Anthony de Mello (Jesuit priest) facts for kids

Anthony de Mello, also known as Tony de Mello (born September 4, 1931 – died June 2, 1987), was an Indian Jesuit priest. He was also a psychotherapist.

De Mello was a well-known spiritual teacher, writer, and speaker. He wrote many books about spirituality. He also led many spiritual retreats and conferences. People still remember him for his amazing storytelling. His stories often combined ideas from different mystical traditions. These traditions came from both East and West.

Early Life

Anthony de Mello was born in Bombay, British India. This was on September 4, 1931. He was the oldest of five children. His parents were Frank and Louisa de Mello.

He grew up in a Catholic family. From a young age, he dreamed of joining the Jesuit order. The Jesuits are a religious group within the Catholic Church.

Joining the Jesuits

When he was 16, de Mello joined the Society of Jesus. This happened at the Vinalaya seminary near Bombay. In 1952, he went to Spain to study philosophy in Barcelona. After that, he returned to India.

He studied theology at De Nobili College in Pune. In March 1961, he became a priest. For several years, he worked in seminaries. In 1968, he became the leader (rector) of the Vinalaya seminary.

At first, de Mello liked the Jesuits for their strict rules. People who knew him then said he was very traditional in his religious beliefs. He was not very open to exploring other religions. But some friends noticed that his time in Spain changed him. He became more open-minded and less rigid.

His Work

In 1972, Anthony de Mello started a special place. It was called the Institute of Pastoral Counselling. Later, it was renamed the Sadhana Institute of Pastoral Counselling. This institute was in Poona, India.

First Book

De Mello's first book was published in 1978. It was called Sadhana – A Way to God. This book shared many spiritual ideas. It also offered "Christian exercises in Eastern form." These exercises were inspired by the teachings of Saint Ignatius.

His book helped make practices like mindfulness popular in the United States. Many people read his books and attended his talks. They learned about contemplative practices.

His Passing

Anthony de Mello passed away in 1987. He was 55 years old. He died in New York City from a heart attack.

His brother, Bill De Mello, wrote a book about him. In the book, he shared details about Tony's passing. A friend, Fr. Frank Stroud, S.J., found de Mello's body. The official record stated his death was due to heart problems.

See also

In Spanish: Anthony de Mello para niños