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Show ! OURAY, COLO. i (Special Correspondence.) The Revista Catholica of Dec. 23, lf06. published at Los Vegas, N. M., gives a long account of tho saintly life and holy death of Rev. Henry M. Ferrari. Fer-rari. S. J.. who died on Dec. 12, Since 1S57 he was a member of the Society So-ciety of St. Ignatius and was always one of its most ardent and zealous workers. His early education began in the colloge of Nobles at Naples in 1839, a privilege allowed to the aristocratic families of Italy, of which his ancestors ances-tors were members. He left his native land at the commencement of the revolution re-volution in the gingdom of the two Sicilies and was sent with others members mem-bers of the society to Balaglner. Spain, where he completed his studies of philosophy. phi-losophy. After graduaating he was appointed professor of the sciences of physics an(i chemistry at the college of Carrion de los Conded, where he distinguished dis-tinguished himself as a successful teacher. At the outbreak of the revolution revo-lution in 1868 the young professor was sent to tne Jesuit college oi iavei, France, where he finished his theological theolog-ical course and was ordained in 186!), coming to the United States soon after. His first home in America was at Frederic. Md. In 1872 he was sent to New Mexico ar.d worked for two years at Cohejas and Albuquerpue. In 1874 he was sent to Las Vegas, which has been his continuous field of labor for the past thirty-two years, and also the great battlefield of his glorious works, for the greater glory of God and tho salvation of souls. Closely associated with that truly bright and newsy journal, the Revista Catolica since 1873, he was the director of the printing of-j flee. Endowed with higlhest intellect, his varied knowledge and scholarly at- talnments were blended with truei Christian humility and charity. The Revista Catolica, speaking of his many virtues, says: "We have never heard from his lips n single word of self-praise. If any thing excessive and exaggerated could be noticed in him. this was the contempt of himself .raised to the highest point. Who does net remember remem-ber the neglect which has constantly been observed in his person and dress? The poorest and worse garments were always the choice of this truly humble and religious man. However, this very effort on his part, instead of lowering him In the public opinion and estimation, estima-tion, made him grow in the esteem of everybody." In the community in which he lived for thirty-two years he was highly es teemed by all Masses because of his great charity, especially his love for the poor and needy. Enemies he had not. his friends and admirers among all classes were a legion. "Even those." says the Revirta. "who openly avowed no good will and affection for the Jesuits Je-suits always made an exception for him. We have frequently been eye witnesses of this fact." The severing of the gold chain, which linked him, by his good works, with the community and which caused such universal sorrow, was doubly felt by the community to which he was a source of edification. His example and genuine, true, and unselfish nature will always keep his memory green and indelibly in-delibly engraven in the souls of his co-laborers. . The obsequies were an object lesson and bespeak the love and affection of the faithful for a true priest of God. They are described by the Revista Catholic as follows: The funeral service took place on the morning of the 13th with the simplicity sim-plicity and modesty prescribed by the rules of the society. We did not send invitations, nevertheless before seven o'clock a. m., our chapel was taken to Its utmost capacity. May God reward the F. F. Rivera, Ponget and Molinle, who so friendly associated themselves with us in paying the last tributes to the venerable deceased. The funeral cortege could not be larger nor more Imposing especially when the corpse was carried to our private cemetery. There was rivalry among those who presented themselves, for the privilege of carrying the coffin. Among others: Dr. Tipton. Hon. Darrazolo, Mr. Blanch-ard Blanch-ard and many other prominent persons per-sons of the highest ranks in society. While we were consigning to mother earth what was earthly. Oh! how many supplications and fervent prayers pray-ers ascended to the throne of the most high, imploring peace and relief to the soul of our never to be forgotten companion. com-panion. And how many. Instead of praying for him, prayed to him, calling him openly saint, and firmly believing him already clothed in glorious garments, gar-ments, and decorated with the brilliant crown, which God. in his divine mercy has reserved for the humble and meek of heart. We avail ourselves of this opportunity opportun-ity to extend our heartfelt thanks to a very large number of friends who either with calls or by letter have warmly manifested to us their feelings of sincere sin-cere sympathetic condolence. Father Charles M. Ferrari of Ouray, Colo., is . a brother of the -deceased. Like his saintly, zealous and devoted brother he has worked hard and accomplished ac-complished much good In the diocese of Denver. The Intermountaln Catholic Cath-olic extends to him Its deepest sympathy sym-pathy in his present great loss. |