The Ordination, Australasian Chronicle, Sydney, 23 August 1843, p 2, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article31740880:

On last Sunday the sacred rites and ceremonies prescribed in the "Pontifical" for the ordination of Priests were impressively performed in St. Mary's Cathedral, when the following deacons--John Grant, James Dunphy, Patrick Maginnis, John Kenny, and Patrick Hallanan--were duly invested with the holy and indelible "character" of the Christian Priesthood. The Archbishop used for the first time in his Metropolitan Church the PALLIUM; this is the especial mark of affection and confidence conferred by the Chief Christian Bishop on earth on other Prelates, who hold the most responsible position in the Church next to the Sovereign Pontiff himself. The "PALLIUM" is only worn in conferring Holy Orders, and on a few solemn Festivals of Religion. The Vestments or Robes used by Bishops and Archbishops when officiating in "Pontificals," include the respective vestures of the several orders from "Acolyte to Priest," together with those belonging to the "Episcopal" order, to represent that the Prelate possesses the plenitude of each of these orders, with the "Power" to confer them. To a superficial observer this multiplicity of vestments worn at one time would appear quite superfluous, and savouring of worldly pomp; but there is nothing--not the slightest ceremony in Religion, without its moral or mystical meaning; these are the silent and impressive symbols that speak to the eye and to the mind, and not unfrequently convey more lasting impressions to the soul than the most fervid eloquence.

The Vicar General preached a very instructive Sermon, pointing out the solemn ceremonies instituted by the Almighty of old for the consecration of Aaron and the Levitical Priesthood, which was only a shadow and a figure of the higher and more holy "Priesthood" of the New Law, and showing the propriety and consistency of using sacred rites and ceremonies in the ordination of the Priests, who are to serve under the Perfect Covenant of Grace. He gave a graphic description of the duties and responsibility of a Christian Priest; of his voluntary separation from the spirit of the world; of his tearing asunder all the ties of flesh and blood, that he may devote himself entirely to the dispensation of the "Mysteries of Christ," and to the sanctification of his own soul and of those committed to his care. He then pourtrayed the duties of the flock towards its pastor, in hearing his voice and following his instructions, and that they should look rather to his sacred character than endeavour to decry those minor faults which are inseparable from man in "this vale of tears;" and concluded by a moving appeal to the five deacons who were then going to undertake a spiritual burden to be dreaded even by Angels. This is a mere outline of the discourse. We have heard several express a wish to see the whole in print, though the Preacher himself appears quite averse to the proposal. The Church was crowded by an attentive audience during the whole service, which lasted more than three hours.

---

The affectionate address of the Catholic congregations of the East Maitland district, to the Rev. Patrick Magennis, on the occasion of his retirement from his mission amongst them, May 24, 1849, Sydney Morning Herald, 16 June 1849, p 1, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article12906755:

Reverend Sir,—The Christian flock you so happily governed as a vigilant and faithful pastor during the last four years, in the East Maitland district, are suddenly thrown into deep grief by your retirement from this mission. A sense of bereavement, like that of orphan children on the loss of an affectionate parent, has seized the hearts of your late parishioners, because we feel that in losing you we lose a kind and generous spiritual father, whose charity was wont to sympathise with all that concerned the interests of your children in Christ—a tender father, who could compassionate our infirmities in the time of visitation, who could rejoice in our joy, and who knew so well how to console and support us under every affliction, by sweetly and meekly bearing a share of our burdens.

The generous, the single-minded, the grateful Christians of Ephesus, affected even unto tears at parting with their beloved Apostle after his three years' missionary labours in their church, and grieved most of all because he told them "they should never see him more" in this life—They could well understand the feeling of sorrow which at this moment pervades the whole of your late congregation.

In our sorrow we are not, however, unmindful of our duty. We bow in submission to the superior authority that has removed you from your charge over us. We should be very unfaithful to your own pious and zealous teaching amongst us for so long a time, continually inculcating the great virtue of Christian obedience, were we now found indulging in undutiful repinings. We should be very untrue to the last brilliant example of obedience you gave us, when at the voice of your superior commanding you to go forth, like the faithful Patriarch, from the home and the friends that had long been endeared to you here by the ties of Christian affection, and by the continued interchange of the offices of Christian charity—you wavered not an instant, but with the faith of the Patriarch and the promptitude of an apostle you went forth in humble obedience, not knowing, not inquiring whither you were next to be sent.

But unworthy of us, as it unquestionably would be, to fail now in the duty of obedience so sanctioned by your teaching and your example, we hold that it would be still more unworthy of us by many degrees to be wanting in the duty of gratitude to yourself—the duty of bearing in affectionate and lasting remembrance your pious, laborious, and blameless life amongst us.

Can we forget the uniform gentleness with which you governed our little flock throughout, leading them sweetly to the fertile pastures of Gospel truth and Christian virtue by mild paternal words and works, not lording it over them like the princes of the Gentiles ! Can we forget how promptly you were wont to hasten to the sick both by night and by day, both the distant and the near ; and how assiduously you watched at the bed side of the dying, consoling and cheering his trembling spirit, and smoothing by a thousand pious means the rough pillow of death?

Can we forget the firmness, the zeal, unmixed with pride or passion, with which you always made haste to crush the head of every creeping vice, to root up every growing abuse, every pernicious custom that made its appearance in your flock?

Can we forget, in one word, how fully you realised the sublime picture of the Apostle, making yourself all to all, accommodating yourself to the capacity, the condition, the requirements of each member of your flock in turn; now blessing the snowy-haired pilgrim of ninety years with a magnetic fervour that made him seem to grow young again like the eagle—and now catechizing little children with a simplicity and sweetness that won their confidence, melted their hearts, and informed their minds to godliness ; now dispensing charities to the poor, with such meekness and delicacy, that you seemed rather receiving favours from the hands your bounty was blessing ; and now winning the wealthier of the community to cooperate with you in further charities—gaining daily more and more the esteem of the educated, by the uniform prudence of your conversation, and by the edification of your whole intercourse with society, and still bearing with inimitable patience and placidity the roughness of the less instructed, under whatever circumstances your duty brought you in contact with them severally—making yourself all to all, that you might gain all. As the Prophet Elias measured himself to the body of the dead child, contracting himself to the lesser proportions of him he wished to restore to life, his eyes to his eyes, his mouth to his mouth, his hands to his hands, even so you did not disdain to accommodate your discourses and your life to the humblest of your spiritual children, that you might win them all to virtue.

No, Dear Reverend Sir, we cannot forget, and if we should, our little ones themselves would be a daily reproof of our ingratitude, for so long as the East Maitland School flourishes, as long as the school room stands, the children will be bound to bless the memory of the pious Priest who built the house, and provided them with the means of a good Christian education.

Yes, Reverend and respected Father, both we and our children, the young and the aged, the wealthy and the poor—all, all are your debtors ! All participate in the feeling of sincere sorrow at your retirement. All unite in praying that your great services here may be adequately rewarded in the Kingdom of Immortality. All join together in requesting you to accept the accompanying present, as some small testimonial of the esteem and affection in which your memory is cherished in the district of East Maitland, not by the members of your own communion only, but by all sections of the Maitland community ; in evidence whereof we beg to submit the list of contributors to the Purse of Gold we have the honour to present. In that list you will recognise the names of many gentlemen who differ from you in religion, but who yet are able to appreciate your virtues as a minister and a man, and who would signify such appreciation by voluntarily and cheerfully tendering their handsome contributions. You have the prayers and benedictions of all the Catholics in the district you have left ; you have, moreover, that good testimony from others, which was deemed so desirable by the Apostle. May it please Almighty God to bless you abundantly in your new mission, and to crown your pious labours there with the like happy results.

We remain, Reverend Sir, Your faithful servants in Christ.

Sydney, June 2nd, 1849.
Beloved Friends,—I thank you from my heart for your very feeling address and its valuable accompaniment ; both prove alike the sincerity of your past conduct towards me, as well as the reality of my own convictions in your regard. For though but a short time among you I have from the first day of our acquaintance found myself at home in your affections. Believe me, therefore, that my feelings at our separation are reciprocal with your own. I retire from East Maitland with feelings akin to those with which childhood for the first times takes its leave of home and fond relations.

Beloved Friends,—Accept as the only recompense I can offer for your great kindness, the assurance, lasting and firm, of my fervent prayers (when offering the Adorable Sacrifice) for those blessings upon you, which you have so feelingly invoked in my behalf. And believe me, that when far from you, my sincerest consolation will be to know that you faithfully, and with resignation, put into practice the Divine lesson of obedience, which when among you I endeavoured, though imperfectly, to inculcate—saying at all times, "God's holy will be done."

Beloved friends adieu.
P. Magennis.

---

Gundagai, Freeman's Journal, Sydney, 22 July 1852, p 10, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article114834897:

The Rev. Mr. Magennis the worthy Pastor of Yass, writes as follows. "I cannot describe the awful destruction of life and property in this district, thank God the greater number of Catholics who perished in the flood at Gundagai, received the Holy Communion on the previous Sunday. I was at the Tumut and Gundagai districts during the awful scene, and I shall never forget the tragedy." We are happy to find that liberal subscriptions are being made throughout the colony for those who suffered by the recent floods Collections will be made in the Catholic Churches of the city on next Sunday, and in other churches through the country on such Sunday's as shall appear best calculated to promote this most charitable object.

---

Died, Freeman's Journal, Sydney, 8 September 1855, p 2, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article115553883:

On the 15th March, 1855, at Kilkenny, Ireland, Mr. John Magennis (Father of the Rev. P. Magennis, Yass), aged 67 years. Requiescat in pace.

---

Catholic, Freeman's Journal, Sydney, 13 June 1857, p 2, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article115564086:

The Rev. P. Magennis passed through Goulburn on Thursday, the 28th ultimo, on his way to Berrima, to take the spiritual charge of that district, in the room of the Rev. C. Twomey, who proceeds to Albury. The Rev. J. McElroy arrived in Goulburn on Saturday night, en route for Yass, where he is to be associated with the Rev. Mr. Bermingham. — Goulburn Chronicle.

---

Religious Memoranda. Roman Catholic, Sydney Morning Herald, 21 October 1861, p 10, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article13066864:

On the 6th instant, at the Roman Catholic church of Saints Peter and Paul, Goulburn, Miss Ellen Magennis, sister of the Rev. P. Magennis, pastor of the district of Berrima, and Miss Mary Blake, sister of Mr. Isidore Blake, J.P., Yass, were received into the order of the Sisters of Mercy, by Archbishop Polding, assisted by a number of the clergy. The ceremony of the reception took place immediately after High Mass. It was witnessed by a very large assemblage.

---

Country Districts, Freeman's Journal, Sydney, 20 November 1861, p 3, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article115761926:

Catholic Church. — The following changes are about being made in the allocation of the Catholic Clergymen in this district. The Rev. Father Lanigan takes charge of Berrima, succeeding the Rev. Father Magennis, who removes to Appin, while the Rev. Father Foley is at present acting in Father Lanigan's place at Goulburn, and the Very Rev. Dean Rigney, late of Brisbane, has been appointed to Camden. — Goulburn Chronicle.

---

Freeman's Journal, Sydney, 7 December 1861, p 5, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article115762944:

We have been informed that the Rev. John Maher has been removed from Appin to the mission of Wollombi and McDonald River. He is succeeded in the Appin mission by the Rev. P. Magennis, of Berrima.

---

Deaths, Sydney Morning Herald, 25 April 1866, p 1, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article13130118:

On Friday, 20th instant, at the Presbytery, Appin, the Rev. P. McGenniss, R.C.C. Requiescat in pace.

---

Weekly Summary, Freeman's Journal, Sydney, 28 April 1866, p 257, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article115453929:

It is with sincere regret that we announce to our readers the sad intelligence that the Rev. P. Magennis died rather suddenly at the presbytery, Appin, on the 20th instant. The church in this colony, through death, has within the last few years lost many of her most faithful pastors. For the long period of twenty-two years the deceased clergyman was unceasing in the performance of his duties as a priest, and we have the happy consolation to know that so good and pious a life, spent in the service of the Almighty is sure to meet its reward in the next world. He came to this colony in company with two other worthy priests, the late Dean Grant and Father Dunphy, both of whom have long since been called to their rewards. His remains now lie under the shadow of his own church where he so often ministered the bread of life to his flock. With the Catholics of the colony we pray that his soul rest in peace.

---

Death of the Rev. P. Magennis, Freeman's Journal, Sydney, 28 April 1866, p 266, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article115453959:

Once again has the Australian church to mourn the loss of one of its early missionaries, again has it become our painful duty to announce the death of a devoted and zealous pastor. Within the last few years death has been very active among our small band of priests, but while mourning their loss, we have reason to be thankful to the Almighty that others are ready to fill up the gap thus made. This day we have to announce the death of the Rev. P. Maginnis of Appin, who expired at his presbytery on the afternoon of the 20th instant, after a short but severe illness. Although ill for a few days, until the morning of his decease, no one anticipated so early a dissolution. Some few months ago he was attacked with vomitting of blood, but this he apparently got the better of, for he was able to resume his clerical duties. About a week before his death he was attacked with dissentery [dysentery] which made him take to his bed. No alarming symptoms were visible, but his nearest fellow-labourer, Father Roach of Cambelltown [Campbelltown], was constantly by his side, and when on the morning of his death it became apparent that but a few hours were left, he had the consolation of administering the last rights [rites] of our holy church to his brother priest. The immediate cause of death was diptheria [diphtheria], which has proved so fatal to those whom it attacks. Several telegrams were forwarded to St. Mary's, announcing the progress of the disease, and when it was finally announced that death had put an end to his sufferings, the bells of St. Mary's, St. Benedict's, and the Sacred Heart announced to the public that a Catholic soul had just departed this life. The Rev. P. Magennis was born in the city of Kilkenny in 1812, and he was therefore 54 years of age. From an early age his parents noticed a predisposition on his part for the service of the altar, and this was cherished till he was enabled to enter the ecclesiastical college of his native city. Here he lost no opportunity in preparing himself to undertake the sacred functions of the priesthood, and with a desire that his whole life should be spent in this manner he determined to engage on the foreign missions. At this time the present Right Rev. Dr. Ullathorne, Bishop of Birmingham, was Vicar-General of this Archdiocese, and was on a visit to Europe to obtain additional labourers for this distant part of the church. The young and ardent ecclesiastical student was at once able to gratify his long wished for desire and immediately declared his willingness to accompany Dr. Ullathorne back to Australia. In the year 1839 in company with the late Rev. J. Grant afterwards dean of Bathurst, and Rev. Mr. Dunphy who was afterwards drowned while crossing a river at Sofala, Mr. Magennis arrived in Sydney, and at once continued his studies in St. Mary's. Owing to the absence of His Grace in Europe he was not ordained till 1843. The first scene of his labours was in East Maitland, where he was immediately sent on receiving priest's orders. From this mission he was sent to that of Berrima, and then to Yass where he ministered to the Catholics of that extensive district for many years. The last few years he has had charge of the mission of Appin, and being so near to Sydney he was elected as a Fellow of St. John's College the first vacancy that occurred in that body. In the various places to which his duty called him, and the numerous persons who sought his spiritual ministration, Father Magennis has left a name that will long be held in kind remembrance. His charity was unbounded, and in all those large collections which have taken place in the Archdiocese the name of Father Magennis always figures conspicuously. His funeral took place on Monday, and was attended by the following clergymen: the Very Rev. Vicar- General, Venerable Archdeacon McEncroe, Very Rev. Prior Sheridan, Fathers McAlroy, Lannigan, McCarthy, Roache, Dean Rigney, Dillon, Dwyer, O'Farrell and Quirk. From six in the morning, masses were celebrated every half hour, till 9 when the solemn office was chanted, after which mass was sung by the Very Rev. S. A. Sheehy, Vicar-General. At the termination of this a procession was formed, and the corpse was carried to the grave which was in front of the principal entrance to the church. Here the usual absolution were read by the officiating clergyman amidst the tears and sobs of the crowd of parishioners who had assembled from all parts of the colony to pay the last tribute of respect to their departed and beloved pastor. Thus all that is mortal of the Rev. P. Magennis was consigned to its last resting place till that last day when he will hear from our Blessed Redeemer the welcome words, "Euge, Serve bone et fidelis quia in pauca fuisti fidelis, super multa te constituam, intra in gaudium Domini"—Well done thou good and faithful servant because, thou hast been faithful over a few things I will place thee over many, enter thou into the joy of the Lord. In a future issue we shall give our readers the funeral oration delivered over the remains of this devoted priest.

---

The Late Rev. P. Magennis, Freeman's Journal, Sydney, 2 June 1866, p 346, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article115453619:

The month's mind for the repose of the soul of the late Rev. P. Magennis of Appin, took place on Tuesday morning in St. Mary's Temporary Cathedral. The mournful decorations used the previous day for the funeral of the Prince de Condé added considerably to the solemnity of the occasion. A very large number of clergy were present, in fact all who could reach Sydney between the Sunday and Tuesday morning, attended the solemn service for their departed brother. The Dirge commenced at 10 o'clock, immediately after which a solemn Requiem mass was sung, the celebrant being the very Rev. Dean Rigney of Camden, and deacon Rev. J. P. Roache of Campbelltown, the nearest clergymen to the rev. deceased while in charge of his mission of Appin ; Rev P. O'Farrell acting as sub-deacon, and Rev. M. J. Dwyer as master of ceremonies. The following clergy were present in surplices, the Very Rev. S. A. Sheehy, V.G., Venerable Archdeacon McEncroe, Very Rev. Dean O'Connell, Very Rev. Dean Flanagan, Very Rev. Prior Sheridan, Rev. Fathers Kenny, Powell, Quinlivan, McCarthy, Lannigan, Dunne, Forde, Garavel, Dillon, Quirk, O'Reilly, Crone, Healy, Keating, McDevitt, D'Arcy, Fitzpatrick, Laffan and Cunningham. When mass was over the celebrant went through the usual absolution around the catafalque, upon which were placed the chalice, stole and patten, the emblems of the dignity of the deceased priest. A very large number of Catholics were present, to join in the last rites for one who had spent so many years ministering to their spiritual wants.

---

A Prayer-Calendar of Deceased Priests & Deacons in Australia 1788-2009, compiled by W.T. Southerwood, Sixth Edition, 2009, p 51: "East Maitland, Yass, Appin, etc, NSW".

---

Catholic Parish of St Augustine, Yass, Priests who have served in the Parish of Yass, July 2018, https://staug-yass.org.au/wp/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/priests_list.pdf, accessed on 24 December 2025: "Rev. Father Patrick Magennis, 1849-1857."

---

Catholic Parish of St Augustine, Yass, History, available from https://staug-yass.org.au/wp/about/history/, retrieved on 10 November 2025: "Rev Patrick Magennis (1849-1857)"