Fr David Strong SJ, The Australian dictionary of Jesuit biography 1848-2015, Second Edition, 2017, post-publication supplement:
O'Sullivan, Patrick

Spiritual director, administrator, provincial; born Brisbane, Queensland, 19 March 1931; died Melbourne, Victoria, 31 May 2022, aged 91.

Patrick Neil O'Sullivan was the son of Sir Neil and Lady Margaret, and educated at St Joseph's College, Nudgee, Queensland, 1944-47. In the following years, 1948-50, residing at Newman College, he enrolled at The University of Melbourne, majoring in Latin and philosophy, graduating with an honours Arts degree.

He entered the Jesuits at Loyola College, Watsonia, 1 February 1951, and following philosophy studies, 1953-55, spent regency at St Ignatius' College, Riverview, 1956-58, where he taught middle school English and Latin, as well as being third division prefect. Theology studies followed at Canisius College, 1959-62. During this time, he obtained a Master of Arts degree from The University of Melbourne in the School of Philosophy and later, in 1973, was granted the Ph.D. degree from the University of Queensland. Tertianship was at Paray-Le-Monial, France, 1963-64, and he was professed on 15 August 1968.

O'Sullivan's first ministerial appointment was to St Leo's College, Brisbane, 1966-68, where he was at various times, lecturer in apologetics, prefect of studies and dean of students. Rector of Campion College followed, 1969-72, during which time he was also spiritual director to the scholastics at the theologate and lectured in ethics to Jesuit philosophers. O'Sullivan excelled in these roles exercising well his perceptiveness and rapport with young adults.

His fresh, imaginative approach to life equipped him well for his role as provincial, 1973-78, taking charge of the province at a time when the previous provincial Peter Kelly left the Society. He continued and developed the renewal programmes in the province initiated by Kelly. He worked hard to change of mindset of the province, especially encouraging Jesuits to experience the life of the poor and marginalised and by promoting ministries that reached out to them.

O'Sullivan was a great admirer of the much-revered Jesuit General, Servant of God Pedro Arrupe, and was able to work with him as director of the worldwide Christian Life Communities in Rome, 1979-86. He was welcomed by the Curia community for his wit and charm, but less appreciated when a fire started in his room, probably the result of his smoking.

He returned to Campion College in 1988 as dean of studies, spiritual director, editor of Madonna, and worked with Jesuit Refugee Service, as well as continuing his association with the Christian Life Communities.

In 1995 he worked with the JRS in Addis Adaba, Ethiopia, then returned to Campion as tertian master and retreat director, 1996-98. This work continued at Canisius College, Pymble, 1999-2005, while rector, 2002-2005. The following year he went to the Mwangaza Retreat Centre, Kenya, as spiritual director, then returned to Corpus Christi College, Carlton, Victoria, 2007-2013, as spiritual director. From 2014, O'Sullivan returned to living at Campion College with ministry of the spiritual exercises and spiritual direction.

In his report to Rome, Father Christopher Horvat wrote that O'Sullivan was one of the finest spiritual directors the Australian Province has produced. His final book, I Call You Friends: Friendship with Jesus in Daily Life (2018), was described at its launch as 'one of the finest spiritual guidance texts you are ever likely to have experienced'.

A master of the striking quote and bon mot, O'Sullivan made an enduring impact on those he formed in the spiritual life. He endeared himself to all with his often-mischievous sense of humour, his storytelling and his approachability, kindness, and deep humanity.

In his homily at O'Sullivan's requiem, friend, Stephen Sinn, said that to be a Jesuit for O'Sullivan was to be 'a sinner yet called to be a companion of Jesus as Ignatius was, Ignatius, who begged Our Lady to place him with her Son, and who then saw the Father himself ask Jesus carrying his Cross, to take this pilgrim into his company'. O'Sullivan taught many how to be a companion of Jesus: 'to engage under the standard of the Cross in the struggle for faith that includes justice. O'Sullivan was a man of God, deeply understanding the Society, 'how its structures were all designed by Ignatius to encourage a union of hearts and minds'.

O'Sullivan led by example when he asked members of the province to experience an exposure to the life of the poor. When at Canisius College, Pymble, he would visit St Canice's kitchen, Elizabeth Bay, to be with the poor and marginalised of the streets of Sydney that come there for a meal. He had previously given accommodation to homeless sick and mentally ill people at Campion College when he was rector. Later in life, he would visit Corpus Christi, Greenvale, a home for the homeless alcoholic men, just to be a companion. Later he was drawn to the Jesuit Refugee Service and Africa. As provincial he was open to initiatives to live alongside the homeless, to rent in poorer suburbs, and to accompany our indigenous people. He encouraged individually guided retreats.

For O'Sullivan life was all about a relationship with Jesus. He taught the province the art of discernment when it was little understood, 'to find the hope and joy of being a follower of Jesus. He taught to think with the Church, and the importance of freedom in human choices'. Towards the end of his life, O'Sullivan placed himself in the hands of God. Whatever He wanted, whenever.

Following general diminishment in mobility and health, he died suddenly in his room at Campion House after a fall. His friendship and love were much missed by all those who knew and loved him.

(Reproduced by permission of Fr David Strong SJ.)