Seattle University - Aegis Yearbook (Seattle, WA)

Page 21 text:

15 CAN09 PATRICK SHEEHAN, D. DC In an address to the Catholic Truth Society of Ireland, Canon Sheehan states the position of the Catholic writer in the following words: “The Catholic writer must write in the solemn, majestic presence of truth which he has learned to love and revere all his life, and if tempted by avarice or a desire of fame, to ignore or forget her, then there stands by that eternal monitor, Conscience, to rebuke and remind him that he must write as from his death-bed and leave no line that he should wish to blot.” Canon Sheehan published many excellent works. His first novels were “Geoffrey Austin,” and “My Xew Curate.” The tribute that Canon Barry pays to “The Triumph of Failure,” the book that won an international reputation for Canon Sheehan, as an author, is true of most of his literary works. “With learning in plenty, secular and sacred, with flashes and gleams undoubtedly of genius; in a language always touching, of an eloquent style in the austere mood, Celtic and none other, that seemed to be falling out of a world not worthy of it.” The Catholic priest has been misrepresented in many works of fiction, but in ‘My New Curate we have genuine types of the priest in the ordinary routine of his ministry. Thus the old pastor in his story of “Daddy Dan has done much to break down the walls of prejudice by giving us these priestly characters of his facile pen. “Luke Delmege, which appeared later was also a remarkable book. “Under the Cedars and Stars” and “Perarga” its companion were published in 1903. Canon Sheehan’s next publication was “Glenanaar, a novel which portrays Irish life. This was followed by “Lisheen.” Father Sheehan wrote many essays and lectures most of which are contained in his book entitled “Farly Essays and Lectures, of which he writes himself: “I have selected these short essays froln several magazines, some of more ancient, some of more modern date.” The “Intellectuals,” published in 1911 are reveries and sketches dealing with the modern problems of Irish life. In “The Blindness of Dr. Grey,” we find that the Canon's reputation as a novelist is well sustained. “It was our privilege.” says a reviewer, to receive a personal letter of appreciation for our review of his last published work

Page 20 text:

(Eamm flatrirk £ ljpH)ait, 0.0. X the death of Canon Sheehan Ireland has lost one of her greatest and most loyal sons. His life and work were typical of the true spirit which binds together in one most sacred brotherhood, all whether priests or laity who belong to the spiritual body of Christ, the Church. He was the possessor of a great mind, world-famed, yet in the simple village of Doneraille no child was unknown to him and every little face brightened as it saw the parish priest coming along the road, or in the school room, when each day he came to bid the children welcome. Nor were the poor unknown to him, for every one came with his sorrows to Canon Sheehan as to a true priest, a wise and most generous friend. It is related by the late Canon’s own bishop, that the deceased priest had arranged with him for the distribution amongst the poor of all the profits from his literary works. But Canon Sheehan's great literary power was fully on a par with his piety and remarkable devotion to his priestly duties. His contributions to literature were many and great, and consist principally of Irish characters. Among the many who have written on Ireland and her people Canon Sheehan stands in a class apart. He entered into the feelings of the people and sounded the utmost depths of the Irish heart. “He was of their very own, kindly Irish of the Irish. His faith was their faith, his inspiration was their inspiration, his aim was their aim, while his land was their land.” He believed in the written word and hence he wrote. His voice could reach but a few in his little village of Doneraille; he could reach thousands with his pen. The ideal which Canon Sheehan cultivated all through his literary career and to which his pen was true to the end is ably stated in the following words: “Our fiction, our poetry, our drama and our art must be above all things pure; a Catholic writer would rather put his right hand into the fire than write much that passes for art and literature in our days.”

Page 22 text:

16 SEATTLE COLLEGE ANNWAL ‘Miriam Lucas,’ and we then expressed the hope that it might be our pleasant duty to review many more volumes from the holy place of Catholic and Irish letters—the quiet study at Doneraille.” Canon Sheehan had a message for his beloved Irish and for the world at large. He knew that many would misinterpret his motive, that much criticism would be passed upon him, but that way lay the pass of duty and he never hesitated about the choice. Thus he wrote to one of his friend priests a few days before he answered the summons of death: You are right in thinking that the profession of letters is a thankless one; and which is more strange is that our Catholic papers and magazines are constantly clamoring for Catholic writers, and then holding their very best authors up to scorn. But I have a conviction that any writer who is conscious of having something to say to the world, must utter the word that is in him regardless of its consequences to himself. I do not know of any writer who has passed through life unscathed. There always will be some small natures whose delight is destruction. “ Tis sad but true that the world is slow in recognizing true genius and prefers to place garlands on the tombstones, rather than on the living brows of deserving authors.” It was however the knowledge of the generous and cordial reception accorded to his writings by the clergy and particularly by the priests of America that cheered Father Sheehan in the continuation of his literary pursuit. He was a sufferer from ill health from the time of his student’s days, and while this drawback hardly interfered with his pastoral duties, he found in his literary works the relief he needed. And now to think that the gifted pen is laid aside forever! With sorrow as for a beloved friend we mourn his death ! Confronted as we are by the poisonous literature of the age and realizing that there is a broad field for the Catholic writer, unploughed, untilled, the query may be made whether the literary career is one to be selected or recommended to the student. Father Sheehan has pointed out the fact that while great work has been done by Catholic writers to promote a more extensive Catholic literature, greater work remains to be accomplished.