“Let us love, not in word or in speech, but in truth and action.” (1 Jn 3:18) St John tells us in his first letter. These words - along with our Assumptionist Motto to work for the Kingdom of God out of love of our Lord Jesus Christ, “Adveniat Regnum Tuum; propter amorem Domini Nostri Jesu Christi” - helped shape Father Denis’s life.

Much to my regret I only really came to know Father Denis over the last few years of his life and realise that I have missed out. Wherever Father Denis found himself working, in and for the Kingdom of God, he gave himself totally to the mission entrusted to him, be that as a teacher or leader in a school, in catechesis or in pastoral care.

Father Denis died on Christmas Eve. This was the day on which Father Emmanuel d’Alzon founded the Assumptionists in Nimes, France in 1850. In Bethnal Green, we had prayed earnestly to Father d’Alzon for his healing, but it seems our founder and our God wanted Denis to celebrate this day of our foundation with them in heaven.

With Lent almost upon us, tonight I would like us to return to the Christmas story because it throws light on the true significance of Father Denis’s life. The Christmas story speaks eloquently of God’s great love for us in sending us his own Son, Jesus Christ, to live among us and to share our life. Our founder, like all great spiritual leaders, required of his followers not only that they love Jesus Christ but also that they know him and emulate him in all their actions; become other Christs. The gospel of St John reminds us that Jesus came as a light to dispel the darkness. A true disciple of Father d’Alzon, Father Denis certainly was a light in the darkness wherever he went, particularly in his preaching, which guided people towards the true light just like the star that led the Magi to Bethlehem. A light, a guide, another Christ; the more one reflects on the life of Father Denis, the more one realises why God chose to take him at Christmas. Like all great spiritual guides, having led us to the crib, he slipped away so that we, like the Magi, would not be distracted from our encounter with Christ.

As you know, we Assumptionists follow the rule of St Augustine. Not only is Saint Augustine a Doctor of Theology he is the Doctor of love. His love for God permeates and embraces all his literature. He was also a renowned orator. It would seem that St Augustine inspired not only this same love for God in Father Denis but also this gift of oratory. Many will testify to his eloquence, not just in his preaching which was inspirational and uplifting but in his conversation and storytelling which were a delight to all who had the privilege to hear him.

If Father Denis did not spend much of his life in Assumptionist communities, it was because God had other plans for him. Being deeply permeated with an Assumptionist Spirit, however, he never wanted to be separated from us.

Father Denis was born on the 8^th January, in 1939, to Stanley and Winifred Hough at Hooton in the Wirrel. His studies took him from St Ambrose School in Altrincham to the Xavarian College in Manchester. He joined the Assumptionists in 1958 (when I was still wearing short trousers!!!) He made his first vows on 15^th January 1959 at Possingworth, in East Sussex. His studies with the Assumption took him to Layrac, in France; then, recognising his potential, he was sent to Rome to complete his studies in Theology and where he gained an STL. He was ordained a Priest in Rome on 19^th December 1964 having made his final profession 2 years earlier. He continued his studies in Leeds acquiring a Degree in History in 1970 and later on a Master’s Degree. Father Denis then went on to teach at the Loreto College in Manchester and later at the De La Salle College in Sheffield as well as other schools. He really enjoyed teaching and his enthusiasm was such that he would bring groups of his students to visit London because he felt they needed to broaden their knowledge of other cities and their treasures, especially those related to their history lessons.

After leaving the world of teaching, Father Denis served in a number of parishes and a number of Dioceses: Nottingham, Hallam, Birmingham and Salford, and of course here in Westminster. Fr d’Alzon once said: “An Assumptionists should be dissatisfied with himself unless he has accomplished a hundred times more than he can. His rest must consist in doing a thousand times more.” These were not empty words; Father d’Alzon died of exhaustion because he did just that. Father Denis must have taken these words to heart, so much so, that his health, too, would break down because of the intensity and dedication he gave to his work of service, and explains why he moved from one parish to another so often. Once his health recovered, however, Denis would be eager to return to service. Even in the last days of his life, he told Margaret Caton, who so warmly and lovingly accompanied him on his final journey that he could not wait to get back into harness having already spent several weeks in hospital. . .

Just as in his teaching, in parish ministry, Denis was always much appreciated. In Hackenthorpe (Hallam) where he was curate, he virtually ran the parish as the P.P. was very often away visiting his sick mother. His apostolates included being chaplain to the Nottingham City Hospital and chaplain to Nottingham prison, a work he found very difficult and yet he persevered with it. He was remembered with much love in the Good Shepherd Parish, in Nottingham, where we worked for five years and which hosted his funeral. Well over 100 parishioners came to offer their thanks and pray for him, as we said farewell to Denis on 8^thJanuary. He worked in our former parish of Brockley, south east London. His parish visiting there was outstanding. It was both systematic and thorough and much appreciated. In the frequent weekend help he gave here in Hitchin, he soon gained a reputation as a preacher and catechiser. Although, in one parish in the midlands, he was attacked by a man who had come to him for help, this did not deter him from his desire to serve.

For a good number of years, he took his holidays in America. However this was really a busman’s holiday for him because he replaced the priests of the parish who were on holiday; this, too, was an experience he thoroughly enjoyed. The local bishop invited him to remain because the people loved him so much, but he loved England more and did not take up the offer.

Father Dennis is remembered among Assumptionists for his love of history. His extraordinary memory helped him remember the details of stories old and new that always made his visits to one of our communities memorable. As a student in Rome, visitors and other young Assumptionist students would want him to accompany them on any visit to this remarkable capital because of his deep knowledge and the anecdotes he recounted about all the places of interest.

If he was passionate about History, he was also passionate about steam trains and was sad to see them disappear in favour of the faster but faceless trains of today. Like him, steam trains had character and individuality.

He was a brilliant mimic, and on his visits to our communities - which were not often enough - he would soon have us in fits of laughter, especially in the sphere of politics. He was a Tory through and through and had no time for anything Labour.

He was always eager to discuss his reading and share ideas. Faithful to prayer and to his office, he would always spend time in thanksgiving after mass before leaving church or chapel. Cardinal Hume, whom he admired immensely, was a great inspiration in his prayer life. With the same passion with which he approached everything in his life, he embraced the teaching of Vatican II, which he studied carefully, not only to imbibe its spirit, but also to live it and promote it.

His sister's death was a great sorrow to him and left him feeling very lonely. He had looked after her so lovingly during her final illness, always wanting to do more. She had been his best friend, and, as the loving sister she was, she had provided him with constant support throughout her life. Denis was always very appreciative of anything done for him.

He was a great lover of music, maybe because he saw God’s creation as a great symphony that he wanted to help tune so as to better express its praise and glory of God. Being the perfectionist he was, he wanted everyone to contribute to the music but also to enjoy it as he did. In the example of Jesus, of St Augustine and of Emmanuel d’Alzon he wanted above all to restoreunity to creation.

The journey of the Magi from the east following the star was a difficult one that involved many a hardship, patience and perseverance; but they received many joys and graces along the way. Father Denis made a similar journey. Then, just like the Magi, he, too, encountered Jesus at Christmas and like them returned by a different route, a route that led him into the arms of the Saviour whom he loved so devotedly throughout his life. Given the passion with which Denis lived his life, he will not let death separate him from us. The great symphony of praise sung by creation continues and Denis will want to inspire and encourage those of us who knew him to continue to enhance this great hymn of Praise. We are the Christmas angels of today singing “Glory to God in the highest and peace to all on earth”. Like Denis, we will continue to nurture the Kingdom of God in us and in the world.

Thank you, Denis, for reminding us so eloquently of this.

With St Augustine, Emmanuel d’Alzon and with Fr Denis us let proclaim:

“Father, thy kingdom come!”

Tom O'BRIEN, aa, regional superior

Some photos of the requiem mass in Hitchin