Fr. Adrian Edwards, a veteran Spiritan missionary, died peacefully on Tuesday 31st October 2017 at 11.20pm, at the age of 84 in his new beloved Chester.
He was an outstanding anthropologist and a true missionary whose works span through many decades, in many parts of Africa.
He retired a few years ago at the Spiritan community, Chester. He loved the community life and was loved dearly by all.
“It is with shock,” according to Fr Mark Connolly, the community leader, “because in the early part of Sunday (29th October) afternoon, with a beautiful sunny afternoon, and filled with a tasty Sunday lunch, Adrian set off, not unwittingly in the best of health, for his usual walk around the suburbs of Chester. An accidental fall on a curb stone and the subsequent trauma and surgery exacerbated an existing heart condition and other medical complications. Adrian was prepared for his death and a few hours before dying received the sacraments of the church from Fr. Jude.”
May he rest in peace, with the Saints in Heaven.
He will be missed by his family and the entire Spiritans of the British Province.
The Requiem Mass
Funeral Rites
Date: Wednesday 15th November 2017
Time: 11.30am
Venue: The Church of St Columba, Plas Newton Lane, Chester. CH2 1SA
Interment afterwards at Blacon Cemetery, Blacon Avenue, Chester. CH1 5BB.
Wake:
The remains of Father Adrian will be taken into St Columba’s Church at 6.00 pm on Tuesday 14th November, with the Funeral Vigil Rites and Evening Prayer from Office of the Dead.
After the burial mourners are invited to a reception at the Spiritan Community, 60 Hoole Road, Chester. CH2 3NL.
Reactions to the news of Fr Adrian’s passing away has been flooding in, from all over the world, especially by many whose lives he touched in the ministry or teaching profession.
“… It is hard to believe, it happened so sudden, he was full of life when I saw him last week and just three days in the hospital but we thank God for his life, he was well prepared, and Frs Jude and Mark were there to give him the last sacrament. We pray that God grant him eternal rest.” – Kenneth Okoli, CSSp. Provincial Superior
“It is a real shock. Adrian was a unique figure of the Spiritan world and mission. His amazing expertise in cultural anthropology and linguistics, as well as his experience in the missionary and academic fields in Gabon and Ghana, were matched by a profound simplicity and openness, which made him such an admirable confrere.
His memory will be celebrated for long and in many places.
May he rest in peace, in the company of the Lord he served so well, and may the Spiritan family be consoled.” – Marc TYRANT, Assistente Generale, Congregazione dello Spirito Santo
“A good heart has stopped beating, a good soul has ascended to heaven.
Remembering his wonderful, exciting and gentle soul will forever remain in our hearts. He was a true missionary. Totally committed. May he rest in peace, together with All Saints in heaven.
My deepest sympathies go out to the Chester community and Adrian’s family.
May our Lord bless and comfort you all during this time of grief.
Please accept my sincere condolences.” – Uchenna Odenigbo
“I pray that God who has called him home the feast day of All Saints will grant him a place among the saints in heaven. Amen.
May he also console members of the Chester community and his family.
May the soul of Adrian and the souls of the faithful departed rest in peace. Amen.” – Fr Emmanuel Ahua
“Geoff and I are so sorry to hear the very sad news of Fr Adrian, a lovely, kind and gentle soul. Our condolences to the Chester community and to Fr Adrian’s family. With love and prayers.” – Ellen and Geoff Knowles – Lay Associate Spiritan.
“We were blessed to have this unique soul as one of our Spiritan family. It will be strange not to meet his friendly face when visiting Chester. He has had an impact on so many different levels and was an inspiration of fidelity to religious life. Heaven will certainly be a more interesting place with him there.
My special condolences to the Chester community and staff who took care of him and allowed him the freedom to live out his life in his own special way. May the saints of God welcome him this day.” – Philip Marsh
“On the eve of All Saints the Lord has called home his Good and faithful servant to join that other crowd of witnesses in God’s immediate presence.
May Adrian’s gentle, gentle soul rest in peace and joy and light.
I will celebrate today’s Feast day Mass for Adrian, this amazing Missionary and Anthropologist.” – Eamonn Mulcahy
“My condolence to the brothers in the British Province, and Chester community, where Adrian lived.
I remember the nice time we had together at Chester Community. I remember how he helped me when I was writing my Master thesis with his knowledge in Anthropology and missionary work experiences.
Adrian was such a wonderful priest and brother. So generous with his time and talents. May God grant him eternal happiness in heaven.” – Colman Kimaryo
I am very sad not to have been informed of the death of Adrian. We were close friends since 1962 and shared a lot of memories. It is by chance that I learn the news on the internet. I was surprised that he did not answer my emails anymore.
Looked up Adrian Edwards on your Spiritan site as I’m writing a short essay for VERBUM SVD. Only now realise that Adrian passed on to eternity on 31st October last. A wonderfully eccentric lecturer at M.I.L. in the late ’60s, he made me fall in love with social anthropology and cultural research – though my field is theology! RIP Until we meet again.
I’r Tad Adrian
Diedifar yw’r cariad at Iesu,
ac rwyt was i’r alwad;
rwyt ti ger allor y Tad
heno’n her, yn offeiriad.