PAGE 24
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PICK
AND SHOVEL
by John
Lynch
Taken from The Pelican - Summer 1954, lent by Anthony McCaffrey
When asked how they pass their
time, Priorians usually answer, " Oh, studying mostly." They should
add that during recreation there are various other occupations to interest them.
Our timetable has been very efficiently planned, and time passes quickly. Certain
periods, however, are set aside for recreation, and it is during these that
occupations other than study come into the picture.
The longest period for recreation is after lunch, and for most of the week this
lasts for an hour and a quarter, but on Wednesdays and Saturdays is extended.
Nearly every day there is organised sport, consisting of a football match in
winter and a game of cricket in summer, basket-ball or a cross-country run.
In addition to these games there is always a good deal of-what do you think?
You don't know? Well, it is work-manual work.
At present there are two main things in process of constructiona hard
tennis court and a practice wicket for cricket. The latter was started
in the summer term of last year and it is now nearing completion. Many will
say " Deo gratias " when the first ball can be bowled, for many are
the hours they have spent in the " pit," as it is called. It is only
right that our thanks should be given to Father Monaghan; but for him
this job would never have been started, and no one has worked harder than he
has at it. It is hoped that next summer the First XI cricket team will show
a marked improvement in its performances, due to practice put in at this permanent
wicket.
The tennis court has quite a distance to go before nearing its final
stages. Every day a group of students work on it during recreation; some go
with a truck to the brick works, and return with one-sometimes two-loads of
brick rubble. At present the work of packing the tennis court has scarcely commenced,
but if work continues at the same rate as it has begun, this job will not take
too long and it is hoped that the court will be completed by the end of this
school year. The undertaking is under the guidance of Father Thompson,
who has had previous experience in this type of work.
Doubtless when the tennis court is finished, other enterprises will be thought
of, and it is good to know that there are always generous students ready to
volunteer for this type of work from which future generations of Priorians will
derive pleasure and profit.
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TERM
NOTES - CHRISTMAS 1954
by Pat
Tierney
Taken from The Pelican - Summer 1954, lent by Anthony McCaffrey
When school re-opened we found
that Father Moody had left us for St. Columba's, and Brother Thomas
More for the missions. Both will be missed, and we offer them our grateful
thanks for their generous services to the Priory and wish them every success
in their new surroundings.
To replace them there have been three welcome additions to the staff: Father
Fitzgerald, Father T. Conway and Brother David. Father Fitzgerald
came to us from London University; Father Conway, well known to boys from St.
Columba's, from the new house at Rutherglen; and Brother David from St. Columba's.
In addition to teaching Doctrine, Father Conway is steward of the house, while
Brother David keeps the roof over our heads, locks and hinges on the doors and
the poultry in existence.
From St. Columba's have come nearly thirty students, and with new boys Peter
Loughran, Paul Ashby, Christopher Fitzpatrick and John
West, make up the Third and Fourth Forms. The veterans from last year are
divided between the Lower and Upper Fifth Forms, and
in all we have sixty-one boys, the highest figure since 1952.
As a result of the elections when term opened, Kevin Hynes became School
Captain and Brendan Shannon Vice-Captain. Elected prefects with them
were Fiacra Fahy, Voncent Callaghan, Joe Tierney and William
Capper. Thus England, Scotland and Ireland each found itself with two representatives
in this august body. (A neutral observer tells us that its meetings are remarkable
for peace and concord!)
Perhaps the highlight of the term's events was the celebration of Brother
Modeste's Golden jubilee as a professed Brother, on 3rd November. Forty
of those fifty years of service as a missionary have been given to this Province,
and, appropriately enough, the Priory and Scotland can claim all of them. More
has been written elsewhere in these pages of our celebrations on 3rd November,
at which Fathers, Brothers and boys united to thank Brother Modeste for his
years of prayer and work at the Priory.
On 10th November the Fathers and students from the de Montfort College at Romsey
paid their annual visit. The traditional football matches were played (?) in
mud and water, and both Priory teams ploughed to victory.
Concerts for Hallowe'en and Saint Cecilia's day have enabled singers, actors
and organizers to display their talents. Musical activities are described on
another page, and more will be said later of our Christmas pantomime, Robinson
Crusoe, which is being prepared under the energetic direction of Father Conway.
The Marian Year will close just prior to our exams and Christmas celebrations.
We have honoured Our Lady with our daily Rosary and Marian Year prayer, and
are confident that she will continue to bless us with happiness such as we have
known throughout her year.
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ST
COLUMBA'S NOTES
Author
Unknown
Taken from The Pelican - Summer 1954, lent by Anthony McCaffrey
For the first time in the history
of St. Columba's we join forces with our seniors at the Priory, publishing a
common magazine for the two junior seminaries. We go a step further, make the
transition from the duplicated page to print, in the hope that our humble efforts
may be more worthy of the life that they chronicle and more attractive to our
readers. The step is an ambitious, indeed a bold one; we sincerely hope that
it will meet with success and encouragement.
The new school year has brought many changes in the ranks of the students and
staff. At the end of the summer holidays, the Second and Third Forms migrated
to the Priory, so that the juniors of last year suddenly found themselves seniors
this year; some of them, at such an early stage even became Prefects, having
to learn almost at the outset to shoulder their responsibilities like men. Father
Duffy has left us for the Promised Land, a happy man to whom we owe great
thanks. Father Gerry, our Steward, has now taken on a bigger jobthat
of helping to feed not only the Seminary, but also the Province by his work
as Propagandist. Father Proulx, our jovial French master, has gone off
to London University, while Brother David, known to generations of Columbans,
has sought green fields and pastures new at the Priory. Father Moody
has succeeded Father Duffy as Prefect of Discipline, and Father Desrosiers,
like Father Proulx a Canadian, is teaching us the elements of French and baseball.
Brother Richard has come to take over the hens, the pigs and the multifarious
duties of Brother David. The remainder of the staff, Fathers Tolmie,
Superior, Boyd, Cronin and Riddle, will need no introduction
to our readers.
Old Columbans will be pleased to hear that the old shop and sports room have
been demolished, while the former linen room now dispenses creature comforts
of another kind through a hatch. The Sports Captain has his den; we have an
extra ping-pong table, a fire, radio, improved lighting, and even a settee.
These big improvements have rendered the " old hut " very popular,
especially in rainy weather. Even more popular will be the playground, under
a new asphalt carpet, that will allow us basket-ball in all weathers, and tennis
in some, we hope.
The ensuing pages will enlarge on the details. Suffice it to say that, with
Hallowe'en now only a memory, our efforts are directed towards Christmas; preparations
are in full swing for Midnight Mass and the traditional concert On 22nd December.
May Christ, King and Priest, bless you all from His Crib is our best wish and
prayer, and may these pages,. coming from the pens of those who wish to be His
priests, bring you some small delight.
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OUR
BROTHERS
by Patrick Shanahan, Form V
Taken from The Pelican - Summer 1958, lent by Anthony McCaffrey
"If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
To serve your turn "
(Rudyard Kipling).
On Wednesday, May 21st, Brother Aelred took his final oath at Monteviot
and so bound himself for life to the salvation of souls in Africa ... to the
missionary life.
Perhaps you have not heard of Brother Aelred; perhaps you might be asking what
he does. Hailing from Yorkshire, he puts to his work all the characteristic
thoroughness of his county. His "domain" is the farm and more especially the
dairy. Naturally he is strong, a good quality which wins the boys' admiration.
There is something about him which we all notice: he shows his zeal in energy
and in attachment to duty. Our Brother Aelred is now, thanks be to God, a fully
professed Brother. For six years of hard work and prayer he has proved himself
worthy to be received into the Society for a life time.
But we at the Priory are even more richly blessed than you might think; in addition
to Brother Aelred we have two other young brothers. Brother Joseph was
given the right name, for he is a trained joiner. To him is allotted the task
of fixing this or that, of making such and such a fitting. And in whatever he
does we can see that he is conscious of the patronage that he enjoys by reason
of his name.
Besides cows (and a tractor) our little farm has pigs and poultry. It is with
these that our third Brother-Casimir has found occupation for the past
year. He comes as his name suggests from Poland. We like to hear his cheery
roar when one of the boys or one of the pigs gets out of hand.
Most of the day our Brothers are working for us. When they entered the noviciate
it was doubtless with visions of an active life in the mission proper, in Africa.
It is wonderful to see them accepting the less glamorous setting with an obvious
sense of dedication. Their task here, is not an easy one. Certainly they do
what Kipling's words suggest; and they find strength for it; and show us the
way, too, in the Chapel.
We will try to show our gratitude to them by the effortts we make to the generous
ideals which are ours as future missionaries.
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WINDSOR
AND WEMBLEY
by Andrew Cowe, Form III
Taken from The Pelican - Summer 1958, lent by Anthony McCaffrey
The morning of April 26th did not dawn bright and fair. There was a damp atmosphere
and plenty of rain as we left in the coach. This did not matter though, as by
the time we reached Windsor there were dry roads and the sun was flickering
through the clouds.
On leaving the bus there we went
to visit Windsor Castle, where the Queen was staying. None of us were fortunate
enough to catch a glimpse of Her Majesty; however, we did see the Guards parade
and march out of the Castle, and two B.B.C. television units. A visit to the
Prince Albert Memorial in the Castle revealed a historical genius In the shape
of a guide. He gave out dates as a train does smoke, and never slipped up once.
The Curfew Tower was less interesting, as the guide never gave a single date,
and was not very good at conversation. This latter visit cost sixpence, and
compared with the former which was free, was almost a fraud! The one and a half
hours of sightseeing were soon over, and some of us had to run back to the coach
and an anxious Fr Fowles.
Between Windsor and Wembley the conversation in the bus reached fever pitch
as the merits of Windsor Castle and the Scottish team were discussed. The Castle
received more "pros" and less "cons" from the English section
than did the Scottish team, and the Scots retaliated by reminding them about
the Wembley wizards, the Battle of Bannockburn, and the score in the last game
between the two teams. Mars Bars were decided on as the best stakes on the day's
result, and I believe some of us could equal, nay beat, professional bookmakers
at their own jargon.
After more jokes made at the expense of the Scottish team we reached Wembley
where leaving the bus we descended on the rosette vendors like bees in a midsummer
swarm. The tartan rosettes were mostly sold and those from North of the Border
had a job to find them. We then entered the ground where an aeronautics displays
was being given. Any misgivings about the weather were soon allayed as the sun
shone brilliantly from over the Eastern stand. After the community singing the
teams trotted on to the field.
The English team looked big and thin, while the Scots by comparison were much
smaller but better built. Well, the big English boys treated the Scots like
children and the 3-1 result was fair. The Scots goalkeeper looked the best on
the field
and some of his saves were quite marvellous. He certainly saved Scotland from
a much heavier defeat.
On the return journey the dour and not-so-canny-after-all Scotsmen were thinking
of good Mars Bars going the wrong way and being paid for by them while the Englishmen
discussed the game. This soon gave way to singing, and judging by the noise,
the back-seat singers must have learnt Calypso, Rock, Skiffle, and Plainsong
years ago. We rolled into Bishop's Waltham to the tune of the Priory Song, and
so ended another memorable Wembley Day.
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LOOKING
AHEAD
Author Unknown
Taken from The Pelican - Summer 1958, lent by Anthony McCaffrey
At the end of each school year we say Good-bye to a number of pupils; some going
on to Blacklion to begin life in the Seminary, others leaving to go to other
schools or to be gin careers in the world.
It is not every year, however, that we bid farewell to a member of the staff,
although perhaps we do so more frequently than many schools for in a society
whose work is centred in Africa it is inevitable that missionaries should not
become rooted in this country for too long. It is with deep regret that we say
Good-bye to Father Moody who has at last been claimed by Africa. For
three years he has been our hard-working and devoted Superior and at the moment
it is difficult to think of the Priory without the inspiration of his energy
and enthusiasm. It is a pity that he will not be here to see the results of
so much of the good work he has begunbut such is the lot of the missionary.
May, God bless him and his work in the mission fields on the shores of Lake
Victoria.
Father Fitzgerald, no stranger to the school for he has been on the staff
since 1954, now becomes Superior and Headmaster, It would be unfair to wish
him many happy years in this office for it is the hope of every White Father
to go to "the promised land" but we do hope that his years of office will be
happy.
During the summer holidays six of the senior boys will be getting cassocks and
Roman collars and all the other odds and ends required for a philosopher in
Ireland. Now that G.C.E. is over only seven years of study remain before Ordination,
seven years which pass so quickly and happily.
Before summer holidays begin the school programme is very full indeed-sportsthe
garden fete, terminal exams and the school concert. Once again this.year we
are to have the pleasure of hearing the voice of Leo Smith at the concertan
event to which all are looking forward.
We are also looking forward to a cricket maatch with the staff of Le Court,
the Cheshire Home near Petersfleld. This is due to take place two days before
term ends. If all goes well we will be using a delightful pitch on the downs
and entertaining the team and patients to tea after the game.
If the few days before the end of term seem to drag, it will not be due to lack
of activity. However, all are looking forward to July 16th when the great exodus
takes place. So another year will have come to an end and we will begin to think,
though not very seriously, of the new year beginning in September.
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One evening shortly before Easter,
Father Superior told us during Spiritual Reading that we might go to camp near
Monteviot during our Easter holidays.
Everyone was overjoyed at the prospect. The weather, however, was not promising,
and we later heard that the farmer who owned the land was unwilling to allow
us to camp during the lambing season.
There was much discussion among the Faihers as to whether we should go or not.'When
it snowed on Holy Saturday, we knew the verdictno camping for us! In fact
the weather was very good during Easter week, but the valley was a good substitute
for a camp.
It was arranged that we should go to Monteviot on Thursday in Easter
Week for a picnic. We walked there in the morning, and we had a very, nice day;
as we cooked and ate our meals outside, we did not trouble the Fathers at Monteviot.
On the way back we spent some time at a circus in St Boswells and it was 9.30
p.m. when we arrived back at the College again.
That Week did not end our holidays as we had thought it would, for on the following
Monday we set out for Nunraw. Nunraw is a Cistercian Monastery near Edinburgh;
we were not becoming monks, of course, but only going for a short visit. We
slept in huts about a mile from the monastery, and only went to the abbey itself
on the second day of our stay, when we were shown round by one of the Cistercian
Fathers.
The timetable. was as on a holiday at the College. After Mass and breakfast,
one of the houses did the refectory, and then we were free to go where we liked
until dinner. Some played football, others went for walks, and the rest shopped
in the nearby village of Garvald. Three Fathers were with us, and did all the
cooking, so we had a great time. But our holidays had to finish some time; we
could not expect more, so on Wednesday morning we came back to the College.
Thursday morning meant Latin, Maths, Scripture and English, but we did not mind,
as we had had a good holiday.
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THE
NEW RECREATION HUT
Liam O'Connor, Form 2
Taken from The Pelican - Summer 1958, lent by Anthony McCaffrey
When we returned to begin the new term on Friday, 17th January, we expected
to find the new recreation hut well on the way to completion; but, a violent
storm had broken down part of the structure, and the damage caused by this mishap
had taken some time to repair.
However, it was slowly beginning to take shape. Snow and frost put a further
stop to the building programme, and before long it was evident that it would
never be finished by Easter.
Once the four walls were completed, the roof was begun. This was finished in
a few days, and the floor also only took a short time to complete, much to our
satisfaction. When the building was up, the father of one of the boys here kindly
put in the electric wiring, and it was interesting to see how lighting works.
The building of the new hut was an interest for all of us, and we enjoyed ourselves
exploring when it was half finished. There was only one accident: a joiner was
sawing a plank when his hand slipped, and he was badly cut. He went to the Doctor,
who put in three stitches.
As the hut nears completion, certain snags come to mind. One is that when it
is finished, silence in the hbuse is inevitable. But there will be many advantages:
we will have a boxing ring, a library, table tennis and card-tables, and we
will also enjoy more privacy than at present. To avoid unnecessary danger s,
the new hut is to be centrally heated.
The plastering of the hut is just beginning, and this will probably take some
time. The boys of next year will be very happy in this large building, and I
am sure that they will soon be at home; there will be amusements to suit all
tastes, so perhaps the fire was a blessing after all.
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OLD
BOYS' CORNER
Author Unknown
Taken from The Pelican - Summer 1958, lent by Anthony McCaffrey
This has been a good half-year for the Corner. Letters have come in with interesting
news of many Old Boys, and there is only room for us to reproduce the items
that will take us furthest afield in their pursuit, and those that are most
encouraging.
Even if your letters do not find their way into print it is nice to hear from
you all. We would remind you again that although we are specially interested
in those of you who are still at school we do not use your news until you establish
yourselves in apprenticeship, higher studies, or a job. The reason is sufficiently
obvious.
Although he is not the only monk we have helped along, Brian Butlernow
Brother Cyprian at Belmont Abbey, Herefordis the first to write to us.
He gives some details about his progress and the daily routine:
"At the moment I am in my second year of noviciate. Having completed the
first year I was put forward for vows and so was simply professed. If . . .
after three years . . . I am again passed by the council I shall be solemnly
professed for life. This is the day in the life of a monk, not only because
of the solemnization of his vows but also because by this day he is sure to
become a priest.
"The usual daily timetable we follow entails getting up at five in the
morning (ED. What a lark!) to chant the divine office which can take between
one hour and a quarter and an hour and a half. Then communion Mass, after which
half an hour's meditation. By this time you are ready for breakfast at eight
o'clock. Then at nine you have sung Conventual Mass and Tierce. For the rest
of the Office, Sext and None are sung before dinner.
Vespers at 6.30 p.m. and Compline last thing at night. One other duty has to
be fitted in sometime during the morning, half an hour's Spiritual Reading.
When we are not thus occupied, we as second year novices study either Philosophy
or Church History in the mornin!~s or evenings, the afternoons being sDent in
Manual Work. Later when we become "Juniors" this will change to Theology
and maybe a spot of teaching or taking sports. Does this sound a dull life ?"
Michael Ryan wrote again to say that he has applied for admission to
Blacklion for the Philosophy course. We wisb him every blessing. Edward Creaney
of Coatbridqe tells us that he is now working for British Railwavs and quite
enjoys the work. He attends night school and is very happy which as, he pertinently
remarks, "is the main thing."
Three Old Boys wrote to ask recommendations for their application to enter Universities:
Robert Clyde, Eric McCormack and Brian Foley. John B.
Lilley had already before last issue applied for advanced training in the
University of Detroit and he seems to have succeeded in gaining entry. Now it
is Eric and Brianwho left us with the entrance qualificationand
Robert to whom we wish a very successful course.
John Hynes of Warrington (who is one of the editor's pets because he
went into quite an exacting life as clerk in a solicitor's office at fifteen
years of age and has stuck to it) wrote in March to say that he had been recently
functionirig as cashier in the real cashier's absence "with one of the
S enior Clerks supervising me when he has time." John tells us that he
has heard from Pat Macdonald of South Uist who has been serving with
the Cameron Highlanders in Inverness and will be glad when it is over. Tfie
Editor feels he would too if he could go home to South Uist.
Tony Bleasdale and Philip Harrison who left from Blacklion are
both trying to gain entry to St Mary's Training College for teachers at Strawberry
Hill. What has happened to Walter Perry who was due to join Mr Hennessy
(Thomas Hennessy?) in Manchester Training College we do not know.
Michael Kelly who had to relinquish his studies in Cavan because of ill-health
wrote to us from Galway Bay. We promise him our prayers for a speedy recovery,
and wish him success whether he can return to us or not.
Just recently we have received three copies of, a bulletin called Fratres.
It came to us from France and turned out to be the International Association
journal of former White Father students. As we suggested in in the last issue
that those of you who were interested in such a union should get in touch with
Mr Bill Unsworth in Astley; and although we have not heard whether there
was any response to that, it seems to us that you might be interested in what
this organisation is doing on the Continent. One day a British Association might
be affiliated to it. At present it groups the Old Boys of France, Belgium, Switzerland,
Germany, Holland and Spain.
There are two special characteristics. It is run by the Old Boys for the Old
Boys. There is the usual news of movements of individuals; there is notification
of marriages and births in Old Boys familiies. Two achievements of special note
are the establishment of a Mutual Help fund which lends small sums to members
setting up in new positions, and the booking of a holiday camp called the Village
de la Joie on a little island in the Bay of Biscay where the O.B.'s with families
can enjoy a few weeks at reduced rate in very congenial surroundings.
The Presidents and Secretaries of the National groups keep in touch with one
another and with their members, and the White Fathers are only called in when
they can be of use. This is exactly what was at the back of the plan for some
stable organisation, but it may be premature in this country yet. It will not
realise any success until the Old Boys who have achieved security and some degree
of prosperity in life are interested in helping one or other of the less fortunate
whenever they are brought to our notice. For those who may have intended to
get in touch with Mr Unsworth, we give his address again: Carmel, Astley, Manchester.
From North Africa we receive in return for the Pelican some tit-bits of news
from the four British Scholastics in Carthage. Michael Bolan writes the
following under the title, Note on Second Year Theology. "At the moment
theology is beginning to get a bit complicated. We are busy studying whether
we can eat crocodiles on Fridays or not . . or whether caterpillar soup could
be considered as a meat extract. The French say we can eat frogs on Friday because
they are often in water, by water, and under water, and on the whole look a
bit fishy. Apparently Brother Targett misread this and was puzzled to know whether
it was the frogs or the Frenchmen who looked "fishy." The Editor's
knowledge cannot rise to a solution.
Brother Fitzgerald has written about the radio apostolate of which the
scholastics have had some experience. "For a small group of us a considerable
amount of free time is taken up by the Radio Apostolate. Perhaps the Priorians,
having had, some experience of this, would be interested to hear about it. Once
a month the fifteen of us, commentator, preacher, and choir, go to the convent
of the Dame's de Sion in Tunis to broadcast Mass. Sometimes it is a Sung Mass,
but more often it is a dialogue Mass with hymns in the vernacular.
From the pastoral standpoint I think, this second form is better. Thanks mainly
to the recent setting to music of the beautiful French translation of the psalms,
the choir's part can easily be based on the Mass of the day. The words of the
hymns can then be woven into the commentary and sermon, thus assuring the unity
necessary to capture the listeners' attention. There must be no gaps. Even a
few seconds of .silence seem long on the air. Hence the important role of the
organist (sometimes Gerard Wynne), and also the need for good timing.
Of course this demands numerous practices with choice, discussion and preparation
of the programme.But the preparation must not stop here. This is what the leader
of the group says: "The Radio Aposiolate is essentially an ungrateful one.
Those addressed remain unseen, the results of the broadcast cannot be discovered.
It follows that we have to assure prayer and the supernatural intention and
community effort in trying to achieve perfection. The Priorians could well unite
their prayers to ours, to ask that the good word may find a welcome in every
heart in,this comer of Africa."
From the novitiate at 's-Heerenberg comes news from James O'Toole:
WHY NOT JOIN US?
by James O'Toole
"Reading back numbers of the Pelican in our vaulted haunts on the rocky lands, of N. Ireland, or tucked away in the rolling woodlands of Gelderland's majestic beauty, I was wont to turn green, not at the prospect of eight glorious days driven helplessly on the high seas (for such things seldom happen these days, we trust) but at the thought of hordes of Priorians receiving the liberty of Southampton docks, and tearing Atlantic liners apart in their anxiety to miss nothing of interest in their conducted tours around a world of makebelieve.
"Such days are now only memories, and such dreams I leave to my successors, for when the Aroza Sun weighs anchor on the afternoon of August 19th, and the green and white of Hampshire's coastline starts to sink below the starboard rail, three of the figures crowding her decks will be prepared to believe that a dream has given way to reality, and that ahead lies a whole new life. An adventure, that is as yet below the horizon, is surely waiting.
"Past months have been crammed. with preparation and expectationespecially preparation. There were visits to oculists and dentists, letters to information centres, shipping companies and passport authorities; then there were the injections, x-rays, medicals and so forth. There was even tea with the Canadian Consul in the Hague. And all the while our confreres gazed and wondered, and we just wondered.
"On August 27th we shall be in Quebec City, from whence a drive of 500 kijometres will bring us a few days at Lac Ver, the modest Holiday House of the Canadian Scholasticate nestling among the mountains in genuine Apache country. Then we shall press on to Ottawa for our retreat, which preludes our four years Theology. Anybody want to come? Who wouldn't be a Priorian?"
And that brings us to the end of
this issue of Old Boys' Comer. Don't forget that it is only your letter that
can make it interesting. You will find that we are anxious to recall to you
the memory of Father Bouniol and we would ask that those of you who have
memories of him, however slight and trivial they may seem to you, send them
to us so that we may group them and eventually send you a suitable tribute in
print to this very fine and lovable missionary who for so long made The Priory,his
home and made it also a home for the Priorians.
Stop Press: A last minute letter from Peter Finn who was
our sporting Lieutenant in Germany some two issues ago gives us this further
copy:
63 Methuen St., Wavertree,
LiVERPOOL.
"A rather belated note of thanks for sending me the last copy of The Pelican. I am afraid it travelled rather a long way before I received it for I did not inform you that I had changed units or that I had finished my national service. Anyway, my address for the time being at least, is as above.
". . . I have come across no ex-White Father students since I last wrote to you, but no doubt I will bump into one or two before very long, for they do appear in the most unlikely places.
"I myself am jogging along happily enough. At the moment I am working at and attempting to study tele-communications and electrical engineering. I also spend some of my time leaping out of aeroplanes for I am now an officer reserve of the 4th Parachute Brigade. Very shortly I have to spend two weeks parachute jumping in Berkshire, and later, another two weeks, in North Wales.
I also intend spending a fortnight in Ireland, so if this hectic summer I do not meet an ex-Priorian on the end of a parachute, I am sure I will meet one in Eire ... I still remember you all in my prayers."
Thank you, Peter, and thanks too to. all correspondents.
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FR.
BOUINOL
Author Unknown
Taken from The Pelican - Summer 1958, lent by Anthony McCaffrey
Please note: you will find this repeated on Page 2 of the
Obituaries sectionand is included here as a
follow-on from the previous article.
It was my good fortune to know Fr. Bouniol not only when I was a student
at the Priory, but also for a few years after my ordination. The impressions
I received as a youth of a great man were not only confirmed but strengthened
in later life.
I count it as a privilege to have been asked to write these few lines about
him. As a new arrival at the Priory, I soon learnt that Fr. Bouinol was a man
of authority. Some people are fortunately blessed by Providence with certain
physical aids to help them in inspiring obediencepiercing eyes, beetling
eyebrows, or a resounding voice. He had none of these. When needed he just showed
his displeasure and that was enough. At times this displeasure would be accompanied
by some withering remarks which made the poor culprit wish that he could be
transported elsewhere. He did not believe in delaying his remarks, and on those
occasions when corporal punishment was considered necessary it was administered
then and there. There was no waiting about for painful interviews. Yes! Fr.
Bouniol inspired a reverential fear.
It came therefore, as a surprise to me to learn after a few months that he also
inspired confidence and affection. I remember very well one of the senior students
telling me, "Look here, if you have something on your mind tell Fr. Bouniol
about it." I went along to his room one evening and was obliged to queue
up. Before his appointment as Superior his confessional was always crowded on
Saturday evenings. All this is a very long time ago, but I well remember how
patient, kind and sympathetic he was every time I went to see him.
There was no doubt about Fr. Bouniol being a man of energy. During the afternoon
recreations his usual companions were pick and shovel. His appointment as Superior
of the Priory in 1925 seemed to unleash new sources of energy; in practically
no time he had started the White Fathers magazine, edited the first book on
the White Fathers in English (he would never admit that he was the author) and
arranged a system of collecting boxes for benefactors. At the same time he was
taking his full share of classes.
In those days the football field at the Priory was the side of a hill, good
enough for kick-abouts, but pretty hopeless for proper matches. One father was
heard to remark, "It would be a good idea to level the field." Soon
afterwards Fr. Bouniol with tape and level was to be seen amidst an admiring
crowd of students making certain incomprehensive calculations and measurements.
Suddenly the decision was made, "We begin here" and he promptly filled
the first wheelbarrow with earth; the work of levelling the football field had
begun. His enthusiasm was catching and not only fathers but also students were
to be seen day after day digging furiously.
Such untiring energy and devotion to the task committed to his care was based
on one thing aloneprayer. We did not need lengthy cohferences on the value
of prayer. We had before our eyes a living example of solid piety.
Finally Fr. Bouniol instilled into us all a great ambition, namely to work on
the missions in Africa. Being a White Father he had an ardent desire to go there
himself. However his superiors thought that he was needed elsewhere and so he
realised his ambition through us. We left the Priory with one ideal, "Ad
Salvandos Afros."