Died Saturday November 11, 2023.
Devoted son of Winifred (nee Grealy), and Raymond (both deceased).
Dearly loved brother of Margaret, Sr Robert (both deceased), Peter and Don;
and brother-in-law of Peter, Patricia (both deceased), and Maureen.
Treasured uncle to his nieces and nephews, Matthew, Stephen,
Christine, Louise, Bernadette, Daniel, Timothy, Mary-Louise,
Jonathan and Fiona, and their partners.
Loved great uncle and great-great uncle, as well as loyal friend to many.
He devoted himself to God’s work with love and compassion for 71 years.
The Pontifical Concelebrated Mass of Christian Burial for the late
MONSIGNOR ROBERT AITKEN
will be held in the Cathedral Church of St Francis Xavier, 17 Wakefield Street, Adelaide
on Friday, November 24, 2023 commencing at 12:00 p.m.
The Committal Service will follow in the Catholic D Section of
Centennial Park Cemetery, 760 Goodwood Road, Pasadena.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations for the
Sr Janet Mead Adelaide Day Centre for the Homeless would be appreciated.
Envelopes will be available at the Cathedral.
Remembering the happiest of times at the cathedral, a great saintly man now partaking in glory xxx
Generous with his time and advice, a wonderful teacher and a compassionate listener. His Faith and Knowledge has stayed with me from the first day my husband and I met Monsignor Aitken. RIP dear soul in the loving arms of our Heavenly Father and Blessed Mary.
On behalf of my mum and dad Patricia and Helmut both deceased.. may I say what a loyal friend you were to both of them, always there whey they needed you , you are the perfect example of true Christianity and great friendship.. it was a pleasure catching up with you in the nursing home last year and an absolute honour to have known you. Rest in peace monsignor forever in gods care .. Christine Woolaston
I first met you Monsignor Aitken at St Francis Xavier Cathedral in the 1980's after moving to Adelaide. You and your beautiful Masses helped me with the enormous change in my life and gave me encouragement and hope. Thank you to the most brilliant priest from Mary xx
Such wonderful memories growing up around the Cathedral while you were Administrator. You were always so kind to everyone. There are so many fond memories - and I'm almost certain everyone who met you would agree.
Dear Father Robert , Wally & Sue advised me to go to the Cathedral and experience Mons Aiken. So I did, and I could take you to the place where I was sitting that day 30 years ago. The Cathedral was packed, yet you were looking at me. And, the Holy Spirit caught me! So, I converted to the Catholic faith! Whatever I have done or achieved in my faith over the subsequent years I tribute to you. Thank you Fr Robert, and may your soul rest in peace. Eternally grateful, Roger
So many great things to say about Mons Aitken! I will say, though, that the way he celebrated Mass transported me to Calvary! He slowed down at the consecration, giving us all plenty of time to adore our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament. I believe many of our prayers were answered because it was then that I prayed for more priests like him. Now I see young priests celebrating Mass in the same way, and giving homilies with wisdom, clarity and heart. A great teacher and homilist, gentle, kind and wise. A good and faithful servant to the end. Thank you, Mons Aitken, for your prayers and works to help bring the kingdom of God. Go in peace to be with our merciful and loving God. Please continue to pray for us in heaven.
Sending my condolences to the Aitken family. I'm the granddaughter of Linda Duke (nee King) - Cousin to Monsignor Aitken. Linda's mother was Florence Jane King (nee Aitken), sister of Raymond Aitken, Robert's father. My grandmother Linda (now deceased) spoke so fondly of her cousin Robert. The angels of heaven will be rejoicing at the arrival of Mons Aitken. Well done good and faithful servant. I wish I had met him on Earth. I live in Sydney but my mother Heather Aldis (nee Duke) will be attending the service on Friday. Love, Georgi xox P.S. I'm a Baptist but my Catholic husband Stephen Connell had the fortune of knowing Mons Aitken and hearing his wonderful homilies many times. I feel that his messages would have been as inspirational as my Grandfather's (the Rev Frederick Clifton Aldis) sermons. May they meet in Heaven.
We very much enjoyed Monsignor Aitken's Catholic teachings class (twice!) . We also thank him for his help and support as we were preparing to get married. It is a great loss to the Catholic Church. He was a lovely man and our thoughts and prayers go out to his family at this sad time. God bless.
I was, with my brother, an alter server from 1974 to the early 1980s. Monsignor (he actually preferred the title Father even after his elevation) Aitken was ever-present during the Sunday High Mass. The choir, lead by the late James Govenlock, was superb (Kitson Masses were a regular feature), and Mgr. Aitken's sermons were polished, eloquent and delivered from memory. He was a true believer of priestly poverty. He drove a Ford Zephyr until it would take no more and then reluctantly but gratefully received a gift of a new car from some of his congregation. He never forsook the modest elements of his office. Mgr. Aitken will be remembered for his gentleness and unwavering faith and commitment to the Lord. A wonderful man.
Rev.Monsignor Aitken - We enjoyed your Homily and your infectious smile when the Choir began to sing the Gospel Acclamation and you were ready to hear a little boy at the age of 3 singing on que the Alleluia ,and tapping of your feet, now that young boy is actually 41 years of age. R.I.P we will miss you,and the memories.
We remember with love Leon’s cousin and dear friend Mons Bob, who kindly con celebrated our wedding with Fr Joe Grealy and continued to be part of our lives - Denise. A wonderful man and dedicated priest. Much loved
A wonderful priest, his homilies of the 1970s still resonate, well done good and faithful servant.
We remember with love and great admiration Mons Bob, Leon’s cousin and friend. I was honoured that you con celebrated with Fr Joe , Leon and my wedding 67 years ago. We treasured your friendship and admired your pastoral devotion. With love from Denise and family
All the Eucharistic Apostles of Divine Mercy send their love and prayers to Monsignor Aitken's family. We were very grateful Monsignor Aitken celebrated our Divine Mercy Feast Days in St Patrick's Church. He was always so gracious and humble and his reverent Masses and inspiring homilies touched everyone there - even a homeless lady who came in looking for money. Monsignor, we know that you are now seeing our merciful Jesus face to face.
Fond memories from the Cathedral. Rest in Peace
Thank you for the opportunity to watch the livestream and thank you for the example you set for all of us. RIP -Terrance, Margaret, Patricia and the team at Southern Cross Care, Lourdes Valley The Lodge
Remember him for his wonderful voice & homily's. A great servant of God & his gospel message. May his soul rest in peace.
What a beautiful service, and so many more memories of such a wonderful person. I remember being asked "How are you?" and when I responded "Good Thanks", I was met with "Oh, I know you're good, but are you well?" - and since then I *always* answer "How are you?" with "Well Thanks!". I think Fr Peter Z was quite accurate when he recognised that the closest thing you had to a flaw was "embarassing" kindness and charity....
I was so very sorry to hear of Mons. Aitken's recent death. I only just learned of it when I looked him up on line. I was born and grew up in Adelaide, but have lived in the UK for many years. Mum (Lynette), Dad (Valerians, now deceased), my sisters Bernadette and Lisa and brother Paul always went to High Mass at the Cathedral when the Mons. was Administrator. Mum (who is almost 92 and is in a home) and Dad were very involved in the parish, and Paul and I were servers there in the 70's, rising to the lofty heights of MC under the Mons. He was always a great friend of the family. He had a real eye for and love of celebrating the great feasts of the Church and I still miss his homilies, which blended wisdom and history with the teachings of Christ and the Church. Mons. Robert was such a learned, generous, humble and kind man and always made time to see me and my wife Julia when we visited Adelaide, usually insisting he take us to lunch or dinner. We'll miss him very much. Many condolences to his family. We'll keep Mons. Robert in our prayers. May you rest with the angels in God's glory my dear friend. Yours, Mark Skrebels.
A kind Father when I was his Altar Boy at St. Pat's; and a dear friend and mentor when I became an adult. His wonderful example led me into the priesthood. With much gratitude and affection always....
Tim Dibden -
Monsignor Aitken - you took care of me when I needed it most almost 30 years ago. I will never forget your kindness. One of life’s true souls. Rest In Peace