FX O'Brien | ANZ Clergy


About Help Contact login Rev FX O'Brien SJ Title: Rev First Name: Francis Middle Names: Xavier Preferred Name: FX Surname: O'Brien Order: SJ Date of Birth: 01-Dec-1881 Place of Birth: Dublin Country of Birth: Ireland Date of Ordination: Place of Ordination: Country of Ordination: Ordination Diocese: Seminary: Date of Death: 24-Feb-1974 Place of Death: Sydney NSW Country of Death: Australia Date of Burial: 1974 Place of Burial: Gore Hill NSW Country of Burial: Australia Find A Grave URL: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/300638517 FindaGrave - Person Photo FindaGrave - Grave Photo Biographical Notes Fr David Strong SJ, The Australian dictionary of Jesuit biography 1848-2015, Second Edition, 2017: O'Brien, Francis Xavier Teacher and administrator; born Dublin, l December 1881; died Sydney, 24 February 1974, aged 92. FX, as he was affectionately known, was educated by the Irish Christian Brothers and entered the Jesuits, 7 September 1899, at Tullamore. He obtained first-class honours in Latin and second-class honours in Greek during his juniorate and later studied physics at the Dublin College of Science. As a regent he was sent to Riverview, 1906-12, where he taught senior classes, worked in the boarding house and was editor of Our Alma Mater. He had a choir from 1909-12. After theology at Milltown Park and tertianship at Tullamore, 1912-17, he became a military chaplain, 1917-19, serving the No 5 German Prisoners of War Company, as well as the 30th General Hospital, BEF, France. He arrived back in Australia in 1920 to spend a few years teaching at Riverview. From 1922-31 FX was rector of St Aloysius' College, and usually prefect of studies as well; taught, directed the Sodality and a choir. Some Jesuits claimed he was too hesitant and undecided as a rector, and not much of a preacher or public speaker. However, in 1931 he was appointed rector of Xavier College for three years, and then worked in the parish of Richmond for a further two. From there he went as superior to the Toowong Parish in Brisbane and returned to St Aloysius' College from 1940-49, being rector again, 1944-48. He spent one year at the Preparatory School to Riverview, Campion Hall, before returning to parish responsibilities at St Aloysius' College, 1950-55. He worked from the church of the Star of the Sea. His final placement was the North Sydney parish. During that time he cared for patients mainly at the Mater Hospital, where he spent his day visiting everybody, whatever their religious persuasion. He was much loved because of his infectious good will, friendliness, and interest in people. In his earlier days he was much in demand for weddings and baptisms, but in his latter days funerals predominated. FX was a bright, cheerful, breezy person, wonderful at making friends, and had a prodigious memory. He made most impression on individuals and families, and he was a good community man. As rector of St Aloysius' College, he left no buildings, there were no departures from tradition and yet he was one of the most loved Jesuits ever experienced at the college. He revived the Old Boys Union, almost moribund for many years. He was president of the Registered Schools Association in 1927, one of the founders and first president of the Associated Secondary Schools of NSW, and was a member of the Catholic Education Council and the Catholic Schools Association. At the time of his death he was the doyen of the province. (Reproduced by permission of Fr David Strong SJ.)

Title:

Rev

First Name:

Francis

Middle Names:

Xavier

Preferred Name:

Surname:

O'Brien

Order:

Date of Birth:

01-Dec-1881

Place of Birth:

Dublin

Country of Birth:

Ireland

Date of Ordination:

Place of Ordination:

Country of Ordination:

Ordination Diocese:

Seminary:

Date of Death:

24-Feb-1974

Place of Death:

Sydney NSW

Country of Death:

Australia

Date of Burial:

1974

Place of Burial:

Gore Hill NSW

Country of Burial:

Australia

Find A Grave URL:

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/300638517

FindaGrave - Person Photo

FindaGrave - Grave Photo

Fr David Strong SJ, The Australian dictionary of Jesuit biography 1848-2015, Second Edition, 2017:
O'Brien, Francis Xavier

Teacher and administrator; born Dublin, l December 1881; died Sydney, 24 February 1974, aged 92.

FX, as he was affectionately known, was educated by the Irish Christian Brothers and entered the Jesuits, 7 September 1899, at Tullamore. He obtained first-class honours in Latin and second-class honours in Greek during his juniorate and later studied physics at the Dublin College of Science. As a regent he was sent to Riverview, 1906-12, where he taught senior classes, worked in the boarding house and was editor of Our Alma Mater. He had a choir from 1909-12. After theology at Milltown Park and tertianship at Tullamore, 1912-17, he became a military chaplain, 1917-19, serving the No 5 German Prisoners of War Company, as well as the 30th General Hospital, BEF, France. He arrived back in Australia in 1920 to spend a few years teaching at Riverview.

From 1922-31 FX was rector of St Aloysius' College, and usually prefect of studies as well; taught, directed the Sodality and a choir. Some Jesuits claimed he was too hesitant and undecided as a rector, and not much of a preacher or public speaker.

However, in 1931 he was appointed rector of Xavier College for three years, and then worked in the parish of Richmond for a further two. From there he went as superior to the Toowong Parish in Brisbane and returned to St Aloysius' College from 1940-49, being rector again, 1944-48.

He spent one year at the Preparatory School to Riverview, Campion Hall, before returning to parish responsibilities at St Aloysius' College, 1950-55. He worked from the church of the Star of the Sea. His final placement was the North Sydney parish. During that time he cared for patients mainly at the Mater Hospital, where he spent his day visiting everybody, whatever their religious persuasion. He was much loved because of his infectious good will, friendliness, and interest in people. In his earlier days he was much in demand for weddings and baptisms, but in his latter days funerals predominated.

FX was a bright, cheerful, breezy person, wonderful at making friends, and had a prodigious memory. He made most impression on individuals and families, and he was a good community man. As rector of St Aloysius' College, he left no buildings, there were no departures from tradition and yet he was one of the most loved Jesuits ever experienced at the college. He revived the Old Boys Union, almost moribund for many years. He was president of the Registered Schools Association in 1927, one of the founders and first president of the Associated Secondary Schools of NSW, and was a member of the Catholic Education Council and the Catholic Schools Association. At the time of his death he was the doyen of the province.

(Reproduced by permission of Fr David Strong SJ.)

Rev FX O'Brien SJ

Biographical Notes