Fr David Strong SJ, The Australian dictionary of Jesuit biography 1848-2015, Second Edition, 2017:
Egan, Matthew

Teacher and philosopher; born Melbourne, 8 July 1872; died Melbourne, 9 July 1941, aged 69.

Matthew Egan was educated at St Patrick's College, 1881-86, and Xavier College, 1887, obtaining honours in classics at the matriculation examination. He entered the Society, 1 February 1888, at Xavier College, was a junior at Loyola College, Greenwich, 1890-91, and taught for the following seven years at Xavier College and St Aloysius' College, Bourke Street.

Egan was sent to Louvain for philosophy, 1897-1900, which was followed by four years of theology at Milltown Park. He completed the long course and was professed of the four vows, 15 August 1906. Tertianship was at Mold, Wales, 1904-05.

Upon arrival back in Australia, he was sent to Xavier College, 1905-21, teaching senior classes, and was also prefect of studies, 1906-7. From 1921-27 he taught at St Patrick's College. This was followed, 1927-35, by teaching philosophy and Greek, geology and sociology, at various times, at Corpus Christi College, Werribee. He was also spiritual father, and, in 1932, was an examiner in quinquennials, edited the Jesuit Directory, was a consultor of the vice-province and taught philosophy. In 1933 he was also a book censor.

In his final years at Loyola College, Watsonia, and at the parish of Hawthorn, 1936-41, he was in ailing health, but still gave retreats, examined Ours, and became secretary to the provincial and archivist of the vice-province. Also, he assisted the editor of the Messenger, writing a series of articles on social questions.

Egan was a man of encyclopedic knowledge and extraordinary ability, and he used these gifts to the full in the service of others. Utterly unselfish, he never seemed to give a thought to his own comfort or entertainment. His recreation was his work. He was a non-smoker and a total abstainer. Yet, there was nothing hard or unlovable in his character. He was kindness itself, and was greatly loved by all who came into contact with him. During the last three years he lived a hard life, as he was suffering from cancer that required many operations. He was never heard to complain about his illness.

He was one of the most brilliant and learned Jesuits to have worked in Australia. He was particularly well versed in the classics and in philosophy, and he made himself an authority on sociology, at a time when that subject was not a passport to fame and fortune. He wrote many articles on the social apostolate, especially during 1917-1919, making special contributions to the short-lived periodical Australia. A Review of the Month. His articles focused on social and economic issues; but also, especially in his 'Notes and Queries', he responded to various questions arising from contemporary life. His articles included 'International Socialism', 'Wages? Cooperation?' 'Religion and Progress', 'Catholic Action' and 'Race Culture and Morality'. His comments included such topics as 'Miracles and Law', 'Sex Education', 'Social Study in Schools', 'Private Judgment', 'the New Democracy', ‘Faith and Knowledge', 'Religion and Spiritism', 'Catholics and Public Life', 'The Church and the Bible', and 'Unjust Methods of Profits'.

He was also a deeply spiritual man, and it is noteworthy that in every house he served after his ordination he was made spiritual father. His great gifts were marred by a temperamental defect that prevented them from making the impact they might have made: he was painfully shy, and found it difficult or impossible to take part in public meetings and discussions. Those who knew him rated him very highly indeed, but he was not as well known as well as he deserved to be.

(Reproduced by permission of Fr David Strong SJ.)