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

Pastor; born Kilashee, Longford, Ireland, 25 November 1881; died Melbourne, 13 September 1959, aged 77.

James Magan was a real character with a boisterous sense of humour and was a wonderful companion if one was not feeling depressed. His loud melodious voice could annoy the more sensitive by his vociferous jokes on trams and buses, and he was good at 'setting up' superiors, by playing on their weaknesses, especially the provincial, Austin Kelly. His wit was captivating. When introducing himself he would say: 'Magan's the name - James William Magan. James after St James, William after the Kaiser, and Magan after my Father.'

Magan was a most devoted and respected pastor, especially good with young people. He was also very humble, and would even ask for advice about his sermons and retreat notes, even though he was highly skilled in preaching. He spoke the language of the people in simple terms, putting everyone at ease. He even became an expert in the Australian accent!

He was educated at Castleknock College by the Vincentians, and Clongowes College, before he entered the Society at Tullamore, 7 September 1899. After his juniorate there in mathematics and classics, he studied philosophy at Gemert, Toulouse province, 1903-06, and then taught at Mungret and Clongowes, 1906-12. Theology studies at Milltown Park followed, 1912-16, and tertianship at Tullamore, 1916-17.

For a few years afterwards, Magan became a military chaplain with the 6th York and Lancasters, British Expeditionary Forces, 1917-19. Afterwards, he set sail for Australia, teaching first at Xavier College, 1920-22; then at St Aloysius' College, 1923-24, and finally spent a year at Riverview.

In Australia he had a most successful pastoral ministry, first, at Lavender Bay, 1925-31, then as superior and parish priest of Richmond, 1932-36. He also worked at various times at Hawthorn, and finally, 1942-59.

Magan was a very colourful personality. He was an outstanding retreat-giver, and for 20 years gave the ordination retreat to the seminarians at Werribee. He also gave a retreat to the Cistercian monks at Tarrawarra. His short Sunday discourses were always full of bright homely illustrations. His merry ways made him most approachable. He spoke to everyone that he met along his path, conferring on all and sundry unauthorised medical degrees. Many a junior sister he addressed as 'Mother General'.

He regularly preached the devotions to the Sacred Heart during the month of June. Magan was above all a kindly, hospitable man, and definitely 'a man's man'. He died suddenly whilst giving a retreat to the priests of the Sale diocese at Loyola College, Watsonia.

(Reproduced by permission of Fr David Strong SJ.)