In June of this year passed away in South Africa Fr. Francis Pentony. By all of us he was known as a man of elevated thought and high aspiration. His inclinations led to a life apart from the world. His happiness was to be in his cell surrounded by his books. He was of a sensitive, highly-strung disposition, which shrank from all bustle and contention. This characteristic barred his usefulness in College life; the exigencies of discipline often demanding what his gentle nature shrank from. He was chosen by his superiors for a higher course of studies in Rome, where he could indulge to the full his love for study and quiet. He stayed there some years, edifying all by his earnestness in work. A short time before he left he lectured on philosophy to the younger students, by whom he was held in great esteem.
On his return to Ampleforth he lectured in Theology. Those who had the privilege of studying under him will never forget how completely he sacrificed himself to his work. His lectures were the result of continuous study. Hour by hour he would remain in his cell, surrounded by his books, and completely buried in his work. He spent much of his time in reading systematically and seriously the best English authors. I can remember well his answer to me one afternoon, when I asked him why he did not recreate himself after his morning's study. "Oh! I am reading this so as to have something to think over during my walk." His mind seemed to be insatiable.
About this time the great troubles of his short life began. His brother Wilfrid, his youngest and best-loved brother, was carried off by consumption. This blow was followed a few months afterwards by the loss from the same disease of his brother George; and in 1897 he accompanied his brother, Fr. Paul, to South Africa. Scarcely had they landed when Fr. Paul died, and Fr. Francis returned to England. How deeply Fr. Francis was wounded by this threefold loss can never be known. He bore his loss quietly, without complaint. But we, who knew him so well, found him changed. A gentle melancholy settled upon him; his enthusiasm died down, and his health gave way.
His Superiors, therefore, moved him from the monastery to the mission, in hopes that active work would distract him from his grief. But he never could reconcile himself to this work. He did it conscientiously, but his heart pined for the quiet of his cell and the companionship of his books. To his great joy he was chosen to fill the chair of Philosophy at Belmont. He entered upon his work with all the enthusiasm of his earlier days. He once again found himself surrounded by young minds which he could fill with his own enthusiasm for sacred studies. But his strength was gone; he gradually failed, and the shadow of consumption rested on him. In the year 1899, he was brought back to Ampleforth in a dying state. He regained his strength, however, in some degree. In the hope that his life might still be saved, he was sent to South Africa in October of the year 1899. The beautiful dry climate seemed to work wonders in him. His letters grew more cheerful and hopeful. But shortly after last Christmas their tone changed. He began to complain that he could not regain his strength. His spirits sank, and he pined for home. The separation from friends and the associations of a lifetime seems to have been a great misery to him. 'I will take the risk ' - ' Let me come home ' - was the theme of his letters.
Two letters filled with this cry reached Ampleforth after death had come, and God had granted his request in a better and far higher sense.
Our thanks are due to the Bishop and clergy who treated Fr. Francis with every kindness, attended him during his sickness, and laid him to rest with all the ceremonial of Holy Church.
May these few words lead even those who did not know him to pray that God may speedily bring him from the land of exile to his true home.
Francis Francis PENTONY 6 Jul 1901 1868 13 Feb born at Waterloo, Liverpool 1885 3 Sep Clothed 1892 18 Sep Solemn Vows 1893 16 Jul Priest 1896 Brownedge 1897 St Alban's Warrington 1901 6 Jul died