Father Olivier Morin S.J. was born in Nantes, France, on December 8, 1938. After his schooling, he had several jobs and many experiences before he decided to enter the Society of Jesus on October 5, 1963 [63 years ago]. He took his first vows in 1965, and later said that he considered this the most important day in his life. He was ordained to the Priesthood on July 3, 1971 [55years ago], and later said that this was the second most important day in his life.
He began his pastoral ministry in Asia with the Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) in Bangkok, Thailand, and Pulau Bidong, Malaysia. Later, at Phanat Nikhom (Thailand), he worked with JRS to care for Vietnamese boat people.
He was a man of ideas and new projects: in 1991, he began his pastoral care and ministry for the detainees at the Immigration Detention Center in Bangkok, and for prisoners in several of the major prisons throughout Thailand. Father placed an immense value on these brothers and sisters in prison. He was never afraid or hesitant to visit them; instead, he offered them a safe space, listened to them attentively, faithfully wrote back, contacted their families, and visited them regularly.
Father Olivier genuinely loved and respected prisoners—those often labeled by society as “outcasts” or “unaccepted.” He would often say to inmates and criminals: "You are greater than your sin," or “You are worth more than your sin.”
Father Olivier was earnest, sincere, and unyielding in his perseverance. He explored every possible way to help detainees in the immigration detention center, connect with their families, and assist with their repatriation as much as he could.
In 2009, he was assigned to be assistant parish priest at Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Bang Saen. He thrived as a pastor! In 2010, he was assigned to Chiangmai, to Seven Fountains Retreat Center. There, he provided catechetical instruction, guided spiritual retreats, and touched the hearts of many people.
Personally, Father Olivier was generous, humble, and simple—beloved by everyone he met. He lived a life deeply intimate with the Lord through constant prayer and the celebration of the Holy Eucharist (Mass), and he always offered wonderful spiritual guidance. At the same time, he was very human: he could be hot-tempered, impatient, drive fast, quick to anger and quick to forgive, loud, and stern at times. He was well aware of these flaws and would always humbly ask for forgiveness. This very humanity—with all its charming and challenging traits—became an instrument that refined us, his fellow community members, teaching us to accept one another, be patient and compassionate, and give one another time and grace.
Fr. Manasan Wongvarn SJ & Fr. Paul Edward Pollock SJ
