Fr. Austin Fernandes SJ
1932 - 2007

Fr. Austin Fernandes was born in Mumbai on 28 May 1932. While at St. Xavier's High School, Fort, he was known to be a good sportsman. He joined St. Xavier's College for a year after which he entered the Novitiate of the Society of Jesus at Vinayalaya on 20 June 1950. He completed his Philosophy at De Nobili College and Theology at Kurseong. After his ordination, he was appointed to several schools of the Bombay Province. His longest postings were at St. Mary's High School (19 years) Mazagaon and St. Xavier's School (15 years).

At the Funeral Mass his contribution to school sports was highlighted. Himself a keen sportsman, he strove to instill this spirit among the school children he coached. For him school was not a 9 to 4 time-slot-it was a 24-hour commitment. Mr. Melwyn Oliver, a St. Mary's alumnus, expressed it well when he said that Fr. Austin gave a new outlook to school sports and games. He realized that to improve quality and standard, one had to bring in specialists. So he invited Olympian, Mr. Neville D'Souza to look after football, Mr. Owen Ferreira for hockey, Mr. Bala Govind for athletics, Mr. Alan Roberts for boxing and a string of other coaches to look after their respective specializations.

Athletics in the 50's and 60's meant - "Get to the starting line; hear the sound of the gun and run for all you are worth". Not so for Fr. Austin! Prior to the Inter-School Athletic Meet to secure the prestigious Tata Challenge Shield, a sign of supremacy in school athletics, the S. Mary's squad would go all the way to Vallabhai Patel stadium, every morning, for nearly two months to perfect themselves in the event for which they had been selected, under the watchful eye of the coaches as well as that of Fr. Austin. Winning that shield brought a glow to his countenance, warmth to his heart and a sparkle to his eyes.

He believed that athletes had to maintain a good standard in academics as well. If they were found lagging, extra-coaching and guidance were provided. He was a strict disciplinarian and believed that athletes and players had to be held in high esteem by their peers. Hence he concentrated on their good discipline and morale, in order to keep the standard of the school high. Losing was not a word to be found in his dictionary.

How much he was appreciated by his students was evident when he visited Australia and some other western countries in 1991. At every city in which he touched down he was welcomed by large numbers of alumni who arranged meetings, saw to his convenience and expressed their satisfaction at the wonderful Jesuit education they had received.

- Fr. Anthony Fonseca SJ