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

Novice master, spiritual director; born Dublin, 5 May 1920; died Dublin, Ireland, 8 December 1993, aged 73.

Séan Monahan's family attended St Francis Xavier's Church, Gardiner Street, and he received his secondary education at Belvedere College nearby. On 7 September 1939 he entered the Irish noviciate at St Mary's, Portarlington, and then did juniorate studies in arts, studying English, French, Latin and Irish, at the Irish National University, while living at Rathfarnham. He developed tuberculosis during this time and never completed the course. For the next three years he was an invalid, and the decision was made for him to go to Australia.

At the beginning of 1948 Monahan arrived in Australia and began the three-year philosophy course at Loyola College, Watsonia. He was a wonderful companion with his sense of humour, his gift for mimicry, and his talent for friendship. He enjoyed participation in the scholastic dramatic performances, particularly enjoying the Gilbert and Sullivan operas. He produced Iolanthe.

For regency he spent some time at St Louis School, Perth, teaching and working in the boarding house, but he found the heat did not benefit his health, so that in 1953 he began theology studies at Canisius College, Pymble. After ordination in 1956, Monahan became a member of the Australian province. Tertianship followed in 1957 at Sevenhill, South Australia, under Henry Johnston, his theology rector.

His first priestly appointment was to Corpus Christi College, Werribee, where he was minister, bursar, prefect of liturgy and librarian. In 1958, there were 189 diocesan students; 42 in the first year. Monahan was a good administrator, shrewd, diplomatic, and with a care for detail. His special eye for individuals was much appreciated. He soon became involved in spiritual direction and the students found him a most warm and understanding confessor. He kept contact with many of these men in later years, either as priests or laymen. He was probably one of the best-known Jesuits among the Melbourne diocesan priests.

Monahan's special talent for spiritual direction became well known; so he was sent to Loyola College, Watsonia, in 1960, first as socius to the master of novices and later as master of novices. In his first year as master there were 36 novices. Monahan was a most successful and highly acclaimed novice master. Despite his obvious Irishness, he understood Australian young people and the contemporary needs of the Church and Society, and initiated many sensible changes into the life of the Jesuit novice. In many ways, he was a significant turning point in the formation of Jesuits in the Australian province, and the last of the Irish novice masters. At the time of his death 42 of his novices were still members of the Society.

Monahan spent 1971 as spiritual father to with Jesuit University scholastics at the Dominican house of studies in Canberra. In 1972 he was recalled to Victoria to become rector of Corpus Christi College, Werribee. It was the last year of the college at that place, the Society handing over its administration to the diocesan clergy.

For the next two years Monahan was spiritual director to the Jesuit scholastics at Campion College, and in 1976 he was appointed socius to the provincial and lived at the provincial residence, Hawthorn. Having made his mark as socius, he was given the job, in 1977, of secretary to the South East Asian assistant in Rome, Robert Rush. However, the Roman climate affected his health, and he had difficulty learning Italian; so Paul Gardiner replaced him. He returned to Australia in 1978. At this time the Archbishop of Melbourne, Frank Little, asked for him as Vicar for Religious in the Archdiocese.

On his return he took up residence at the provincial house, and was superior from 1979-85, secretary of the province, giving wise advice to the provincial, while continuing his work as spiritual director to many in Melbourne. He was a most hospitable man, and Jesuits enjoyed being invited to Power Street for some Jesuit celebration. During this time his health continued to deteriorate.

During 1993 his health improved a little and Monahan was keen to revisit Ireland. He went and stayed at Cherryfield Lodge, Milltown Park, Dublin, where he received many visitors. He related by mail that he was very happy to be in Dublin. However, his health further declined, his return to Australia was postponed, and he finally died there in December.

Monahan was much loved in the Australian province for his personal humanity and charm, his loving care of others, his encouragement and cheerfulness, his sense of fun and wit. He was one of the great story-tellers and was a good companion. He loved news, enjoyed being consulted and gave wise advice. Above all, he engendered love of and confidence in the Society.

(Reproduced by permission of Fr David Strong SJ.)