Funeral brochure, 30 July 2015:
Fr Gregory Fraser Jordan SJ
1930 Born in Hamilton East, New Zealand; Secondary education at St Patrick's College, Wellington NZ
1948-53 Novitiate, Juniorate and Philosophy at Loyola College, Watsonia, Vic
1957-59 Regency at St Aloysius College, Milsons Point, NSW
1960-63 Theology at Canisius College, Pymble, NSW
1964 Holy Name Seminary, Christchurch NZ: Spiritual Father to 1st year seminarians until Aug, then Tertianship at Paray-le-Monial, France
1965-66 Brussels: studying catechetics
1966 St Ignatius College, Norwood: Teacher
1967-73 St Ignatius College, Riverview, NSW: Prefect of Studies (1967) then Rector, teacher (Religion, French)
1974-77 St Aloysius College, Milsons Point, NSW: Headmaster, teacher (Religion, sacred singing)
1978-86 St John Fisher College, University of Tasmania, Hobart: Rector, chaplain to university (1985), Newman Association, "Friends of the Prisoners" & Catholic Adult Education
1988-91 St Ignatius, Toowong, QLD: Superior and Parish Priest
1992-98 St Leo's College, University of Queensland: Rector, assistant college & university chaplain, at disposition of Archbishop Bathersby (1998)
1999-2015 St Ignatius, Toowong, QLD: at the disposition of Archbishop Bathersby, attache to Apostolic Nuncio in Canberra (Jan-July 2000); chaplain at St Leo's College (2001-03); Archbishops delegate to Latin Mass community (2002); chaplain to Medical Guild of St Luke (2002-03), Apostles of Mary (2002-03)
2004-15 Chaplain for St Gregory's Latin Mass Community, Medical Guild of St Luke (2006-15), Australian Catholic Students Association (2007-15), Faith on Tap, Lay Missionaries of Charity, diocesan exorcist.

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Fr David Strong SJ, The Australian dictionary of Jesuit biography 1848-2015, Second Edition, 2017:
Jordan, Gregory Fraser

Educator, administrator, pastor; born Hamilton East, New Zealand, 13 July 1930; died Brisbane, 19 July 2015, aged 85.

The death of Gregory Fraser Jordan from a stroke while saying Mass for his Latin Mass congregation came as a surprise to everyone, as he always presented himself as fit and healthy, and totally in command of his life.

Jordan was born into a strong Catholic family, the youngest of ten children, and was educated by the Marist Fathers at St Patrick's Silverstream College, Wellington. Being of deep faith, the youthful Jordan decided to become a priest and selected the Jesuit Order, which he entered with ten others on 2 February 1948, at Loyola College, Watsonia. Here he spent nine years completing his novitiate, philosophical studies, and a Bachelor of Arts degree (Hons) at Melbourne University majoring in English. It was during this time that he became involved with Bob Santamaria's Movement, from which he drew some principles and priorities for his future life.

Regency followed at St Aloysius' College, Sydney, 1957-1959, where he taught Latin, English and religion, and also was in charge of debating for a time. His students enjoyed his classes, not necessarily for the subject matter imparted, but rather for his ability to communicate intelligent ideas on a wide-range of related or unrelated topics of interest. This breadth of knowledge impressed young uninformed minds, as did his exceptional memory.

After theology and ordination at Canisius College, Pymble, 1960-1963, Jordan was posted to New Zealand and the Holy Name Seminary in Christchurch. He was spiritual director to the first year seminarians for one semester, before departing for tertianship at Paray-le-Monial, France, for tertianship.

These years brought a revival in the catechesis in the Church. After tertianship, Jordan was sent to study the new movements at Louvain, Brussels, (August 1965 to August 1966), with the intention of later renewing the teaching of religion in the Australian province schools.

Upon returning to Australia in September 1966, he taught English at St Ignatius' College, Norwood, until the end of the year, and then proceeded to St. Ignatius' College, Riverview, Sydney, as prefect of studies in 1967, teaching religion and French. He was appointed rector of Riverview (1968-1973), and was the last living traditional college rector in the province at the time of his death.

At Riverview he was involved with the important work of redeveloping the boarding house, which required relocation and rebuilding. He was the focus for approvals to build and for fund raising, which he did with the help of the Riverview Old Boys and influential benefactors. This major operation could not have been completed without the practical assistance of his Jesuit colleague, Ferruccio Romanin. Riverview owed much to these two Jesuits, as St. John's boarding house gave stimulus to further developments at the college in the years ahead.

As headmaster of St Aloysius' College, 1974-1977, where he taught religion and involved himself with sacred singing, he co-produced the Gilbert and Sullivan operas, continuing the long tradition of the college, and fulfilling his own appreciation of those operas from his youth.

A central activity during these years of leadership at Riverview and St. Aloysius came from working with Margaret Slattery in the NSW Parents' Council for Education Freedom, seeking ways and means for government funding to be available for independent schools. This work became all-absorbing for Jordan. Over many years he worked with passion for this cause, connecting with a wider network of independent schools, articulating important issues at stake, and seeking to influence political and educational leaders. Many hours of meetings over the years were required.

After his time in Sydney, Jordan was posted to St John Fisher University College in Hobart (1978-1986), where he immediately became involved with the life of the university as chaplain to the students and to the graduate Newman Society, as well finding a new cause, 'Friends of the Prisoners'. Most Jesuits had never heard of this organization, but it was typical of Jordan that he found a marginal group that needed support. He gave that support and promoted their cause with his usual zeal and passion.

Jordan moved to Queensland to the parish of Toowong (1988-1991), and later to St. Leo's College, University of Queensland (1992-1997). He was also assistant chaplain to the university. He returned to Toowong parish in 1998. He always found time to be involved with many groups. Among these were the Right to Life, the Medical Guild of St Luke, the Apostles of Mary, the Lay Missionaries of Charity, Faith on Tap, The Australian Confraternity of Catholic Clergy, and The Australian Catholic Students Association. In addition, with ever growing commitment he became chaplain to the St Gregory's Latin Mass Community, and became an official exorcist. In all these activities, Jordan showed his habitual commitment and passion to serve traditional groups within the Church that were not mainstream and needed support. He believed this attention could make a difference.

It was Jordan's deep-seated faith, inherited and nourished by his family that motivated and sustained him in all that he did. Never doubting his mission as a priest, in both the education and pastoral ministry, he was a man of conviction who inspired people with his intelligence and knowledge, combined with an ability to articulate ideas and communicate them with energy and passion. On the stage of life Jordan could never be ignored. He was a commanding presence, and his message, given with complete certitude was always challenging. He was never heard to express a doubt.

He had a great memory and was a fascinating story-teller, especially amazing people with his knowledge of the many families he knew and their connections with each other. He loved people and enjoyed company. Reunions of Old Boys from Riverview and St. Aloysius in Sydney or in Brisbane were frequently attended.

Jordan was a most faithful and faith filled Jesuit, an inspiration in zeal and commitment to the Lord and to his vocation. He loved the traditional Church, but was at home with the modern. He had devotion to the Blessed Sacrament and to Our Lady, and was proud of being a servant of the Church. He was a good companion, eloquent, gregarious and courageous, noted for his candour, sonorous voice, wit and charm, adaptability and acceptance of everyone, no matter their views on life.

(Reproduced by permission of Fr David Strong SJ.)