Fr. Walter L. Farrell, SJ: 1916 to 2012
July 16, 2012 in 2012, News, Obituaries
Fr. Walter Farrell, SJ
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June 7, 1916, to July 13, 2012
Fr. Walter L. Farrell, SJ, dedicated Jesuit for 78 years, died on Friday, July 13, 212 at the Colombiere Center in Clarkston, Michigan. Born on June 7, 1916, in Cleveland, Ohio, Fr. Farrell was born to James and Dorothy (Lewis) Farrell.
After receiving his diploma from St. Ignatius High School in Cleveland in 1934, Fr. Farrell entered the Milford Novitiate on August 7. During an interview in 2011, when Fr. Farrell was asked about how his vocation with the Jesuits came to be he responded, “When my older brother, Jim, left home and entered the novitiate, I obviously thought about it. I worried that people might think I only entered to follow in my brother’s footsteps. Then I realized that if that’s what’s I’m supposed to do, let’s do it.” Fr. Farrell attributed much of his interest in the Jesuits to a scholastic, Jake Howard, who taught Greek at St. Ignatius. “I found Jake to be an excellent teacher and a very impressive young man,” explained Fr. Farrell. “The society was an attractive thing. I wasn’t driven away from the diocesan priesthood, I just never thought seriously about becoming a diocesan priest.” He was ordained a priest on June 18, 1947, at West Baden College and took final vows on August 15, 1951.
Throughout his life, Fr. Farrell directed the Spiritual Exercises and shared his considerable knowledge and understanding of the history, Institute, and workings of the Society of Jesus with others. He was entrusted with bestowing Ignatian Spirituality as Director of the Spiritual Exercises Center at Colombiere Center (1973-80), serving on the Archdiocese of Detroit Continuing Formation of Team (1979-81), President of Jesuit Retreat & Renewal Ministries (1980-1981), Director of the Romero Center (1981-83), National Ecclesial Assistant for Christian Life Communities (1991-96), and as Acting Director of Manresa Jesuit Retreat House (2007-08).
Along with the many important roles listed above, Fr. Farrell also taught rational psychology at the University of Detroit (1952-53) and West Baden College (1953-65). He offered direction, guidance, and leadership to members of the Society as Rector of West Baden (1958-65), Consultor to the Detroit Provincial (1962-65), Provincial of the Detroit Province (1965-71), Detroit Province Delegate to General Congregations 31 (1966) and 32 (1974-75), Secretary for Formation at the USA Jesuit Conference (1971-76), Tertian director (1976-78 and 1990-96), President of the USA Jesuit Conference (1984-90), Treasurer of the Detroit Province (1996-2007), Consultant to the Provincial on Ignatian Values in Ministry (1996-2011).
“Father Farrell was a giant in the Society of Jesus. He offered care, instruction, and guidance both inside and outside the Society,” said Fr. Timothy Kesicki, SJ, provincial of the Chicago-Detroit Province. “Many people around the world experienced Fr. Farrell’s wisdom, influence, and wry sense of humor. He will be greatly missed.”
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I would like to express my condolences to the Province on the death of that great man, Walter Farrell, and to thank God for all he gave me as tertian instructor at Clarkston in 1976-77. May he rest in peace!
I had the privilege of making three retreats, one of them a 30 day retreat, with Father Farrell. He was an extraordinarily holy and generous man, a man of great faith. I will always value our friendship and I will miss him. He was a fantastic director. He was gentle, compassionate, wise. I am so blessed to have known him. Now he is with the Lord whom he loved so much and served so faithfully. May the Lord hold him eternally in his tender mercy.
I was given the great privilege of working for Fr. Farrell over a ten year period from 1995 – 2005. Of the many things I could say I would like folks to know that his example of a Jesuit and man of God inspired me profoundly. His quiet demeanor and words of wisdom deeply affected my character and formed me as a better husband, father. I will always be thankful for his example and friendship not only to me but also to my wife and children.
I remember Fr. Walter Farrell, S.J. coming to Gesu Catholic parish in Toledo in the Spring of 2004 and helped in the jesuit Novena and I was so grateful and touched by his words and passion. Thank you Fr. Farrell, S.J.
Just last year, Fr. Farrell gave a wonderful retreat at Manresa to the Children of Mary from the Academy of the Sacred Heart. We were so blessed to have him with us that day. Rest in peace with the Lord, Fr. Farrell. You will be missed.
Fr. Farrell will be sorely missed. My witnessing his quiet observation of conversations around him and his ability to flush out the real concerns was amazing. My life is better having had a small window into his life.
Fr. Walt Farrell was a personal friend with whom I had the pleasure of many luncheons and visits when his brother Fr. Jim and he would visit Sandusky, Ohio – the birthplace of their father. His remarkable mind, humor, wisdom, and gentle soul were gifts to all who knew him. His ability to tell a story or share knowledge was commanding, and his Jesuit example was inspiring.
I had the good fortune of knowing Walt for over 40 years. I’m a former Jesuit, and he was provincial when I entered, my spiritual director, tertian director and boss when I worked with him at the Jesuit Conference. We were in regular contact over the years. Everybody has a story about him, and mine is this: I visited with him about a year ago because I wanted to tell him to his face how important he had been in my life. After I said that, he said, “Thanks.” Then I said, “If I say any more, I’ll probably cry and you’ll get embarrassed, so why don’t I just stop here? His response: “That sounds like a good plan.” Typical Walt. I loved him and will miss him.
Father Walter Farrell greatly impressed my wife and I when we met him at the Berkley Novitiate when visiting our son Jim. Reading his history with the Jesuits only reinforces that first impression. We thank God for this very special vocation. May God bless this good and faithful servant.