Loyola College - Review Yearbook (Montreal, Quebec Canada)

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LOYOLA COLLEGE Page 3 REVIEW Father W. X. Gwae, 5.2. Wren word came, late last August as summer drew to a close, that the Reverend William X. Bryan, S.J. had died, Loyola students of the present as well as of other years, his colleagues in the Order of which he was a member, the community in which he dwelt and worked were all sharply conscious of a deep sense of loss. The press of this city, both religious and secular, were quick to pay the highest of honour to him who was Dean of this College, for Father Bryan was widely known as a renowned educator, an excellent preacher, a much sought-after lecturer, a recognized authority of modern materialist doctrines and their shortcomings, and a true champion of social justice. If so many beyond the confines of this College felt themselves bereaved at his death, it is not difficult to comprehend what this sad event meant to those who are intimately associated with Loyola. An attempt to describe in this brief space the extent of Father Bryan’s contribution to the building of Loyola would be vain indeed. A vigourous and forceful teacher, his courses, in philosophy particularly, will never be forgotten by those who were so fortunate as to attend them. Loyola thespians who read their parts on what is probably the finest stage in this city may thank Father Bryan who was largely instrumental in having it installed. The magnitude of his efforts with respect to drama at the College need not be recounted to anyone who has ever held a part in any Loyola production. As Dean of the College he was a dynamic and colourful figure who expected a great deal from students, but never that which was beyond their capabilities. His office was no place to offer lame excuses when one found himself in scholastic difficulty through one’s own fault. Yet to come forward with an honest request for assistance in the attaining of a legitimate desire was to be assured that he would not only bend every effort to help but to know that one’s wish would be attained. No one could doubt that Father Bryan loved Loyola and her students, for the greater part of his life was devoted to them. He attempted, though not too successfully, to conceal his generous heart and amicable disposition beneath a gruff exterior. His brusque manner was sometimes rather disconcerting to the student upon initial contact, but once one learned to see what lay beneath, to understand the seemingly blunt attitude, the most satisfactory of relationships could be entered upon. Loyola has mourned the loss of her former Dean, and he is greatly missed. But with the gratitude of so many and the respect of all, the knowledge that his life was lead in a manner eminently befitting a member of the Company of Ignatius he will rest in peace. Loyola certainly will not forget him. From LOYOLA NEWS Sept. 29th.

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LOYOLA COLLEGE Page 4 REVIEW Father Prancis Downes, 5.0. Ir was with a deep sense of sorrow that the students and faculty of Loyola College learned of the death of Father Francis Downes, S.J. at St. Stanislaus Novitiate at Guelph, Ontario, which was his headguarters during the remaining few years of his life. The sad news was announced on December 10th, 1947 that the Montreal-born Jesuit had died suddenly from a heart attack at the Novitiate the previous night. This came as a complete shock to those who were fortunate enough to know him because he had hitherto enjoyed good health. Although there were not many students at the College who knew him at the time of his passing, those who did, mainly through his many visits to Loyola during his coursê of travel, had every kind word to say about him and they in turn were astonished at his superbly rounded education. Among the faculty, the whole of whom were well acguainted with him, there was deep bereavement since he had formerly taught most of them either when they were at College or when they were studying for the priesthood. Father Downes received his entire education at Loyola, both high school and college, even moving with the school from Drummond Street to the west end site which it now occupies. He graduated from the Arts course with a B.A. in 1904 and entered the Society of Jesus on September 18th of the same year. From the time of his entrance, he studied at Sault-au-Recollet, Manresa House in London, St. Mary's Hall at Stonyhurst, the University of London, the Immaculate Conception in Montreal and at St. Andrews-on-the-Hudson at Poughkeepsie, New York. He returned to Montreal where he was ordained a priest in February, 1921. The former mathematician and classicist, who was also guite renowned throughout the city as an athlete, taught Sophomore class at Loyola for a total of eleven years, intermittently from 1915-1935. From thac time until his death he was stationed at Guelph. He also taught at St. Boniface College, St. Boniface, Manitoba and was at St. Ignatius Parish in Winnipeg for a certain length of time. This untimely news is further accentuated by the fact that Father Downes was Loyola's first gift to the Jesuits; that is, he was the first student who had received his entire education at Loyola to enter the Society of Jesus. He is survived by two brothers, Joseph and Augustine (who also was granted his degree of Bachelor of Arts from Loyola), and two sisters, Mary and Alexandra Downes, all of Montreal. The funeral and internment took place at Guelph while Reguiem High Mass was sung at Loyola. Two other former Loyola professors were also called to their reward during the past year, Father Willard Kelly, S.J., at St. Paul's College, Winnipeg; and Father Demetrius Zema, S.J., at Fordham University, New York.