RIP, Br James: Farewell to a Life of Faith and Simplicity
- maristbrothers
- Jul 15
- 4 min read
On 14 July, Br James McBride FMS passed away in Aotearoa New Zealand. Below is an obituary written by Br Peter Carroll, Provincial of the Star of the Sea Province.
Br James McBride died in Lower Hutt, Aotearoa New Zealand, on 14 July. He was 98 years old and had been a Brother for nearly 81 years. Some weeks ago, James suffered a fall and was hospitalised. He returned to the rest home but never fully recovered. Over the last week he was eating and drinking very little. It became clear that the end was approaching. He died quietly in the afternoon.
He has been a resident at the rest home since 2016, and he was content and well looked after and much valued. This afternoon one of the carers wrote: “It’s a sad day with the passing of such a lovely man who was loved by all the staff”. We thank them for their support and care of him.
Thomas Malcolm McBride was born in Greymouth on 21 December 1926. He loved the place of his birth and was “a very proud west coaster” throughout his life. It’s worth noting that the Catholic community in Greymouth and surrounding West Coast (South Island) was close-knit, vibrant, and sometimes staunchly working class. The Catholic proportion living on the 'West Coast' was higher than in any other Province in New Zealand and produced a significant number of vocations to priestly and religious life. James was one of many.
His father, Michael (Mick) McBride, was a labourer and railway worker, and his mother, Catherine (Kit) McBride (nee O'Donnell), was a stay-home mother of four. Their residence in Murray Street was a happy one and Tom grew up with his three older siblings. His brother, Charlie McBride, went on to make a mark as a Rugby League player who played 20
tests for New Zealand and was inducted into the Rugby League’s Legends of League in 2020.
James met the Marist Brothers through his schooling and took up the ‘recruiters’ invitation to ‘try the Brothers’. He thus found his way to the juniorate at Tuakau, and then the novitiate at Claremont. He professed First Vows there on 12 September 1945, and after a short Scholasticate, commenced his ministry as a teacher.
Unfortunately, I didn’t come to meet James until recent years. That is my loss. However, it doesn’t take too long with such a person to realise their goodness. It’s easily detected for goodness has a way of shining through.
It’s no wonder that he was selected to work in Formation, for it is such models that young Religious need. In all, he spent over twenty years in various Formation Houses, in Juniorate, Postulancy, Novitiate, Scholasticate; in New Zealand, Fiji and Australia. To generations of Champagnat Marists he was a witness of what it means to live life as a Brother, authentic, thoughtful and faithful.
Br Tim Leen developed a close bond with James going back to his time as a Postulant. Sadly, he is currently in Kiribati, undertaking tasks for the Province, but he has offered some reflections. He sums James up in three words – Gracious, Gentlemanly and Grateful!
“A man who never spoke an unkind word and who never missed an opportunity to express his gratitude even for the smallest act of kindness such as a visit to the Rest Home…James was one of the last true Marist Brothers branded with the old trademark of ‘simplicity.’ He delighted in living Marist simplicity. He lived the Marist Pillars with a smile on his face and without ever needing to preach about them…His happiness was based on a simple and regular living of religious life. And this brought him peace that he radiated to everyone.
“James was not a highflyer, a trend setter or a Koru Club Member. He was just one of those Marist Brothers faithful to his prayer life, the Eucharist, his mission and who loved living a simple religious life faithfully. And of course, he so loved his Brothers in community”.
During his time in Invercargill with James, Tim gave him another name, “the charmer”. James was the Principal there and Tim observed parents coming to school upset about something. “They would go into the office and then ten minutes behind closed doors with James they would come out like pussycats licking their lips with milk. The ‘charmer’ had won them over again through his graciousness and gentleness”.
Tim concludes his reflection: “Before leaving for Kiribati I went to visit James. I opened his door and there was that huge smile that had greeted me over the last fifty…I asked him if he wanted to come to Auckland to be with the Brothers. He could have answered me in many different ways. He simply looked up, smiled and said, “Tim, I am very content here.” And he was to the end. A simple, gracious gentleman filled with gratitude. Thank you for being an outstanding long term Juniorate and Novitiate formator in New Zealand, Australia and Fiji, a committed community man, teacher, principal, and one of our best golfers. But mainly, for being a simple faithful friend to us all”.
We can all say “Amen” to that.
Br James now rests in the warm embrace of our God who is love.
Written by Br Peter Carroll, SoTS Provincial.
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