Searing grief troubles the Province of St. Albert the Great in the United States, and brothers of the whole of Dominican Family, as well as English-speaking Catholics, at the irreparable loss but a few months ago, the unexpected demise, on November 23, 1951, of our most kind and dearest Very Rev. Father, Master Walter Farrell, true son of Our Holy Father Dominic.

It is with a sad and grieving spirit to his companions, and to his readers we publicly announce his death; it pleases us to pay fitting praise to such a man, the light of truth standing in the face of error, and by works and examples still illuminating intellects and nourishing hearts.

Father Farrell first saw the light of day in Chicago in middle of the year, 1902. From his earliest years, forsaking mundane things, and called to the service of God, he cast his lot with the Order of Preachers, the habit of which he put on with an exultant heart in 1920.

Having completed his novitiate, he earnestly devoted himself to the study of philosophy and theology in the convents in Springfield, Kentucky, and Washington, until he was ordained to the priesthood in1927.

Then, at the University of Fribourg he earned the doctorate in Theology. From 1931 to 1942 he taught as Lector, first in Somerset, Ohio, and then at Washington; during the year 1939 becoming the Regent of the General Studium of the Province of St. Joseph, and from 1940 obtaining the reward of all his labors, promoted by the Most Rev. Father Master General at Santa Sabina to the highest grade of the Order to the applause of all. In the same year he was appointed as the first President of the Pontifical Theological Faculty in the General Studium at Washington, an office which he exercised for five years.

At the start of the war, which raged at that time almost everywhere throughout the world, urged by the love of this country, he served as Navy chaplain on the U.S.S. Yorktown. He then taught in the military chaplain school established at William and Mary University, an undeterred advocate of peace, showing great solicitude for souls, with the greatest praise in all he did. With the end of the war he returned to his former teaching, first in Washington, and then in River Forest.

Father Farrell, by his approach to philosophical and theological writings had gained a widespread name for himself, among which, it seems to us, the first, entitled: The Essence of Natural Law, published in 1930. He was especially praised for his work, A Companion to the Summa, in four volumes, which provides, even to this day for thousands of readers, a marvelous key to understanding the subtle Summa of Theology, of the Divine Teacher, St. Thomas Aquinas. His last work, published in May 1951, was The Looking Glass. In addition to the usual writings on theology, he produced four other works, which he had begun prior to the war, which remain unfinished, cut off by his death, of which a Life of Christ is considered of the greatest value.

P. Farrell from many other of his accomplishments this at least should be singled out: he was the co-founder and director of the periodical The Thomist, devoted to explaining the doctrine of St Thomas; co-editor and publisher of the periodical on modern spiritual theology, Cross and Crown. With a tireless pen he contributed to leading Catholic newspapers.

With great merit he made a name for himself by his intense promotion and propagation of Thomistic Theology, which as in catholic universities and academies, in colleges and institutions for educating youth, and in religious convents whether by himself or by others he vigorously pursued. In preaching and conferences he wholeheartedly devoted himself to popularizing this understanding of God.

As a Lector in the Houses of Studies of the Order in the U.S. by his wisdom for study and by the example of virtue he encouraged 500 and more Dominican priests. For this reason, his perpetual memory will remain, kindling forever the eternal flame of his life and teaching. R.I.P.

At his funeral at St. Pius Church, Chicago, Samuel Cardinal Stritch presided, accompanied by his Excellency Leo Binz, Coadjutor Archbishop of Dubuque, and Auxiliary Bishop G. Cousins, as well as the Mothers General of Congregations of Religious women, whether of the Order or outside - grateful for the solicitude of Fr. Farrell for sisters-, laity and countless Chicago archdiocesan priests, and with about 200 Dominican friends.