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

Philosopher, teacher, writer, administrator; born Mansfield, Victoria, 31 December 1921; died Melbourne, 9 December 2010, aged 88.

John Begley will be remembered as a highly respected philosopher, a dedicated and committed Jesuit in service of others in even humble tasks in the community until a few months before his death.

Begley completed his primary education with the Mercy Sisters in Mansfield, 1927-1933, and his secondary schooling with the Marist Brothers at Assumption College, Kilmore, 1934-1938. In his second last year a chemistry experiment blew up over him and he spent four weeks in the school infirmary recovering from burns to his hands. This gave him time to reflect that God might not want him to become a doctor. His only thoughts of the Jesuits had been that two older Assumption College students had recently entered the Society, and he recalled a Jesuit priest coming to his home town to say Mass. He subsequently read articles in The Messenger of the Sacred Heart, and felt called to work as a priest with young people.

Consequently, he joined the Jesuits at Loyola College, Watsonia on 18 February 1939. Apart from ecclesiastical formation, he completed an arts degree with first class honours in English and Latin, followed by a Master of Arts degree at the University of Melbourne. Regency was at St Ignatius’ College, Riverview, 1947-49, where he taught English, history, Latin and religion, and was involved with the Sodalities of the Blessed Sacrament and Mission Society for Third Division boys. After theology at Canisius College, Pymble, 1950-53, he completed his tertianship at Loyola, Watsonia, combining work as socius to the master of novices. Begley found this a hard year being the youngest priest living in community with his seniors. For the next seven years he was inaugural dean of students at St Thomas More College, Perth. Here he lectured in Latin, philosophy and apologetics, and was highly valued by the students of the time, witnessed in subsequent years by being invited to reunions of these students. A biennium in philosophy at the Gregorian University followed, 1962-63, while residing at the Bellarmino.

Returning to Australia he was appointed prefect of studies and professor of philosophy and history at the diocesan Corpus Christi seminary at Werribee, Victoria, 1964-67. He lectured in philosophy to Jesuit scholastics and diocesan seminarians for the rest of his life, in Victoria and Western Australia. He even ran an online course for the Broken Bay diocese towards the end of his life. During these years, he lived for 16 years at various times at the University of Melbourne student residence, Newman College, taught English at St Xavier’s College, Ranchi, India, 1976-77, and was the provincial assistant for ‘Policy and Projects’, 1981-88, while working at the Catholic Theological College, Clayton, as master of students. His final residence, 1999-2010, was the Jesuit theological College, Parkville, where he tutored the scholastics in English, and marked exam papers. At the same time he was the custodian of the memory of the province as editor of the Fortnightly Report and Jesuit Life (for which he wrote 82 articles). In 1974 he represented the province at the 32nd General Congregation of the Society in Rome, and was also a most efficient province secretary for a time engaged in administrative tasks. In this and in all his undertakings he was ‘a slave to duty’. He was also most notable for his devotion to visiting sick Jesuits.

Begley was a seeker of truth and his students valued him as a teacher of how to think, especially outside the narrow scholastic thesis method of teaching. He took seminarians to philosophy lectures at the University of Melbourne, and he encouraged wider philosophical enquiry that included linguistic analysis. His philosophy notes were meticulous works of clarity, and his classes well prepared. For his contribution to the education of generations of diocesan priests, he was awarded the Inaugural Senior Fellow of Catholic Theological College in March 2004. At one time he was elected to the presidency of the Catholic Moral Theology Association.

There was mutual devotion and care between Begley and his three sisters and their families. He wrote histories and was the diarist for cousins. They praised him for his wry wit and repartee, and the pleasure he took in their successes, achievements and happiness. He shared their joys and supported them in sorrow. He was always an honoured guest at their tables, and was remembered as a humble man of grace, dignity and extraordinary charity. His humility showed in the way he always deflected gifts and praise, while grateful for any acts of kindness toward him.

Be it as teacher, writer, administrator or companion, Begley was highly respected and loved. He shared life with others, encouraged them, and rendered unlimited service. His manner was widely but always affectionately imitated and instantly recognisable. He was a Jesuit of great faith, nourished by his multiple acts of piety. One colleague praised his adaptability, fidelity, thoughtfulness, intellectual appetite and whimsicality. His passing was a great loss to the province.

(Reproduced by permission of Fr David Strong SJ.)