Newsletter for alumni of The Abbey School, Mt. St.
Benedict, Trinidad and Tobago, W.I.
Caracas, 15
July 2022. No. 1061
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An article by Trinidad Express on inter-faith
relations.
Benedictine
monks attached to the abbey at Mt St Benedict became pioneers in
inter-religious worship, when shortly after their arrival in Trinidad they had
organised an inter-faith procession which had elements of Christian and Hindu
worship.
On
that spiritual journey along St Johns Road, St Augustine, which leads to the
abbey, Catholics were reciting the rosary and singing hymns in English, while
Hindus were reciting the rosary in Hindi and singing bhajans (Hindu sacred
songs).
The
historic event took place at a time when ecumenism seemed distant, but it was
events of the Black Power movement in 1970 that had forced the creation of the
Inter-Religious Organisation (IRO) designed to combat attacks against Christian
churches by members of the Black Power movement.
The
historic procession to Mt St Benedict had ended with a sermon by Fr HL Koos,
parish priest of Arouca. He spoke on the history and doctrine of Christianity,
while CC Lalla, chairman of the East Indian Mission Committee, brought
greetings on behalf of the Hindu community.
This
is a happy occasion for the bonding of Christians and Hindus, said Lalla.
The
newspaper of the day carried lengthy articles about the event, claiming it was
a triumphant attempt to foster common worship between two diverse religious
groups. This event was the first annual pilgrimage of East Indians to Mt St
Benedict, and in every sense of the word it was a great success and an
encouragement to the zealous missionaries and Lalla, who represented the
Hindus. The newspaper stated.
The
report continued, on reaching the chapel grounds, the pilgrims were heartily
welcomed as brothers and sisters by the monks. With the morning devotions over,
the pilgrims enjoyed refreshments served by the monks.
The
event had lasting values. Shortly afterwards, German-born Benedictine monk Dom
Sebastian Webber took up residence in Arouca, where he devoted his spare
moments to the study of Hindi, a language brought to Trinidad following the
arrival of East Indian labourers beginning in 1845.
When
Rev John Morton arrived in Trinidad in 1868, he introduced singing of bhajans
at Presbyterian churches, and had named many of them in Hindi. A good example
is Susamachar (Glad Tidings).
The
spiritual connections between the Hindus and Christians will be part of the
historical exhibition that will be mounted at Nelson Island from May 24-26, the
dates on which the Ministry of National Diversity and Social Integration will
recall the Hindus and Muslims who had arrived as indentured immigrants in
Trinidad.
The
abbey has played an important role in church relations for many years. Its
history dates back to 1911 when a Free Masonry government under General
Foncsecca was waging a campaign of anti-clericalism in Brazil. Foncseccas plan
was to destabilise the church by forfeiting its properties.
The
subtle threat by Foncsecca was obvious to Abbot Dom Mayeul de Caigny of San
Sebastien monastery in Bahia. Although the monastic property was not under
attack at the time, Caigny felt it was only a matter of time before it would be
confiscated. To avoid displacement of the monks, Caigny embarked upon a search
to find a suitable place of refuge.
He
wrote to Archbishop John Pius Dowling of Port of Spain in October 1911 asking
him to find a suitable place for the monks. One year later on October 6, 1912,
three monks from Brazil arrived in Trinidad on the Vauban to begin monastic
activities at Mt St Benedict, then known as Mt Tabor. This mission was called
Our Lady of Exile.
(Mt. Tabor´s
buildings were abandoned because of logistic difficulties, The location of the
existing Monastery was deemed more manageable, EDITOR)
The
journey of the three monks began with a visit to the Cathedral of the
Immaculate Conception on Marine Square, Port of Spain, where they were welcomed
by Archbishop Dowling, members of the local clergy and friends of the parish.
Dowling had introduced them as new co-workers in the archdiocese.
On
March 6, 1915, the monks were granted the status of a conventual priory,
dedicated to Our Lady of Exile.
By
1917, they had already constructed their first building with 13 rooms for lay
brothers, a workshop for tailoring, a bakery, printing and painting facilities,
a laundry, and a hall for teaching catechism.
Construction
of a second building to house the monks began in 1918.
The
building had 15 rooms, a chapel and a large hall. There were two towers on
either side of the building from which the Papal Flag and the Union Jack were
flown.
In 1932 a guest house for
visitors was constructed on a prestigious site overlooking a valley where
several species of tropical birds made the area their homes. That area soon
became a birdwatching site where researchers form different countries carry out
research on the habits of birds.
Apart from prayer and work,
which is the mission of the Benedictine monks, they embarked on a programme of
self-sufficiency for the monastery. An apiary was started in 1914 where the
famous Pax honey was produced. The bees extracted their nectar from the
hillside forest.
Meat, poultry and eggs were
produced on a small farm operated by Br Bruno Schrama, the Grand Old Man of the
Mount. Schrama also bred Alsatians for sale to the public. In time, shortage of
skilled labour brought about the closure of many sections at the monastery.
The woodwork shop at the
lower entrance to the monastery started in 1917 under the management of Fr Bede
Theunissen. Some of the finest pieces of craft and furniture were produced at
the woodwork factory. And in a few years the factory became one of Trinidads
first-class trade centres.
In the field of education,
a secondary school was built at the higher end of the monastery. The school
later closed its doors to pupils and the building was converted to a drug
rehabilitation centre run by the New Life Ministry. Over the last century, the
monks had established an institution to provide spiritual, technical and social
guidance to thousands, regardless of faith.
The century-old institution
continues to set high standards in every field of its operations. This was
stated by former prime minister Dr Eric Williams when, on the institutions 60th
anniversary, he stated, A search into the establishment and functioning of the
abbey would no doubt reveal that the monks at Mt St Benedict have had more than
a casual impact on the people of this country.
The monastery is managed by
an elected abbot who is assisted by a prior. Within the order there are
brothers and ordained priests. The difference between a brother and a priest is
brothers do not administer sacraments, or preside at Holy Mass, such duties are
reserved for ordained monks. Regardless of the title, the Benedictines are a
religious community whose motto is Work and Pray.
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Interesting
story: Fr. Abbot´s hide out. The Editor.
Fr. Abbot
van Duin used to hide out at the Rest House.
The Rest House a two-story building with the main floor of the Rest
house whose entrance was to the roadway as seen in the picture, was full of
benches and tables for the pilgrims.
There was a counter where you could purchase candies (our main interest)
and other food items plus refreshments.
My Saturday evening purchase was peppermint candy, a large marshmallow
size candy, which had no paper wrapping or any hygienic wrapper.
This was bought to be eaten during the Saturday night movies.
Little known area was the floor below the main floor, this was the
hideout of Fr. Abbot van Duin who was a model train fanatic.
The original old and first railroad den was on the pathway below the
infirmary, in front and next to the carpentry.
This den was painted black and was two story small round building, with
access using a wooden ladder that ended in a small balcony with hand rails.
I had the “opportunity” to open the door, and looked inside, there I saw
an irregular assortment of Lionel Model three rail train set.
No rail stock or locomotives.
I was with airplane model building and flying so I forgot about this
place.
In my time (1955- 1960) nobody used or even knew what was inside this
building.
From what I gathered this unfinished left-over set was moved to the
underfloor of the Rest House after my stint at the Mount
This area was profitably and effectively being used by Fr. Abbot for his
needed rest, from the stressful daily work.
Maybe some of you can verify this use by Fr. Abbot van Duin and maybe
have seen the model rail road being used.
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Help, I
need stories! S.O.S.. Mayday
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EDITED by Ladislao Kertesz, kertesz11@yahoo.com, if you would like to subscribe for
a whole year and be in the circular’s mailing list or if you would like to
mention any old boy that you would like to include, write to me.
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Photo:
20LK0204FBEDIMSB, Bathrooms
65LK0012FBEDIMSB, Rest house (Candy Store)
55HH0017ENGLISHp8, English exam 1960
21LK0205FBEDIMSB, St. Benet´s Refractory and events
hall.
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