Born: 22 June 1804, Aghaloo, County Tyrone
Entered: 12 April 1845, Novitiate, East 2nd Street, Frederick MD, USA - Marylandiae Province (MAR)
Final Vows: 08 January 1857
Died: 27 September 1888, Mercy Hospital, Baltimore, MD, USA - Marylandiae Neo-Eboracensis Province (MARNEB)
Part of the Woodstock College, Woodstock MD, USA community at the time of death.
1845-1847: Novitiate, East 2nd Street, Frederick MD, USA (MAR), Novitiate
1847-1870: Georgetown College, Georgetown, Washington DC, USA, Informarian
1870-1888: Woodstock College, Woodstock MD, USA, Infirmarian to 1883
◆ Woodstock Letters SJ : Vol 17, Number 3
Obituary
“Brother John Cunningham SJ” p386
Brother Cunningham was born in the County of Tyrone, Irelund, on the 22nd of June, 1804.
After the years of childhood, he seems to have been employed as a weaver, first in his native country, and afterwards in Englund. During this time he witnessed many of the effects of the Penal Laws, and doubtless some of the scenes which resulted from their enforcement, made a lasting impression on his mind, since throughout his life, he ever evinced a most tender love and compassion for the poor and the unfortunate. At the age of twenty-two, he sailed from Belfast for America, and after a voyage of seven weeks, reached Quebec. Having cast about for some time, he finally settled in Canada West, as a dealer in woolen goods.
Twelve years were thus employed, until the breaking-out of the disturbance known as the Mackcnzie Rebellion in 1837; when having been too active in the movement, he considered it an opportune time for extending his business into the States. So he crossed over to Rochester, in company with all who had been engaged in the rebellion.
The immediate cause of this prudent move, was the announcement that Lord Durham, the Governor· General at the time, had, as Brother John used to say, “issued an essay” to the effect that all who had taken part in the uprising were to be hanged.
Having crossed the boundary, he did indeed extend his business; as may be judged from the fact that in a short time, he was travelling over the entire country, through which our present province extends, from Maine to Virginia. On one of his journeys, he made the acquaintance of a man, who had discovered a new method of making cisterns by the use of cement. This man being without any capital, invited him to become a partner with him. He did so, and gradually relinquished the woolen business, finally giving himself entirely to the new enterprise, and realizing in a short time a handsome profit. He still continued to travel, however, through the Eastern and Middle States, calling chiefly upon farmers, who would naturally appreciate the advantages of having a good cistern. This gave him quite an experience of life in various phases; for at one time he would be found spending a few days at the mansion of some well-to-do merchnt; at another, he would be sharing the hospitality of a way-side inn; and at another, the cottage of a poor farmer would give him welcome.
Thus engaged, we find him about the year 1843, in the neighborhood of Martinshurg, Virginia, attending a mission which was in progress under the direction of a Jesuit father. Almighty God then gave him a portion of the rewnnl for his hitherto well-ordered life, by calling him to a higher state, in the Society of his Divine Son. And indeed, that his life up to that time hau been an unusual one, we know from the testimony of farmers, doctors, lawyers, priests and even bishops. He seems to have made himself very serviceablc to Archbishop Hughes and to Bishop O'Reilly of Hartford, as also to several of their parish priests; and doubtless many a poor soul received the consolations of religion in life and in death, through the generous devotion of Brother John. He used to place himself with his horse and carriage at the disposal of the clergy during the winter months, thus enabling them to go amongst their people more than they could otherwise have done. He lost no opportunity for doing good; now by a kind word, now giving much needed advice or relieving the distressed, and at all times exhorting his friends and acquaintances to look to the welfare of their immortalsouls He endeared himself to all withwhom he came in contact, by his generosity of spirit, and his amiable, gentle manner, so that with truth has it been quaintly remarked, by a good old lady in Washington, who knew him in those days: “Everywhere he left behind him the value of his night's lodging”.
Having consulted the father in charge of the mission about his vocation, he was advised to drive down to Georgetown and apply to the superior there. Without a moment's hesitation he started for Georgetown saying “Forty years have I served the world; would that the Lord might grant me yet another forty, to serve him”. Having arrived at the college, he was greeted by the superior, whom he asked to receive him as a lay-brother, at the same time presenting flattering letters of introduction from the bishops of New York and Hartford, as well as from several secular priests.
The superior, seeing that he was a man in the prime of life, with the dress and manner of a gentleman of the world, answered with some surprise: “My good man, you surely do not rwalize the character of a lay- brother's duties; you seem to be too much of a gentleman, to be willing to perform the humble offices ofa lay-brother”. “Father”, he replied, “the gentleman, as you are pleased to call the character I represent, I can at any time put on or off; and will do so whenever Your Reverence so desires”.
Even this earnest reply did not save him from the trial in store for him. His application was not entertained; and with a heavy heart, he faced the world once more. Soon however, hearing about the great reputation of Fr McElroy at Frederick, he determined as a last resort to pay him a visit, and make another effort. He met with great encouragement from the good Fr McElroy, but he was not received into the order. Nevertheless he remained around Frederick, building cisterns and contributing generously to to St John's Church; at one time giving the sum of $100 for the erection of one of the side-altars.
One day the Fr Provincial of the Dominicans came along, and in the course of a conversation, he told the provincial how he had wished to become a Jesuit, but had been refused. The provincial replied: “All right, .Johnnie, I will take you; and you may start at once for Zanesville, Ohio, if you wish”. But Johnnie, as he was even then familiarly called, remained steadfast and loyal to the Society, despite his trials. The call to the Society which he had received at Martinsburg was not his first one. Years before, in his dear native land, his young mind had been strongly impressed by the vigor of an expression which he had frequently heard: “The Jesuit is the strongest rower in the bark of Peter”. The result was that he actually set out for Clongowes College, to sec Fr Peter Kenney about applying for admission; on learning. however, that Father Kenney had been sent to America, as Visitor to the Maryland Province, he proceeded no further, but shortly after left for America himself.
Time passed on at Frederick, during which he had mnny interviews with Father McElroy, who finally advised him to see Father Verhaegen, who was the provincial at that time. He did so, and this time received a promise of admission, provided he first spend two years as a postulant in some college. To this arrangement, however, he was very much opposed, saying that he had alrendy served in that capacity, during the two years which had then elapsed, since his application at Georgetown.
After further consultation he was finally received, and, to his great delight, enrolled amongst the novice-brothers, April 12th, 1845. After pronouncing the simple vows in 1847, he was sent to Georgetown College to act as infirmarian, remaining there until the year 1870, when he was transferred to Woodstock, to act in the same capacity. During the quarter of a century spent at Georgetown, he was always a consoler to the afflicted and distressed. Even the animals were objects of his tenderness; and the knowledge he had previously acquired of their different ailments, particuarly those of the horse, enabled him frequently to come to their relief; whence came the suggestive name, by which the college-boys often referred to him. Hundreds of Georgetown students might testify to his loving care and watchfulness over them in sickness. When they were really ill, he was all attention; but for those who feigned sickness in order to avoid class, he had no sympathy; for of all things he detested duplicity.
From the many instances of his kindness, we select the following. During the war a young lad was taken seriously ill, and, as his father was in active service for the government, his mother was duly notified, and she repaired at once, in company with her daughter, to the college. After three weeks of anxious care the boy recovered. The mother and daughter, who had witnessed the devoted attention to the boy, were lavish in expressions of gratitude; and, previous to their return home, came to thank the good brother for all that he had done; when to their amazement he answered: “Good ladies, no thanks are due to me; but in God's name, do you, my good woman, go at once and be reconciled to your God, by approaching the sacraments; and then return thanks to him for your son's recovery”. What followed may be better imagined than described. The poor woman thought that the fact of her having been once a member of the Catholic Church was a profound secret. The advice was heeded; and thus Brother John was not only instrumental in procuring bodily health for the son, but, by the grace of God, contributed also to the spiritual renovation of the mother, and we may believe, of the entire family.
Of the many exalted gifts which fitted him for his office, perhaps the most attractive was the happy faculty he possessed of always saying something amusing just at the moment when his patient was suffering the greatest pain, and perhaps had reached the critical stage of a surgical operation. So ludicrous indeed at times were his remarks, that the poor patient would be obliged to laugh outright, forgetting for the moment the ordeal through which he was passing. His influcnce over the boys, even in spiritual matters, was extraordinary; and God alone can tell ofthe good he accomplished in this respect, up to the time when he was summoned to Woodstock, in October, 1870
While speaking of Georgetown, it may be well to point out how perfectly he fulfilled the promise made to the superior there, when he first applied for admission. Beside the duties of infirmarian, he was expected to wait upon all visitors to the college, particularly the parents and friends of sick students; and when the number of the sick was small, he would employ his spare time in whitening various outer parts of the college buildings, or in doing some mason-work. When, at the close of the school-year, the President of the United States, accompanied by several memhers of his cabinet, would become the guests of the college, an entertainment was usually given at the infirmary. Then indeed could be seen the realization of his promise; when, laying aside his trowel or white-wash brush, he would put himself in readiness to wait upon the distinguished guests, with that becoming grace which was so particularly his own; and after all was over, “put off the gentleman”, put on his overalls, and resume the work which for the time had been suspended.
The manny who have come to, and gone forth from the house of studies since its foundation, know better than can be here described the portion of his life spent by our venerable brother since he came to Woodstock. If in the world and at Georgetown he joined to his manual labors the zeal of an apostle, how much more now did he exert himself to instil lofty thoughts nnd aspirations into the minds and hearts of those who were soon to labor for the Lord, in every quarter of the world! His many wanderings and travels had revealed to him the dangers and snares of the world, to which even missionaries were exposed; for, as we have already seen, he had preferred to associate with them as much as possible. And doubtless during all these years, many a silent prayer was offered for tbe perseverance of the Lord's anointed, and particularly those nmong his own brethren. Here, too, his spare time was usefully employed. Once, with the permission of superiors, he gathered the more delicate ones of the scholastics into a band, and invited them to assist him in some out-door employments, and thus better their physical condition; and, if need be, fit themselves for the Zambesi Mission, to which several of them in after years actually went. Thus be was ever the same, sparing no pains or labor, constantly consoling and relieving his sick brethren, or edifying them by his zeal in laboring at some useful employment. Seeking the favor of none, be knew no fear; never without a kind word for all, he was in turn loved, respected and revered by all. And so at length the forty years, for which be had prayed, came sweetly to a close.
Without the slightest warning, the Lord, in his merciful goodness, laid his gentle hand upon him, sending him a stroke of paralysis, which caused him to retire from his office of infirmarian. Recovering shortly after he had been anointed, he applied to superiors for some occupation, and during three years was variously engaged in little offices about the house. The paralysis returned each succeeding year, and each time he was anointed, only to recover in a short time. But at Christmas a year ngo, he became rapidly more and more feeble; so much so, that he required an attendant almost constantly, even at night. Thus assisted, however, he was able to go about the house, and to be present at all the community
duties; in attending which, he was ever known to be most regular and constant. And here we might recall a beautiful instance of his lively faith and simple unaffected piety, which took place on last Good Friday; The hour for the morning services having arrived, it was deemed advisable not to notify him even for the adoration of the cross; because, on the same occasion in the previous year, after having performed his act of adoration, he was raised from his prostrate position only by the greatest effort on the part of his assistant; but the good old man was not thus to be deprived of his share in this consoling act of devotion. So, when he found that all were engaged elsewhere, and that even his attendant was absent, he quietly left his room, and with the aid of his cane succeeded in reaching the chapel. Going up to the sanctuary, all unobserved as he thought, with great difficulty he got down on his knees on the bare floor; then taking from his pocket his large crucifix which he had brought from his bed-side, he laid it on the steps of the altar, and with profound veneration adored the five wounds. Then rising after a great effort, he proceeded with crucifix and cane in band, to make the Way of the Cross; not resting on some convenient bench, which he never did even when in good health, but kneeling on the floor. and supporting himself with his cane. So dangerous was the effort, that the one present, but not seen, judged it better to notify his attendant, who in the meantime had begun to search for him.
Towards the end, it was with difficulty that he could be persuaded to refrain from going to meals with the community; but with this single exception, he faiithfully fulfilled every duty, even that of recreation, where he was ever most welcome, because of his bright and cheerful ways, and many pleasant remarks.
Thus he continued up to the hour of departing for Baltimore, whither it was considered best to send him, and place him under the care of the Sisters of Mercy, who having heard of his condition, begged to he allowed to attend to the closing days of one, who for forty years had consoled and assisted so many. The good sisters had him but a few days, when they were delighted to find in him so saintly and amiable a character, so bright and amusing because of his quaint and pointed remarks.
How well, even during his few days at Baltimore, he rcnlized the character of the true Jesuit. may he inferred from the confidence with which the sisters entrusted to him their petitions to our Lord!. They regarded it a great blessing to have him die in their midst, nnd even placed a picture of him in the box for the corner-stone of their new huilding, fully persuaded that in him thev would ever have a most powerful advoeate in heaven.
Every possible attention wns given him by the sisters, several of whom frequently came, in the midst of their work, to say a kind word to him, only to be edified by his saintly deportment and bright nnswers. This, together with the constant visits of his brethern from Woodstock and Loyola, made it seem to the dear old man scarcely possible thnt he was away from his own community. Even the daily Mass, said by one of the fathers from Loyola, in the neat little chapel of the sisters, was not wanting. Thus passed three short weeks, when the good sister in special charge of him, and the superioress, became anxious as to the meaning of his continually asking for the one who had heen his life-long companion. The time for the usual visit of this friend had elapsed; so the sisters telegraphed for him, and as soon as the train could bring him, he was by the dying brother's side, and in time to he recognized by him. In the meantime, a messenger had been dispatched to Loyola College, and in a few moments the last sacraments were administered to him for the fourth time in four years. His entire right side, and even his tongue, had become paralyzed, so that only at intervals wns he able faintly to repeat the words of some pious aspiration, suggested to him by one of the fathers, several of whom had been in frequent attendance during the eight days preceding his death. Although he was in his agony for twenty-four hours, no movement indicated the slightest pain. Thus in the fulncss of years, at the age of eighty-four our venerable brother passed to his reward, early in the afternoon of the 27th of September. There were present to encourage him in his last moments, the Father Minister of Loyola, the Mother Superior and her two assistants, and the brother from Woodstock.
The body was taken to Woodstock during the night; and, on the following morning, the Office for the Dead was recited by the community, and the holy sacrifice of the Mass offered by Father Rector for the repose of his soul.
The funeral took place during the afternoon of the same day. May he rest in peace!
Br D
