Thomas Reilly was born in the Calton district of Glasgow on 29th March, 1911. At the age of five he was enrolled as a pupil at St. Patrick's Primary School, Belfast. The year was 1916. This may explain why, some months later, we find him being enrolled in St. Anne's Primary School, Glasgow, where he remained until 1923, when he proceeded to St. Aloysius' College. He gained his Higher Leaving Certificate in 1928, but since he had not included Latin and Greek in his studies, he went to St. Mary's College, Blairs, for two years to make good this omission. Always quick at learning languages, Tom found he had time on his hands and in the library at Blairs he found what his eager, enquiring mind was seeking. Books. He was like a hungry young boy in a cake shop. He devoured them. Not just novels and detective stories. Serious works by Belloc, Chesterton, Knox, Geurry, Marmion, poetry, particularly the works of Francis Thompson—he could recite "The Hound of Heaven" off by heart, but, being Tom, he never did so in public. This love of books, this thirst for learning was never to leave him, and when he went to St. Peter's College, Bearsden, in 1930, it earned him the nickname of "The Professor". This was not a title of derision but of genuine respect from his fellow-students, for despite his erudition, he was always unassuming. In the cut and thrust of student conversations, he enjoyed listening more than participating.
He was ordained priest in 1936, and appointed curate to St. Augustine's, Langloan, Coatbridg, remaining there a year, when he moved on to St. Mary's, Abercromby Street. Those were the days of glory for St. Mary's, before it was decimated. Parishioners had a deep sense of belonging, of being members of a community and took a great pride in their parish. Father Tom played his part in contributing to the vigour of parochial life. After seven years he was appointed to Holy Cross, Croy where he was to work for another seven years, and is still remembered not just for his learning but also for his affability. In 1951 he moved on to St. Mary's, Duntocher, and after four years there he went to St. Constantine's, Govan. It was during these years of his curacies that Father Tom's search for further education led him to enrol at Glasgow University, choosing classes which were timed so as not to interfere with the execution of his parochial duties. Despite this precaution, he was reported to the Archdiocesan authorities and ordered by them to desist. This, of course, he did, but nevertheless felt free, in his endeavours to cultivate his God-given talents to the full, to enrol as an external student at London University, taking a correspondence course, and ultimately graduating as a B.Sc (Econ. Hons. 2nd Cl) and an LL.B.
After four years in Govan, Father Tom was appointed parish priest of Sacred Heart, Cumbernauld. At that time, Cumbernauld was in its infancy, with very few facilities and no church. He did his best to overcome these drawbacks by setting up prayer groups and study groups in the homes of the handful of Catholics in his parish. Round about this time he
was also engaged in giving weekly lectures in ethics to male students for the teachers' Religious Certificate, and shortly afterwards he was appointed an assistant Schools Examiner in Catechism, as well as a Member of Council of Catholic Truth Society (Glasgow). In 1960 he was appointed parish priest of Blessed John Ogilvie, Glasgow. Three years later he was made Vice-Postulator in the Cause of Blessed John Ogilvie, and the work for which the rest of his life had been a preparation really began.
We have written about Father Tom's intellectual qualities, which were quite outstanding. He had other qualities of character which were to be tested to the full before this particular task was completed—unfailing optimism, dogged tenacity, the ability to work with and get the best out of his collaborators, boundless energy and an all-embracing geniality which made life-long friends out of those who shared his zeal for the cause of Blessed John. Most of his holidays were spent among dusty tomes in the libraries of Europe in quest of more information about Blessed John. When not on holiday he spent much time in giving lantern lectures and spreading knowledge of and devotion to Blessed John. He attended to letters from all over the world for information about, or detailing cures received through the intercession of John Ogilvie. Seldom did he get to bed before 3 a.m. He co-ordinated the work of the team of doctors who assisted him by gathering reports from the doctors, surgeons and pathologists concerned in the case of John Fagan. Undeterred by setbacks and disappointments he continued until he saw his, his predecessors' and collaborators', clerical and lay, and the doctors', efforts finally crowned with success in St. Peter's on 17th October 1976, by the canonization of St.John Ogilvie.
It was surely no coincidence, that the miracle that proved the sanctity of the new saint took place in Easterhouse. (When those who knew Easterhouse only by repute would commiserate with Father Tom, his invariable reply was "these are the kind of people Our Lord loves"). The Church recognised his work for the Cause by making him a Prelate of Honour, which embarrassed him considerably. In 1978, after eighteen years in Easterhouse, Mgr. Reilly was appointed parish priest of St. Monica's, Milton.
Although now an Old Age Pensioner, he set himself the task of building a presbytery-cum-hall in his own parish, next to the church. Two factors were to prevent him finishing this project. There was first the appalling weather of last winter. Secondly, the illness which was to kill him had already a firm hold on him. All through his life the Monsignor had been blessed with good health. So much so that he often wondered if God had forgotten him. He knew that to share in the joy of Our Lord he would have first to share in His sufferings. He was to learn before he died just how dear he was to God. He suffered considerably mentally, worried by the thought of his incomplete house; physically, as the cancer ate into him more and more; but he suffered without complaint sustained by the deep, undemonstrative faith which had motivated his whole life. He faded away until, like the Cheshire Cat, all that was left was the smile. And it is probable, that he will be remembered not for his erudition but for his smile.
He was an oasis of tranquillity in a hectic world; a wise counsellor to the troubled; a patient listener to the woes and heartaches of his fellow-men; a trusted custodian of secrets; a loving father to those entrusted to his care, instructing, tending, correcting them when necessary and fighting their battles for them.
He died at home in the comforting presence of his sisters on Sunday, 7th March 1982. The Archbishop of Glasgow was the principal celebrant at the Funeral Mass in St. Monica's on 11th March, the morrow of the sixth Feast of St. John Ogilvie. In the sanctuary were many priests from all parts of Scotland, while the body of the church was filled to capacity with a congregation made up of people from all the places in which Mgr. Reilly had served as well as dignitaries and clients of St. John Ogilvie, many of whom joined the cortege for the interment in the clergy plot at St. Kentigern's Cemetery, Lambhill. R.I.P. |
