FrChrisworked withfourPopes
THE life of Fr Christopher O’Brien was marked in true Dominican fashion last Saturday following the death of the 89-yearold Limerick native.
Resident in Moorehall Lodge for some years, Fr Chris was a popular face in St Magdalene’s for almost two decades following a 30 year stay in Rome, where his heart always remained.
For those years he served four Popes, John XXIII, Paul VI, John Paul I and Saint John Paul II, in charge of the Vatican vestments and robes.
When the new mass office at the Dominican opened in 2011, Fr Chris was very much in demand.
Every day, at a certain hour, he’d amble in and commence his ‘signings’ - mass cards for every occasion, Christmas to memorials, exams, whatever was needed. The reason was his remarkable handwriting.
Fluent in Italian, Fr Chris was in his element back then, remarking ‘ there’s a lovely atmosphere and people just want to stop and chat, which I love.’
He was well known as a walker around town and often strolled down to the Sienna Convent for mass and always popped in to St Peter’s.
Many great stories were told about Fr Chris last week, including one concerning his mother, who lived in London. He was friends with a renowned cardinal who on arriving in London said he’d go and visit her.
With the lift in the flat complex out of order, she got down on her hands and knees and scrubbed every step in the three storey building prior to the cardinal’s arrival.
He left home at 16 and joined the Order, spending 73 years with them.
Much praise was given to the staff at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital for their care and attention to Fr Chris in his final days.
He is sadly missed by his loving sister Ann, nephews, nieces, grand nephews, grand nieces, all his brothers in the Dominican Order, relatives and friends.