Irish World and American Industrial Liberator (New York, NY) Saturday, June 16, 1894; pg. 5; Issue 1,242; col C (Obituary) OBITUARY. BRUEN. The Rev. James Austin Bruen, one of the most brilliant students of the Catholic University of America at Washington, D.C., died on June 4. He was a student from the diocese of Omaha, Neb. At the death-bed of the young priest were gathered the Rev. Dr. Hogan, president of the Divinity Department; the Rev. Philip O'Ryan, the Rev. Timothy, Bruen, his brother, and several Sisters of Charity. The body was taken to St. Patrick's Church, where the Right Rev. Bishop Kean[e] conducted funeral services. Bishop Keane preached a touching ser- mon on the character of the departed priest. The Bishop in his panegyric referred to a touching scene at the death bed of the dying priest. As he stood by the side of the dying man and spoke of the approaching union with God, Father Bruen raised his patient face and, forcing back the groan of pain that rose on his lips, he murmured: "Give me your blessing, Bishop, and send me home in peach." The re- mains were taken to Omaha in charge of the Rev. Lawrence Enwright of the University and the Rev. Timothy Bruen, brother of the de- ceased. Rev. James Austin Bruen was born at Ardpatrick, County Limerick, Ireland, Nov. 2, 1863. After completing his elementary studies he entered the English army as assistant to the medical corps. His aspirations turned toward the preisthood and he entered the Sacred Heart Col- lege at Limerick in 1881. Leaving Ireland, he spent a year in paris in further study. From France he passed over to Rome, where he en- tered the Capranican College and made three years of theological studies at the Roman semi- nary. He was ordained in June, 1890, at Rome. After ordination he returned to Ireland and spent a few months with his family before start- ing for his mission in America. In the Fall of 1890 he took his place among the clergy of Omaha and was stationed at the Cathedral. In 1892 he was sent to Kearney. After spending about a year there he was chosen by his Bishop, on account of his well-recognized ability, to rep- resent the diocese of Omaha at the University. In his three years of active ministry in the diocese of Omaha his zeal was indefatigable. The confessional where he sat was besieged by penitents who had learned by experience and hearsay of the wisdom and gentleness of the young priest. He heard confessions in Italian, French and English. In the pulpit his voice rang out with passionate eloquence that took the hearts of the people by storm and gathered round his pulpit crowds of listeners, Catholic and non-Catholic. His gift of eloquence was truly remarkable and gave promise of bringing him forward as one of Catholic America's great pulpit orators.