Circular No 1061

 

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.