought and careful selection; and I trust that you my Religious Brethren, and you his sorrowing Flock, will charitably bear with me if I only give you a mere outline of his character and life-work.
Michael Brown was born at Wigan, on July 6th, 1832. At the age of twelve he was sent with his younger brother, who still survives him, to Ampleforth College. He went through his collegiate course much like other boys. Until his health broke down at the age of eighteen, he was strong and muscular; a formidable foe in the football field, as in after-life he was a formidable foe in the field of argument. In the Study-hall few if any of his classmates surpassed him in his quick and retentive memory, his clear intellectual acumen, his masterly marshalling of historical facts, and his keen appreciation of the humorous and the serious side of life. These characteristics of the boy showed themselves in the man and Priest in after-life. But to these were added afterwards, it seems to me, who have known him intimately for over fifty years, an ever open straightforwardness, an untiring energy, an unswerving methodical mode of life, which neither age nor place could alter, an indomitable willpower, and lastly an absorbing zeal for his Master's glory and the salvation of those committed to his charge.
In the autumn of 1851 he was clothed with the Benedictine Habit, and took in Religion the name of Wllfrid. In 1858 he became Prefect of Discipline, which office he held with conspicuous success until 1866, when he became Sub-prior under Prior Prest. This office he held for some years until his health utterly broke down. After a year's rest he was sent on the Apostolic Mission, first to Seel Street, Liverpool, then to Easingwold, then to Birtly, and in 1880 to St. Anne's, Edge Hill, Liverpool. On January 5th, 1884, he came here to work out his life in faithful service for God and You, his faithful flock.
And let me here remark that Father Wilfrid Brown has been a frail and delicate man since he was eighteen: that is for fiftv-four years! During the whole of that time, a stranger, seeing him for the first time, would say he could not live a year. He had the same thin, spare, white and delicate look at eighteen as he had at seventy. Yet owing chiefy perhaps to his most regular and methodical life, he has lived and worked incessantly, and to the very end, for fifty-four years! But, Brethren, besides his regular life, what was the sustaining power which held him up and bore him on through the long years of labour granted him? Surely it was his indomitable will to live on and do God's work, and this he did with all the energy of his ardent nature. And God strengthened him to do it, - to do it long; to do it well; to do it solely for Him. For, my Brethren, Father Wilfrid had no aim, no ambition, during his whole life, but his holy calling as a Priest. The regular and daily morning and afternoon walk, in all weathers, was never taken for the pleasure of it. He took his regular holiday, it is true; but not for the sake of the pleasure it gave him. He took it as a duty, convinced that regular exercise and innocent recreation, would fit him the better for prolonged and hard work in the Vineyard of his Lord.
And his work has been long and arduous, from November, 1851, to May 2nd, 1905. His duties as Prefect at College, as Sub-prior in the Monastery, were long and responsible. With the single exception of Easingwold, all the Missions he has served have been places of unceasing labour. You that have known him here for the last twenty-one years can bear witness to his untiring labours, his ceaseless activity, and his hearty sympathy with you in your joys and your sorrows.
He was one who spoke very plainly and never disguised the truth. He never flinched, whatever it might cost him, when, as he thought, duty compelled him to speak out, either to his Brethren or his people. Faithful to his Divine Master, he fearlessly gave what he deemed his Master's message. But behind all this there was a wealth of kindly feeling, an infinite pity for human weakness. And then what an absorbing interest he took in the instruction and training of children, and still more what a fatherly interest in each of his flock, trying ever to guide and lead you to God, as evidenced by those carefully prepared sermons and instructions twice each Sunday, for twenty-one years. Added to this, what an interest he took in the adornment of God's House, because it was God's House. The new High Altar and Lady Altar, the beautiful Paintings, the choice Stained Windows, and lastly this beautiful Pulpit, all bear witness that he loved 'the beauty of God's House' and the 'place of the habitation of His Glory.'
And if we ask how it was that he, who was so frail, went through these long years of continuous labour so successfully we shall find that it was his intense realisation of God as his Creator and Master, and he His creature and servant, - that he was only here to serve that Master and to serve Him at all times: and therefore like Enoch of old, 'he walked with God' ever. He realized, - what should all do, - that our Ministry is blessed in proportion to our own personal fidelity to God and Holy Rule. Hence all his days and hours were mapped out to serve this purpose. The different parts of the Divine Office each had their allotted time. His Meditation, Study, Spiritual Reading, Rosary, Special Devotions, Preparation of Sermons, visits to his people and the sick, - all had their special times assigned, and nothing but an urgent call of charity- could turn him from the strict rule of life he had laid down for himself. He was indeed strict with others but still more strict with himself. At the end of each day everything was 'up to date,' - his accounts, his prayers, his duties.
And when the end came, somewhat suddenly but not unexpectedly, it found him fully prepared and working to the end. The sermon he was to have preached on Sunday was written, and ready for delivery. Its subject was 'Peace.' Let us trust that he who wrote it is himself enjoying that 'peace which surpasseth all understanding.' He attended the confessional as usual last Saturday night, and expected to say as usual the first Mass on Sunday. But God ordained otherwise; for during the night he became very sick, and when called at half-past five he said he could not say Mass. The Doctor was sent for, and pronounced his state serious, almost hopeless. He was simply worn out, and could not permanently rally. As the day wore on he seemed somewhat better. All Monday, however, he was growing worse, but with all his keen faculties fully alive. Asked by the Priest in attendance (Father Polding) if he could do or get anything for him, he replied characteristically, 'Yes, get me my day-book and my Mass book, and I will post them up to date.' And it was done!
Then he turned wholly to God, made his Confession, received the last Sacraments with intense faith and trustful hope, answering his part in these holy Sacraments. Then he solemnly renewed his Religious Vow. He lingered, still fully conscious, till half-past seven on Tuesday morning, when Father Polding went to say Mass. When he returned to the dying Priest at eight, he found him unconscious, struggling for breath. But towards nine this painful struggle ceased; and then our good Father holding the Crucifix in one hand and his blessed Palm in the other, calmly and painlessly, with a smile upon his worn face, yielded up his soul into the hands of his Creator. May our life be like unto his, just and without blame before men, and then will our end be peaceful and happy like his.
My Brethren, Fr. Wilfrid Brown has left us and we shall all be the poorer for his departure. We, his Religious Brethren, shall miss his straight example, and his ever prudent, firm, yet cautious advice. And you his good people will miss him in the Chapel, in the confessional, and in homes, as a model Priest and fervent Pastor. We all owe him, as such, a debt of gratitude. Let us pay it in the only way we can and he would wish; that is, by our fervent and constant prayers. The Psalmist says, 'O Lord, who shall dwell in Thy Tabernacle, or who shall rest on Thy holy mount? He that walketh without blemish, and worketh justice', - (PS. 14.) We know what a blameless life he led before men, we know how he strove ever to lead a life of justice before God; and hence we have every hope that he will for ever dwell in the 'Tabernacle of the Lord' and 'rest for ever on the holy mount.' Let us hope that to this good and faithful one Our Lord has already said: 'Euge, euge,' - 'Well done, well done, good and faithful servant, enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.' But that abode, that rest, that joy, may be still in abeyance, for who can live in this world and be quite blameless before God? It is for us to try - and hasten that rest and joy. In his name then I ask Your prayers, and I cannot do it better than in his words, when he appealed for his friend Abbot Bury, a little more than a year ago. Thus he concluded his discourse, 'Through me, Father Bury delivers his last message to you: have pity on me, you at least my friends, have pity on me. Pray for me. Remember me especially during the Holy, Sacrifice of the Mass. Ask our Lord graciously to overlook my sins and imperfections and to reward me for the little I have done and suffered, however unworthily, in His service.' Thus he appealed for him, and then added, 'Let us listen to and grant this humble and pious and reasonable request. Then when our time comes (and for some of us that time cannot be far distant), we may hope that some good friends will kindly do the same good office for us.'
Need I add further words? This is his appeal to you, through me. Pray for him, that the good God may speedily grant to him his eternal reward.
Michael Wilfrid BROWN 2 May 1905 1832 6 Jul born at Wigan educ at Ampleforth 1851 16 Nov Clothed 1852 20 Nov Professed 1858 3 Oct Priest 1858-66 Prefect of Students 1866-74 Sub-prior 1874 St Anne's Liverpool St Peter's Liverpool 1877 Easingwold 1879 Birtley 1880 St Anne's Liverpool 1884 Brindle 1884 1905 2 May died 1901 Cathedral Prior of Worcester