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

Missionary; born Christchurch, New Zealand, 29 April, 1918; died Hazaribag, India, 17 August 1992, aged 74.

Stephen was the ninth child in a family of seven boys and three girls. One of his brothers was Monsignor Gordon Daly of the Christchurch diocese. After his secondary schooling with the Marist Fathers at St Bede's College, Christchurch, Steve Daly became a railway worker for three years as a station-porter, ticket-checker and storekeeper.

After he had made his decision to enter the Society he was told that he would need to complete his matriculation studies. This he combined with his work. He did not pass his examinations, but the provincial, John Meagher, did not seem to mind, and he entered the Jesuit noviciate on 13 February 1940 at Loyola College, Watsonia. Juniorate studies followed at Loyola. Two years later he suffered a nervous breakdown and was sent to St Aloysius' College, Milson's Point, for the next two and a half years, where he learnt to be himself in his work as a teacher.

He returned to Loyola College in 1947 for philosophy, enjoying games, study and his companions. He was particularly remembered for his fine singing voice.

Early in 1950 Daly went to teach at Campion Hall, Point Piper, the preparatory school to Riverview. Theology followed at Canisius College, Pymble, and he was ordained in Sydney, 31 December 1953. At the end of theology he was assigned to the Hazaribag mission in India, reaching Bombay, 17 December 1954.

Much of the following year was spent studying Hindi at Manresa House, Ranchi, after which he was assigned to the Rengarih parish to begin his apprenticeship, but this was interrupted by tertianship in 1957 at St Stanislaus College, Sitagarha. This was a good spiritual experience for him, and he offered himself to God to accept whatever might be asked of him. He made resolutions that remained with him until 1983 when he realised that many were pre-Vatican II ideals.

Mahuadanr was his next parish appointment where he worked with Lou Lachal for two years. In 1961 he moved to Hazaribag as assistant to Len Forster for a few months. In early January 1962 he was posted to Kanjia as parish priest for the next 16 years. He was a most zealous pastor in serving the people of his far-flung region. He was particularly good with the simple, remote and otherwise neglected people. Here he presided over the building of a convent in 1964 and a church/hall in 1973. Three years later he installed a small generator that gave the people electric light for the first time.

In June 1977 Daly was given a break and he took a holiday in Australia, and when he returned, went to Mahuadanr, where he set himself to study the Oraon language, which he mastered sufficiently to communicate with the people.

In 1979 Daltonganj needed a parish priest and Daly was appointed. He was there for only six months before being appointed to take charge of Chatra. He found his new parish quiet. It had a few good villages that he frequently visited. The Mandair area was also attached to Chatra at the time. He made a start on the building of a hostel for the boys at Chatra. It was there that he drew great satisfaction from doing small construction jobs himself.

After about a year at Chatra, Daly was appointed to St Xavier's community, Hazaribag, where he enjoyed working in the accounts office. He suffered from glaucoma, and finally underwent eye-surgery in Patna. He lost sight in the left eye, and his behaviour after surgery was described as 'hyperactive'. During the following year, 1983, he was admitted no less than three times to hospital in Kurji, and the final diagnosis was that he suffered from manic-depressive psychosis. It was decided to send him to Australia for further tests and treatment.

Daly returned from Australia and New Zealand, 1 July 1984, and, after spending sometime at Bhurkunda, was posted once more to Mahuadanr. He seemed to enjoy the work, but the next year suffered a blackout while on his way to say Mass. As a result he became an invalid for the last seven years of his life. He was unable to stand or walk without strong support, unable to speak clearly or to swallow food without difficulty. He was diagnosed as having motor neurone disease, and needed round-the clock care. He went to live at St Xavier's community, Hazaribag.

For the next seven years, the happy, jovial, joy-spreading, simple and genuine, devoted and available, zealous and hard-working man was obliged to spend his days confined to a chair, needing help to perform the simplest of physical tasks. During these years he drew strength from two daily practices, the celebration of the Eucharist and the evening hour spent with one of the Jesuit community. At these sessions he showed others his love and deep understanding of the scriptures. During these years he was frequently depressed for long periods, which was a great cross. He underwent a great emptying of himself.

He died quietly, peacefully, in the late afternoon. He had borne his infirmities with great courage. He was remembered by his Jesuit colleagues for the warmth with which he encountered people and for his great labours in remote areas of Chotanagpur.

He was the humblest of men, well aware of his weaknesses. His spirituality was traditional, but it influenced every moment of his life. He loved the Church, the priesthood and the Society, drawing much strength from companionship. A great many people followed him to his resting-place as a mark of their respect for him.

(Reproduced by permission of Fr David Strong SJ.)