Fr. Frank Murphy, S.J.

By Fr. John Locke, S.J.
(From the Nepal Region’s 50th Anniversary Book, 2001)

Fr. Frank Murphy was born in Wilmington, Ohio in 1908, and joined the Society in 1927. After completing his entire course of studies in the U.S., he was vice principal of Loyola Academy in Chicago in 1943 when the provincial stopped him in the corridor one evening and announced, “I am sending you to India. Get ready.”

It was the height of World War II, and the small group that set off for Patna that year had to take a circuitous route down toward South America, across the southern Atlantic, and round the Cape of Africa to avoid German U Boars. He finally arrived safely and immediately took up teaching it Sr. Xavier’s, Patna.

In 1951 Fr. Murphy was assigned to Nepal as the first superior of the Jesuit Community in Nepal, arriving with Fr. Moran and Fr. Saxton in July to open Godavari School. A Jesuit humanist of the old school, Fr. Murphy taught English as well as serving as superior until 1954. After that he continued as a full-time teacher and hostel prefect. A musician and a great raconteur, Frank was a wonderful addition to any community and a favourite with the boys.

In May of 1961 cardio-vascular problems dictated a return to a warmer climate and a lower altitude. He returned to Patna where he took up the task of teaching Latin and English at the new juniorate in Patna. Increasing health problems caused him to return to the U.S. where he took up teaching at St. Xavier High School in Cincinnati where he died in March 1971.