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

Teacher, pastor; born Melbourne, 6 September 1921; died Sydney, 26 January 2013, aged 91.

Gerard Windsor, former student of Thomas O'Donovan, affectionately known as 'Toddy', described him as 'a man whose transparent goodness both confronted and inspired…the authentic medieval saint'. Another student, Paul Brogan, who gave a eulogy at his Requiem Mass, used such phrases as 'a great leader', a humble and wise man, who never sought praise or thanks, and 'applied himself to the best of his ability in every undertaking'. He praised his 'courtesy, integrity, patience and gratitude, a man of rare decency', who showed equal treatment to all. Brogan experienced him as a great encourager, 'an exceptional teacher and speaker'. Such accolades spoke much of the esteem in which O'Donovan was held. He was a man of influence.

He had humble origins; his father worked in a haberdashery in Melbourne. After primary school with the Sisters of Mercy at St Francis and St Brendan's, he was recommended to the Jesuits at St Patrick's College, East Melbourne, for his secondary education. He was accepted on reduced fees. Inspired by his Jesuit teachers such as Thomas O'Dwyer, the rector (also known as 'Toddy'), Lou Loughnan, the prefect of studies, and William Moloney, he joined the Jesuits at Loyola College, Watsonia, 7 February 1938, with five other novices, desiring 'to serve God by winning souls for him'. After vows, he completed an Arts degree from the University of Melbourne, majoring in Latin and English, and studied philosophy, 1940-45, living at Loyola. Regency followed, 1946-48, at St Louis School, Perth, where he taught Latin, English, Greek, history and religion, and was first division prefect, sports master and involved in debating.

Theology studies were at Canisius College, Pymble, 1949-52. During his formation years, he was recognized by his contempories at a 'community man', encouraging all to work and play together. He enjoyed organising dramas and musicals as important community building exercises. Participation was the sign of being a good Jesuit.

After tertianship in 1953 at Sevenhill, South Australia, he was appointed prefect of studies at Xavier College until 1961, an acknowledgement of his leadership qualities. He taught senior religion, Latin, modern history, science, French and junior mathematics, and coached Australian Rules, cricket and athletics. As if this was not sufficient work, he organized congregational singing, and helped in the production of the Gilbert and Sullivan operas, as well as debating. His students were high in their praise of him, especially for his hard work, fair discipline and just treatment of all. He was also prefect of discipline, careers counselor, and Year prefect. As a successful coach of Australian Rules football, he exercised with the boys himself. His half-time exhortations, recitation of the Memorare, and distribution of sliced oranges, will be long remembered and appreciated as most effective to play in the second half.

The Jesuit visitor to Australia in 1961, John J McMahon, in recognition of O'Donovan's success at Xavier, appointed him rector of Loyola College, Watsonia, in 1962, where there were 40 scholastics studying philosophy at the time (19 of these left the Society during or in later years). As rector, he was conservative, and strict in demanding observance of traditional rules and customs. When Vatican II introduced liturgical changes he obediently followed, but was unable to understand the cultural and theological changes that were taking place in the Church at that time. Books written by theological periti before and after the Council were forbidden to the scholastics because of their perceived unorthodox theological opinions. True to his understanding of Jesuit life, he placed emphasis on traditional theology and customs of the Society that fostered unity of thought and action. Diversity was not acceptable. In his last year as rector, after six years, there were 26 philosophers, 16 later left the Society.

While strict with most scholastics, there were two priests in the community who required special care because of health problems. O'Donovan was the epitome of kindness and served their every need. A few scholastics in whom he believed but who struggled with studies were also shown unusual understand and assistance.

At Loyola, as throughout his Jesuit life, he was a compulsive worker. In addition to being rector, he was also prefect of singing, which he took very seriously, taught liturgy and homiletics, Greek, Latin, pedagogy, experimental psychology, and a 'Mystery of Christ' course.

At the same time he was the province prefect of studies and a province consultor. He wielded much power and authority while John Boylen was provincial. Boylen, a 'schools man' himself, relied heavily on the strong and competent O'Donovan. This influence was particularly seen in the selection of courses undertaken by the scholastics for their university studies. Strongly believing in the schools, he imagined that most scholastics were destined to be teachers. Hence, he insisted that practical subjects be chosen that would make them good and useful teachers. However, there were exceptions, as uncharacteristically, he encouraged Gerald Daily to undertake studies in psychology at the Menninger Institute, USA, as he believed that, from his experiences at Loyola as rector, the province needed better screening of candidates to the Society. He was critical of current methods of selection, believing them 'too haphazard', wanting more stringent tests and a 'regular board of examiners to interview candidates'. Daly was a particular case, resulting from O'Donovan's experiences of scholastics. He was not happy with the attitudes or qualities of some of the scholastics under his care.

Towards the end of his time at Loyola, there was strong belief that O'Donovan would be the next provincial. Not everyone supported this option, and ultimately Peter Kelly was appointed provincial. Ironically, O'Donovan was sent as rector to St Aloysius' College in 1968, the college whose development plans he had strongly opposed while a province consultor. However, true to his characteristic obedience, he followed through the development work of the college with his usual energy, vitality and enthusiasm. His years at St Aloysius' College were truly glorious years, as he raised the morale of the college to great heights, showing outstanding leadership, encouraging all and involved with every aspect of college life. He taught religion, English and sacred singing, and co-directed the annual Gilbert and Sullivan opera, as well as coached cricket and rugby. He checked out students leaving the school premises on afternoons after school, courteously encouraging them to have a pride in their college by wearing their school uniform correctly. Students of this era not only admired him, but also were devoted to him, and in later life they frequently expressed gratitude for his leadership and inspiration, enjoying his presence at class reunions.

Following his term of office as rector, O'Donovan was sent to Riverview for the next 17 years, once again showing extraordinary energy and dedication by being involved with many aspects of school life. He taught religion, English and history, directed the liturgy and singing, coached sporting teams, supervised dormitories and study, and was at various times religion coordinator, Year 12 form master, prefect of boarders, and assistant director of rowing to John Ramsay. Prayers were always said before and sometimes during rugby matches, and before rowing events. He could be seen early in the morning in the cloisters reading his breviary, and at the end of the day locking up the school: he was the last to leave. He commanded much respect and admiration among the students, treating all with fairness, firmness, encouragement and selfless dedication, never having to raise his voice, treating all as adults. His influence was extraordinary, making life long friends with many of them. In later years he was a most popular celebrant at their weddings. During 34 years of teaching, he was the consummate schoolmaster.

Towards the end of his years at Riverview, his long time friend, Gerald Drumm, the province mission director, died. The province needed a replacement, and showing respect for his friend, and always having had great interest in the mission in India, O'Donovan accepted the appointment as province mission promoter in 1990. The following year he went to live at St Mary's, North Sydney, while working at the Mission Office in West Street. He held this office until 2002, but assisted the new director, Steve Curtin, for a further two years. Organising the Maytime Fair in Melbourne and the Indian Bazaar in Sydney were the highlights of his work. He worked hard to coordinate his co-workers, always expressing gratitude for their voluntary service.

During these years at St Mary's, he was a most valued priest of the parish, saying the early 6.30 a.m. Mass, and regularly appearing for funerals, weddings and baptisms. He worked as hard as ever, never taking a holiday, which was characteristic of his whole priestly life. He had no apparent hobbies or special leisure pursuits, except interest in the fortunes of the football teams, Fitzroy and the North Sydney Bears. Work was his life. Parishioners appreciated his daily Mass; said with his characteristic clipped, strong, clear voice, and with much devotion. His preaching was short, about seven minutes, typically with a topical story, three points and a conclusion. One important thing he learnt from the reforms of Vatican II was to emphasise the importance of the scriptures; so his homilies were a practical application of the scripture texts of the day. So much did the parishioners appreciate his homilies that they were published in two volumes, with editor Michael M Stevens, as In the Footsteps of Christ, and Come and See. Love, unity and duty were frequent themes in these homilies. For O'Donovan religious belief and practice were paramount.

As the years progressed, and his memory started to decline, initially he ministered to the sick and 'shut-ins', 2005-06, but with further deterioration, from July 2006, he joined the retired community at Arrupe House at Pymble. Until 2012 he was able to perform various jobs around the house, and entertained visitors with his usual graciousness and courtesy, reminiscing and laughing about various past memories. Eventually he required special care and became a resident at the Holy Spirit Nursing Home, Croydon, NSW. He found separation from the Jesuit community difficult at first, expressing that all he wanted was to become well again.

O'Donovan was a man of extraordinary prayerfulness, devotion, faithfulness, asceticism and humility, a moral force with which to be reckoned, yet self-effacing and showing great generosity of spirit. Former student at Riverview, Edward Fessey, said that he 'left a lasting mark of goodness, compassion and commitment'. O'Donovan loved and cherished life in Jesuit community, greeting companions with interest, good humour and banter, especially about the various fortunes of football teams. For services to religion and education the Australian government honoured him with a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in 1996.

(Reproduced by permission of Fr David Strong SJ.)