Fr David Strong SJ, The Australian dictionary of Jesuit biography 1848-2015, Second Edition, 2017, post-publication supplement:
Reilly, John

Missionary, spiritual director, theologian; born Essendon, Melbourne, 11 August 1928; died Brisbane, Queensland, 15 March 2016; aged 87.

John Gerard Reilly was educated by the Christian Brothers in Essendon and entered the Jesuits at Loyola College, Watsonia, 1 February 1947. He studied philosophy at the same place, 1950-52, and attended The University of Melbourne, studying for the degree of Bachelor of Arts, majoring in biology and chemistry, 1949 and 1954-56.

Regency was at St Ignatius College, Norwood, 1953, and, following his departure to the Jesuit mission in India, at St Xavier's, Hazaribag, India, he taught mathematics, science, technical studies, and ethics, 1957-58. This was followed by Hindi language study at Manresa House, Ranchi, 1959-60. Theology studies was at St Mary's College, Kurseong, Darjeeling, 1960-64. Here he was recognised as a great organiser, showing enthusiasm for picnics and Himalayan treks in the summer.

Before tertianship, Reilly had a year of pastoral ministry, 1964, at Mahuadanr, followed by teaching science and mathematics at St Xavier's College, 1964-65. Tertianship was at St Stanislaus College, Sitagarha, India, 1965-66, under the directorship of Father Schillebeecks. Following tertianship, he worked in the Catholic Ashram, Kanjia, and was involved in famine relief, 1966-67.

During the famine, Mother Theresa wanted to start 'feeding kitchens' and went to the government official with her proposal. They accepted this idea, but the Jesuits rejected this approach, and suggested rather a 'food for work' programme rather than a simple hand out of food. The parish priest, John Reilly, was blamed for not free handling out food, and was expelled from the country on the idea that he was an American spy. Protestations by the bishop were ignored. It was a sad outcome to the project that became so successful in the long term.

As a result, Reilly returned to Australia and Newman College, 1968, and became chaplain to The University of Melbourne and was involved in a survey for the province of missionary possibilities in Asia and the Pacific.

Resulting from this survey, Reilly went to Suva, Fiji, to minister to the Indians, 1969-70, followed by teaching theology at the East Asian Pastoral Institute, 1970-76.

Reilly then undertook post graduate studies in Christology for the STD degree at the Gregorian University, Rome, 1976-78. He resided at the Collegio Bellarmino, and his thesis was on Lesslie Newbigin in his missionary and ecumenical writings.

Upon returning to Australia, Reilly had a series of ministries: Campion College as Director of the retreat house, 1978; Aquinas College, Adelaide, lecturing in theology, and chaplain to Adelaide University, 1979; Canberra, working in the spiritual ministry, 1980; and Mosgiel, New Zealand, lecturing in theology at the national seminary, 1981.

From 1982-93, he was involved in theology and spirituality formation for priests, religious and lay leaders in East Asia and the Pacific. This work proving so successful, Reilly was appointed National Director for the Commission of Australian Bishops for Continuing Education of the clergy, 1993-2002, residing at Xavier House, Canberra. His successor, Father Greg Bourke, praised Reilly for the structure and the breadth of Clergy Life and Ministry that was currently enjoyed by the clergy throughout Australia. Reilly broke new ground in the care and education of the clergy.

For the years 2003-4, he resided at Campion College, Kew, giving the spiritual exercises in daily life to the priests of the Melbourne archdiocese.

Then followed his last appointment to Toowong, Brisbane, 2005, working in the spirituality ministry, especially establishing the Archdiocesan Spirituality Centre at Ormiston from 2008. Here he was appreciated for his wisdom and theological knowledge. He spoke about the Trinity, as Mystery, Word, and Love, and was steeped in the Spiritual Exercises, enjoying giving retreats and spiritual direction. As his health declined, he shared his vulnerability with his Faber Community, established in 2011, showing patience, humility, and love for the community, and allowing others to show love for him through their care.

Colleague, Wayne Brabin, acknowledged Reilly's passion for encouraging and involving lay women and men in the ministry of the Spiritual Exercises, and recognised his deep capacity for friendship.

In his funeral homily, Father Chris Gleeson summed up Reilly as 'the consummate missionary'. As the bishops' representative for ongoing education of the clergy, he travelled the length and breadth of the country, visiting each diocese. In Manila as a lecturer in theology, he accompanied his multi-cultural students across Asia. This was not counting his early life as a missionary in India, where he exercised wide-ranging visions.

(Reproduced by permission of Fr David Strong SJ.)