Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

DEATH OF FATHER TIGHE, S.J.
A Distinguished Priest.
The late Father Tighe, S.J.
We regret to announce the death of Rev.Father P.F. Tighe, S.J., which took place at the Mater Misericordiae Hospital, North Sydney on Wednesday, March 31. The deceased priest had been ailing for many months. An operation was tried some weeks ago but it failed to give relief. The end came on Wednesday week, after a painful illness, borne by the sufferer with the utmost patience. Father Tiglie's death is not only a severe loss to the Society of Jesus, to which he belonged, but by it the Catholic community is much the poorer. His death deprives us of one of our ablest and most zealous priests. An enthusiastic worker in the interests of religion, a devoted apostle of the poor, an eloquent preacher and a .skilled director of souls, a man of undaunted courage, unwearying patience, and deep humility; these were some of the qualities which endeared Father Tighe to so many amongst us.
His Early Life.
Father Tighe was born in Dublin, in 1861.He was educated at the Jesuit College in that city, and took his degree at the Royal University of Ireland — the precursor of the present National University. He entered the Society of Jesus at the age of 25. He made his novitiate at Tullabeg in King's County, and pursued his higher studies both in Dublin and on the continent. He was ordained at Naples in 1902. While at Naples he perfected himself in the Italian language, and was able to undertake missionary work among the poor of that city before he returned to Ireland. In this early work of his priestly career, he gave evidence of those qualities of zeal, patience and sympathy so peculiarly his own when dealing with the poor and suffering, and which distinguished him throughout his after life.
Shortly after his return to Ireland he was appointed Rector of Mungret College, Limorick. This college combines both a lay college and an apostolic school. A wide field of work was thus opened up to Father Tighe. Unfortunately, his health, never very robust, broke down early in his career as Rector. He had to relinquish his post, and went to the south of England to recuperate. When his health was restored, he was sent to Australia. Since he came to this country Father Tighe was stationed for the most part in Melbourne and Sydney. But his powers as missioner and director of souls made him in constant demand for retreats to priests and religious, and for missions to the people. In the course of these labours he visited many parts of the Commonwealth, and New Zealand.
A Chaplain in the War.
In 1915 he went as chaplain to the l5th Battalion, A.I.F. He laboured in Egypt and France for some 18 months. But his health again broke down, and he was invalided home. One could never get Father Tighe to speak of his own work with the army. He told in glowing language the story of the heroism and faith of the men; but of his own work he was silent. Yet it is known that his utter unselfishness, his tactful kindness, and his great zeal, endeared him to men of all ranks and creeds. Mrs. Wheeler, the well-known war worker, writes her deep regret that she failed to see Father Tighe, to thank him personally, for his noble and unselfish work on the battlefields, as testified many times by our dear boys. A man of his battalion relates how one day a party, of men reached the back line from the front trenches. They were all black and grimy-looking, covered with mud from head to foot. Suddenly, excited cheering broke out on all sides. The men had recognised among the returning men their beloved padre, covered with mud, and as unkempt as the rest. He had been missed by the men, and they had given him up as lost. He was not lost; but had spent the live days in the front line, administering to the needs of the men there. Another recalls how, while marching over the hot desert sands of Egypt, Chaplain Tighe could often be seen coming quietly alongside some trooper who was showing signs of fatigue under the hardship. He would relieve the man of his heavy rifle, trudge alongside the company, and help to cheer the men by his bright words and cheerful manner, forgetting his own fatigue in his endeavour to lighten the burden of 'his boys.'' Again, they will tell you, the men of those days in Egypt of the good padre's intrigues to get the help of the good Sisters at Cairo, or else where, to prepare good things for his men. They will remember the joyful surprise one Christmas Day, when a huge supply of Christmas puddings — real plum pudding --suddenly arrived in a camp isolated almost
most forgotten down along the canal. Father Tighe and the Sisters had again been plotting to help to make the life of the boys a little happier. But what he was to the men in his character of Catholic priest the human tongue can tell. Not even Father Tighe knew it all till Christ, His Master, told him of it. and gave him his reward. It could not be otherwise with Father Tighe nor. indeed, with any priest.
His Work at North Sydney.
Since his return from the war Father Tighe worked at North Sydney, though he frequently visited other centres for retreats or missions or lectures. During this period he became well-known as one of the most popular speakers at the Catholic Evidence Lectures on Sunday afternoons in the Domain. His last appearance in this work was at Newcastle, where he took part in the introduction of these lectures in that district.
Almost his last public work was done In Queensland. He had many times visited that State. Last January he went then again to conduct the priests' retreat at Brisbane. He also preached in aid of a soldiers' memorial church at St. Stephen's Cathedral in that city. It was his last sermon, it was fitting that it should have been an appeal on behalf of the memory of those soldiers he had loved so well and served so faithfully.
A Gifted Preacher.
A gifted speaker, with a clear voice and good command of language and gesture, Father Tighe was well-known as a preacher and lecturer. Yet his most striking characteristics were not those of the orator, he will, perhaps, be best remembered for his unbounded zeal, and for his great power of sympathy. It was this zeal which made him seem to multiply himself at his work, and to make fatigue unknown to him while his power of quick and kindly insight into the needs and feelings of others made everyone who met him feel that in him they had found a true and understanding friend. To young and old, to men and women, and, above all, to the sick and suffering these qualities of the man, enhanced by the character of his priesthood, Father Tighe. All these will miss him but none so much as the poor and the sick of his parish at St. Mary's. North Sydney. Around that church, where he had so often preached and laboured, the words most frequently on the lips of all when news of Father Tighe's fatal illness became known, were: '-We have lost a true friend and holy priest.'
The Obsequies.
On account of the Offices of Holy Week, neither Office nor Requiem could be held. Father Tighe was buried on Holy Thursday ,from St. Mary 's Presbytery, and laid in Gore Hill Cemetery.
There was a large attendance at St. Mary's, Ridge-street, where the Rev. Father J. Hearn, S.J.. read part of the burial prayers. A considerable number of parishioners and friends followed the body to the cemetery, where, around the grave, a great throng had congregated. Father Hearn read the prayers at the graveside.

The Catholic Press Thursday 08 April 1920 page 21