Newsletter for alumni of The
Abbey School, Mt. St. Benedict, Trinidad and Tobago, W.I.
Caracas, 29 of November 2014 No. 682
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Dear Friends,
CLOISTER OF THE WOODEN CHAPEL,
MT. ST. BENEDICT, 1930S
Mt. St. Benedict is a national
landmark. In the old days when making a trip to POS was an excursion for us
southerners, it was a sort of roadie game to see at what point on the Uriah
Butler Highway one could spot the familiar red roofs of the monastery perched
high on the verdure of the Northern Range. Years later when I lived in Santa
Margarita in St. Augustine, I would sit on the porch in the evening and listen
to the peal of the bells at six. On one of my many visits to the Mount in the
1990s, a holy brother with whom I was arguing comparative theology told me that
he thought I would make a fine priest (the good monk obviously was not a shrewd
judge of character).
THE REST OF THE ACCOUNT IS
TAKEN FROM THE ABBEY’S OFFICIAL SITE:
A suitable place was needed
for the venture, not too distant from town or village, yet sufficiently
secluded so as to ensure to the monks the fullest possible freedom for the
observance of their rule.
On the morning of January 17,
1912, Feast of St. Anthony the Hermit, the Abbot had said Holy Mass in the
Parish Church of St. Joseph, the ancient Capital.
Returning to the Sacristy, an
elderly gentleman of Spanish descent was introduced to him as Mr. Andrew Conrad
Gomez. He was the proprietor of a small estate in the hills above St. Joseph,
and insisted very much that the Abbot should come and visit his place. Not to
disappoint the poor old man, Dom Mayuel accepted the invitation.
Traffic was not heavy on the
Eastern Main Road, in 1912, and half an hour’s pleasant drive brought our visitors
to the village of St. John. There the road came to an end and the buggy was
left. The ascent had to be made on foot. After a stiff climb, a small hut was
reached, occupied by an East Indian. Named Kisto Barcoa, the factotum of the
estate. The hut measured some fifteen feet by nine feet and was built of mud.
It had a thatched roof and the interior was divided into two small
compartments. Beneath the floor there were cocoa drying trays. The view took
the Abbot by storm and conquered him. Dom Mayuel was impressed by the solitude
and solemn stillness of the place. He was enchanted by its natural beauty, and
refreshed by the coolness of the water.
The Abbot had found HIS SITE.
By June 28th 1912 transactions were completed and the property of Mr. Andrew
Victoriano Conrad Gomez passed over to the BENEDICTINES.
On September 27 1912, the
first monks departed from Bahia for Trinidad. They were: Reverend Dom Ambrose
Vinckier, Reverend Dom Paul Dobart, and Brother Anthony Feldner. The founders
of the first Benedictine Monastery in the West Indies and Central America. They
arrived in Trinidad on the morning of October 6th 1912 on the Vauban.
It was Rosary Sunday and the
three Benedictines received a truly Benedictine hospitality from their
Dominican hosts. In a letter of introduction presented to Archbishop Dowling by
Dom Ambrose, the mission was called Our Blessed Lady of Exile, situated on
Saint Benedict’s Hill. These titles were officially bestowed upon the new
foundation by the Abbot founder.
Shortly afterwards, however,
the name Mount St. Benedict was adopted by the monks on the suggestion of
Archbishop Dowling. Ever since the nineteenth of October 1912, the Benedictine
property in the hills above St. Joseph has been known as Mount St.Benedict or
simply the Mount.
Two more monks were to arrive
by the end of November and Brother Anthony set out to prepare a little ajoupa
for them. No definitive work was undertaken before the arrival of Brother
Joseph Kleinmann and his companion Brother Donatian Marcus, on November 27,
1912.
One room of the ajoupa was
arranged as an Oratory and contained a most primitive altar, two carriage
lanterns serving as candlesticks. The other room was the Community’s dormitory.
A large mango tree nearby, served as reception room, kitchen and refectory. All
furniture was of the most primitive kind imaginable: empty packing cases
serving as table, chair, bed and cupboard. Visitors were not wanting; nor were
they in anyway deterred by the inaccessibility of the place. They found their
way all right, for at first curiosity brought them there.
Everyone wanted to see what
monks were like, how they could subsist in such miserable surroundings and yet
be happy and receive everyone with a smile and a kind word. The language was
still unfamiliar to the missionaries, but a strong mixture of French,
Portuguese and German, together with a smattering of English satisfied all and
sundry. All visitors went away greatly impressed and edified, firm in their
resolve to return as soon and as often as possible.
In their kindheartedness, they
brought fowls, eggs, rice, coffee, and even pieces of furniture and kitchen
utensils. The clergy too showed their interest in the new venture. His Grace
had already visited the property previous to the arrival of the monks.
The Very Reverend Father Henry
Vincent Casey, Vicar Provincial of the Dominicans and Editor of the Catholic
News kept his readers well informed of all the movements of the monks.
The Holy Ghost Fathers visited
the place with the Parish Priest of St. Joseph, Reverend Father James Mc
Donnel, C.S.Sp. and Reverend Father Leimann, C.S.Sp. took a photograph of the
ajoupa which was afterwards printed on postcards under the caption: Benedictine
Beginnings. February 11th 1913 brought reinforcements in the persons of two solemn
professed clerics: the brothers U!rich and Fridoline Fromhertz, and Mr. Gustav
Frommhertz, an oblate brother postulant. A third solemn professed cleric, Dom
Maurus Varriera de Alancar, a Brazilian, arrived on February 23rd and was
accompanied by two postulant lay-brothers: Messers. Adrian van Tongeren and
Everard Mokveld (the present Brother Gabriel). The little community numbered
now eleven members and it was time to look for some more accommodation. A
fairly large workshop was built of round wood and galvanized sheets; this was
to house the machinery. An annex was made to serve as an oratory. This last
structure was of the simplest kind.
The ajoupa, which had rendered
such good services, was now promoted to library and classroom for philosophy.
The reporter of Port of Spain Gazette of May 25th 1913 writes:
“We were taken to the library,
a thatched roof ajoupa, where already there is quite a valuable selection of
books including St. Thomas Aquinas incomparable works, Janssens works, the
Catholic Encyclopaedia and some other leading works of theology and philosophy.
Here, we were formally introduced to three students of the priesthood, who are
pursuing their course of studies at the monastery.”
Together with the last
arrivals came also Dom Mayeul on his second visit to Trinidad, which was to
last one month. He returned once more in November 1913. He indicated the spot
where the temporary chapel should be erected, and studied the plans for a
better road - a carriage-driven road this time - so as to get easier access to
the monastery. The temporary chapel was completed early in August 1913. The
first mass was said therein on August 10th and on that same day a postulant
lay-brother was received into the canonical novitiate under the name of Brother
Gabriel.
November 1st Dom Sebastian
Weber and Dom Bertin Behaese joined the little band of workers in Trinidad. Dom
Sebastian had been proposed as assistant to the Parish Priest of Arouca until
the latter departure for Europe, which was fixed for January 1914, when Dom
Sebastian would act in his place. He took up residence in Arouca and did active
parish work for some time, devoting his spare moments to the study of English
and Hindustani. Dom Bertin, an ardent preacher, speaking French and Portuguese
fluently, was stationed at the monastery, but his name appeared frequently as
the preacher of great sermons in the Rosary Church, where French sermons were
then in vogue. The only arrival during the following year was Brother Raphael
Goemare, on the Feast of St. Benedict, March 21st 1914. The Stations of the
Cross were canonically erected by Dom Mayeul on January 18th 1914.
At the same time, there took
place also the solemn enthronement of the life-size statue of Our Holy Father
St. Benedict, which is still in our Abbey Church. It arrived on January 7th by
the S.S. Venetia from Hamburg. In May 1914, the Apostolic Delegate of the
Brazilian Congregation the Right Reverend Laurence Zeller, visited the Monastery
and suggested the erection of a guest house for pilgrims, who were coming daily
to the Mount in greater numbers. While the contractors were busy building the
Guest and Rest Houses, the Brothers were constructing a large refectory and
chapter hall running parallel to the Church.
The year 1915 began with the
arrival of two simple-professed clerics: Brothers Willibrord Luiten and Odo van
der Heydt. (January 1st.). Later that same year seven more members came to
Trinidad from Bahia. They were Brother Odilo van Togeren, simple professed and
Mr. Robert Boxruth, choir postulant (May 30th); August 10th - Dom Charles
Verbeke, Brother Hugh van der Sanden, simple professed, and Mr. Anthony
Callaghan, choir postulant. The last contingent arrived on September 10th bringing
Dom Anselm Romano and Brother Wilfred Broens, a simple professed.
The first house with any
pretence of durability was constructed in 1916 and partially finished in 1917.
Upstairs there were thirteen rooms intended for the Brothers. Downstairs accommodation
was provided for workshops such as: a tailoring department, painting shop,
bakery and printery. IN CONSEQUENCE OF A CANONICAL VISIT, THE NEW FOUNDATION
WAS GRANTED THE STATUS OF A CONVENTUAL PRIORY BY A RECEIPT OF THE HOLY SEE,
MARCH 6TH 1915. IT WAS DEDICATED TO OUR LADY OF EXILE.
The Right Reverend Mayeul de
Caigny, having asked to retire in 1923, the Holy See sent a Visitor
Extra-ordinary in the person of the Right Reverend Dom Maurus Etcheverry,
O.S.B. On invitation of the Lord Abbot Primate, the newly appointed Prior, Very
Reverend Dom, Hugh van der Sanden went to Rome and during his sojourn in Rome,
sought affiliation of his monastery to another Congregation, as communication
with Brazil was becoming increasingly difficult. The Trinidad Community
accepted Provisional Affiliation granted them by the Belgian Congregation in
May 1925. Following upon a favourable report of a Canonical Visitor, the Right
Reverend Dom Chrysostom de Saegher, who came to Trinidad in 1927, the General
Chapter (upon the definitive incorporation of) in December of that year,
decided upon the definitive incorporation of the Priory of Mount St. Benedict
with the Belgian Congregation. This decision was fully approved by the Holy
See, in December 1928. At the same time the Trinidad Government granted the
community the right of corporation with perpetual succession.
In 1947, the Monastery, having
made wonderful strides was raised to the dignity of an Abbey. The monks in
conclave, under the presidency of the Right Reverend Lord Abbot Theodore Neve,
O.S.B.;D.D.., Head of the Congregation, elected the then Dom Adelbert van Duin,
O.S.B.;Ph.D; I.C.D., as first Abbot; he received the abbatial blessing on 16th
June 1947 from His Grace the most Reverend Dr. Finbar Ryan, O.P.;D.D.:M.A.;L.L.D.
Archbishop of Port of Spain. This was a memorable day in the history of Mount
St. Benedict: that the people of the Island were pleased at this event, was
clearly demonstrated by the crowds that arrived to witness the great function
and filled the small church to overflowing; all the Chief Catholic Clergy,
numerous important personages, and well wishers of all classes; messages of
congratulations poured in and many journeyed from distant parts to offer their
felicitations in person.
Dom Placid Ganteaume, the
first local vocation for the monastery was ordained in 1926.
Dom Maurus Maingot, another
local, joined the Benedictine Community together with Dom Placid. Both of these
eminent sons have now gone to their eternal reward. The other early local vocations
are Dom Basil Mathews, professed 6th August, 1930, ordained priest 21st
December. 1935, and Dom Bapt. Osborne, professed 25th December 1933, ordained
priest 27th July, 1939, both of whom are still with us. At present thirty
percent of the Community are locals.
During the many years from the
foundation of the monastery to the present day, there has hardly ever been a
lull in the building and other activities, first, under the wise direction of
Dom Mayeul de Caigny and, later that of Dom Hugh van der Sanden, to whose
perspicacity and driving force, supported by the able advice of his Council,
was due a succession of important developments.
We are fortunate to have as
Architect and Builder one of our own monks, Brother Gabriel Mokveld, who
meticulously carried out the plans and personally superintended all building,
including the building of the present Abbey. The first public act of the newly
elected Abbot was the laying of the foundation stone on 11th July 1947.
The new Abbey Church and the
greater part of the present living quarters of the monks were completed in
1952. The guestrooms of the monastery were constructed in 1954, and the first
Rest House, by now inadequate to meet the needs of the increasing number of
pilgrims, was replaced by the present structure in the same year.
In 1961 the kitchen and
refectory of the Abbey School, along with the library and auditorium were built
by Bro. Gabriel, who is also responsible for building the Holy Shop and
pilgrim’s parlours, which now constitute the south-eastern wing of the Abbey,
completed in 1963. The building of the tower, made possib1e through the
generosity of a benefactor, was begun in 1964, and is to be capped off soon.
The road, which was fast
deteriorating, was resurfaced in 1965, thus making it possible for everyone to
enjoy a comfortable drive to and from the Mount.
Visitors and old-boys who
still remember the pre-1967 sports field notice at once the difference in the
much bigger field on which the junior boys now have a section all for
themselves and which should be an incentive for them to take a greater interest
in sports, including swimming at the Abbey pool, lawn tennis, basket and volley
ball.
St. Bedes Technical School,
opened in January 1967, completed the Mounts building project for the 1960s.
The early seventies have so far been taken up with general repairs and
maintenance of the huge complex of buildings that go to make up MOUNT ST.
BENEDICT.
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From: raphael howchung raphaelbhc2410@yahoo.com
Sent: Sat, August 21, 2010 10:39:42 PM
Laci,
I tried
sending this on to a Jeremy whose address I picked up from your circular, but
it did not go through. The information is useful for all Old Boys, so I am
forwarding to you.
Keep up
the good work.
Raphael.
From: raphael howchung raphaelbhc2410@yahoo.com
Sent: Sat, August 21, 2010 10:34:11 PM
Hi
Jeremy,
I went
down memory lane today and came across your picture of Circular No.186, and lo
and behold, I found a picture of me partially hiding my face when I went to
align my glasses.....a habit I still have to date. Anyway, my name is Raphael
Benedict How Chung and I was able to identify some of our class mates which are
as follows:-
1-Cunha
2-Tousy...I think Terrence Ferreira...from
Guyana
4-Raphael How Chung
6-Richard Clerk..actually Richard and I
studied Medicine
7-Christian Quesnel
8-Paul Tadros
9-Dennis Gurley
10-Peter Tang
13-Mr Julien
14-Charlie Kong Ting
18-Fernandes
19-Kenneth Kong Ting20-David Chow Chong
21-Mervyn Assam
22-Allan Apo
23 Hamish Herrera
26-Bernard Tappin
27-Alejandro Lew(Nazi)
30-Herbert Wong Sing
31-Costelloe
I have
always wondered what became of you fellas, and this picture has brought back
pleasant memories. If you have any contact numbers or e-mail addresses, please
forward same to me. Also, I share a private practice with my wife in Woodbrook,
so please let us get together in the future. My telephone numbers are
625-6106(H), 623-4371(O), 684-5385(M).
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The following oldboys appear in the general listing as having
left us for better pastures, RIP
If we have it wrong, please let me know.
Can you give me information on dates and other for our records
Pampellone
David
Paulic
Terence
Pecquet
Jean Claude
Phillips
Colin
Piew
John
Prada
Charles
Prada
Geoffrey
Prypchan
George
Prypchan
Roman
Pugh
John Paul
Raffensberger
Francisco
Rampersadsingh
Apple
Rampersadsingh
Indarjit
Reid
Arthur
Reid
Trevor
Richards
Arthur
Rodrigues,
Ian
Rojas
Francisco
Romeo
Gary
Rosa
Fransisco
Rostant
Desmond
Rozas
Scannone
Antonio Julio
Scott
Michael
Scott
Quentin
Scott
Philip
Serrao
Antonio
Shoul
Conrad
Tang
Mark
Tardieu
Jean Pierre
Tarr
Peter
Teelucksingh
Keith
Villafana
Renwick
Vincent-Brown
Wayne
Vivies
Raymon
Waddell
Richard
Walker
Gordon
Webster
Christopher
Wharfe
Clarence
Wight
Derek
Willems
Anthony
Zschaech
Ricardo
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Alan Walker
07:21 (12 hours ago)
Alan
Walker passed away on 5th May 2013. He will be dearly missed by his wife,
children, and grandchildren. We will check his email intermittently to see if
any urgent messages arrive.
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Photos:
Bandit p07 The Early Times
03DM0026DBR. David Bratt
66UN0001CLASS1966
09EC0001ECA, Enrique Castells
