THE
P RTAL
October 2017
Page 23
Mgr Augustine Hoey
Ob OSB, MA
r Augustine
F
1915-2017
died on 26th September 2017 at St Peter’s Residence in London. He had risen as
usual, had his breakfast, sat in his chair and died peacefully. He was almost 102 and had been active
and mentally very bright until a few weeks ago when he began to fail.
His long life is simple in outline, and
surprising in detail. He was ordained
an Anglican priest in 1941 and joined
the Community of the Resurrection
at Mirfield, showing great talents
in parish work, particularly with
“mission” weeks for working-class
parishes.
He said that he was going to
Walsingham to die, but celebrated
his 100th birthday there in great
style – and continued to live. Finding
the Norfolk winters rather trying,
he returned to the loving care of the
Little Sisters of the Poor in London,
where he died.
In 1994, aged 78, he became a Roman
In an interview a few years ago he
Catholic. He had not thought he’d be
said, “Dying is my last and greatest
accepted as an active priest, because
priestly function when in union with
of his age, but, with the support of
the victim of Calvary. It is my last
Cardinal Hume, he was ordained in
offering of myself, however unworthy
Mgr Augustine Hoey
1995 and lived a Benedictine horarium
it may well be and I want to make it
among the clergy at Westminster Cathedral, where for the greater glory of God and for the benefit of the
he became a familiar sight and worked tireless