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a) Business/ Legal Aspects. b) Religious Practice and Powers. |
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a) Business/Legal Aspects: As a businessman, he didn't trust the Banking system of the time. He invested in real estate and used the earnings from these as a source of finance. In this regard, he was very correct. Between 1820 and 1821, 13 banks failed and commerce slumped, during the time of the 'South Sea Bubble' - a famous episode in banking history. As an accountant, he was brilliant in keeping meticulous records of all his financial work especially those relating to charity. Many of these have survived to this day. He had a very wide legal knowledge, particularly with regards to property, trusts and wills. One of the notable things about him was his appointment by many people as Executor to their Wills, an indication of their trust in him to efficiently carry out their wishes. He also attended to many Trusts, which is no mean task - Many of these required years of administration. b) Religious Practices and Powers: He went to Mass daily during his working life. All through his life, he often said the Rosary - a practice that started at home. He had a great devotion to the Blessed Sacrament and Our Lady. He also demonstrated a spirit of reverence to God. His personal Powers were of an unusual order. He had great powers of Persuasion - 'I want to build a school' and he did. For this, he needed and had great powers of Negotiation - to build a school meant dealing with many bodies and people, for example, the Catholic and Protestant Churches, the legal system and the Boards of Education. In times of the grief of others, there are many instances recorded which attested to his ability to have a power to dispel sorrow. People who lived with him have stated that he never had an uncharitable word to say about anybody - he was kind and considerate of others. Many commentators have seen his belief in the power of the spirit of Prayer, which he practised. One mentioned earlier was the thousands of masses offered for the success in building O' Connells School. Finally, he exhibited a great respect for others with his use of the power to dispense Charity, an example of which follows. |