Souvenir of Ordination Rev. Patrick Anthony Kennedy Cssp.

"Reverend Father Patrick Anthony Kennedy (1910-1955) was my Uncle. He died the year before I was born. He was ordained to the Holy Ghost Fathers on 11th June 1938. During that time it was considered a great honour to have a family member ordained a priest. Born 11 February 1910 in Townsend St, Dublin, Patrick received his early education from the Christian Brothers. He seems to have spent some time as a trainee motor mechanic as he was much in demand for servicing community cars during his student days. Having decided to go on for the priesthood he did his studies at Rockwell , 1926-31, where he was remembered for his maturity of outlook, his dedication to work - academic and manual. He was the backbone of Fr J.N.Müller's band and was prominent in the choir. Professed in Kimmage in 1931, he did Philosophy at the Castle, Blackrock, 1932-34. He was a steady and solid student having to work hard because he was not particularly gifted academically. He was known as a no-nonsense type - and a plain Dubliner. Once again he was to the fore in the orchestra and choir. He prefected at Rockwell for one year, 1934-35, where he was remembered for his sterling performance on the Rockwell club team and his maintenance of the two college motor-cars. He resumed his senior studies in 1935. Ordained in 1938 he was appointed the following year to Nigeria. His first missions were all in Owerri Province, then part of the single Vicariate Apostolic of Onitsha-Owerri, first at Umahia, then at Mbuta Okhia and Ahiara. He was later transferred to Onitsha Province, where he worked in Enugu, Dunukofia and Maku. His ability for organising teams, choirs and bands helped him immensely in the main work of evangelisation. Though of an athletic build his health had never been really robust. He suffered much from varicose veins and was subject to bouts of fever. A few weeks before his death he was admitted to Enugu hospital suffering from severe pains. It was first thought that it was some form of malaria but later it was diagnosed that he was suffering from leukaemia. After a few weeks of intense suffering borne with edifying fortitude Fr Patrick Kennedy died 31 July 1955 aged 45 years. "