"There was something about him (Father Hyland) that was innocent and angelic. Could it have been the special gift of the Holy Ghost?" - Most Rev Charles F. Buddy in his eulogy of Father James Hyland
"Others see us better than ourselves. Hearty, friendly, tirelessly industrious though we knew him to be, few of us caught that innocence of spirit Bishop Buddy eulogized in Father Hyland. Some of us even believed his friendliness extravagant, his heartiness distasteful and his industry not disinterested. But Father Jim excused these things in us. His simple innocence refused to take offense. His heartiness won many souls for Christ, his friendliness many friends for the Church and his industry many lasting memorials to his honor in the Province and in the Congregation.
James Aloysius Hyland was born in Ballacolla, County Laoghis, Ireland on January 13, 1886. He made his primary and secondary studies in the parish school at Ballacolla and his college studies at Blackrock from 1904 to 1908. He went from Blackrock to the novitiate at Chevilly following his graduation and made his profession on October 3, 1909.
After finishing his philosophy at Chevilly, James Hyland prefected at Blackrock from 1911 to 1913 and came to the US in 1913 to finish his studies Ferndale. He was ordained to the subdiaconate at Ferndale on June 7, 1915, to the diaconate at Hartford, Conn., on November 18, 1915. He made his apostolic consecration at Ferndale on June 18, 1916.
Father Hyland's first appointment was as assistant at Holy Ghost in New Orleans, La., on September 8, 1916. Exactly one year later, he was appointed founder and pastor of St. Peter Claver's, Charleston, S.C. On November 8, 1920, he was again called upon to open a new parish at Holy Ghost, Opelousas, La. He remained as pastor here until 1935, when he was appointed to the Provinces Mission Band. In the preceding year, on January 2, he had made his perpetual vows in the Congregation at New Orleans.
In his 19 years' apostolate, in our Southern missions, Father Hyland's zeal went out also into the fields of oratory and literature. He became a colorful, forceful speaker and the successful author of two books, "Rome and the White House," published during the bigotry-filled years of the gallant Alfred E. Smith's candidacy for the presidency of the United States and "The Dove Flies South," a novel on the racial problem. To honor his literary accomplishments, Duquesne University conferred on him the degrees of Master of Arts and Doctor of Literature.
Later literary work consisted of a new series of short stories built around the character of "Little Chief," a California Indian, and an apparently newly-completed novel, still in manuscript, and found among his papers after his death.
After 11 years with the Mission Band, the last nine of which he covered western United States from Notre Dame, Chippewa Falls, Wis., Father Hyland was assigned to open the Province's new mission field in California and became first pastor of Our Lady of the Valley parish at Hemet. He offered the first Mass in the new church on August 22, 1948.
Three weeks before his death, Father Hyland entered St Barnardine's hospital in St. Barnardino for what was believed to be a routine gall bladder operation. Surgery revealed the presence of a fatal and advanced malignancy.
When informed of his condition, Father Hyland prepared for death with simple religious faith and sobriety. He suggested that well-wishers omit flowers and make use of the money for Masses and donations for a memorial collection at the Hemet public library, of which he had been an enthusiastic patron.
He passed away peacefully on Sunday, December 6, 1953. Bishop Buddy officiated and preached at the funeral services. Burial followed on the community property adjacent to the church, marking the first interment of a Holy Ghost Father in California soil.
Surviving are the following relatives: a sister, Mrs Ellen Egan of County Laoghis, Ireland; a sister, Sister Mary Gabriel, Incarnate Word of the Blessed Sacrament Sister, stationed in San Bernardino; a brother, Brother John Gregory, an Irish Christian Brother stationed in Australia and a former Provincial in his Congregation.
Father Hyland had become an American citizen and left a will bequeathing whatever he might be possessed to Father Provincial as administrator and executor. May his soul rest in peace and his memory among us be ever bright as his living self. May he verify the prediction of his bishop, who said that Father Hyland would express his child-like surprise at the beauty of our Blessed Lady in these words, "You are much nicer than I thought." - Our Province, 1954
