Fr Frank Cresp, Good and Faithful Servants: Recalling the Spirit of the Deceased Priests of the Diocese of Port Augusta and Port Pirie 1888-2008, 2008:
Karlinger, Sigismund, SJ

Born: 2/1/1837 at Langenfeld, Otztal, Tyrol, Austria.
Entered the Jesuits: 25/9/1856 at Baumgartenberg, Austria.
Arrived Port Adelaide on 10/3/1873. In 1877 he resided at Georgetown. 1889-90 Superior and Parish Priest of Port Pirie. Later at Georgetown and Jamestown.
He administered the Diocese for a time when the Bishop was away.
"From Georgetown he engaged with great zeal in missionary activities in the region and was much loved by the people he served." Returned to Austria in 1899.
Died: 1/3/1910 at St Andra, Austria. Aged 73.

(Reproduced with the approval of Sister Mary Cresp RSM)

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

Missionary; born Längenfeld, Otztal, Tirol, Austria, 2 January 1837; died St Andrä, Austria, 1 March 1910, aged 73.

Sigismund Karlinger, after his humanities studies and having read the life of St John Berchmans, entered the Society at Baumgartenberg, Austria, 25 September 1856. Studies of rhetoric, philosophy and theology followed. For three years from 1868 he taught literary studies to students at Linz, followed by tertianship in Prague in 1872.

He had the desire to work on the missions, especially in Japan in the footsteps of the Japanese martyrs and St Francis Xavier, but he was sent to Australia instead in 1872.

He arrived at Port Adelaide, Australia, 10 March 1873. The following year he was vice-rector of Sevenhill, and was solemnly professed at Sevenhill, 20 July 1874.

In 1877 he resided at Georgetown, and 1889-90 was superior and parish priest of St Mark's, Port Pirie, Georgetown and Jamestown. He also administered the diocese for a time when the bishop went begging for funds. From Georgetown he engaged with great zeal in missionary activities in the region, and was much loved by the people he served.

He returned to Austria in 1899 and lived at St Andrä, working at weekend parish supplies, and spending much time in prayer. He also gave spiritual direction and retreats, and promoted devotion to the Passion of Christ. He was fearless about his approaching death during his last illness.

Australian Jesuits believed that he was a fine spiritual father, a good and zealous missioner, and an excellent religious. His Austrian brethren believed him to be an ascetical man, affable and happy in company. He was well known for his obvious spirituality in both word and action, his love of the Society, and with his little interest in the affairs of the world. His last days were spent in much prayer and devotion.

(Reproduced by permission of Fr David Strong SJ.)