Prayer Calendar: Deceased Priests who have ministered the Catholic Faith throughout Toowoomba and districts, 1864–2025, Compiled by Annie Carrett, Diocesan Archivist, 2001, Updated by Gabrielle Saide, Diocesan Archivist, 2023:
Rev Patrick Hudson, died 21 Jan 1886

Patrick Hudson was born in Co. Longford, Ireland. Seminary studies were undertaken at St Patrick's College, Carlow. On their completion he was ordained priest there on 11th May 1880. He arrived in Queensland in November of that year. As a priest of the Brisbane Archdiocese, he served in the following places: Assistant Priest, Toowoomba (27 Nov. 1880 - 1882); Blackall (? - 1885). His short ministry was due to him contracting tuberculosis. This manifested itself during his last year at Blackall. Twelve months before his death he returned to Toowoomba, where he was nursed by his former Parish Priest, Fr T O'Connell. He died at the Toowoomba presbytery in 1886, aged 29. The Australian of the 30th January 1886 described him as 'one of the most energetic and pious young priests of the Diocese of Brisbane'. Fr Hudson is buried in the Toowoomba Cemetery, and was the first Catholic Priest to be interred there.
(Ref. Linane H137, Brisbane Archives and Pugh's)

Reproduced by permission of Bishop Ken Howell.

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Denis M. Long, Pioneer and Early Priests, Archdiocese of Brisbane, Deceased or retired by 1929, 2021, pp 29-30:
Fr Patrick Hudson

Patrick Hudson was born in County Cavan, Ireland on 1 January 1856.(1) After studies at St Patrick's College, Carlow he was ordained on 11 May 1880. After arriving in the diocese that year on 7 November he was appointed to Toowoomba. Two and a half years later he was appointed to the most extensive western area of the diocese, stationed at Blackall. Father Hudson died of consumption in Toowoomba on 27 January 1886, aged 29 years. He was buried in the Toowoomba General cemetery on 28 January.

The Toowoomba paper of 1886 carried the following notice in regard to Fr Hudson.

Death of the Rev P Hudson
It is with extreme regret that we have to record the death of the Rev Father Hudson, which sad event took place at the Presbytery house, James Street, about 7 o'clock on Wednesday evening, January 27th, at the comparatively early age of 30 years. The reverend gentleman was born in January 1856, in County Longford, Ireland, and studied at St Patrick's College, Carlow where he was ordained a priest in the year 1879, and in the same year left for Queensland. On his arrival in the colony he was sent to Toowoomba where he worked faithfully for two and a half years as assistant to Rev T O'Connell. On the occasion of the accession of the Rev Dr Dunne to the Episcopal See of Brisbane, Father Hudson was appointed to take full charge (although yet young) of the Western district with Blackall as his head-quarters. Here he worked with that zeal for the glory of God and salvation of souls, for which he was ever remarkable. Although only one and half years in that district, he succeeded in building a beautiful brick church at Blackall and had two other churches in course of construction when he fell a victim to consumption, which was probably brought on by hardships and hard work. On the invitation of the Rev Father O'Connell he left Blackall and came to Toowoomba about twelve months ago in order that he might have the benefit of the best medical skill, but all efforts proved unavailing, and after sixteen months patient suffering he quietly breathed his last as we have already said, on Wednesday evening last, fortified by the rites of the church to which he belonged and which he had served so faithfully and well. The remains of the reverend gentleman were removed to the church at half-past six o'clock on the following morning, where Requiem Masses were offered for the repose of his soul. During the day the faithful people of Toowoomba flocked in hundreds to offer up a silent prayer and get one last look at the face of one they knew, and loved so well. About half-past three o'clock the local priests consisting of Rev T O'Connell, J M Cummins, and the Rev T V Hayes, accompanied by the Rev A Horan (Ipswich), and the Rev J J Horan (Warwick) and the Rev D Byrne (Dalby), appeared in church and having gone through the prescribed rites the funeral procession left the church for the cemetery at 4 o'clock. The funeral was the largest that has been seen in Toowoomba for a long time. On arriving at the cemetery the Rev J J Horan assisted by the clergymen already named, performed the burial service at the grave.(2)

The Brisbane paper, The Australian, recorded his death on 30 January.

It is with profound feelings of sorrow and regret that we have to record this week the demise of one of the most energetic and pious young priests of the diocese of Brisbane. We allude to the Rev Patrick Hudson, who departed this life on Wednesday evening last, at the Presbytery, Toowoomba. The deceased, who had been successively curate in Toowoomba and pastor of the Blackall mission, had been ailing for the last 18 months. About 12 months ago his illness reached such an alarming state that his friends deemed it advisable to get him removed from the West to the Downs where, during the whole time he lingered on in the acute malady from which he was suffering, he received all the kindness and attention which it was possible for his former parish priest, Rev T O'Connell, and the parishioners to bestow. Father Hudson, who has been taken from us to share the joys of that world where there are no more sorrows or trials, had borne his sufferings with remarkable cheerfulness, patience, and resignation. Indeed his cheery disposition was never more noticeable than during his illness. From the first almost his case was deemed a hopeless one, as it was foreseen that rapid consumption would be the immediate result, which, indeed was the proximate cause of his death. Father Hudson was a native of County Longford, educated for the priesthood at St Patrick's College, Carlow, and was ordained in June 1880. He arrived in Queensland towards the end of that year and almost immediately was appointed curate in Toowoomba, the present Bishop of the diocese being the parish priest of that mission. Both in Toowoomba and Blackall, Father Hudson was a universal favourite, loved and respected by all. – RIP.(3)

As was the custom in those days, a month's mind was held for Fr Hudson in Brisbane:

On Thursday last, at St Stephen's Cathedral, there was an Office and Solemn Mass for the repose of the soul of Rev Patrick Hudson, who died recently at Toowoomba. His lordship the Right Rev Dr Dunne presided, and the following clergy were present: - the Rev J P M Connolly, Rev D J Byrne, Rev D Fouhy, Rev A Horan, Rev J Davadi, Rev T O'Connell, Rev J A Canali, Rev P Corrigan, Rev J Enright, Rev M Morris, Rev T Hughes, Rev J M Cummins, Rev F Dorrigan, Rev T Hayes and Rev P Brady. There was a large congregation. The Office commenced at 10 o'clock. At the termination of the Office, Solemn Requiem Mass was celebrated: celebrant Rev D J Byrne; deacon, Rev P Corrigan; subdeacon, Rev J Enright; masters of ceremonies, Rev D Fouhy and Rev T Hughes.(4)

The Toowoomba press reported the blessing of a monument erected over Fr Hudson's grave by the Catholic people of Toowoomba sixteen months after his death.

Erected to the memory of Rev Patrick Hudson
There are few more sweetly situated and secluded spots than the Drayton and Toowoomba cemetery, nestling as it does on a gentle declivity, with a glorious landscape of hill and valley extending as far as the eye can reach; and now here perhaps could a sensation of peace and rest be as thoroughly attained as in this God's Acre, the last resting place of our citizens who have passed away. Here it was the desire of the late lamented young clergyman, the Rev Patrick Hudson to be laid among his flock, and here the members of his congregation, the Catholics of Toowoomba, have erected a fitting tribute of their love and respect for their pastor.

Designed in the form of a towering and graceful column, seventeen feet in height, it is surmounted by a cross elegantly and chastely sculptured. At the base of column are four handsome slabs of marble, on every side.(5) The inscription can still be easily read as in the accompanying photograph.

Footnotes
1. Inscription on his cemetery Monument
2. Darling Downs Gazette, Toowoomba, 30 Jan 1886, p. 3.
3. Australian, Brisbane, 30 Jan 1886.
4. Australian, Brisbane, 29 Feb 1886.
5. Darling Downs Gazette, Toowoomba, 14 May 1887, p. 3.

Reproduced by permission of Fr Denis Long.