in 1903 mary died and robert reinforced his commitment to both anglican christianity and occultism. he made a retreat at the monastery of the mirfield fathers, the community of the resurrection, and considered joining the order. several of the mirfield fathers had an interest in rosicrucian and golden dawn christian mysticism, and regarded felkin as an eminent figure in that tradition. one of these priests, father fitzgerald, would later play a key role in bring felkin to new zealand.