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

Mission superior; tertian master; spiritual guide; born Echuca, Victoria, 8 May 1929; died Hazaribag, India, 26 June 2013, aged 84.

Maurice Dullard, known to his familiars as 'Maurie', had three brothers and three sisters. Two of his sisters became religious and one brother became an Augustinian priest. His father died when he was quite young, and the family battled on. His primary education was in the State School in nearby Panoo, and for his secondary education he was with the Marist Brothers at Assumption College, Kilmore. He was recognized as a good student and excelled at Australian Rules football and athletics, representing his school in the combined Catholic secondary athletics competition. While at school, the Jesuit, Paul Keenan from Xavier College in Melbourne gave a retreat to the students, speaking much about St Ignatius. This inspired Dullard.

Having passed his matriculation in 1947, he joined the Society in Melbourne in February 1948. After philosophy and a successful degree course at the University of Melbourne, he was appointed to Hazaribag in January 1956, immediately joining the staff of St Xavier’s Hazaribag. He was prefect of studies under John Moore as principal, a post he held for three and a half years. Here his talent for administration became apparent. The boys found him an exacting disciplinarian and a good teacher, qualities that came into full play on his being appointed principal and rector in 1964.

After his initial teaching in Hazaribag, Dullard, with John Reilly, was sent to St Mary’s Kurseong, to study theology. Here he developed his love of theology, and in particular, his love of sacred scripture. Scripture became one of his life-long passions, his other passion being the spirituality and writings of St Ignatius. During his theology course, Dullard impressed his mentors, as indeed anyone who knew him, with his application to study and his sound grasp of theology. It was no surprise, then, that he was selected for postgraduate studies in theology, a course that never eventuated.

After theology and three years as principal of St Xavier’s, he was appointed superior of the Jesuit region of Hazaribag and Palamau at the age of 39, succeeding Ted O’Connor. This was the decade following Vatican II and an era of new ideas and pastoral renewal. He was a tireless major superior, devoted to the Jesuits, and to all who were part of the 'mission' of Hazaribag. He gave great support to Kenneth McNamara as headmaster and engineering consultant for sundry developmental programmes. Philip Crotty, living in a remote parish, experienced his concern, encouragement, support, friendship and occasional disapproval. Others were encouraged to initiate new pastoral initiatives, while Lou Lachal's appointment as parish priest of Bokaro Steel City ushered in a new era of development and consolidation for the Church. Tony Ryan was appointed financial manager, and for the first time arcae were set up. Also during this time, the Maheshmunda area was transferred to the Bhagalpur diocese. This meant that Hans Hendriks was moved back into the Hazaribag region, the result being the growth of the Santal Church within the Hazaribag area.

As superior of the region, Dullard was chosen as delegate from the Ranchi province to attend the 32nd and 33rd General Congregation; the latter elected Peter-Hans Kolvenbach as General.

For ten years, 1975-1986, Dullard served as tertian instructor for hundreds of young Indian Jesuits, interrupted by a year’s break for pastoral work in the parishes of Bishrampur and Nayakhar. In 2003 he was again tertian instructor, this time at the XTTI, Patna.

At six different times Dullard gave course in Ignatian spirituality and Ignatian history in Rome, Philippines, Thailand, Korea, Malaysia and Australia. He became one of the world’s experts in Ignatian spirituality. In January 1987 he was sent by the superior general Kolvenbach to Korea on a special mission to guide the Korean Jesuits through a difficult period of their development. The general had observed that the Ignatian charism was present in Dullard in a very special way.

After the transfer of Bishop George Saupin in 1988, Dullard was appointed administrator of the diocese of Daltonganj, while at the same time superior of the Vivek Sadan community. He remained on for two more years with Bishop Charles Soreng as his secretary.

From Daltonganj, Dullard, at the age of 68, was transferred back to Stanislaus College, this time as socius to the novice master, where he remained for the next six years. The novice master was Gabriel Kujur, later to be the third bishop of Daltonganj.

Then followed another two years as superior of Vivek Sadan, and in 2004 was back in St Xavier’s, Hazaribag, as superior of the community. From there he was commuting back and forth to Sitagarha twice a week to give classes in the juniorate. It was at this time he was seen riding a motorcycle to the consternation of those more conscious than he of his age and of his safety. He had a few spills, fortunately none too serious.

In all thee years Dullard was in constant demand as a retreat director and as confessor to religious communities.

At the ago of 80, Dullard's age was beginning to show, thought he was always reluctant to surrender to advancing age. Superiors thought that a move to St Stanislaus College would give him an atmosphere more fitting to his age, with an opportunity to continue teaching and mentoring ministries without the strain of commuting from Hazaribag. Dullard was not happy with this move, not because he was transferred, but because he thought they were exaggerating in thinking of him as an old man. Surrendering to weakness was not his style. Here he set about writing on the Spiritual Exercises. His book, Hearts Burning Within Us is a unique compendium of Ignatian texts and scripture arranged for retreat directors for any form of the Spiritual Exercises.

When asked by the editor of Jivan what he thought was the best contribution of St Ignatius, Dullard replied that Ignatius wanted virtuous and learned priests, qualities needed at the time. After that, Jesuits would have what was needed for other works. Dullard exemplified Ignatius’ desire.

From this time Dullard’s health was noticed to be in decline, and his memory become unreliable – the memory power which had always astonished his examiners in the Society’s exams.

His end came quickly. On 25 June he was unable to eat and was clearly very weak and disorientated. Surrounded by his companions, and fortified with the Sacrament of the sick, he died at 3.35 a.m. on 26 June. Three bishops attended his funeral Mass.

Philip Crotty described Dullard as 'incredibly hard working, always focused on what had to be done, and never wasting a minute'. As tertian instructor he would normally have 20 tertians and no assistant. 'His room was spotlessly clean, his desk always absolutely bare if he was not in the room'. He had an extraordinary memory, and could quote chapter and verse of all the writings of St Ignatius. 'He never used notes when lecturing and would fill the blackboard from top to bottom with quotes and chapter and verse.' This memory was also extended to verses from scripture. 'He spent long hours in prayer and was very loyal to the Church, though capable to seeing its failures.' He was universally known as a 'holy' Jesuit.

He was also a devoted superior, very caring of the needs of those in his charge. 'He almost never lost his cool, but had very strong opinions about what was right or wrong, especially with regard to 'our way of proceeding'.' He was a stoic when it came to showing emotions, but was devoted to his friends. The mission lost 'a teacher par excellence, and a spiritual guide to many'.

(Reproduced by permission of Fr David Strong SJ.)