'Awakening My OSB Memories'
'Would you consider submitting an article for the Benedictine website – thereby doing
me a huge favour?' Pam Morey's gentle request during the week following the
Easter Celebrations. 'Well, Pam' I said 'let me think about it for a while.' 'You may
choose the July or August issue'.
Not professing to be a Benedictine – I'm a Priest of the Clifton Diocese – now retired
– not so much as an Oblate of that distinguished Order of Religious – I thought I
cannot refuse Pam.
Four weeks on from the great Easter Alleluias and I'm back in Cork.
In an e.mail on 6th May – Pam again gave me a gentle reminder of her request and
my promise to give it some thought.
During a pleasant walk along the banks of the river Lee – I asked myself a few
questions – What do I know about Benedictine life, spirituality? True, I do have a
copy of the Benedictine Rule and have often glanced through some of its pages! It's
a simple rule in many respects and has lasted well nigh 1500 years. Thousands of
men and women around the world live according to the Rule of St Benedict even
now.
My first encounter with the OSBs happened during my years as a boarder at the
Diocesan College in Limerick – 1947-1952. It was while there that I was introduced to
the game of Rugby football. Competitions meant contact and often robust contact
with the rugby players of Glenstal – games were on a home and away basis and we
looked forward to our frequent visits to that renowned OSB establishment on the
outskirts of Limerick.
The reception following hard fought games was truly excellent and the opportunity to
meet with the venerable monks was much appreciated. It was on the occasion of
these visits that I became fascinated with the chanting of the Psalmody and
Gregorian chant – all of which would be further embraced during my seminary years
at St Patrick's College, Thurles – 1953-59.
Fast forward some ten or so years and I found myself appointed assistant priest at
the Immaculate Conception in Stroud. That parish had long been a stronghold of the
Order of Preachers – but from the late 1940s had been in the care of the Clifton
Diocese – though the Dominican Sisters and their school still flourished for many
more years.
It wasn't too long before I discovered the monks at Prinknash – Benedictines in their
flowing white robes – sometimes in their dungarees – but always extremely
welcoming. Stroud area in those days – 1960 onwards – was blessed in an
extraordinary way in that the Dominicans had their monastery and novitiate at
Woodchester, the OSBs were at Cranham, the Sons of the Paraclete opened a
special centre at Brownshill and, lest I forget! – the Douai OSBs had charge or St
Gregory's in Cheltenham.
What a choice we priests had for confession and spiritual direction!!
I retain, among many, one fond and special memory of Prinknash (St Peter's). It was
during the heavy snowfall of the winter of 1962-63 and though driving conditions
were difficult (we had chains on the wheels) – standing at the top entrance and
looking at the monastery nestling in the snow was a picture never to be forgotten.
My usual entrance to the Abbey at that time was via the Portway entrance (now
closed). On many occasions I stopped to engage in conversation with Brother
Finbarr who was rebuilding the long wall – invariably my return journey would take
me by way of Brother Sebastian's vestment making shop – now St Joseph's. Not
only was he a specialist vestment maker but he was also a tea-maker without equal.
He always kept a stock of biscuits as well – and on many, many occasions I was
privileged to enjoy his mug of tea and laughter – this wonderful man from Cork city.
We became close friends over a period of some five – ten years. He even made his
'special' mugs of tea for my parents during their visit to Stroud in June 1962.
Dare I say it – I have vivid memories of Fr Mark and Fr Damian as very young
novices! I enjoyed taking groups of children from the Rosary School in Stroud to the
monastery and in particular to watching the pottery makers – alas no more!
In 1965 I said goodbye to the Cotswolds and Prinknash when Dr Rudderham posted
one of his 'specials' and requested I report to Canon Rynn at Christ the King, Bristol.
Time went by – indeed 14 years - before I returned to Charlton Kings,
Cheltenham, as Parish Priest. Once again, I was happy to be close to Prinknash
and owe a debt of gratitude to them for the many occasions on which they supplied a
priest for Mass at Sacred Hearts. Fr Dunstan RIP became a special friend and I
hugely enjoyed his visits.
Plans for a new Abbey had long been talked about – could it happen? When?
Times were exciting!
Eventually the dream became a reality and in 1974 the community moved into their
new – awe inspiring surroundings – across the valley. The crypt chapel, with its
coloured stained glass – the spacious areas on several floors – the edifice itself –
wholesome to the watching eye! What a transformation – the future looked
promising – the community sizeable.
The former monastery became a Retreat Centre – for a number of years the clergy of
Gloucestershire gathered there in May for one of their Annual Retreats.
My contact with Prinknash survived all my clerical moves – in 1986 Bishop Mervyn
asked me if I would return to be PP at Filton, Bristol (I was assistant there 1972-75)
and so I found myself a long distance from Cranham. However, distance did not
deter me and though many of the monks I had known had gone to their eternal
reward, the whole area remained, and remains one of my favourite haunts.
On moving back to Winchcombe, north Gloucestershire, in 1999 I was again,
reasonably close to Prinknash and had the wonderful privilege of being part of the
'Bible Marathon' to help raise funds towards refurbishment of St Peter's.
Roll on the years! – how swiftly they roll – now – the New Abbey is the Old Abbey!
The former home of the good monks is once again their domicile and how beautiful it
is. My week there, in Lent this year, in one of their exquisite guest rooms was a thrill
and being able to inhale the chanting of the Psalms and join in concelebrating Mass
was truly a joy.
Oh happy memories…!
I wish them every happiness back in St Peter's and pray that vocations to the
Religious Order of St Benedict will flourish and grow – increase.
Fr Pat O'Donovan
Co. Cork