Marrickville, Goulburn, NSW; New Town, Tas

---

“He Drew Innumerable Souls to God” (Cath. Press Syd.)
Fr T.J. Linane, From Abel to Zundolovich, Vol. 1, 1979, p 16:

b. Hobart 1871; ed. Mary’s Mount, Goulburn; ord. 1899; service at and missionising from Moonah, Tas., Marrickville, Syd., Glen Osmond, Adel., Goulburn; one in the first band of Australian born Passionists; great ability and spirituality; high praise in Cath. Press, Syd. at his death which took place on 27.5.1932; age 60. Buried in Mary's Mount graveyard, Goul.; remains transferred recently to Rookwood, Syd.
Ref.: Planting a Faith in Hobart, by Rev. W.T. Southerwood; Passionist Archives, St. Ives, Syd. (per late Rev. Bonaventure Thom).

---

Death of Rev. Father Benedict, C.P. One of the First Australian Recruits.
Catholic Press, Sydney, 2 June 1932, p 19, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article106353544:

The death occurred on Friday, 27th ult., in St. John of God's Hospital, Goulburn, of Rev. Father Benedict (Abel), C.P. Father Benedict, one of the first band of Australian Passionists, was born at Hobart in 1871. He was professed at Mary's Mount, Goulburn, on May 16, 1893. During his studies for the priesthood Father Benedict showed that outstanding intellectual ability which distinguished him during his life as a priest. He was ordained in SS. Peter and Paul's Cathedral, Goulburn, in May, 1899, by the late Right Rev. Dr. Gallagher, then Coadjutor-Bishop of Goulburn.

During his many years as a priest Father Benedict laboured for souls on missions and in parochial work. He was well known in Marrickville and in Parkside (S.A.). Both on missions and in parochial work Father Benedict endeared himself to all those with whom he came in contact. Endowed with a captivating voice, he disdained the artificial aids of oratory, and drew innumerable souls to God not by the persuasive power of human wisdom, but by his deep devotion to the Sacred Passion and his sweet command of perfect English. Always a diligent student, he missed no opportunity of acquiring knowledge, ranging from the derivation of a word to the intricacies of applied science. Yet with all his knowledge he was in public as unassuming as a child, and in private even more submissive to reasonable authority.

Owing to failing health in later years Father Benedict did not take a prominent part in the activities of the sacred ministry; nevertheless, he could at all times be relied upon to comfort the afflicted and to help others in his own kind, sincere and unobtrusive way. Among his virtues charity reigned supreme. His genial sociable presence will be sadly missed, and the memory of his lovable personality will long abide in the minds of the people who revered him and in the hearts of the children who loved him as their greatest friend. To his many friends it is a consolation to know that the end came quietly without any acute suffering. He died as he had lived—at peace with God and man.

A Solemn Requiem Mass was celebrated at Mary's Mount on Saturday, 28th ult., in the presence of his Lordship Right Rev. Dr. Barry, who after Mass gave the absolutions. Very Rev. Father Stephen, C.P. (rector), was celebrant of the Mass, the ministers being Very Rev. Father James, C.P. (Provincial), and Rev. Father Alphonsus, C.P. The music of the Mass was rendered by the Mercy Convent choir—a graceful tribute to Father Benedict's devotion to the orphans. Amongst those present were the Very Rev. Father M. Carey (Adm.) and Rev. Father Leonard, who acted as chaplains to his Lordship, Rev. Fathers J. McCusker and P. O'Carroll, Rev. Brothers McSwiney and Sullivan, of St. Patrick's College, and representatives of the Sisters of Mercy, the Sisters of St. Joseph and the Sisters of St. John of God.

The funeral took place in the afternoon at the cemetery attached to the monastery. The Very Rev. Father James, C.P., officiated at the graveside, assisted by the priests of the Cathedral and the community at Mary's Mount.—R.I.P.