Father Leo (13 April 1912 – 10 November 2006) was professed a Passionist on 31 May 1936 and the following article appeared in this Newsletter in May 2006 to mark his 60th anniversary:
Leo the Great:
Born on the 12th April 1912 and named Lionel (after his Dad), Fr Leo knew as a young man that all he wanted to do was to become a priest. During his training, his main concern was that he might not be accepted into the Passionist Congregation. However, his Passionist Tutors and Superiors recognised that young Lionel had all the credentials to be a priest and a Passionist.
On his profession, Lionel took the name Leo – after Saint Pope Leo the Great – how appropriate that now seems!
Fr Leo says he was well prepared
for his priestly life by the Passionists,
even to the point of the presentation
of homilies, voice projection,
being ‘down to earth’ and in speaking in a way
that all could
understand. With this training, although only 3 years ordained,
he conducted his first Mission, although he had never attended
a Passionist
Mission.
In those years, Leo and his
Passionist brothers lived a fairly austere life.
Gathering for breakfast each
day, they stood around high benches
for coffee (no tea) and only bread
and butter – no cereal or fruit;
they fasted 3 times a week. Fr Leo says that
this training and
austere life prepared him well for his priestly ministry.
He
spent 30 years as Superior of several communities: Adelaide, Brisbane, Goulburn,
Leopold (Geelong) and Hobart. At Goulburn he was Superior and Master of Novices.
One of the Novices back in 1962, Len Attard, says that Fr Leo was a real
character and was nicknamed by the students ‘Fr Tex’ because of the way
he wore his belt, low on one side, like a Texan’s gun-belt.
Fr Leo says that one of the most important events in his priestly life was the changes in the Church resulting from Vatican II. Another significant influence was his attendance at a charismatic retreat in Rome attended by 7000 priests – this he says developed his life as a priest and influenced his own charismatic style. Fr Leo in the Holy Land - 1937
Last month Fr Leo celebrated his 94th birthday. He enjoys relatively good health but last week he attended an eye specialist. He was told that his left eye was doing all the work for his right eye – in other words, he was one-eyed. That’s OK, he said, I’m a one eyed Geelong supporter!
Reflecting on his life’s journey, Fr Leo said “Passionist Spirituality is ‘different’ and ‘special’; if I could have my life over, I would certainly choose to be a priest – and definitely a Passionist.”
Fr Leo was a great raconteur, loved a joke and was quick with the ‘one liners’. Over the past few years, he made several contributions to this Newsletter and the following are just a few:
OCTOBER 2003
It is always good to hear from Fr Leo Fitzpatrick CP, often with a prayerful reflection, sometimes a story with a touch of humour. This month Fr Leo sent in a collection of bloopers from Parish Bulletins, previously published in the Parish News of St Benedict’s, Burwood. Here is a selection:
Ä At the evening service tonight, the sermon topic will be ‘What is Hell’. Come early and listen to our choir practice.
Ä Don’t let worry kill you off. Let the Church help.
Ä The Low Self Esteem Support Group will meet Thursday 7pm. Please use the back door.
Ä This evening at 7pm there will be hymn singing in the park next to the Church. Bring a blanket & come prepared to sin.
AUGUST 2004
Some Thoughts for the Month:
(Contributed by Fr Leo Fitzpatrick CP)
“What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared with what lies within us.” Ralph Emerson.
“If there is no wind – row.” Latin Proverb.
“The best plan to find a helping hand is at the end of your arm.” Swedish Proverb.
Concelebrating Mass at Holy Cross in May, at the age of 94, Fr Leo told us about the fellow who lived in a small country village (he was 94 too, said Leo) and when asked if he had lived in the village all his life, replied ‘not yet’.
Also in 2003, Fr Leo contributed this gem:
Top
Ten Hymns for people my age:
10.
It is well with my Soul (but my
backaches a lot).
9. Nobody knows the trouble I have seeing.
8. Amazing Grace (considering my age).
7. Just a Slower Walk with Thee.
6. Count your many birthdays, name them one by one.
5. Go tell it on the mountain, but speak up!
4. Give me that old timer’s religion.
3. Blessed Insurance.
2. Guide me O Thou Great Jehovah. (I’ve forgotten
where I parked)
And the Number One Hit for people my age:
1. “Nearer My God To Thee.”
Fr Leo in 2005 at Nazareth House:
“The last weeks of Leo’s life were a wonderful time to witness his deep faith and trust in the Lord. The Eucharist that he loved all his life was his strength at the end; daily communion was a highlight and the bread of life that had nourished him finally took him to the completion of his journey to heaven on his Feast Day.” - Fr Tiernan CP (Community Leader, Holy Cross Monastery, Templestowe) - 10th November 2006.
