The Southern Cross | February 2025

The exploits of a 19th century scientist make for an unlikely topic for a faith formation program but that’s what Father Roderick O’Brien will be talking about at Lefevre parish on February 16.

Fr O’Brien will provide an overview of three scientific voyages to the Philippines in the late 1880s by Father Julian Tenison Woods (pictured).

The pioneering Australian scientist and priest, who co-founded the Sisters of St Joseph of the Sacred Heart with St Mary MacKillop, was part of expeditions facilitated by the Royal Navy.

He travelled on HMS Pegasus and HMS Flying Fish for his three visits and left a treasure trove of scientific papers, newspaper articles and private correspondence with descriptions and analysis of his research.

Fr O’Brien has written an article on this lesser known aspect of Fr Tenison Woods’ life, from his collection of shells and coral to his praise of mangoes growing in the region of the Taal Volcano and his observations on pirate raids.

He says science and faith were interwoven in the life of Fr Tenison Woods.

“A childhood interest in nature matured into deep interest in the natural sciences, especially geology,” he writes.

In some periods of his life he had little or no time for science and even when science dominated, such as during his Asian journeys, he never put aside his commitment as a priest.

For example, from Manila Tenison Woods wrote to his sick brother Terry:

“You would laugh to see my costume here. I dress as a Spanish padre with a huge sombrero – in fact, the people would be very much scandalised if I did not. The Archbp [sic] here received me kindly and asked me to visit the Hospital and hear the confessions of any Catholic sailors there might be. There were none but I said Mass in the wards for the patients who were in crowds to kiss the hands of an English padre.” 

On Pegasus and on Flying Fish he celebrated Mass daily in the captain’s cabin.

Fr Tenison Woods was born in 1832 in London and emigrated to Australia in 1854, arriving in Tasmania in January 1855.

From Tasmania he moved to Adelaide where he was ordained.

After his return to Australia from the Philippines in 1886, Woods completed one more scientific mission for the Northern Territory government. In poor health, he stayed briefly in Brisbane, and then journeyed to Sydney where he died in 1889.

“Each generation of scientists stands on the shoulders of those who preceded them. Among those who have preceded us there are giants, and among those giants is
Fr Tenison Woods, whom we have met on his three visits to the Philippines,” Fr O’Brien concludes.

The presentation will be held on Sunday February 16 from 4-5pm at the Lefevre Catholic Parish Semaphore. P: 8449 6378