Epitaph for Rev. Hugh Malone

O Jesu, Deus verax magnus

Judex potens formidandus

At Judex bonus plusquam Clemens

Supplicantis exaudi preces.

0 misericors, o misericors,

0 tu solus non immisericors

Comple opus quod incipit tua mors

Cum beatis sit hic jacentis mors.

Vide quantus tibi datur honor

Quantus quoque ministro favor

Quum virginis matris tuae natali

Reddidit spiritum in sacro tribunals.

Dum dira cum false sua adstabat

Minister tuus a culpis reos solvebat

Dic ergo invicem Serve bone et fidelis

Intra in gaudium domini tui.

Et tu frater qui isticstas et legis

Memento hic jacentis Hugonis fratris

Preces supplex in alto mitte Patri

Ut sitis semper tu et ille beati.

Translation    

0 Jesus, God both true and great,

Judge powerful, dread potentate,

And merciful-yet still most just,

0 hear my prayers, who in Thee trust.

0 Merciful, 0 Merciful,

Thou Who alone art not unmerciful,

Complete the work Thy death begot,

 And with the saints make this man's lot.

What glory to Thy name was brought,

And to Thy priest what favour wrought,

When, on the feast of Thy Mother's birth,

From the Penance box his soul left earth.

While Death stood nigh with sickle, grim,

This priest absolved the people's sin,

Give him, in turn, the great reward

To enter into the joy of the Lord.

And thou, o friend, who stands to read

Forget not Hugh, who lies in need;

Send fervent prayers to God on high

That he and you be happy for aye.

The above Latin inscription marks the grave of Father Hugh Malone to the north-east of the ruined Abbey in Kilgeever. He died on Sept. 8th, 1845, aged 65 while he was hearing Confession. The epitaph was copied by Pádraic Ó Móráin of Kilmeena and appeared in “An Choinneall”. Thanks to Fr. Leo Morahan, Louisburgh for permission to publish.

The third quatrain refers to Father Malone's death which took place while he heard Confession. He was curate in Kilgeever Parish, 1837-'45.