A Sermon preached at his funeral which took place at St Michael's Priory, Belmont, on Friday, February 15th, 1907.
We are gathered here to-day to pay our last duties of respect and affection to one whom many of us have long known and esteemed. It is now many years since he resided amongst us, but his memory is yet fresh and cherished here. It is in a sense strange to find him lying dead before us. In the midst of a serious illness which had prostrated him during his missionary labours at Warrington he came to St. Michael's to recruit his strength. His object was to regain his vigour and then to go back to work. But God kept him here to die amongst us, and to let us see how a venerable Father who had spent many years in the mission-field for the salvation of souls, and had borne the burden and the heats of the day, could show us, through a long illness, an edifying example of the humility, simplicity, patience and obedience which he had learned long years before in the days of his novitiate.
Henry Basil Hurworth was born in York in 1836. He was sent at an early age to Ampleforth Abbey for his education. Those who knew him in those days would notice him as a quiet, grave, earnest boy, who gave himself with persevering energy to his studies. He seemed like one who worked for a high purpose, and kept his eye on a distant goal. At the end of his course of studies he asked to be received into the novitiate, and his request was granted. An undivided heart, innocence of manners, and earnestness of character, made him a fit subject for the training of the novitiate. He entered earnestly into the preparation for the religious life, and imbibed with relish the high principles taught him by his pious Novicemaster, the Rev. Anselm Gillett. He passed successfully through his year's novitiate and made his solemn vows in 1857. He completed his sacred studies at Ampleforth and took his share in the labours of the community. He occupied one or two offices of importance. He was promoted to the priesthood in 1864. He regarded this, with St. Chrysostom, as the 'apex omnium.' He looked upon it as the grandest elevation to stand in the place of Christ - to be an 'alter Christus' and to minister His precious Blood to souls. Let a man go forth to the mission-field full of this great idea, and we may expect the work of God to prosper and many souls to be won.
Fr. Basil was in due course sent to the apostolic mission, his first appointment being to Dowlais in South Wales. He was the first Benedictine sent there after that mission was handed over to the Benedictine Fathers by the late Bishop Brown. Fr. Basil saw at once that there was much work to be done there, and he set about doing it without delay. He renovated the church which was falling into decay, and made valuable additions to the presbytery, so that one or two more priests could be associated in the work of the mission.
By his quiet ways and his earnest zeal he soon gained the confidence of his warm-hearted Irish flock, and they felt him to be a kind, true shepherd amongst them. They recognised a priestly man in him, and felt the drawing power of a true priest's heart, and so they gathered round him like children, and he became as dear to them as one of the beloved priests of their own fatherland; and so his name remains as a happy memory through all these long years amongst the Catholic people of Dowlais.
From Dowlais Fr. Basil was sent to Swansea, and was the first resident priest at St. Joseph's, Greenhill. This was long before the fine church and Presbytery were built, and before the mission had developed into its present imposing dimensions. Though not long in Swansea, he did good work there, and he is still remembered with affection. He was afterwards at Bridgend for some time, and was then called to Belmont to take part in the work of the house of studies, and after a short period was promoted to a canon's stall in the cathedral. Later on he was called upon to take the priorship at Ampleforth. He was next appointed chaplain to the Benedictine nuns at Stanbrook; then as curate at St. Anne's Priory at Liverpool, and then to the mission of Knaresboro'. After a short residence here he became secretary to his Lordship the Bishop of Newport. This was a life of comparative quiet and retirement, and was congenial to his tastes. He enjoyed this even and peaceful life for ten years. At the end of this term he was appointed, in his seventieth year, as one of the curates at the mission of St. Alban's Warrington. He went to his work without a murmur, and gave himself to it with his old quiet energy and with his love of souls still fresh in his heart. But though treated with much thoughtful consideration and kindness by his superior priest, his health before long completely broke down and he had to give up work. Whilst seeking rest and restoration to health, he came to stay for a time at St. Michael's. He had spent happy years here, and knew well its peaceful internal life and the bright, pleasant scenes amidst which it reposed. So he was pleased to come here once more and to try and renew his old health and spirits. For a time he rallied and was able to say Mass sometimes. But after a short while he had a relapse, and never rallied again. He lost strength day by day, and all hope of recovery was at an end. He received the last Sacraments, and then calmly and hopefully looked forward to the great and solemn moment. A short time after receiving Extreme Unction, he said to me, 'When I had been anointed I felt very happy - so very happy. Everything seemed to leave me for a time - I cannot explain it - and after a short time everything came back as before.' For many weeks before he died all pain left him. He was always calm and peaceful - nothing seemed to trouble or disturb him in the least degree. He was happy and contented in being where he was. This he expressed to me one day, saying, 'This house has been a great blessing to me.'
So the days passed in calm and peace, until the evening before Ash Wednesday, when the call came at 10 o'clock. The signal had been given for the night silence, and all was hushed to rest in the monastery. It was then that the dying Father was to take his flight. The Bishop, who had come for the ceremony of Ash Wednesday, and the Fathers of the monastery were gathered round the sick bed, and the Bishop read the prayers for the dying. Fr. Basil seemed to have waited till the Bishop with whom he had lived so long should arrive, that he might depart consoled and strengthened with his blessing. In the midst of these holy rites of absolution, blessing, and prayers, the gentle voice came whispering to Fr. Basil, 'Come' - and he said: 'I come, Lord' - and he went forth to the judgment seat with his consecrated hands, as we may imagine, stretched out for mercy towards the Divine Saviour whose sacred Body he had so often lifted up in Sacrifice on the altar, and whose Holy Mysteries he had so frequently dispensed. So came the end at last, after long weary waiting - gentle and peaceful and full of hope. Let us not think of this death as in any way a sad thing. It was, on the contrary, a happy transition to a higher and brighter sphere, for we feel sure that at that moment, the sweet Master remembered the day when, long ago, the young novice stood at the altar and vowed his heart to Him with all the years of his future life, and that He received him into His merciful arms.
And now, after the 'Libera' has been sung, and the 'Absolutions' given, let us bear our dear Fr. Basil with the sweet chant of 'In Paradisum' to his last resting-place and lay him beside his venerated old novice-master, the Rev. Fr. Anselm Gillett, whose religious teachings he had so faithfully followed through life. May he rest in peace.
Henry Basil HURWORTH 12 February 1907 1836 29 Dec born at York educ at Ampleforth 1856 5 Nov Clothed 1857 23 Dec Professed 1864 17 Dec Priest 1866-72 Prefect of Studies 1873 Dowlais 1874 St David's Swansea 1875 St Joseph's Swansea 1876 Bridgend 1877 Belmont Canon of Newport and Menevia 1883 Prior of St Lawrence's 1885 Stanbrook 1886 Wrightington Hall 1886 St Mary's Liverpool 1888 Stanbrook 1894 St Anne's Liverpool 1896 Knaresborough Cardiff, Canon and Secretary to Bishop Hedley 1906 St Alban's Warrington 1907 12 Feb died