Rev James Dynon SJ
Title:
Rev
First Name:
James
Middle Names:
Francis
Preferred Name:
Surname:
Dynon
Order:
SJ
Date of Birth:
Place of Birth:
Melbourne VIC
Country of Birth:
Australia
Date of Ordination:
Place of Ordination:
Country of Ordination:
Ordination Diocese:
Seminary:
Date of Death:
Place of Death:
Perth WA
Country of Death:
Australia
Date of Burial:
Place of Burial:
Karrakatta, Perth WA
Country of Burial:
Australia
Find A Grave URL:
Biographical Notes
Fr David Strong SJ, The Australian dictionary of Jesuit biography 1848-2015, Second Edition, 2017:
Dynon, James
Teacher, pastor, mission director; born Melbourne, 30 May 1910; died Perth, Western Australia, 24 September 1991, aged 81.
James Dynon was a student at Xavier College, Kew. In 1928 he was captain of the school, a notable influence, and good footballer in the back pocket of the first XVIII. He was also a good cricketer.
After leaving school, Dynon travelled overseas for a year and then entered the Jesuit noviciate, 26 March 1930, at Greenwich, Sydney. He enjoyed this time being a spiritual person, reflective and prayerful. He studied arts as an external student from Melbourne University, and then philosophy at Loyola College, Watsonia.
For regency, Dynon was sent to Riverview, 1938-40, where he was second division prefect. Theology followed at Pymble, and he was ordained, 8 January 1944, with the first ordination group from an Australian formation. Tertianship was at Watsonia in 1945. The next year Dynon was sent to Xavier College as second division prefect. Then, in 1952, he was appointed socius to the provincial, Austin Kelly. This was a wise choice for he was judicious, discreet, and totally reliable and committed. He remained 11 years in this office.
His next assignment, in 1962, was director of the Australian Jesuit Mission in India. He was not only a busy organizer, but gave great support to the many co-missionaries who assisted in fund-raising for this mission. ‘He was always at hand whenever someone was in trouble’ said Florence Stoney. ‘He was truly interested in people, and with a very personal kind of interest. He trusted people. As a result, people would be prepared to do anything for him’. He always gave credit to others for any success, constantly optimistic, hard working and enthusiastic, with the gift of infecting others with his own enthusiasm. He completely trusted all those working for him, and remained in this work until 1970. In later years, Dynon never lost his love and support of mission functions in whatever State of Australia he lived.
Then he was appointed parish priest of North Sydney, 1971-74. However, he became very ill and was close to death. He was sent to Perth where the climate was good for his chest condition. This opened up new pastoral opportunities.
He lived at St Thomas More College as chaplain, worked with the Newman Society, and acted as spiritual director to bikies, nuns, priests, brothers and bishops. But it was with the students that he found greater empathy. They loved him, especially the girls. He spent 13 years in this ministry.
After this he was moved to the Little Sisters of the Poor, Glendalough, WA, where he continued his CLC groups and kept his many contacts with the people of Perth. It was here that he died of heart complications.
Dynon was a man of faith, a loyal Jesuit, a faithful friend, a wise counsellor and much loved by all who knew him.
(Reproduced by permission of Fr David Strong SJ.)