RIP
Fr Brian Enright SJ
2 July 1937 – 3 October 2023
He was in his 86th year of life, 68th year in the Society, 55th year of Priesthood and he celebrated his Golden Anniversary of his Final Vows (50 years) eight months before he died, in the early hours on the Feast of St Francis Borgia.
Fr Brian Enright was born in London on 2 July 1937 and grew up in Stanmore and Southgate. Early schooling was in Stanmore at St Thomas’s Dominican Convent School. Later he went to St Ignatius’ Preparatory School, and then on to St Ignatius College. In Southgate he came under the influence of the Benedictines of Cockfosters, but on leaving school he followed his uncle, Fr Bernard Enright, and cousin, Fr Michael Bossy into the Society.
He entered the novitiate at Harlaxton on 7 September 1955. After first profession he was at Manresa for juniorate 1957-8, and Heythrop, Oxon for philosophy 1958-61. He then studied natural science at Queen Elizabeth College, University of London 1961-4. Regency was spent in Rhodesia at St George’s, teaching physics and mathematics 1964-65. In November 1965, just days before UDI he returned to Heythrop, Oxon for theology.
Ordained to the priesthood by Cardinal Heenan at St Ignatius College, Enfield on 19 July 1968, he returned almost immediately to Rhodesia where he spent a year completing his theology and studying Shona. In 1969 he went to the new novitiate in Lusaka for Tertianship, and then in 1970 was appointed to St Ignatius College, Chishawasha.
He was to spend twenty-five years at St Ignatius, serving as deputy-head 1970-1983, acting head 1986-7 and rector 1997 – 2006. During this time, he taught a variety of subjects but mostly mathematics and religion, and in his earlier years he was also games master, taking as keen interest in swimming. He made his final profession at St Ignatius on 2 February 1973
Fr Enright spent another twenty–five years in administration, being secretary to Archbishop Patrick Fani Chakaipa 1983-89, Socius to the Provincial 1989-94, secretary to Archbishop Robert Christopher Ndlovu 2006-14, and secretary for CMRS 2015. And at various times he was delegate for formation, delegate for education and a province consultor. As superior of Richartz House (2010-12) he oversaw the transition from Jesuit to lay administration… He was also involved in pastoral work, being superior and parish priest at Makumbi in 1995, parish priest of Mount Pleasant in 1996 and assistant priest at Braeside in 2015. Diagnosed with colon cancer in 2015 he underwent a serious operation but made a remarkable recovery. There was a further operation, for a perforated ulcer while on leave in 2016. He again made a good recovery and served a province archivist from 2016 to 2020 before retiring to Richartz House.
Vigil and Funeral Mass
Click here to watch the Vigil Mass held at Our Lady of the Wayside on Thursday, 5 October 2023 at 18h00.
Click here to watch the Funeral Mass held at Our Lady of the Wayside on Friday, 6th October, 2023 at 09h30.