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In Memoriam: Father Edward Joseph Brady, S. J.
Father Edward J. Brady, S.J., died on Easter Sunday in Nairobi, Kenya. He had lived and worked in Philadelphia for almost a decade from the early 1970s to the early 1980s. Fr. Brady was a major leader in planning and implementing the 1975 Eucharistic Congress with its theme, The Hungers of the Human Family. He also established the Faith and Justice Institute at St. Joseph’s University, and inspired many individuals and movements for peace and social justice with his vision and energy. For the last twenty-five years Fr. Brady worked in Africa, initially in refugee camps in Southern Sudan; he then served for years in Khartoum teaching in the seminary and working with the national bishops’ conference. He recently published a peace booklet for the conference. Father moved to Nairobi, Kenya in 2002, living and working at the Arrupe Center. He will be sorely missed! During his time in Philadelphia, Father Ed Brady challenged many of us “to be bread broken for others.” Some responded with life-changing total commitments that have had major impacts on our world. Others of us have struggled to do the best we can, but all of us were deeply affected by our contact with this great, good man. Merton used the phrase “a body of broken bones” to describe how human selfishness causes such pain and anguish. Ed Brady profoundly understood and communicated the paradox that in the breaking of the bread, the Eucharist, the love of Christ is central to our own healing and fulfillment both individually and collectively. His efforts dealing with his own body’s pain over these years are testimony to his faith and courage. In a recent conversation, Sr. Margaret McKenna reminded me of Ed’s support for the Movement for a New Society’s Churchmouse Collective in its witness at the Eucharistic Congress, bringing such issues as simple living, the role of women in the church, and torture to the attention of the participants and visitors. Ed’s commitment to the struggle for peace and justice was matched only by his personal warmth and compassion. He appreciated the uniqueness of every person he met and encouraged each one with just the right words. His leadership was vital to such groups as Bread for the World and the alliance of college students for peace and justice. It is a sign of hope for the world that a full generation of African leaders have been touched and inspired by Father Ed Brady. Jack Hohenstein The following are some more reflections by a few of his many friends here in Philadelphia. Father Ed Brady, S.J. was a friend, teacher, mentor and “companion on the journey” for so many of us fondly dubbed “The Brady Bunch.” In his gentle, yet persistent way, Ed challenged us to make the connection between Eucharist and the Hungers of the Human Family. Many of us met Ed in 1975 as we prepared for the 41st Eucharistic Congress in Philadelphia. Ed had been charged with coordinating the second day of the Congress, whose theme was “The Hunger for Food.” Presenters such as Mother Teresa, Dom Helder Camara, Dorothy Day, Cesar Chavez, and Rev. Pedro Arrupe, S.J. touched our hearts in a profound way. As important as the Congress was, even more special have been the life-long friendships and connections that Ed forged for us over thirty years ago. Many of us remain close friends and continue in the work of peace and justice in service to the poor, hungry and homeless, both locally and globally. Although we were saddened to learn of Ed’s death on Easter Sunday, we couldn’t help but rejoice with him. I close with the prayer Ed lived and treasured and pray, “Glory be to God whose power working in us can do infinitely more than we can ask or imagine.” Anne Ayella Every day I get to see Ed Brady. No I am not a mystic. I have his picture on the picture board in my kitchen. For those of you who knew Ed, you know what a wonderful, warm, sensitive, humorous person he was. Just thinking of him now makes me smile. Ed was one of the blessings I have had in my life. Whenever I was with him I felt as if I was in the presence of Christ. This would make Ed blush when I would say that to him but it was the truth. Can you just see his warm smile now when you think of him? He was so in touch with the poor and their suffering. He too had his own physical suffering from having Polio as a child in New Orleans. The last time I saw him in the States he was using crutches, but that did not dampen his enthusiasm to hear about our life and what we were doing and how our children were. The Eucharist was to precious to Ed. Being united to Jesus in such a special way drew me into a better understanding and appreciation of it. Fr. Ed was a man of great stature and I am very short but I always felt as if I were looking right into his warm eyes. Our world was so blessed to have Ed in it for as long as we did. Issues of Peace and Justice were always the motivating factor of whatever Ed was doing. We were lucky to be in the presence of this great man who walked this same earth and made it a much better place and gave us the invitation and the example to do the same. Blessings to you Ed and to all of us who knew you or have read about you. Kathy Nolan Edwards I first met Father Ed Brady when I was a student at St. Joseph’s University. He profoundly touched and transformed the lives of several of us, including Anne Ayella (now working on local hunger issues for diocesan Nutritional Development Services), Maureen McCullough (now working for Catholic Relief Services), Mike Breen (a businessman who is still involved with issues of peace and work in Bolivia), and myself (now working with people who are homeless in Philadelphia). He was a truly transparent person. Anyone who was privileged to work with him was transformed in some way. Father Brady played an important role in the 1975 Eucharistic Congress in Philadelphia. He coordinated the second day of the congress, with the theme of Hunger for Food. Amazingly, he was able to get Dorothy Day (I believe it was her last major public address), Bishop Dom Helder Camara from Brazil; Mother Teresa from India, and Fr. Arrupe, who was then the international head of the Jesuits. I remember one of Fr. Arrupe’s statements that day: “When there is anyone hungry anywhere in the world, the Eucharist is incomplete everywhere in the world.” That statement summed up Fr. Brady’s mission and life. His devotion to the Eucharist was so deep and inspiring. And he understood the connection between the Eucharist and social justice. Fr. Brady’s favorite gospel reading was the road to Emmaus (Lk 24:13-35). He truly knew the power of “breaking bread with one another” as we strive to get to know our Lord and God. He never grew weary of reflecting on this gospel story. He also lived the meaning of the word Eucharist (giving thanks and remembering). Fr. Brady was also instrumental in getting many people in the Philadelphia area involved in issues of social justice and peace, including through the Catholic Peace Fellowship. He was deeply sincere and open about his spiritual journey. He loved his family, friends and Jesuit community. He was a missionary par excellence. He loved preaching the word and celebrating Eucharist. He was a “person for others.” Sr. Mary Scullion |
