恆為世範 德澤今人
狄恆神父息勞歸主悼辭
香港大學利瑪竇宿舍前舍監耶穌會狄恆神父（Reverend Father Alfred Joseph DEIGNAN S.J.）於2018年12月11日上午3時43分息勞歸主，享年91歲。本舍宿生與校友同感哀痛，並對狄神父家人致以深切慰問。
1927年，狄神父生於愛爾蘭卡文郡馬拉村，自幼已立志當耶穌會修士侍奉天主。狄神父於1953年8月獲耶穌會派往香港宣教，自始與東方之珠結下一世之緣。1959年神父晉鐸，嗣後擔任香港華仁書院副校長、校長（1962至70年）及九龍華仁書院校長（1978至92年）。神父更熱心弘揚天主教教育理念，從事各種社會服務。香港大學於2003年頒發榮譽社會科學博士予狄恆神父，表揚神父在教育和社會服務等不同方面的辛勤耕耘及傑出貢獻。
1970至1978年，狄恆神父繼任香港大學利瑪竇宿舍舍監，言傳身教，循循善誘，著重原則之同時，給予宿生充分空間，盡展一己之長。不同年代的宿友，均感念神父的智慧與熱忱。2015年度，宿友更籌得五百萬元，將宿舍的其中一棟，冠以神父之名，以紀念神父對利瑪竇人的關顧和教誨。
狄恆神父思深見遠，鞠躬盡瘁，為天主和香港奉獻一生，德範嘉行令人懷緬不已。吾人亦宜師法神父履仁行義，以行動將神父大愛無私的精神實踐在生活當中。
A Mentor and a role model for all, the legacy of Reverend Father Alfred Joseph DEIGNAN S.J.
Reverend. Father. Alfred Joseph DEIGNAN S.J., past warden of Ricci Hall, passed away peacefully at 0343, 11 December 2018 at the age of 91. We offer our deepest condolences to Father DEIGNAN and his family on behalf of the Ricci Community and The University of Hong Kong.
Father DEIGNAN was born in 1927 in Mullagh, County Cavan, Ireland. He was determined to become a Jesuit Priest during his childhood years. In August 1953, the Jesuit Society decided to send Father DEIGNAN abroad, which marked the beginning of his legacy in Hong Kong. In 1959, he was ordained into the priesthood and continued with his studies, then eventually became the Vice-Principal and Principal of Wah Yan College, Hong Kong from 1962 to 1970 and the Principal of Wah Yan College, Kowloon from 1978 to 1992. Besides, Father DEIGNAN was passionate in spreading the Jesuit education and serving the society. In 2003, he was conferred a Doctor of Social Sciences honoris causa by The University of Hong Kong, to appreciate the contribution and effort made by Father DEIGNAN to the education field and the society.
Father DEIGNAN became the warden of Ricci hall from 1970 to 1978. He was the educator, motivator and role model of the students. Most importantly, he gave students opportunities to create change and improvement according to what they are capable of, while also being mindful of rules. The passion and wisdom of Father DEIGNAN will always be remembered in the hearts of students who lived in Ricci Hall from different eras. In 2015, one of the blocks in Ricci Hall was named after Father DEIGNAN to recognise his loving, caring and earnest teachings to Riccians throughout the years.
Father DEIGNAN’s contribution, love and effort made will be missed. His legacy will be passed on by us through actions to show our love and responsibility to the society.
