A Titanic Faith
Not all Titanic-related stories are tragic clickbait…
Father Thomas Byles was hailed as the leader of the three priests pictured above. Here’s how he found himself on Titanic:
Fr. Byles was born to a Protestant minister in Leeds, England, but converted to Catholicism while studying theology at Oxford University. He was ordained in Rome in 1902.
Ten years later, Byles' younger brother William, who also converted to Catholicism, asked him to travel to New York to officiate at his wedding, leading the young priest to book a ticket on the Titanic's ill-fated maiden voyage.
It is reported that Byles was offered a spot on a lifeboat but stayed behind to minister to those — particularly passengers in steerage — who were barred from escaping.
He encouraged the other two priests to join him in leading the people in saying the Rosary and hearing their confessions.
I can easily imagine them also intoning this at some point:
“Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for thou art with me.”
1.5-minute synopsis video here:
(Since 2015, efforts are underway to beatify Fr. Byles as a saint.)
There's truly a touch of the divine when people in extremis keep their humanity.
Mick,
I think of you, especially, with Your Work on-the-streets, as A True Follower of Christ.
Your recent Piece, about jumping into Action, & then fostering cooperation with some quick witted & confident safety commands, to those present & surrounding, the scene where the lady fell down & hurt herself, was a testament, to Your Concerned Heart, to your fellowman.
I offered you the song, in the Spirit, that Jesus was Singing to You !