Albert Power

Very Rev. Albert Power, S.J.
Born 1870
Dublin, Ireland
Died 12 October 1948
Melbourne, Australia
Resting place Boroondara, Kew
Residence Ireland and Australia
Nationality Irish
Occupation Priest, author, academic
Title Very Reverend
Religion Roman Catholic

The Very Rev. Albert Power, S.J., (1870 - 12 October 1948[1]) was a Roman Catholic Jesuit priest, an academic and a distinguished author[2]. He was considered to be one of the best-known Jesuit priests in Australia[1], and had the nickname The Mighty Atom[3].

Biography

Early years

Albert Power was born in Dublin,[2] Ireland, in 1870. His education started at Belvedere College, Dublin,[4] and continued at Tullabeg College,[4] County Offaly.

After Tullabeg College he studied at Milltown Park Theological College,[4] Dublin.

He was ordained as a Roman Catholic priest in 1906[4] into the Society of Jesus.

Career

After ordination Rev. Albert Power became the Director of Studies at Riverview College, now called Saint Ignatius' College, Riverview, Sydney, for 6 years, c.1910.

Power returned to Europe to study philosophy and literature in Valkenburg, Holland. He was there for 2 years and then returned to Milltown Park Theological College, Dublin, to study the same subjects[5]. He lectured in theology, Scripture, and ecclesiastical history for ten years as the Professor of Sacred Scriptures at Milltown Institute of Theology and Philosophy[4]. For the latter eight year he was also the rector of the college.

Power returned to Australia in 1919 to become the rector of Newman College, Melbourne[3]. The Archbishop of Melbourne, Daniel Mannix, insisted that Power, a classical scholar, was appointed to the role. In a telegram he put 'Power or nobody'[3]. Upon taking up the role he said that his policy would be "to act in accordance with the great cardinal after whom it was named, and to provide a liberal Christian education"[5]. At the end of his first year as rector Power wrote that expenses had not been covered and that they had nothing to pay to the Jesuits.[3] He held the role of Rector of Newman College until 1923.

In 1923 he became the first rector, at the request of Mannix, of Corpus Christi College, Melbourne, when it was founded in the same year[2].

Retirement

After retiring, in 1948, he resided at Xavier College, Kew, for a number of years[2].

Death

After passing away a Solemn Pontificial Requiem Mass was celebrated by Archbishop Mannix at St. Patrick's Cathedral, Melbourne. The choir was made up of students from Corpus Christi College[2].

Under surveillance

On the 19th April 1918 a letter was passed between Australian security officials advising the recipient to keep 'Power under observation'.[6] The letter writer commented that 'he [Power] is an eloquent speaker, and has great influence' and that 'the object of his visit [to Australia] is unknown'.

A further letter was written on the 13th July 1918[6] in which the writer supports the rumour that the position of chaplain on board a troop ship is an excellent way of taking Sinn Féin propagandists into the Commonwealth of Nations.

The Father Albert Power Burse

In January 1952 'A Grateful Friend' wrote to the editor of The Advocate (Melbourne) noting that a burse was being created in memory of Father Albert Power, S.J., to educate a priest for the Jesuit Indian Mission.[7]

Publications

The Very Rev. Albert Power, S.J., had several book published and wote a number of pamphlets for the Australian Catholic Truth Society.[1][2]

References

  1. 1 2 3 The Argus, Melbourne. 13 October 1948
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Werribee Banner. 14 October 1948
  3. 1 2 3 4 Niall, Brenda (2015). Mannix. The Text Publishing Company. ISBN 1922182117.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 The Advocate, Melbourne. 4 December 1928
  5. 1 2 The Argus, Melbourne. December 1918
  6. 1 2 National Archives of Australia
  7. ↑ The Advocate. 31 January 1952
  8. ↑ Catalogue of Copyright Entries, Library of Congress. 1927
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