paxabbey at The Abbey of Our Lady of Exile, Mount St Benedict, Tunapuna, Port of Spain 00014 TT - Monastic Chronicle from May 2007

Abbot John, Bro Kevin and Avinesh (guest from GANG) attended the Ordination to the Diaconate of Robert Christo at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception.

Thursday 31 May 2007

Bro Tony Badri gave the Conference to the Community this evening.  He summarised the Seminar that was held the previous day on LECTIO DIVINA - a tribute to Fr Michel de Verteuil.  It was appreciated by the community.

Thursday 21 June 2007

The Scout Association of Trinidad and Tobago held a special function at St Mary's Scout Group Boathouse, Western Main Road, Cocorite, in recognition of the 100th Anniversary of Scouting internationally.  Several persons were honoured for outstanding contribution to Scouting in Trinidad.  Among the awardees was Fr Cuthbert van de Sande, OSB, who for several years led a Scout Troupe at Mount St Benedict.  Other awardees included Sir Ellis Clarke, Justice Noor N. Hassanali (postumous), Mr Arthur N. R. Robinson and The Very Rev. Knolly Clarke.  Fr Cuthbert was accompanied by Br Kevin.

Monday 25 June 2007

Fr Odo left this morning to spend six (6) weeks with his family in Holland.  He will return in early August.  During his absence several monks will fill in for his duties.

Saturday 30 June 2007

Fr Abbot addressed an Inter-Faith Service at the St Augustine Regional Complex at 4:30 pm.  The Service was organised by the St John's Village Council to focus on the rising tide of crime in the Country and to offer some level of hope to the Villagers.  There were official representatives from several Faiths, including Hindu, Muslim, Bahai, Church of the Latter Day Saints of Jesus Christ and Bahai.  The theme of the service was "Bringing Hope to Our Community".  There was also a representative from the Police Service who addressed the gathering.

Tuesday 03 July 2007

Bro Lance graduated from the Catholic Bible Institute.  The Graduation Mass and Ceremony took place at the Catholic Bible Institute, Frederick Settlement, Caroni at 6:00 pm.  Fr Abbot, Fr Josekutty and Bro Kevin accompanied Bro Lance.  Archbishop Edward Gilbert was the Principal Celebrant at the Mass and was assisted by Fr Christian Chambers and Fr Abbot.  This was the 21st anniversary of the Bible Institute and there were 21 graduating students. 

Thursday 12 July 2007

Fr Josekutty left today for his return journey to his monastery in India.  He is expected to arrive there on Saturday.

Monday 16 July 2007

Bishop Francis, Abbot John and Bro Tony attended the Opening Mass and reception (Crowne Plaza) in honour of the Centenary Year of the Corpus Christi Carmelites.  The Mass was at 5:00 pm at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Port of Spain.

Tuesday 17 July 2007

Bishop Francis Alleyne, OSB, addressed the monastic community in the Common Room at 8:00 pm to explain his proposal to the Mora Camp community to be involved in the new Spirituality Centre in Guyana.

Thursday 02 August 2007

His Excellency Han Horbach, the Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, and his wife, visited the Abbey and had lunch with the monks.

Thursday 06 September 2007

Prior Vincent Mordi, OSB, of EWU-ISHAN Monastery in Nigeria, delivered the Conference to the Community tonight.  He stressed the importance of Listening and Obedience in the Benedictine way of life.  He is spending a few months at the Abbey recurpating from surgery he had in Pakistan in April 2007.  He is accompanied by Bro Matthias, a Junior Professed member of his community.

Monday 24 September 2007

His Excellency Ade. Olatunde, the Acting High Commissioner of Nigeria and his wife, visited the Abbey and had lunch with Prior Vincent, Bro Matthias, Bro Marius and Abbot John.

Monday 01 October 2007

Today is the 47th Independence Anniversary of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.  To mark the occasion, The Ag. High Commissioner His Excellency, Mr Adesan Olatunde and Mrs Julianah Olatunde hosted a Reception at their Residence in St Clair.  Prior Vincent, Bro Matthias, Bro Marius and Abbot John were invited and did attend.  It was an enjoyable evening.

Monday 29 October 2007

Ms. Sherlan Cabralis, Executive Manager, Sport Facilities, of SPORTT (The Sports Company of Trinidad and Tobago Limited) was invited to supper and to meet with the Community on the up-grading of the Sports facilities at Mount St Benedict.  She agreed to expedite a formal written agreement between SPORTT and the Mount as soon as possible.

Thursday 15 November 2007

A journalist from the Trinidad and Tobago Newsday visited the Abbey and interviewed Mr Maxime de Commarmond, Manager of Pax Yogurt Company.  She will be doing a feature on the production of Pax Yogurt for the Business section of the Newsday next week Thursday.

A Conventual Chapter Meeting was held at the Abbey to present the Financial Report for the year 2006.  Now that the Abbey's Accounts are computerised, this will facilitate the easy reporting of the Accounts and it is hoped that these yearly accounts will be presented earlier in each year.

Tuesday 05 February 2008

Carnival Tuesday!  Fr Christopher accompanies Fr Vincent Mordi and Fr Mark Tierney to Port of Spain for the Parade of the Bands. 

Monday 11 February 2008

Bro Tony went to Maloney Parish with Fr Mark Tierney to begin their annual Lenten Retreat.  Bro Tony had been asked to conduct it and has included Fr Mark for the first night.  The Theme is SOLIDARITY.  Each night this week the session will begin at 7:00 pm.

Thursday 14 February 2008

Fr Vincent Mordi left Trinidad today after spending 6 months at Mount St Benedict recuperating from a Kidney transplant.  He was accompanied by Fr Christopher Theunissen, who will also spend a few weeks with his family in Holland.

Fr Wilfrid John, Parish Priest of Cedros, deliverd the conference at 8:00 pm.  He spoke a bit about his life at the Abbey.

After the Conference, Fr Wilfird John and Abbot John Pereira went to Brasil to anoint Mrs Britto, an Oblate, who is very ill.

Sunday 17 Februray 2008

Fr Benedict Simons had a fall in the bathroom area on at approximately 6:00 pm. He received medical attention at St Augustine Private Hospital including some X-Rays. He was attended to by Dr Singh.  Results indicated that Fr Benedict has suffered a hip fracture. The neck of the femur has been severed and can only be addressed by surgery. Fr Benedict is warded at “DAFFODIL 4” at the St Augustine Private Hospital and will be seen on Monday 18 February by the Orthopedic Surgeon, Dr Richard Hofford. The X-Rays also indicated that Fr Benedict has osteoporosis. Fr Benedict will have hemiarthroplasty surgery early this week. Do keep him in your prayer!  Visiting hours are 9 am to 12 noon and 3 pm to 8 pm.  He needs two pints of blood, to be done at the Port of Spain General Hospital Blood Bank. 

Monday 18 February 2008

Abbot John had a chat with Dr Richard Hofford at 4:00 pm today at the Hospital.  They agreed that Fr Benedict would have a Bipolar Hemiarthroplasty with an uncemented stem.  This is a more advanced procedure than the Austin Moore Hemiarthroplasty that was first suggested and a lengthier operation.  It is also more expensive.  However, this will guarantee more mobility, more independence and less post-surgery pain than the Austin Moore Hemiarthroplasty.  The surgery is carded for 6:00 pm on Tuesday 19 February 2008.  Two factors that may defer the surgery are as follows:

1. If we do not get the donor’s receipts on time.  Fr Benedict requires 3 pints of blood. 
2. If Dr Poon King does not prepare him in time.  Dr Poon King has been assigned to ensure that he is in a good enough medical condition for surgery. 

Sunday 06 April 2008

Dom Mark Tierney and Mr Filip Vandenbushe left for Houston, Texas.  Abbot John took them to the Airport this morning.  

Mr Gregory Garraway, a yong man from Guyana, arrived at the Abbey to spend two weeks on retreat.

Monday 07 April 2008

Road repairs began on the Abbey Road this morning.  

Thursday 10 April 2008

Thirteen members of the Living Water Community (the Leadership) assembled at our Retreat House to spend a few days in reflection.  They will depart on Saturday afternoon.

Saturday 19 April 2008

VOCATION AWARENESS DAY at the UWI Chaplaincy.  Abbot John attended.

Monday 21 April 2008

Matthew Crawford is received into the Abbey as a postulant.

Abbot John attends a Reception at the Nuncio's Home, in honour of Pope Benedict XVI on the 3rd anniversary of his election, and on the 30th anniversary of the establishment of Diplomatic Ties between the Vatican and the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago.

Tuesday 06 May 2008

Fr Christopher Theunissen attended a Thanksgiving Mass and Reception on the ocassion of the 60th anniversary of the Parish of Mon Repos.  Fr Christopher had been parish priest there for 4 years.  The Parish was founded by the Benedictines.

Monday 12 to Wednesday 14 May 2008

Abbot John attended a Retreat for the Priests of the Archdiocese which was held at Mayaro.  There were approximately 65 priests in attendance and the purpose was to examine the Mission of the Church in Trinidad and Tobago.  

Thursday 15  May 2008

Abbot John attended the closing Mass of the Academic Year of the Regional Seminary.  The Nuncio was the Chief Celebrant.

Friday 16 May 2008

Fr Augustine and Fr Cuthber renewed their Monastic Vows at Evening Prayer.  They were celebrating their 60th anniversay of profession.  There was recreation in Common to honour them. 

Monday 19 May 2008

The Pax Yogurt Company held its fifth Annual Shareholder's Meeting at the Abbey Refectory at 8:00 pm.  Several of the monks attended.  The Accounts were presented and the Board was re-appointed.  Fr Cuthbert van de Sande was given special praise for his foresight and founding of the Company.

Monday 26 May 2008

The Pax Abbey Shop held its third Annual Shareholder's Meeting at the Abbey Refectory at 8:00 pm.  the Accounts were presented and the Board was re-appointed.

Friday 30 May 2008

Fr Christopher Theunissen left for Bartica, Guyana, this morning to spend a month at Mora Camp assisting Fr Hildebrand and Br Matthias in the absence of Br Paschal, who is on a brief Sabbatical in Trinidad and Grenada.

Saturday 31 May 2008

Eric Amundrud, an aspirant from Florida, returned to the USA this morning, after spending a few weeks at the Abbey.

Tuesday 03 June 2008

The Commanding Officer of the Chilean Training Ship "Esmeralda", Captain Victor A. Zanelli Suffo, a past student of the Abbey School, invited the monks to view the Vessel, which was at the Docks for a few days.  Abbot John and Fr Cuthbert represented the Community.  The Captain was presented with a Congratulatory Scroll on behalf of the Abbey and the former Abbey School.  

Wednesday 04 June 2008

Captain Victor Zanelli and several crew members from the visiting Chilean Training Ship visited the Abbey and met with several of the monks, including Fr Benedict.

Wednesday 11 June 2008

The Funeral of Mrs Isabella D'Arceuil took place today from Our Lady of Fatima R. C. Church, Curepe, thence to the San Juan Cemetery.  Her husband, Br John Cassian D'Arceuil, Br Rupert and Fr Abbot attended the Funeral Mass.  

Fr Cuthbert and Maxime De Comarmond attended the Funeral Mass of the brother-in-law of Dora Arneaud.  This was held at the Church of the Assumption in Maraval.

Today is the birthday of Kitty Marcus, an Oblate of the Abbey.  She is 91 years and lives at the St Peter's Home for the Aged.  The monks all signed a birthday card and presented it to her.  Fr Abbot visited the Home in the evening.

Sunday 29 June 2008

The Oblates of St Benedict held a breakfast this morning on the Court Yard of the Abbey Church to raise funds for the second World Congress of Oblates to be held in Rome in 2009.  It was successful.

Wednesday 02 July 2008

New seating arrangements take effect in the Choir today.  This comes with the introduction of fans in the Choir to facilitate those who are adversely affected by the heat.

Saturday 05 July 2008

The Oblates of St Benedict had their monthly meeting at the Pilgrim Centre this evening.  They celebrated Holy Mass at 3:00 pm in the Abbey Church before the meeting.

Dom Brendan Thomas, OSB, of Belmont Abbey, England, arrived at the Abbey this evening to conduct our Annual Community Retreat in preparation for the Feast of St Benedict, which we will celebrate on Sunday 13 July 2008.  Fr Christopher Theunissen met Dom Brendan at the Airport.

Monday 07 July 2008

Our Annual Community Retreat began with an opening Conference by Dom Brendan Thomas at 8:00 pm

Saturday 12 July 2008

Bro Cassian is admitted to Medical Associates Hospital in St Joseph. 

Monday 14 July 2008

Bro John Cassian D'Arceuil died at 3:20 pm at the Medical Associates Hospital in St Joseph.   

Wednesday 16 July 2008

Bro Marius was admitted to the Medical Associates Hospital in St Joseph for Surgery.

Monday 28 July 2008

At a Chapter Meeting this evening, it was announced that Matthew Crawford would be received into the Novitiate on the Feast of the Transfiguration.

Tuesday 29 July 2008

Police visited the Abbey at midday in response to a report this morning that there was a theft of tools and Sanders at the Abbey Wood Work-Shop.  They took reports.  

Monday 04 August 2008

Fr Cuthbert went to Holland to spend a few weeks with his family.  He will return on 04 September 2008.

Wednesday 06 August 2008

Bro Matthew Crawford was received into the Novitiate during Evening Prayer.

Friday 28 November 2008

Three (3) persons arrived at the Abbey to spend the week-end to discern a monastic call.  They are Ricardo Paul from Arima, Antonio Geoffroy from Fyzabad, and Christopher Mejias from Glencoe.

Saturday 20 December 2008

Fr Abbot and Bro Matthew attended the Ordination to the Priesthood of Rev Deacon Leslie Tang Kai, which was held at theCathedral at 10:00 am today.

Sunday 21 December 2008

Lydian Singers and WITCO Desperadoes Steel Orchestra in Concert at the Abbey Church at 6:30 pm.

Friday 19 June 2009

Abbot John and Fr Cuthbert attended the Opening Mass for the Year of the Priest.  It was held at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Port of Spain.  There was a reception afterwards at the Archbishop's House in Maraval. 

Thursday 02 July 2009

Launching of the CD "Listen" at the Church of the Assumption Parish Hall in Maraval.   The CD consits of songs composed by Bro Paschal Jordan, OSB, Llewellyn Gill, SLMM, and Michael White.  Abbot John and Fr Cuthbert represented the Abbey.

Monday 06 July 2009

Abbot Celestine Cullen, OSB, from Glenstal Abbey, who is spending a few months at our Abbey assisting our community celebrated his 82nd birthday today.  A special lunch was prepared in his honour and we all shared in the celebrations.  The monks appreciate very much the wonderful contribution that Abbot Celestine has been making to our community.  He is very faithful to our pilgrims in the Parlour Ministry and has been very inspiring in his celebration of Holy Mass and in his homilies. 

Fr Clyde Harvey, Parish Priest of Rosary Church in Port of Spain, arrived today to lead us in our Annual Community Retreat.  In the opening session, he encouraged the monks to tap into the long line of monks and others who have been instrumental in shaping this monastic community and the lives of each monk.  It was an exercise to claim our history and to identify those who have assisted us along the journey of life.  We were each given a handout with selections from the alternative opening prayer for Mass for various Sundays in the year.  As a springboard, Fr Clyde reflected on the prayer for week 14: "Father, in the rising of your Son death gives birth to new life.  The suffering he endured restored hope to a fallen world.  Let sin never ensnare us with empty promises of passing joy.  Make us one with you always, so that our joy may be holy and our love may give life."  We must be life-giving, in the midst of the struggles that we encounter.

Tuesday 07 July 2009

The retreat continues.  For further notes on the retreat, see special report on the Home Page of the website.  

Wednesday 08 July 2009

Bro Tony celebrated his birthday today.  We prayed for him at morning prayer and shared in a cake at lunch.  The retreat continues.  The monks are not available to the pilgrims for the week.

Thursday 09 July 2009

Today is the anniversary of ordination of Fr Odo van der Heidjt.

Friday 10 July 2009

Today is the 55th anniversary of monastic oblation of Bro Rupert Alexis.

The Community Retreat comes to an end today.

Mr Follette Eustace re-painted the Statue of St Benedict, in preparation for the Feast on Sunday coming.

Saturday 11 July 2009

Today is the 55th anniversary of priestly ordination of Fr Mark Tierney and Abbot Celestine Cullen.  Abbot Celestine was the celebrant of the Community Mass this morning.

Sunday 12 July 2009

The Feast of St Benedict was celebrated today at the Abbey.  The altar and statue of St Benedict was decorated for the occasion.  Abbot John was the celebrant at Holy Mass at 8:30 am.

Today is the Birthday of Abbot John Pereira.  

Tuesday 21 July 2009

Mrs Rita Pereira, mother of Abbot John, died peacefully today at 7:40 pm.

Thursday 23 July 2009

A special Prayer Service (Vespers and Rosary) was held at the Clark and Battoo Funeral Home at 8:00 pm for Mrs Rita Pereira.

Friday 24 July 2009

Funeral Mass and Burial of Mrs Rita Pereira.

Wednesday 29 July 2009

There was a farewell supper and reception in the Abbey's Monastic Refectory between 7:00 and 8:00 pm in hounour of Abbot Celestine Cullen.  He will return to his monastery in Ireland tomorrow and has already asked that we have the farewell prayer of blessing at Morning Prayer tomorrow.  The Abbot presented him with a specially prepared "Thank You" card which was signed by all the monks.  He was also given an ornamental tenor steel pan, symbol of Caribbean music, and a book about the people, culture and customs of Trinidad.  Abbot John gave a farewell speech of appreciation and Abbot Celestine responded by saying that he had thoroughly enjoyed his stay at the Abbey for the past four and a half months.  He arrived on March 19 and will leave on July 30.  

Thursday 30 July 2009

Bro Tony brought Abbot Celestine Cullen to Piarco for his departure flight to Ireland.  He waited as well for Fr Christopher Theunissen who arrived from Holland after spending five and a half months in Europe.  He attended the Monastic Formators's Programme in Rome and also visited his family in Holland.  Abbot Celestine assisted at the Abbey in his absence.

Abbot John attended the celebration of the Eucharist at the home of Nadine and Felix in Diego Martin on the occasion of the nine nights of his mother's death.  

Saturday 01 August 2009

Bro Paschal arrived from Guyana to spend a week at the Abbey while assisting at Liturgy School, which will be held in St Joseph's Parish.

Tuesday 04 August 2009

Fr Cuthbert left Trinidad to spend three (3) weeks in Holland with his family.  Fr Odo and Maxime de Commarmond accompanied him to Piarco International Airport.

Thursday 06 August 2009

Tony Simpson from Manchester, England, arrived at the Abbey today to spend six weeks.  He was met at the Airport by Fr Odo and Maxime de Commarmond.

Monday 17 August 2009

A Chapter Meeting was held to review the progress of Novice Bro Matthew Crawford.  The Chapter Meeting also approved the expenditure of funds on a new Taxi Service to replace the present Bus Service.

Sunday 30 August 2009

After the Midday Prayer and before the Midday Meal, the entire Community gathered around the newly purchased vehicle, PLACID, for its blessing.  Fr Abbot blessed the  Sukuki APV seven-seater vehicle, which wil be used as a TAXI along the Mount St Benedict route for pilgirms.  The TAXI service will begin on Tuesday 01 September 2009 and will be operated by two such vehicles.  The othere vehicle will be named MAURUS and will be delivered to the Abbey on Friday 04 September to join PLACID.  This TAXI service will replace the present BUS Service, which has not proved as successful as had been anticiptated. 

Thursday 03 September 2009

Fr Christopher Theunissen delivered the Conference to the Community tonight.  For the month of September 2009, Fr Christopher will be presenting the Conferences on Thursday nights to the Community.  During these Conferences, he will be sharing some of the insights which he garnered from The Monastic Formators' Programme 2009.  Tonight's Conference underlined the importance which St Benedict attached to Prayer, both private and communal.  He began with a story from Book II of the Dialogues of Pope St Gregory the Great, today being his Feast.  This was the story of the monk who was often distracted from Prayer and how St Benedict cured him of this temptation.  

Today Fr Abbot passed his Regulations Test and his Driving Test for his TAXI Badge.  He will be given his TAXI Badge next week, having fulfilled the requirements.  The Abbey began a TAXI service for the Pilgrims on Tuesday 01 September.  Two seven-seater TAXIS will ply the route.  The TAXIS will be stationed at the Abbey and for this reason it is necessary for some of the monks to have their TAXI Badge as the vehicles can only be driven by persons with "H" licenses.  The TAXIS are being named PLACID and MAURUS, in honour of the early disciples of St Benedict, and the Patrons of Benedictine Novices.  

Bishop Francis Alleyne of Georgetown, Guyana, arrived at the Abbey today.  He will be attending the Retrouville Week-end for difficult marriages and also some meetings with other Bishops.  He will return on 11 September 2009.

Friday 04 September 2009

The TAXI "MAURUS" was delivered to the Abbey at 4:15 pm.  It was blessed after Evening Prayer outside the monastic refectory.  It will begin to ply the route tomorrow.  

Saturday 05 September 2009

The Oblates of St Benedict met for Holy Mass at the Abbey Church at 3:00 pm and for their monthly meeting, which was held in the Pilgrim Centre soon after the Mass.  The three delegates, Sisters Jean White, Helen Rodriguez and Agnes Clarke were each presented with their ticket for Rome to attend the second World Congress of Benedictine Oblates in October.  

Thursday 01 October 2009

Richard Jones from Guyaguyare joined the Community of monks today.  He is a postulant, during which time he will discern his call to enter the Notiate at the Abbey.  We wish him God's help.

Friday 02 October 2009

Brother John Mark Matthews, OSB, a simple-professed monk from St Andrew's Abbey, Valyermo, California, USA, arrived at our Abbey today.  He will be a guest for a while until his Immigration papers are processed.  He is a St Lucian.