John Chisholm
(Northern District and Diocese of Aberdeen) Born in Strathglass, 9th January 1848, the son of Alexander Chisholm and Sarah McDonald, and a nephew of Bp. John MacDonald; ordained a priest in Valladolid by Cardinal Moreno, Archbishop of Valladolid, 30th May 1874, and left for Scotland, 11th June 1874; sent to mission at Nairn, where he died, 6th May 1881.
| Date | Age | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 9 Jan. 1848 | Born Guisachan, Strathglass | |
| 1864-1867 | 16 |
Blairs |
| 6 Oct. 1867 | 19 |
Arrived in the College |
| 30 May. 1874 | 26 |
Ordained a priest in Valladolid by Cardinal Moreno, Archbishop of Valladolid |
| 11 Jun. 1874 | 26 |
Left for Scotland |
| 1874-1881 | 26 |
Nairn, and serving the soldiers at Fort George |
| 6 May 1881 | 33 |
Died Nairn |
Report of the ordination of John Chisholm in the Scottish Catholic Directory of 1875.
The Rev. John Chisholm was born at Guisachan, Strathglass, on the 9th January, 1848; entered Blairs College in July, 1864; and was sent to the Scots College, Valladolid, in September, 1867. He received the Tonsure and Minor Orders on the 27th February, 1874, from Cardinal Moreno; and was ordained Sub-Deacon on the 28th February, Deacon on the 21st March, and Priest on the 30th May, by the same Prelate. He returned to Scotland in June, and was stationed at Nairn.
Obituary of John Chisholm in the Scottish Catholic Directory of 1882.
Pray for the soul of the Rev. John Chisholm, who died at Nairn on the 6th May, 1881, in the 34th year of his age, and the 7th of his priesthood.
This amiable and accomplished Priest, by whose early death the Diocese of Aberdeen has suffered a very severe loss, was born at Guisachan in Strathglass on the 9th January, 1848. He began his clerical studies in Blairs College, and completed them in the Scots College, Valladolid, to which he was transferred in September, 1867. His superiors in the latter Seminary, whose opportunities of observation were so abundant, conceived so high an opinion of his character and abilities, and his conduct and application were so entirely satisfactory to them, that they thought of him as one well fitted to return, when a Professor might be wanted, in that capacity to the College. In late years, when approached on the subject, he expressed himself willing to devote himself to the arduous and responsible duties of this office. He was ordained Priest at Valladolid on the 30th May, 1874, by Cardinal Moreno. On his return to Scotland, in June following, he was appointed to the Mission of Nairn, and also to attend to the Catholic soldiers at Fort-George. Full of faith and piety, and burning with zeal, the young Missionary devoted himself to the work of his ministry. Of a most obliging and unselfish disposition, of an agreeable and winning presence, he soon gained the affections of his flock, and the esteem of all who came in contact with him. He had a certain frankness of mind, a certain joyousness, that made him specially dear to those that knew him well. His zeal for souls went beyond his own flock: he yearned for the conversion of those without. He watched and studied the religious movements of the day, and wrote, as opportunity offered, able letters—for his abilities were considerable—to the papers, to correct errors, to remove prejudices, and to instruct his countrymen about the faith. He diligently studied the questions which now agitate the different Presbyterian bodies in this country, and collected materials to take such part in them as opportunity might present. He was no less diligent in his studies for the good of his own flock. He carefully prepared his instructions; and the notes of the last sermon that he delivered were found in his prayer book, after his death, in so complete a state that they have been published as a Memento of him. He loved the beauty of the House of God, and did all that lay in his power to make both his Church and the services of religion attractive. It is foreign to the purpose of this notice to enter into the secret and inner life of the Priest, but one of his pious practices may be mentioned as giving a glimpse of it. It is that, when by himself, he never left his house without making a visit to the Blessed Sacrament, and on his return never failed to repeat it. The Mission of Nairn entails considerable fatigue on the Priest in charge, and Mr. Chisholm’s constitution was far from being strong. Some years ago his health gave way and he was obliged to retire to Bournemouth for a time; but he returned to his work with fresh energy as soon as he was permitted to do so. At Christmas last he burst a blood-vessel in the lungs through overexertion, and had once more to cease from active duty. He seemed to be making a happy recovery, and went back to his post in Lent, but the recurrence of a rupture of the same kind, and from the same cause, soon carried him off. He prepared for his end with great composure and peace. He received the last Sacraments with exceeding fervour, retaining consciousness and joining in the prayers for the dying until he breathed his last on Friday the 6th May. On Monday following, amidst the tears and lamentations of his people, many Protestants of the town joining them, the body was conveyed to Nairn Station and thence to Eskadale, that he might be buried in the Catholic Cemetery there, in his own native Strathglass. On Tuesday several of the Clergy and great numbers of others attended at the Church of Eskadale, when the Bishop of the Diocese, Mr. Chisholm’s uncle, celebrated a solemn Mass of Requiem. Several gentlemen of the neighbourhood sang most feelingly the Gregorian Mass for the dead. After the last absolutions a procession was formed, and the body was borne to the Cemetery; the grave was blessed, and the dead, covered with flowers, was laid to his rest. Some members of his flock bad journeyed from Nairn to be present at the last sad offices, and their grief and tears, as they kissed the grave where they had to leave the body of their pious young Pastor, whom they had appreciated so highly and loved so dearly, touched the hearts of all present.