Santa Clara University

Ahh...Paul! Why did you have to leave us? Why did you have to die? Hearing the sad news today has put me in mind of the aching Irish melancholy felt all over Ireland after the murder by Cromwell's agents of the beloved Irish Chieftain, Owen Roe O'Neill: "Sagest in the council was he, kindest in the Hall: Sure we never won a battle - 'twas Owen won them all. Soft as woman's was your voice, O'Neill, bright was your eye. Oh! why did you leave us, Owen? Why did you die Your troubles are all over, you're at rest with God on high: But we're slaves, and we're orphans, Owen! - why did you die? We're sheep without a shepherd, when the snow shuts out the sky - Oh! why did you leave us, Owen? Why did you die?" Rest in peace my good and gentle priest and thank you for oh so much!