stonyhurst association N e w s l e t t e r

Newsletter 298 AMDG f e b r u a r y 2 0 0 9

1 stonyhurst association N e w s l e t t e r

Newsletter 298 AMDG februa ry 2009

lourdes 150th anniversary edition

contents from the ch a ir man

f Christ came to turn the Pedro Arrupe arrived in Lourdes as a Diary of Events 4 world upside down, Berna­dette, medical student but left to become a Congratulations 5 that stalwart by whom Lourdes Jesuit. His life was transformed, and isI now known throughout the world, he challenged us also, as Jesuit alumni, Correspondence is another example of his amazing to transform our lives. To him, a Jesuit & Miscellany 6 aptitude to choose the right people to education that was not an education be vehicles of his grace. Bernadette for justice was deficient. By justice, Reunions & Convivia 8 was the antithesis of worldly power; Arrupe meant first a basic respect for small, frail, illiterate, living in all which forbids the use of others 1983 Reunion 9 absolute poverty in the Cachot (the as instruments for our own profit; Eagle Aid 10 town gaol). The transformational second, a firm resolve not to profit force of the messages that she passed passively from the active oppression Charities’ News 11 to us reflects the power of the gospel. of others and which refuses to be a Lourdes is an upside down place, silent beneficiary of injustice; third, a Lourdes 13 where the ‘malades’ are carried or decision to work with others towards Headmaster’s Report 21 pushed at the front of all the liturgies dismantling unjust social structures, and processions, where so called so as to set free those who are weak Committee Report 23 “broken humanity” is promoted to and marginalised. smile bravely and triumphantly in Lourdes, with Arrupe’s other expe- Collections 24 the Pyrennean sunshine. An iconic riences of life, led him to preach and memory of the place is the constant Book Review 25 live this upside down message with flow of brancardiers and handmaids The Stonyhurst Magazine was founded in 1881. Until 1935 there were six issues per year. Between 1935 and 1957 extraordinary clarity. If the annual bobbing in and out of the lines of Association Dinner 26 Lourdes pilgrimage is truly to be an the number varied between three and six. From 1958 to 1975 there were three issues per year. From 1976 to 1986 wheelchairs and stretchers with water, emblematic “Stonyhurst event”, we as there were two, since then only one. OS War Graves Tours 28 blankets, sunshades, waterproofs. an Association must strive to live out Copies of most back issues from 1881 to the present time are still available. They can be purchased at £5.00 per The last is first. copy, including postage/packing, from the Editor (for details, see below). Classifieds 29 the challenge of Lourdes, of justice, in Today’s Magazine contains almost 100 pages of illustrated and fascinating articles, all with a historical Shop 30 That the Grotto can draw six our activities through the rest of the Stonyhurst connection, in addition to a full report on the year’s activities, obituaries of former pupils etc. It million pilgrims a year to experience year. Please take time to look at our that transforming power in action is “Committee notes”, and do make a will keep you entertained for hours! Published by the no surprise when you are there. When contribution to our efforts. To purchase a copy of the 2008 edition, please send a cheque for £10.00 (payable to ‘Stonyhurst Magazine’) to: Stonyhurst Association you are not, it is hard to describe, and bb pz Petite Bernadette, who thought The Editor, The Stonyhurst Magazine, Stonyhurst College, Clitheroe, Lancashire 7 9 . Stonyhurst College, Clitheroe even harder to remain true to. That is To enrol as a subscriber, please email [email protected] for an application form. of herself as quite ordinary and Lancashire bb7 9pz the miracle and challenge of Lourdes. Tel: 01254 827043 unimportant, lit a fuse, and then, People return year after year “to drink Email: [email protected]. after doing her bit, withdrew into at the spring and wash themselves in the obscurity of a convent. Every www.stonyhurst.ac.uk it”, to sup at that very human table, to Front Cover: contribution helps; as someone once give, to laugh, to love, to live life as it Editor: David Mercer said, if you feel too small to make The torchlight procession to the Basilica of Our Lady of Lourdes (copyright : © Sanctuaires de Lourdes / VINCENT) should be lived. ([email protected]) a difference, try sleeping with a Back Cover: © Stonyhurst Association That power has affected many. mosquito! The Lady Altar outside the Boys’ Chapel, Stonyhurst Diary of Events congr atul ations

Details will be published on the website (www.stonyhurst.ac.uk/association.shtml);

email [email protected] with any queries Births Richard Brunel Hawes OS 33 – 45 February 25th – 3rd March May 1st – 4th 2009 July 31st 2009 Conor Hill OS 94-99 and his wife Charity 1957 – 1963 Reunion, Henry Sydney Edwin Lee college visit to Mexico Feast of St ignatius had their first child, Sophia Margaret on stonyhurst OS 48 – 58 Jesuit Alumni/ae Masses at Farm Street, 13th May 2008. On the 27th the Headmaster, Andrew A reunion for those who left in 1959 and St Wilfrid’s in Preston and other Jesuit Nicholas Burnet OS 88-94 and his wife David Francis De Caires Johnson, will host a reception at the Four their contemporaries – all 57 - 63 leavers are parishes. Emma had their first child, Poppy April Sally, OS 49 – 55 Seasons Hotel. All OS, parents and their invited, along with wives and partners. families are very welcome to attend. For on 18th November 2008, in Edinburgh. Please email the Association Office for August 21st – 28th 2009 David John Bourke catering purposes please advise the Asso- a booking form, or contact Michael Richard Record OS 92-97 and his wife OS 39 – 44 ciation Office if you plan to attend. (Four Joseph at michael@kenmoregroup. Lourdes Pilgrimage Khanh had a son, Francis An Duong Ian Alsop Chisholm Seasons Hotel, Paseo de la Reforma 500, co.uk or Edward Gonsalves at edward_ If you would like to take part this Record, on 22 July 2008. Francis joins OS 30 – 40 Colonia Juárez, Mexico DF). [email protected] year please email Beverley Sillitoe James An Phi Record, who was born on 27 July 2007. Richard and family are at [email protected] for may they rest in peace March 22nd 2009 May 2009 currently posted with the World Bank booking forms and information. Friends or relatives, who wish to write the country office in Vientiane, Laos. Pilgrim Pathfinders Walk association AGM Above: On Saturday 27th September 2008 usual obituary for the Stonyhurst Magazine, As previously announced the date and October 10th – 11th 2009 James Brotherton OS 82-87 and his wife the marriage of Sarah Knight OS 87-89 are invited to contact David Knight at the Meet at the Lions after Sunday mass. time of the AGM, along with the Annual Rachel had a son, Oliver James on 27th to Dr Lawrence Alger took place at the College. Further details from emma.wotton1@ 1987 Reunion, Stonyhurst Report and Accounts will be published November 2008. Church of the Immaculate Conception, btinternet.com. A reunion for those OS who left in 1987 is on the website. Drs Adam OS 87-95 and Caroline Farmer Farm Street, followed by a sightseeing va lete being organised by Richard Veys (richard. had a son, William Adam, born on 29th tour of London and Reception at the [March – The Edinburgh Convivium May 10th 2009 [email protected]). November 2008. Middle Temple. After six years as Chairman of the that was planned to take place in March Pilgrim Pathfinders Walk Association, followed by service on the has had to be postponed, we hope to October 31st 2009 Christopher Franke OS 88-93 and his Info as above. Committee, Michael Joseph has finally rearrange it for the Christmas term.] wife Claire had a daughter, Sophia, on 26 Association Annual decided to retire. May 17th 2009 February 2008. Dinner, Stonyhurst His period in office coincided with a April 26th – 27th 2009 Stonyhurst Pilgrimage At the College. President, Dr Barry M a r r i ages considerable expansion in the activities Trust Sporting Weekend O’Driscoll OS 54-60. of the Association which has prospered Trustees Meeting and Lourdes Reunion, Gerard Brumby OS 90-95 was married under his guidance, with many more The annual Sporting Weekend will take at Stony­hurst. on 8th August 2008 to Jennifer Franke, events on the calendar and serious place at the College, and there will be November 15th 2009 a cousin of Christopher Franke OS demand for more. He proved a source rugby, soccer, cricket, golf, hockey and May 22nd 2009 Stonyhurst Pilgrimage 88-93, at the Church of the Holy Family, of inspiration and ideas and in the arts netball played. If any OS would like Great Academies Trust meeting, Stonyhurst Langley (below). of gentle persuasion he had few equals. to play in a team, then please contact Champagne Reception OS guests included (l to r) Nick Murray- His polished politeness with just a hint the Wanderers’ representatives whose At the College. Ferguson OS 80-88, Dom Medley OS 79 of steel could be relied on to get things details are below. On Saturday evening December 2009 -89 and Ben Halligan OS 85-90. done and was very useful in keeping there will be a buffet supper in the Top June 3rd 2009 Sloane Square Carols committee meetings on course to carry Ref, and all those who have played will London Convivium Date to be confirmed. out the business of the day. be welcome to attend, along with the DI AMOND w eDDING Since March 2001 when he became pupils and staff who have been involved. The arrangements will be published on the College website. December 2009 Paul Carton OS 1930-1937 and his wife Chairman, a calendar of events has Rugby: Marco Vaghetti Naomi celebrated sixty years of marriage become established comprising usually, email: [email protected] June 14th 2009 Carol Service, on 25th September 2008, with a Mass of two reunions a year and three convivia, Pilgrim Pathfinders Walk stonyhurst thanksgiving at St George’s Catholic a sporting weekend for matches between Soccer: Rob Eatough Date to be confirmed. Church, Taunton. the College and the Wanderers, and of email: [email protected] Info as above. course the Annual Dinner. Apart from June 17th 2009 In Memor i am Cricket: Richard Drinkwater Poetry 1979 this, there have been special initiatives email: [email protected] like the visit to Bruges and Flanders North West Convivium News of the deaths of the following OS Poetry ’79 leavers and those who were in 2002 and he was instrumental in Golf: Paul Harben has been received since the last issue of At the College, Mass in the College in that year are invited to contact organising the refurbishment of the email: [email protected] the Newsletter. Chapel followed by a buffet on theF ront Matthew Power (matthew.power@jesuits. Sodality Chapel. As a swan song, he is Lawns. Hockey: Charlotte Dugdale net), Andrew McParland (andrew@ Dr Gerald Lynch Burgess currently busy with the arranging of a 50 [email protected] July 22nd-27th 2009 parlisonproperties.co.uk) or Gerry Ged was supported by Dr Adam Farmer OS 23 – 30 year reunion at the College in May. Lagerberg ([email protected]. and Ben Pryor OS 90-95. Other OS The Association has enormous cause Netball: Jess Macfarlane WITNESSES TO HOPE com) for news of plans to mark the 30th present included: Dr Nicholas Newton Norman Albert Armstrong to be grateful to him and the patience email: [email protected] 7th Congress of the World Union of Jesuit anniversary of leaving the College. OS 90-95, Luke Pryor OS 91-96, Associate Member and hospitality of his wife Frances, who Alternatively please contact Jonathan Alumni/ae in Burundi. In 2010 the British Ideas being explored include a summer Anthony Jarrett OS 87-92, Rupert Bell made committee meetings at their house Smith at the Association Office at: Jesuit Alumni/ae Congress will be held reunion and fundraising for an OS 79 OS 81-86, Richard Wotton OS 78-88 and Richard John Anthony Rotter a pleasure. We thank them warmly and [email protected] 9th-11th April at Exeter College, Oxford. College bursary. Tom Lorrimer OS 77-86. OS 44 – 52 wish them well. 4 5 Michael de Giorgio OS 67-75, a Char­ cor r espondence & Miscell any tered Accountant, sold his financial con- sultancy to found Greenhouse, provid- ing sport and performing arts for young people, particularly those who do not Sean Keegan OS 66-71 wrote recently to have access to these opportunities, ena- cancel his mailings as he was moving to bling them to develop positive life skills. the Galapagos and he did not think they (See www.greenhouseschools.org). would find him. However we believe James Doyle OS 88-93 recently made that we can get to places where others news in The Times as one of ten ‘Future cannot reach and will give it a try. He is Stars of the City’ – ‘the brightest young setting up a tour business there and at the legal talent heading for the top of the moment, he says ‘the land we are build- profession’. A partner in Lovell’s, he still ing on is just a pile of rocks and cactus. plays golf and rugby and says that he ‘acts But the view is gorgeous!’ as an unpaid groom to my wife’s horse’. For anyone inclined to visit the far side of the world, the address is: military news Sean and Maria Elena Keegan Ricaurte From Lt- Col N Southward OBE, OS 56-65: Isla San Cristobal Galapagos The BBC reported in January that UK Ecuador, SA soldiers are angry that they have to Colonel J M R Hopkinson OBE, OS Above: Paul Pitchfork OS 84-89 (front and email: [email protected] share hospital facilities in Afghanistan 73-83, Assistant Head, Operations centre) and Aloysius Connolly OS 98-03 with the Taliban. The MoD explained Directorate, Ministry of Defence. (extreme right, back row) of the Royal For adventure of a kind closer to that such care was provided as required Lieutenant-Colonel B C Farrell MBE, Ghurka Rifles in Afghanistan. Paul was home, you might consider the Rutland by the Geneva Convention. Writing to OS 76-86, Commanding Officer, 1st recently awarded the Military Cross. Soldier Arms at Bakewell, Derbyshire, run by Above: Francis Rainsford OS 66-71 in Arequipa, Peru, presenting a Stonyhurst shield to Fr the Daily Telegraph (24 January 2009), Battalion, The Irish Guards. magazine reported “After fighting off as David Donegan OS 54-61, who says he Saturnino Vasquez SJ, Headmaster of the Colegio San Jose, in commemoration of the historic Surgeon Captain R T Jolly OBE RN, OS Lieutenant-Colonel R M Hayhurst, OS many as 60 Taliban fighters during a contact was once a wealthy solicitor and is now links between the two Jesuit establishments. 58-65 commented: 84-89, Commanding Officer (Designate on the fringes of Sangin bazaar … [he] an impoverished innkeeper. Nearby is ex- – wef November 2009), 5th Regiment, realised that his troops would have to take cellent walking country and Chatsworth During the Falklands War, my little field and covered extensively in the Guardi- to hear Chris refer fondly to his Jesuit Royal Artillery. preventative action to kill off any potential and Haddon Hall. ‘The 200 year-old Rut- hospital at Ajax Bay treated friend and foe an, The Times and Le Monde. Music from education, closing his A/V presenta- Lieutenant-Colonel C E Riddell RLC, counter- attacks. In a fire fight that lasted land Arms has a lot to offer. Byron, Col- alike. The Red and Green Life Machine, as the show was also broadcast on Boxing tion with AMDG, and paying tribute to OS 78-83, Chief Logistic Operations, HQ more than ten hours, the inspirational of- eridge, Wordsworth and Turner stayed the hospital was known, dealt with 580 Brit- Day on over 450 US independent radio Michael Gorman and the financial sup- British Forces, Cyprus. ficer was under direct fire as he commanded here’, says the Daily Telegraph who also ish, and some 200 Argentine, casualties… stations, in a news programme which port he had received from Eagle Aid. Lieutenant-Colonel A M C Rogers, OS his troops against a determined enemy.” put it on a par with Fawlty Towers. Six On one occasion, an injured survivor from was delighted to find a way of explor- 74-85, Commanding Officer, 4th Bat- years ago, David decided to cash in on its Bon voyage to Donald Hall OS 81-86 HMS Coventry found himself in a stretcher ing the comical side of the financial talion, The Parachute Regiment, (was Below: Naval surgeons, Commander Tim quirky charms with a high risk marketing who with two friends is motorcycling alongside a badly wounded Argentine pilot. crisis. In France, TV Channel M6 has Second-in-Command, 1st Battalion, until Coltman OS 79-89 (left) and Lt Command- strategy. He described it as ‘dingy’ and from London to Cape Town in support The young stoker became angry at our care also recently broadcast a workshop of February 2007, then Staff Officer Opera- er Nick Newton OS 90-95 whilst serving at advised guests to bring a stomach pump of Cancer Research UK. We have just and concern for a colleague of the Skyhawk the show in London. Europe 1 have tions/Plans, HQ 6 Division, which in- Basra in Iraq. Tim is a consultant orthopae- and said it was ‘a lovely place where dust heard that he has left Aswan and entered pilots who had sunk his ship (and killed 19 of also broadcast some of the score and cluded a ten month tour of duty in Af- dic surgeon and Nick is a surgical trainee. settles like snow on the threadbare car- the Sudan. (www.crazymuzungu.com) his friends) that very afternoon. We calmed interviewed the creators who are now ghanistan.) Both are now back in Portsmouth, which is pets’. It may have worked: he is still there him down. working on a London production. For The Jesuit Missions Team for this Lieutenant-Colonel K D S SharifiQR L, their normal base. and we hope, thriving. Tel 01629 812812 Our attitude at that time, as it is today more information: www.crunchthemu- year’s London Marathon again includes OS 81-87, Directing Staff, Joint Services and www.rutlandarmsbakewell.co.uk. with our splendid Naval successors at Camp sical.com. a number of OS, including Ged Brumby Command and Staff College. One New Year guest to brave the ec- Bastion in Helmand province, was to respect OS 90-95, David Hurst OS 62-70 and Major P M Hayhurst, OS 85-90, is cur- centricities of the establishment was his After university in Steubenville, OH, the Geneva Convention - despite the fact that Jonathan Smith OS 82-87. To support rently on the Apache training course brother John OS 53-58, one of our regu- Conor Hill OS 94-99, completed a Mas- the amorphous Taliban have never actually them, go to www.justgiving.com/jesuit prior to taking command of an Apache lar correspondents, passing on news of ter’s in Theology at the Catholic Uni- signed up. missions/raisemoney. squadron in autumn 2009. friends. He enjoys translating ancient versity of America in Washington DC. However difficult the circumstances, our Major P R G Pitchfork MC, OS 84-89, Latin texts and also studies musical He is now doing a PhD there, hoping to Adrian Flanagan OS 74-79, the ‘verti- driving force lay in the words of Admiral Officer Commanding A Company, the works. His present magnum opus is ‘Due finish in 2010.H e will be happy to advise cal’ circumnavigator, has now published Lord Nelson, written on the day of his death: Royal Gurkha Rifles. Awarded MC whilst Sicilie’ 1734 – 1860. anyone interested in doing post-graduate his book of the voyage, Over the Top (isbn “May humanity after victory be the predomi- commanding his company on operations theological study in the United States. 9780297850793). We are not sure what he nant feature in the British Fleet.” Not content with one musical Vision in Afghanistan between September 2007 Email: [email protected]. intends to do next but did I hear some talk to their credit, Jonathan Smith OS (During the Falklands War Richard Jolly and April 2008. Selected for promotion to about hang gliding round the globe…? 82-87 and Dominic Hartley OS 77-86 The president, Dr Jay Chitnis recent- was the Senior Medical Officer of 3 Com- Lieutenant-Colonel in summer 2009. (see p20) have recently completed their ly had the pleasure of representing the Derek Fanning OS 81-89, Association mando Brigade RM. Interestingly and Major N H Woellwarth, OS 74-84, Staff next project, Crunch: the Musical, a trag- Association at the Inaugural Lecture at Representative in Ireland, has produced unusually he was one of few combat Officer,U K Ops, HQ London District. ic-comic show which focuses on the the University of Birmingham Medical two more books. One is a whimsical and veterans to be decorated by both sides, Captain R Hayhurst, OS 88-93, recently credit crunch. Interest in the show has School, given by Professor Chris Buck- lighthearted biography Journeys in Elvish with an OBE in the UK’s South Atlantic returned from Afghanistan (April to Oc- been huge especially from journalists ley OS 72-80. He said that it was a packed Realms (isbn 9780297850793), describing Honours List as well as an Argentinian tober 2008) where he worked as part of a looking for an antidote to all the bad lecture on cutting edge work and was de- various expeditions to far flung and not appointment as an Officer in the Order Royal Engineers Works Team designing news. Crunch: the Musical was headlined livered with stunning audio-visual sup- so far flung places and the other is The of May, in recognition of his services to and constructing military bases. Selected on the front page of the Financial Times port and great humour. He was pleased Tunnel, An Epic Poem (isbn 0781899158188). their wounded during the conflict). for promotion to Major in summer 2009. 6 7 r eunions 1983 R eunion and convivia A nthon y Chitnis Newc a stle Con v i v ium Oxfor d Con v i v ium h r ee yea r s ag o , si x some departed for a round of golf, others good food and much hilarity meant a October’s North East Convivium was Campion Hall was the setting for a large friends met for a beer and a for an informative tour by Jan Graffius of great time was had by all. Afterwards held in Newcastle at the University gathering of OS and friends for Mass Chinese meal in the West End the newly restored Sodality Chapel and we managed to stop at the Bayley for a Catholic Chaplaincy. An early evening celebrated by the Master, Fr Brendan ofT London and the result of this social the Arundell Library. The rest watched swift pint. I will never forget the sight of Mass, followed by drinks and supper, Callaghan SJ, in their cosy and intimate gathering was the the 1st XV record a victory a startled barmaid at closing time being gave us the opportunity to meet new chapel, and then drinks in the library arrival of 51 Old met with a request for fifty pints! members and catch up with old friends. with some of the residents. We then Boys from the 1983 On our return to Mass was concelebrated by University walked through the moonlit back alleys leavers for a 25-year the hotel, more Chaplain Fr Andrew Downie and the to the nearby University Chaplaincy for reunion at Stony- stories of times College Chaplain Fr John Twist SJ. a very welcome sit-down supper. hurst last October. long gone were It was attended by 30 Association The Association Chairman, Christo- Due to the Asso- recounted and Members of all generations including new pher Page, said some words of welcome. ciation, namely another guest, undergraduates from the Universities of Fr Nick King SJ, OS, who had arranged Beverley Sillitoe Steve Coogan, Newcastle and Northumbria. Due to the the event gave an address about Edmund and the power of the Comedian, Freshers’ Ball, our Durham members Campion and his importance in history the internet, con- was persuaded to were unable to make it and we look and to the ethos of the College, exempli- tact was made pose for our group forward to welcoming them at the next fied by the Stonyhurst Children’sH oliday with colleagues photograph. One event. It was lovely to see the Everatts Trust, the Lourdes Pilgrimage and Easter all over the world or two of our year, and the Tomalin-Reeves who had made Retreat. He concluded with a toast to including George who shall remain the distance from Bellingham and ‘Stonyhurst College’ to which the Head- Mercer and nameless, were Thirsk. master, Andrew Johnson, replied and we Andrew Vick- convinced that he We would like to thank Mia, the Lay then drank to the ‘Stonyhurst Family’. ers in America, did in fact attend Chaplain, and Anita for the uplifting Formalities ended, the crack and buzz Jeremy Cafferata Stonyhurst and left music and Edmund Rous-Eyre for read­ continued for a considerable time. in the Baha- with us in 1983! ing. Our thanks also go to the Head­ The young were mainly Oxford under­ mas, Malcolm The weekend master, Andrew Johnson and to Beverley graduates; others seemed to have come Thorpe in was rounded off Sillitoe and Rachel Eccleston for support- from far and wide and from all walks Dubai, Barry perfectly by Mass ing us in this event. and ages of life, to appreciate good food, Lowe in Zimbabwe, at the College on Historically the North East Region plentiful wine and excellent company. Damian Green in Luxembourg, Brian against Bradford Grammar School in Sunday morning where the singing, has 200 members although we do not No one was in a hurry to go and it Douglas in Spain, Nic du Chastel in glorious sunshine, even the weather particularly from the Old Boys, lived up have contact details for all. As regional was only sympathy for the patient and France, Elias Rodriquez in Germany and working in our favour for the weekend. to expectation. The reunion was such co-ordinators for the North East region, courteous staff of the Chaplaincy which Jono Gomes in Portugal. A few even managed to relive old times a resounding success that it has been we would like to develop more events finally occasioned our leave taking. Most of them met at the Dunkenhalgh by having a five-a-side football game in suggested an annual gathering of those for our members and would welcome We would like to thank the Master of Hotel on Friday night where conversation the Ambulacrum before departing for the who left in ’83, should take place at a feedback and ideas. If you would like to Campion Hall, Fr Brendan Callaghan SJ, and laughter prevailed all evening. hotel and a quick shower and then back different venue throughout the UK, to be involved, please contact Emma and OS, the Association Chaplain, Fr Billy On Saturday everyone met in the to the College for drinks and a formal keep the spirit alive. Richard Wotton at emma.wotton1@ Hewett SJ, OS, Fr Nick King SJ, OS, Pietà Gallery for registration and then dinner in the Top Refectory with Father I would recommend anyone con­ btinternet.com. Rachel Eccleston from the College, the lunch in the Bailey Room where even the Bossy SJ, Wilf Usher and Simon Andrews sidering organising such a reunion, or courteous Chaplaincy team and all who intervention of the fire alarm could not as guests. Three excellent speeches by Fr attending one, to make the effort, as I am Below: drinks in the Library at Campion Hall contributed to a successful evening. dent the atmosphere. In the afternoon Bossy, Andrew Hart and Mike Winfield, sure they will not be disappointed.

Left: Scenes from the 1983 Reunion, including the indispensable Beverley in organisational mode.

Right: Last but not least among the Association convivia of 2008 was the Carol singing in Sloane Square, a well attended event organised by Ben Pryor OS 90-95. Cecilia Payne OS 01-07 is rattling the collection pot, whilst various OS sing with great enthusiasm and we hope comparable skill. Tired vocal chords were later nursed in a nearby pub, in what has now become an annual fixture. Money raised goes to the Stonyhurst Children’s Holiday Trust. 8 9 Eagle Aid char ities e AGle A id Pilgr image 2008 Eagle Aid—2008 Self R eli ance in A fr ic a

ast year’s pilgrimage/ Woods to the church of St Joseph, erected f 2008 witnessed unprece­ Simon Andrews OS 61-68, Deputy Head Learning at the College, together with family and friends, recently started a charity for holiday took the form of a spiritual on Mt. Kahlenburg by King Jan Sobieski dented economic gloom for many, Africa following his daughter’s work with YBJA and a family visit to see for themselves. He writes: and cultural visit to Vienna in of Poland in 1683 after his spectacular for Eagle Aid the year was one of OLctober. We travelled from Heathrow victory over the Turks. Fr Michael said Iunprecedented activity. Our accounts are and after some trials and tribulations by Mass for us there. The church is manned not yet completed but our revenue had elf Reliance in Africa the evening of the 21st the whole party by Polish priests served by a community exceeded £200,000 by October – more has been registered with the Char- had mustered at our hotel. Our first visit of Polish nuns and all around were than twice our previous highest and four ity Commissioners since Septem- was to the Jesuitenkirche, a glorious pictures of Pope John Paul II’s visit. The times our average annual income. berS 2006 (Charity Number 1115995). We building in high baroque style. We were nearby village of Grinzing is a great wine The supply of a Mazda 4 x 4 for the have 3 trustees, Val Edge, a retired teach- made welcome in the adjoining Jesuit centre and was a good place to stop for Stomaltherapy Clinic in Harare was er from Blackburn, Barbara and Simon community house and there Fr Michael lunch. described in the last Newsletter. We Andrews. SRiA provides training and said Mass. When we came out, what A memorable visit was to the church have sent a further £16,000 for fuel for materials to enable individuals to find should catch our eye but a restaurant of Our Lady at Marianzell, the principal the Mazda and bandages, dressings employment and so become self-reliant: enticingly named ‘Inigo’. Naturally it was shrine of Our Lady in Austria, rebuilt and other consumables for the Clinic’s • secondary school fees for children in there that we had our meal, watched over in thanksgiving after the defeat of patients. In April, we promoted a need by a picture of St Ignatius the Pilgrim, the Turkish invaders. It was visited by most successful piano recital by Rose • driving lessons, driving tests and the original of which we had seen on our Pope Benedict during his pilgrimage to Chomondeley which provided much of driving licenses. visit to Manresa a few years before. We Austria. That evening we returned to the funds needed in Harare. • learning materials to develop a fantasised about how Fr Billy of Inigo Mass at our local church, a monastery In July, we issued a Newsletter, language skill. Enterprises might have reacted, inspired of the Conventual Franciscans. In the detailing much of this activity and were • tools and training for skills in perhaps to found just such a chain of cloister is a striking mural of their saint overwhelmed at the response, raising plumbing, engineering etc. restaurants hard by each of the Jesuit Maximilian Kolbe. more than £100,000 for our work. The charity believes in direct contact child, sleeping in doorways and cleaning As time has moved on, we have felt churches in Britain. The Jesuitenkirche Another visit was to the 900 year old In August, Dominique Byrne – a with its beneficiaries but works with cars to earn money for food. Dickson that the greatest good can be provided doubles as the university church, a Benedictine monastery of Melke. Also former pupil of St Aloysius – started his other charities to ensure any funds are came from Arusha in northern Tanzania through paying for children to attend suitable reminder of the fondness of the notable was a Mozart Mass with choir ride round a Tour de France route – a spent wisely. All the charity’s funds and ended up in a Dar Es Salaam jail secondary school. We have been Empress Maria Theresa for the Jesuits. and orchestra at the Jesuitenkirche, a total of 3,100 kms. We saw him off on are used to help the beneficiaries; all at the age of 12. He was then looked supporting Hawa for a couple of years at During our stay we encountered glorious and moving experience. 24th August from the Tower of London, administrative costs are borne by the after by Frankie until they both started her school in Arusha, Tanzania. Coming such kindness that we decided that if One way and the other, we paid proper and he completed his ride on the 21st trustees. to live in a shelter run by an English from a Maasai tribe, her family do not ever there is question of nominating homage to the beauties of Vienna while September at the Arc de Triomphe. The idea to form Self Reliance in Africa charity. When we met him, Dickson believe in education but she was quite a European City of Courtesy, all of us savouring its life today at every turn. To date, he has raised £55,000 for the developed after our daughter, Sarah (OS was about 18 years of age and still in determined to go to school if the fees would give our votes to Vienna. Places to There was Sachertorte as well as the Landmine victim children we support in 2003), went to work with street children primary school, having missed out on could be found. She is getting very good eat abounded and our favourite quickly ‘Black Sheep’, an Imperial past blending Kosovo – sufficient to fund our support in Tanzania in 2003 under the aegis of the early years of education. We decided school reports and has now finished the established itself – ‘The Black Sheep’, a in with the ambience of our own times. for them from 2008 until 2011 inclusive. YBJA (Now JMV). She spent five months that they needed some form of training second form. semi-bar run by the most hospitable of Nav Jeevan’s Home in Kolkatta was working with the children, looking after and so, in Dickson’s case, we provided We are just starting to support proprietors. The place became our usual Maxinne Torrents dels Prats enlarged, costing about £32,000, of their pastoral and domestic needs on a driving lessons and paid for his driving Elizabeth, also from Arusha. She reached evening headquarters. which we provided £25,000. It involved daily basis. license. Frankie wanted to become a car form 3 at secondary school when her The weather was cold but dry and the Below, l to r: Hazel Grey, Yvonne Wallis, the building of two extra floors on top of Barbara and I, together with our son mechanic and so we paid for his tools father died and she had to leave because sun came out brilliantly on several days. Maxinne Torrents dels Prats and Duncan the existing building. In May, the Indian James (OS 2000) went out to visit Sarah and apprenticeship in a local garage. the family could not afford the school Once we travelled through the Vienna Taylor (OS ’58) outside Melke Abbey. bank managed to ‘loose’ one of our over Christmas and New Year and got to These two boys have done quite well. fees. Her mum has remarried but the transfers of £10,000 and it was not until know a number of the children and those Dickson has continued with education stepfather is unable to pay for Elizabeth’s September that the funds were traced. who looked after them. and has recently completed year 3 of education to continue. We hope to be By way of recompense, the Syndicate One of the most apparent problems secondary school at the age of 23 while able to assist her through to the end of Bank provided Nav Jeevan with 30 in Tanzania is the difficulty with Frankie is living in Sweden, is in a steady her secondary education. second-hand computers. The extension education: relationship and has a baby girl. So far the money needed for these was completed and blessed on the 18th • All children attend primary schools We have also helped Estifanos who projects has been raised from a number Decem­ber 2008 amidst great celebrations, which are state funded, but poorer is a tour guide in Lalibela, Ethiopia. He of sponsored events at Oakhill College by the Archbishop of Kolkatta. children cannot afford to go to secondary lives in this very poor but very beautiful (where Barbara teaches) and donations Eagle Aid’s Trustees are now plan­ school. area, a World Heritage Site with 11 from other charities and individuals. ning the first-ever British Jesuit • The language for teaching is Swahili ancient rock-hewn churches. However We hope to increase our fundraising to Alumni/ae Congress which will take in primary schools and then English for his wife has to work as a maid in Saudi support other children and young people place in Oxford, at Exeter College, 9th- secondary. Arabia, sending money home to support and enable them to get on that first rung 11th April 2010. Before then, efforts will • Lack of employment and other the family. Estifanos’s difficulty as a tour of the employment ladder. If you are be made to provide Eagle Aid with new opportunities for school leavers, is a guide lies in meeting up with the tourists able to help SRiA financially or in any management and its own office, so that it major problem. in the first place. We funded driving other way, please contact us at SRiA, Cut can continue ‘helping others’ during the We started by helping two ex-street lessons and licences so that he can now Thorn Farm, Shire Lane, Hurst Green, next 22 years. boys, Frankie and Dickson. Frankie was pick up tourists from the airport and Clitheroe. BB7 9QR. Telephone: 01254 Michael Gorman a street boy in Dar Es Salaam as a young then become their tour guide. 826251. e-mail: [email protected] 10 11 Stonyhur st & Lour des – an invitation lourdes

Rupert Bell OS 81 – 86, Chief Br anc a r dier for the c Atholic Associ ation 1858-2008

he Catholic Association hard to appreciate the balance without tables, moving food from the kitchens to Pilgrimage to Lourdes takes place experiencing it first hand, but there is tables, helping people eat where neces- Three thoughts occurred to me after we returned at the end of August each year something hugely satisfying in moving sary and clearing up. We are lucky to be from the Stonyhurst Pilgrimage to Lourdes at andT involves around 1,200 people from between these three spheres – Work, Rest supported by a large and excellent medi- the end of August 2008. the dioceses of Southwark, Portsmouth, and Pray, if you will – and the evidence cal team of doctors and nurses, so we East Anglia, Clifton, and Northampton has to be the friendships which are forged never ask untrained volunteers to per- Firstly, the role of the Pilgrimage to Lourdes as well as a number of youth and school here, and the loyalty with which so many form duties outside their comfort zone. in the Life of Stonyhurst. This was the 45th groups, including our own Stonyhurst pilgrims return year after year. Perhaps the most important role any successive year that a party from Stonyhurst had Pilgrimage Trust. of us play is to give freely of our time and gone to Lourdes. Together with the Stonyhurst Children’s Holiday Week and the Easter Retreat, Stonyhurst takes about 100 people, August 21st – 28th 2009 ourselves – so many of the people we including current and recent pupils, as care for do not have the chance to spend the Stonyhurst Pilgrimage to Lourdes is an well as a number of older OS and families, real time with others, especially with example of what the Stonyhurst Family stands and importantly many local old friends Lourdes young people, and for them the chance for and what it does, not only in term time, but of the college community. We welcome simply to chat, to hear about real life, also in the holidays. helpers over 17 up to any age and we have Pilgrimage to share jokes and reflections is at the Secondly, we celebrated this year the 150th An- limited, properly regulated facilities to centre of their own Lourdes experience. niversary of the apparitions at Lourdes in 1858 cater for young children so families can Association members and their In turn, almost without realising it, we families are invited to join this of Our Blessed Lady to a fourteen-year old girl, also come. open ourselves up to learn from them Bernadette Soubirous. Stonyhurst marked this In particular, we welcome those who year’s pilgrimage. – to understand the dignity with which Anniversary with record numbers, a Mystery need care – assisted pilgrims. These We are particularly keen to help they tolerate their illnesses, to develop Tour led by the Chairman which was even more are the most important people of all in find assisted pilgrims: do you patience and perspective and to value the of a mystery than usual (but if the Pope sets out Lourdes and it is our primary concern to know anybody in your parish gifts we have but so seldom recognise: the way, who is there to doubt?), and a Jesuit care for them during the pilgrimage, and our health, our education and our Alumni/ae Party expanded to include former indeed throughout the year. who is sick and would like to join families and friends. the pilgrimage? pupils of Wimbledon College, St Aloysius, St Stonyhurst has been part of the CA for Lourdes is a great place for a party Ignatius Stamford Hill, and Mount St Mary’s. over 40 years and historically we have If so please email Beverley Sillitoe and barely a night goes by without some offered young muscle to help move the at [email protected], sort of celebration, whether a birthday Thirdly, the meaning of Lourdes was brought assisted pilgrims around. In recent years, or call 01254 827043 for booking party, a sing-song, or a reunion. Our home to us powerfully by one of our number, thanks to advances in medication and forms and information. group includes many children whose Mrs Bernadine Holmes who, although seriously wheelchair design, our part has evolved joy for life spills over into the larger ill, joined us on the Pilgrimage. Bernadine raised to a more all-round care role, including pilgrimage, in Masses, music and fancy our spirits and was a wonderful example to us washing, dressing and feeding. In par- Lourdes is a great melting pot, with dress. Stonyhurst throws a number of all before returning home to die in Clitheroe ticular, with Stonyhurst becoming co- young and old, well and sick, rich and great parties in the course of the week Hospital in September. educational, our group has included a poor all coming together for a week of (any excuse) and many a star turn has growing number of handmaids (female celebrations. As Stonyhurst links into the been revealed over the years at the last We were also blessed by the presence of Father helpers) as well as male ‘brancardiers’ Catholic Association, so we all join with night cabaret. John Twist SJ, the College Chaplain, and by (literally “stretcher-bearers”). We also many other nationalities to respond to 2008 has been a special year for Fathers Hilary Thomas SJ, and Nick King SJ provide a significant number of doctors the call of Our Lady, to come in penance, Lourdes, the 150th anniversary of the ap- and Brother Ted Coyle SJ and Father Castelli. and nurses who bring the necessary med- to pray and to process. It is a never- paritions, when Our Lady appeared to St Together they ministered to our needs by say­ ical capability to run the pilgrimage. ending, lively community of faith and Bernadette, and a wonderful chance for ing Mass, leading the Stations of the Cross, Stonyhurst has also played an an environment that simply allows us the Stonyhurst family to participate in administering the Sacraments, and by their important role across the larger group to be the very best person we can be, in these great celebrations, either return- presence amongst us. in providing leadership and organisation loving service and in deep friendship in ing as a regular, or even better, making If anyone wants to explore the meaning of the and over the years the College has the family of God. a first pilgrimage with us. Ignatian ideal of ‘Men and Women for Others’ produced many influential, not to The work is varied. We ensure all new We can offer financial assistance to between 21st – 28th August 2009 with the mention colourful characters who have helpers are closely supervised by experi- those who would not otherwise be able Stonyhurst Party in Lourdes, please contact left an indelible mark – they are too many enced hands and so are never out of their to come on pilgrimage, so please don’t let Beverley Sillitoe at the College. I guarantee you to list by name but the College tradition depth, but we also aim to give everyone infirmity or lack of funds be your reason will return with an enhanced understanding of of service remains strong in Lourdes! a mixed schedule. Typically, this will in- not to come. what ‘Quant je puis’ is all about. The pilgrimage offers a unique volve both pushing wheelchairs through- Lourdes is a wonderful community opportunity to combine periods of quite out town, and light bedside care such as experience and shows the Stonyhurst Richard Brumby, Chairman intense physical work, personal and helping our assisted guests wash, dress family at its very finest, in the service of Stonyhurst Pilgrimage Trust 2008 group spiritual reflection and prayer, and prepare to go out. We also involve Our Lady and each other. Come and try and lots of socialising and partying. It is helpers in dining room duties – laying it for yourself! 12 13 2003 pilgr image Father Paul Magill SJ was not an original 44 Y e a r s of Lour des w e A r e C A LLED BY NA ME pioneer, so much did he establish himself 2003 marked the 40th official pilgrimage to as a ‘prominent’ member of the party, Fr Nick King SJ, OS 60 – 66 Richard King, OS 71 Lourdes made by the Stonyhurst community spiritual leader and chief organizer in and Mark Belderbos OS 56-61, chairman at later years. ast weekend I was in ilgrims to Lourdes find the time, could say in Newsletter 288: We have enjoyed continuous Jesuit Lourdes again. It is now beyond that their week passes by all representation, including besides my computing how often I have too quickly in the busy-ness of hen the Stonyhurst those mentioned, Father Jock Earle SJ, beenL there; I know that the first time was Ppilgrimage, whether spiritual or physical. pilgrims set off for Lourdes Headmaster of the College, now recently in 1963, but that does not really count, There is little chance to address the on 22nd August, 2003, they deceased. Blessed with the support of since I was with a French family, and fundamentals of our relationships with couldW feel with some justification that successive Rectors and Superiors, we Above and previous page: Crispian Hollis swore that I would never return. The those we accompany on this journey they were celebrating a special milestone have greatly benefited from the guidance OS46-54 , Bishop of Portsmouth, at Lourdes next year, however, forty-four years ago, of faith. An opportunity to do that in that they were embarking on the and inspiration of our Spiritual Directors, in 2008 and quite to my astonishment, I found occurred during the 150th Anniversary 40th Annual Stonyhurst Pilgrimage to more recently, Father Hilary Thomas SJ myself back in that place, having emptied of the Apparitions, in which Our Lady Lourdes. Some may question whether and Father Mathew Power SJ but nevertheless 100 years after the out my entire post office account in order had spoken to the young, poor, sick, this statement is entirely accurate, or Our appreciation is also due in great apparitions, the underground basilica of St to be part of the first Stonyhurst pilgrim- uneducated Bernadette as an equal. suggest that the milestone was in fact measure to the secular leaders, prominent Pius X was constructed to accommodate age to Lourdes. And from that moment, Bishop Jacques Perrier asked HCPT- one year late, since it does have to be OS such as Tom Harrison, Louis King, about 25,000 pilgrims. Within the last I was hooked. The Pilgrimage Trust to undertake ‘The acknowledged that a party of pioneer Gerald King, Basil George and Joe ten years, a new hospital has been built, What was it that so swept me off my Church’s Mission alongside People with pilgrims from Stonyhurst did indeed visit Goodier, and more recent Chairmen of providing much improved facilities for feet? It is hard to be confident of the Disabilities’, one of twelve missions that Lourdes in 1963. We owe them a very the Pilgrimage Trust, Eddie Kershaw, sick pilgrims, and incorporating a roof- answer, almost half a century later, but are particularly relevant to Lourdes. special debt of gratitude for establishing Tony Brown, John Cardwell and John top terrace at each end, one affording two things have always seemed to me to The theme was I Have Called You By Your what has become a permanent and Hartley. commanding views of the Grotto and be at the heart of the matter. The first is Above: Jean Vanier OSJB with Fr Timothy Name1, recognising that we are each important part of the Stonyhurst calendar. From early days, a notable feature the Domain, the other providing a more that when working with what are now uniquely called to be a person in our own However they would themselves of the Stonyhurst party has been that peaceful but nevertheless dramatic called the ‘Assisted Pilgrims’, you very on disability, and the talks given by Fr right. God created us in his image; he has acknowledge that they were to some it has comprised such a diverse and aspect of the adjacent countryside and the soon discover that you are receiving Timothy and by Jean Vanier in particular chosen us, just as we are. Each of us is to extent in the nature of a reconnaissance comprehensive representation of all those foothills of the Pyrenees. More recently more than you can possibly give. The were very moving indeed. What they be cherished as part of God’s family. party seeking to explore the potential for who make up the Stonyhurst ‘Family’ a new Chapel of Exposition has been second is that Lourdes is what the Celts were saying ( I suppose what we were all In November 400 people gathered at a full pilgrimage thereafter. It is relevant –Jesuits, staff, OS, parents, pupils, constructed, a peaceful and devotional call a very ‘thin’ place, a place where you saying, in our different ways) was that an international Conference in Lourdes to note that a report in the Stonyhurst families, friends and acquaintances, as setting for quiet prayer and meditation. feel very close to what lies beyond what working with the disabled, or ‘Other- to consider various physical and spiritual Magazine of January 1964 contained the well as pilgrims previously complete Despite these changes and some we can see and hear. I am not sure that abled’, teaches one a great deal about what aspects of disability and perhaps to following extracts: strangers to Stonyhurst but who have amendments in procedures, all will agree I would have expressed it quite like that it means to be human. And one thing that confront preconceived ideas. A notable ‘Father Worthy from the College now become part and parcel of our that the whole purpose and meaning of to myself, back in 1964; I should probably happens as we do this work is that we array of speakers included Fathers Tim­ endeavoured to collect a representative group. All have always been most Lourdes changes hardly at all. There is have talked more of the carousing in the discover that the ‘sick’ or ‘handicapped’ othy Radcliffe, Nicholas King (OS 1966) party – for a pioneer pilgrimage. This welcome, young and old, and from a constant and compelling atmosphere bars and the short nights; but I know that are not ‘other’, or out on the margins, as and Michael Drumm and Professor he succeeded in doing with the accent whatever location or background. Many of devotion and prayer to Our Blessed I was aware of it, even then, for it was our words for them might suggest, but John Swinton. Each spoke powerfully on ‘pioneer’…No one knew who was in long-lasting friendships, not to mention Lady, common to all pilgrims of every important to me to be at the Grotto late utterly, intensely human, precisely as of the place of disabled people within the group – in which train or in which a few marriages, have come about in no nationality, evidenced not only at the at night, at the end of the day. And it has we are. So that the gap between ‘us’ and the Church and society, and of what coach. The applications and bookings small measure due to the intervention Grotto and in the liturgies, but in the changed my life. ‘them’ vanishes, and we are all human it means to be called by God. A key had all been made too late nor was there of Our Lady of Lourdes. It goes without dedication and commitment of all This last weekend, that was still together. In other words, working with moment was an address by Jean Vanier, a leader…If the pioneer group has done saying that the ongoing success of the pilgrims to the well-being of those clear to me. Bernadette would not the ‘disabled’ forces us to change and the founder of the L’Arche communities no more than give to the College boys pilgrimage has, to a very large extent, around them, particularly the sick and have understood what it meant to call broaden and deepen our understanding of people with learning disabilities, on the opportunity to be so inspired, it has been because of the participation of the less able-bodied. Lourdes a ‘thin’ place, but she did call of what it means to be human. Or, as one the theme ‘Many Parts, One Body’. He served Stonyhurst well…’ pupils (now both boys and girls) of the Lourdes is a place of many emotions, it, ‘a place suspended between heaven of the speakers over the weekend put expressed beautifully how each of us has Inevitably this exploratory pilgrimage College, who have willingly given up a especially for a first time pilgrim, and earth’, which is very much the same it, the ‘margins’ are redefined. This of an important part to play in the body of was a great success and it immediately week of their summer holiday to offer perhaps bewildering but at the same time thing. This weekend I was addressing, course is what Jesus was always doing in Christ and how we are all diminished if resulted in plans being made for a fully their services to the sick pilgrims and awesome, challenging and uplifting. But along with eminent figures like Jean his earthly ministry. one element is ignored. organized pilgrimage in 1964, which has cheerfully carried out the many duties it is much more than simply a place – it Vanier and Timothy Radcliffe OP, a You should talk to some of the recent I had the privilege of leading the music come to be regarded as the ‘first’. assigned to them. is an experience with a lasting effect, conference on disability organized by and current pupils at Stonyhurst who at our liturgies, in which the Conference Three sick pilgrims were in the Much praise and favourable comment engendering an atmosphere of faith, hope my youngest brother Richard (OS 1966), have done such remarkable work on themes were expressed in prayer and song, 1963 party as well as nine brancardiers, has been made with regard to the hard and love, the comfort of feeling closer to who is Director of the HCPT Pilgrimage. the Lourdes pilgrimage, or on the with dancing from a group of adults with four handmaids and eight more senior work and commitment of the pupils and Almighty God through the intercession Now because we were not working in SCHT holiday, or the other works of learning disabilities. For me there were pilgrims, including Monsignor Sidney young OS, and their friendliness and of His Blessed Mother, and the ability to the hospital, there was more leisure to outreach that so impressively go on from perhaps two special moments among Lescher and the Reverend Edmund willingness to help in the hospital and cope more easily with our problems and mooch around the long-familiar places, Stonyhurst, and ask them whether in many. First, the enthusiastic response to a Worthy SJ, both of whom made a elsewhere, and in all the liturgies and difficulties, and to evaluate more readily despite the autumnal chill of Lourdes in some way this echoes their experience, Marty Haugen song that I had discovered substantial contribution in those early similar activities. Indeed it is as a result the priorities in our daily lives. November. And there was time for less that in working with and for those less a few days before, which encapsulated years. It would be very remiss not to recall of the constant and unselfish dedication For forty years, Stonyhurst pilgrims rushed prayer, without having to hurry apparently privileged than themselves, everything we were trying to say: the fact that among the brancardiers was of all helpers that an almost permanent have committed themselves in no small to the next duty. That familiar sense of they discover a whole hidden depth of one Nick King, then a pupil and now the atmosphere of good will, love and measure to the success of our pilgrimages. the closeness of God was very strong, as meaning in the idea of ‘being human’. 1“Thus says the Lord who created you, who formed Reverend Nick King SJ, who has been togetherness is fostered throughout the May they continue, for many years to always in Lourdes. Then ask them that all-important you: Fear not for I have redeemed you; I have called on more pilgrimages than most and group. come, to receive the graces and blessings That second element of what Lourdes further question, ‘And did you feel that you by your name; You are mine...Because you are was the only ‘pioneer’ to accompany Lourdes has changed over the years. so much in abundance at Our Lady’s did to me 44 years ago was also present, it brought you closer to God?’ Then precious in my eyes and glorious, and because I love us in 2003. Some may be surprised that Before the Stonyhurst pilgrimages began, Shrine. however; as I say, the conference was consider coming to Lourdes yourself. you.” (Isaiah 43.1) 14 15 We are many parts, we are all one body, an end the amazing events of February done, and holding the Rosary, just as she and the gifts we have, we are given to share, and March 1858. But though Our Lady had on that first day five months earlier. May the spirit of love make us one indeed; had nothing more to say or reveal, she What was said during that farewell tryst, one, the love that we share, did accord to Bernadette, twice more, the Bernadette never told us. But Bernadette one, our hope in despair, joy of seeing her again. On 7 April, Easter did say, ‘I saw neither the barricades nor one, the cross that we bear. Wednesday, Bernadette was drawn to the Gave. It seemed to me I was at the the Grotto, and spent an hour of oblivi- Grotto, no further away than at other Secondly, when at the Grotto (right) our ous ecstasy with ‘her’ lady – so oblivious times. I saw only the Blessed Virgin.’ Trust Chaplain proclaimed the Gospel that she did not notice or feel the candle Bernadette’s suffering life must surely (fittingly, the Talents Parable), and his she was holding burning low, so that its have been given an infusion of hope and mobile rang just before he reached the flame licked around her hands (without trust through those encounters with Our line, “As for this good-for-nothing serv- injury) for several minutes. That seemed Lady, especially the last, the memory of ant, throw him out into the dark”! For to be the very end. Would the lady ever which would have burned deep within gifts and occasional mirth are very much come again, Bernadette was asked. ‘She her. She was able to cope with her trials, part of what we are as human beings. didn’t tell me,’ came Bernadette’s reply. her sufferings, her humiliations, not so It is the mission of us all to uphold the But she did. Bernadette made her First much because of her natural stoicism right of every individual to be valued as Communion, aged 14, on 3 June, the feast and fortitude, great though these were, a person and for their gifts to be fully of Corpus Christi; and when, on 16 July, but because of the enormous grace con- recognised. The challenge is to put that the feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, ferred upon her by the eighteen encoun- into practice. Bernadette experienced within her that ters with Our Lady. ‘The Grotto: it was Richard King is Trustee and Pilgrimage mysterious attraction which in Febru- Above: Bernadette Soubirous my Heaven,’ she used to say. On another Director of HCPT-The Pilgrimage Trust ary and March had drawn her to the © Sanctuaires de Lourdes /Durand occasion: ‘ She smiled at me, and spoke Grotto, she followed her instinct, and to me as a person.’ went there. But, by now, because of the walked round the long way to what we Bernadette was blessed indeed, and excitement and turmoil caused by the now call the Prairie. And there, in an in- much grace balanced much suffering in The l A st A ppa r ition apparitions, the Grotto had been closed, stant, on the other side of the river Gave, her short life. That same grace is offered and barricaded with planks and fencing and behind the man-made barricades, she to all of us at the Grotto; but to us it is John Hartley OS 47-53 and the public prohibited by law from saw her in the niche, where she always given to catch only a glimpse, a faint echo, going there. Bernadette knew this; so she had been, smiling as she always had of Bernadette’s glorious experience. he story of Lourdes is achieved such fame throughout France, family were the poorest of the poor. Sec- too familiar to be retold year by and who, in spite of the hardships, loved ondly, we forget all too easily the power- A few memor ies of Lour des pilgr ims… year. The most extraordinary so much the place of her birth, could ful impact of the apparitions on Berna- thingT about the story was Bernadette have consented to leave everything for dette. For her, they were hours of ecstasy herself. It was her solid character and a far-away cloistered life, amid alien sur- and bliss in an otherwise hard and cruel her unwavering testimony, more than roundings. Our Lady, during the third life. During the fourteen-day phase of From Gerard Eaton OS 46-51: Lady ‘I am the Immaculate Conception’. From Rupert Bell OS 81-86: anything else, which made credible apparition, had said, ‘I do not promise the apparitions to which Our Lady had Sidney said the importance of those the remarkable events that took place to make you happy in this world, but in invited her, she longed for each succes- We boarded the boat at Dover, having words lay in what they proved. In short We have been lucky to have had such in Lourdes in 1858. She herself gained the next.’ This turned out to be an under- sive encounter; and during each encoun- loaded the sick pilgrims, and made our he said, they proved the Old Testament a rich and varied group of people with nothing from the apparitions, except that statement, since Bernadette suffered ter- ter, she was transformed, in face and in way to the lower deck restaurant for an account of the fall of man: they proved us over the years. From the late John of becoming a lonely and misunderstood ribly at Nevers, and was frequently close posture, so that those who watched (and English breakfast. The queue was long. the Assumption, they proved that Mary is Cardwell, with his robust determination public figure. That she was ultimately to death from asthma, and, later, from there were thousands towards the end We arrived at the back of the queue with the Mother of God, they proved Heaven that the whole thing should be run on vindicated, when the appointed Church cancer of the bone. Worse still, since she of that phase) were in no doubt that she Bishop Mervyn Alexander. I spied the and Eternity, they proved the necessity very English lines (suede shoes, ties at Commission publicly proclaimed in was not a clever or well-educated novice, was experiencing something out of this tall figure of Monsignor Crispian Hollis of Baptism. These were just some of the all times and never far from a copy of 1862 that the apparitions were authentic, the mistress of novices, Sister Vauzous, world. It is surely, then, not so hard for almost at the front of the queue. I turned proofs Sidney touched upon. He spoke the Telegraph and a good Armagnac), was of little consequence. Bernadette an upper-class, intelligent woman, fre- us to understand how someone who had to Bishop Mervyn. ‘Your Lordship, your for about twenty minutes with a seraphic to the three wonderful Baldwin sisters, hated photographers and journalists, quently taunted Bernadette, expressing experienced such a phenomenal and mo- Vicar General is at the front of the queue. smile on his face. whom the Stonyhurst group adopted and wanted nothing more than to be left scepticism that Our Lady should have ap- mentous event in her life, would be for- Shall I ask him to get your breakfast? as fellow travellers in the same hotel. alone. Indeed, the pressure of publicity peared to such an ordinary peasant-girl, tified thereafter with that kind of grace ‘Gerard’ the Bishop replied, ‘I would Below: Sidney with Mark, Claire and Peter Shoesmith from Hurst Green and and fame became so great that the wise whose local dialect was so offensive to a which would enable her to endure what- trust Crispian with my diocese, but not Jeremy Eaton a regular guest in the Accueil (where religious authorities (bishops and nuns) cultured ear. ever came. It is rather like the impact with my breakfast!’ many of the assisted pilgrims stay), has responsible for her, decided in 1866 to There are two answers to give to the Christ’s transfiguration on Mount Tabor a range of party tricks from boxing send her away to a convent at Nevers, four modern mind. Firstly the toughness and must have had on Peter, James and John. and again: commentator, to cattle auctioneer and a hundred miles from Lourdes, where she strength of Bernadette were forged in Nothing would ever be the same again. memory for bishops second to none… spent the rest of her life, until she died, a childhood of hardship. A visit to the Although the memory of all the ap- One of the great characters on the We were saddened this year to learn of aged 35, in 1879. She was destined never Cachot – a one-room, dark and dismal paritions will have been ever-present to Stonyhurst Pilgrimage was Monsignor the death of Mary Engel who had taught again to see her much-loved parents. dwelling where Bernadette’s parents and Bernadette in her much changed life in Sidney Lescher OBE, OS. Sidney was a the young Archbishop of Southwark the Indeed, her mother died only five months three siblings lived at the time of the ap- Nevers, the memory of the eighteenth, paraplegic having lost the use of both piano and who teamed up with him, after her departure for Nevers. Nor did paritions – will convince anyone of the and last, apparition must surely have legs in a car accident. memorably, for a selection of Gilbert and she ever visit again the Grotto, that holy utter destitution Bernadette’s family suf- been as poignant as any. Our Lady had One morning he took a group of young Sullivan songs a couple of years ago. place where she and the Mother of God fered. There was no heat, or light, or san- announced who she was at the sixteenth people to the Prairie, and settled them Over time, people pick up certain jobs had conversed. itation, and all of her family were close apparition when she said, ‘I am the Im- down facing the Grotto. Then Sidney gave and make them their own – Tony Brown The modern mind will ask how it was to starvation. Better-off friends came maculate Conception’. It seemed appro- the children and the adults a wonderful simply was the man with the Polaroid possible that a 22- year-old girl, who had to their aid, it is true; but the Soubirous priate that that apparition would bring to explanation of the words spoken by Our camera, and ever-present during mystery 16 17 Little did I know that seven years later From Peter Delisle OS 47-53, former president except for Paris. I imagine they continue what an important part Lourdes would of the Stonyhurst Association, in August to thrive. Long may this continue – a play in my life, both professionally and 2008: powerful advertisement for our Faith personally. and devotion! Despite being ill that first year I went I have just returned from only my Lourdes will certainly draw me back in 2001, (not the alcohol – honestly!). third visit to Lourdes in recent years, so I in the near future to add my tiny Ave to I have been lucky enough to be able to can hardly claim to be a regular, though the hymns of praise to Our Lady. go back every year since. Explaining the I am a devoted pilgrim. Our Lady of Lourdes, Queen of Heaven, pray Lourdes pilgrimage to those who don’t The Stonyhurst contingent of the for us always. go is always difficult. ‘You do what?’ was Catholic Association Pilgrimage, num­ the usual response that I got from work bered 102. Our party included wives, From Peter Anwyl former Headmaster of colleagues. But in going to Lourdes as a widows, family, children and neighbours SMH: handmaid, I have received far more than from Hurst Green and Clitheroe. I For me personally, the ‘message’ of I have given. remain constantly amazed at the overall Lourdes has shifted its focus – away from It was in Lourdes that I first found the numbers involved, some five to six million cures and dramatic changes in health, confidence to use my signing skills and annually. This figure had already been important and special though these are communicate at Mass for a group of deaf reached in 2008 and with the threeday – to a message of prayer and acceptance. people. Now I work for Westminster visit of the Pope next month, a total of It is interesting to note that the Grotto, Diocese Deaf Service and as well as going nine to ten million is expected this year, once festooned with discarded crutches in August on the Catholic Association the 150th anniversary of the Apparitions. and walking aids, now has a single pilgrimage, I am also going with a group Bernadette Soubirous, the village girl crutch hanging from the wall, no doubt of deaf people in July on the Westminster so honoured and selected by Our Lady, to remind us of the healing graces of pilgrimage as their group leader (having grew to be a nun and a popular saint. As Lourdes for which we all thank God, borrowed quite a few ideas from the the figures show, her appeal increases. yet reflecting what I perceive to be the Stonyhurst Pilgrimage). To see the queues for Confession, bigger grace – changes to one’s inner For me the message of Lourdes has anointing, the Grotto and the special self. This is the real miracle of Lourdes: been a profound but simple one – to love baths, let alone the congregations for that upwards of six million pilgrims God and serve one another; a message Holy Mass and Communion, is an visit each year, uncompromisingly which does not stop when the view of the inspiring sight, while countless Alleluias open themselves to Our Lady’s grace, Grotto disappears as the train pulls away fill the air. No wonder this town in the and leave with their lives enriched and from Lourdes, but one which nurtures south west corner of France boasts more transformed to a degree which only they my Faith all year round. hotels than anywhere in the country can understand.

LOUR DES - INTER NATIONA L MILITA RY PILGr iMAGE tour tea parties (how we miss him). John Savundras, Smiths (and variations on open carriage window to Chris*, myself, Hartley, notwithstanding his many other all of these) keep coming back through and a couple of other brancardiers Lt.Col.Nick Southward OBE, OS 56 – 65 contributions, was taken off mercilessly the generations and bringing even more standing below on the platform. Then by the Joseph boys as ‘John Flip-Chartley’ family members with them. Long may it amid a flurry of doctors, IV equip­ment at one famous last night party; and then continue! and nurses fanning her and ‘taking her The International Military Pilgrimage They experience the satisfaction, uplift nity for prayer and contemplation and came another even finer exponent of the pulse’, she was rushed along the plat­form started in 1958, as part of the centenary and humility which come from helping for meeting others from different units, notice board, the wonderful Beverley From Malcolm Martindale OS 50 – 59: and through another open window into celebrations of the Apparitions of Our those less fortunate than themselves and services and nationalities in a variety of Sillitoe, without whom none of us would One year we had a pilgrim, an elderly a compartment of her own, where she Lady of Lourdes. The French military in witnessing the courage and resilience religious, ceremonial and social events. ever get to Lourdes, let alone have a clue lady from India, who had come to remained undisturbed until Calais. invited the German military to join with which those people deal with their This dimension is important. As serv- what is going on when we were there. Lourdes, via London and our pilgrimage, Getting Mrs Patel on board the Dover them there in an act of reconciliation infirmities. It also offers an opportu- icemen, many have experienced the And then of course, there is the legen- to die. The heat was terrific that year and Ferry was no problem for her team of and remembrance after the suffering of trauma of conflict and peace-keeping. dary Laurie Ryder – a man about whom ‘Mrs Patel’ suffered with everyone else movers, who had her out of the train, the two World Wars, and this gathering As Catholics, Lourdes is an opportunity whole newsletters should be written. because, as she said, ‘I come from hill along the platform, past the sleepy expanded with the aim of forging peace to come together as part of a worldwide Over ninety years old and younger than country, in Darjeeling’. For the whole douaniers (‘Tres malade, tres malade!’) between nations, with most Western community, united by a shared faith and ever, his renditions of Shakespeare bring week we were there, she made it clear up the gangway and into a cabin before European countries taking part. Since tradition, in pursuit of a common goal. the house down. His twinkling eye for a that she wanted to die, even to the point of you could say Jacques Robinson. 1991, Central and Eastern European (However, and satisfyingly, the British pretty young handmaid has steered gen- declining medication and food wherever Mrs Patel died officially and for countries, and some African, Asian contingent is not exclusively Catholic erations of Stonyhurst boys in the right possible. In spite of her best efforts to bureaucratic purposes in mid-Channel. and South American ones, began to and those non-Catholics taking part are direction. Laurie has to be seen in action get to Heaven before the rest of us could * Chris Newton-Carter was one of the victims send contingents. Today, some 20,000 second to none in their appreciation of to be properly understood – he is prob- leave Lourdes, Mrs Patel was still with us in the Twin Towers, NY in 2001. servicemen and women come together the unique experience that is Lourdes). ably the best known, and certainly the as we boarded the Ambulance Train to annually, in uniform, for the pilgrimage: Those who have taken part say that most imitated non-OS within the group. return to England. However, her prayers From Shell Roca, a pilgrim: the British contingent numbers some making the International Military Pil- Yes, we are so fond of him that we will were answered to the extent that she died At Stonyhurst in Easter 2001, I casually 400, made up of servicemen and women, grimage is an exhilarating, uplifting and overlook the fact that he went to the on the train just after we left and this was asked someone about the Lourdes their families, veterans and the sick. enjoyable experience, which will remain Mount… where things got interesting. pilgrimage having heard various people Taking part in the IMP helps service­ with them for the rest of their lives. The Large families feature a lot in It was decided that Mrs Patel deserved talk about it. ‘It’s great fun, why don’t men develop both as Christians and as dismissal at the end of the celebrations our group – Belderbosses, Josephs, some privacy, so when the train stopped you come along one year’. At the time individuals. Working with a team of reminds each pilgrim of their responsi- Hartleys, Pages, Brumbys, Hargreaves, for a few minutes at Bordeaux, her body I prevaricated, ‘Not sure it is really my chaplains, they play a full part in plan- bilities: to be a channel of peace in the Thorpes, Fernandeses, Mellows, Kings, was passed on a stretcher, through the thing – I’ll think about it’. ning and running the various activities. world and to fulfil God’s plan for all. 18 19 the rosa ry ga r den The Sodality at the College what makes stonyhurst different?

he grand opening of h e S o dality h as the new Rosary Garden, to continued to meet each Thursday andr ew Johnson celebrate the 150th Anniversary at 6.30 to say Compline in the tof the Apparitions at Lourdes, took SodalityT Chapel. Numbers have been place on the 18th May 2008, the Lourdes boosted by several new members of staff. The Headmaster of Stonyhurst outlines future developments for the College Pilgrimage Reunion Day, well attended Whilst the core element remains quite by pupils, parents and many OS who had small, at times the attendance has been t m u st h ave bee n a n help us to prepare our young people to be intellectual, spiritual and emotional donated towards the garden. Hymns up to twenty. exciting moment when Pope Benedict leaders who will make a contribution for capacity, and the courage, to stand up for were sung to Our Lady led beautifully In addition to the weekly meditations addressed the recent General Con­ the common good, and will feel willing their beliefs. This is why, despite being an by members of the College choir and Fr from Fr Twist and Miss Young, there Igregation of the Society of Jesus, which to participate in the church, despite the independent school offering an excellent Twist conducted a short service. Pilgrim have been two extended talks, both of took place about a year ago. This was prevailing materialistic and agnostic boarding (or day) education like many Pathfinders, who arrived a little late, which drew a large audience. The first only the 35th such congregation in the values of our times. others, Stonyhurst really is different. also supported the occasion and then was given by Fr Augustine Conor OS 90 Society’s history, and it gathered together This is why, at the College, we have I believe it is for our approach to everyone retired for refreshments in the – 95, a Franciscan Friar of the Renewal. Provincial Superiors from all over the recently introduced Prayers for Peace Ignatian and Catholic values, and for Bayley Room. This featured the usual Fr Augustine spoke of his experiences as world to elect a new General Superior on Mondays, and Ignatian Prayer on our practical, grounded approach to raffle to raise funds for the sick pilgrims a pupil at Stonyhurst and how, despite of the Society following the resignation Tuesdays, why we have an annual retreat cura personalis, which sees each pupil and when Fr Hilary Thomas won several the appearance of a strong Catholic of Fr Peter Hans Kolvenbach. I am sure off-site for every Playroom, why we have individually challenged, through their bottles of wine, he generously passed community, his religious life was, at it was even more exciting when the developed a link with Faith Primary tutor among others, to give of their very them to Peter Shoesmith to auction them times affected by negative peer pressure. Superiors heard the Pope tell them that School in Everton (one of the most best in all that they do to the greater and raise even more money. He saw the challenge of all current the church, and by implication the world, deprived areas of Britain) and, above glory of God, that we continue to see, The boys, who should be extremely We found the statue of Our Lady in believers in the College as being one of needed the Jesuits. However, for lay all, why we have developed the Arrupe despite the current economic malaise, proud of their achievements, are Tom the old mill where she had been quietly how to bear the most effective witness people, the most exciting part of all was volunteering programme, aimed at healthy interest in a Stonyhurst boarding Fogden, Peter Watts, William Brown, decaying for over 30 years having once to Christ in times when, Christianity that the church also needs the Jesuits’ lay pupils in Higher Line. I am, personally, education, and above all in Higher Line. Josh Leyland, Jack Agnew, Tom Davies, been at Hodder Place. She was minus an and Catholicism in particular, are often collaborators, people like you and me, to absolutely delighted that, during this Throughout its 400 year history, Miguel Munoz, Tim Le Breton and An- arm and generally in a very sorry state. treated with cynicism and indifference. help the Society in its modern mission in academic year, almost two thirds of Stonyhurst has changed and adapted dreas Wilfling. (There are some budding Terry spent many hours working on her He presented the antidote as being Britain and the world today. our 115 Poets either have volunteered, to (sometimes really quite difficult) cir- gardeners of the future there.) A special and anyone who sees her now will realise nothing new, simply prayer and increased So, what is the modern mission of or continue to volunteer, in the local cumstances. It is perhaps unsurprising, mention should also go to our resident what a superb job he has done. participation in the sacramental life of the Jesuits in which we are invited community. The very experience of therefore, that the College and Saint stonemason Mr Terry McGough. Adrian Bidwell the College. Another talk was given by to participate? Our own Provincial working in an old people’s home, or a Mary’s Hall have changed a fair bit over Matthew Nicholls, a recent graduate from Superior, Fr Michael Holman, is clear: school or a hospice will have changed at the past twenty years or so. Both schools v isioN the John Paul II Institute in Washington our mission is to reveal the face of Christ least some of them. But, crucially, and are genuinely co-educational with, cur- DC, He spoke on the topic, ‘Humanae to those who do not know Him, or for this is the more difficult bit which makes rently, just under 460 pupils at Stony- An account of the Stonyhurst connection with Lourdes would be incomplete Vitae Forty Years On – Did the Church whom His face has become disfigured or what they have done truly Ignatian, hurst College, of whom 300 are boarders, without a mention of the musical Vision. Get it Wrong? This was an engaging distorted. As Headmaster of Stonyhurst, we need to make sure that our Poets and 270 pupils at St Mary’s Hall, includ- presentation which clearly demonstrated I see one of my key challenges as placing and Rhetoricians continue to reflect ing 50 boarders. It is interesting to note t’s been a busy few years little Pyrenean town by the beautifully how Pope Paul VI’s pronouncement and maintaining the College firmly at the upon their experience, that they start to that, whereas in Lower Grammar, just for musical writers Dom Hartley OS staged show. The producer, Uche Nwok- of 1968 had a prophetic resonance. He service of the Society’s modern mission. think for themselves, rather than always over half of our pupils board, in Higher 77-86 and Jonathan Smith OS 82-87. edi, now has ambitions to take his cast developed his themes through several This is not a new aim, and comes very thinking in the way that society wants Line well over three quarters are board- ITheir musical Vision, which premiered at of young Nigerian actors and actresses to well chosen examples and references much within the Stonyhurst tradition them to think, and so start to become ers. This is partly because some of our Stonyhurst in 2002, enjoyed a CD launch Lourdes to perform there. to Pope John Paul II’s ‘Theology of the of prayer and service. After all, the contemplatives in action. This is what I day pupils see the benefits of the oppor- in 2004 at Drury Lane in London, spon- In addition, the St Ives Youth Thea- Body’. Stonyhurst children’s holiday week has mean when I say that Stonyhurst must tunities boarding gives them, but also sored by Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Really tre performed Vision to great acclaim There have been two New Rite Latin been going for more than 30 years now, be a counter cultural school, where because of our increasingly important Useful Group. Steve Balsamo, who re- in Cambridgeshire in July. This vibrant masses in the Sodality Chapel last term. the Lourdes pilgrimage for much longer young people genuinely develop the intake of young people into Higher Line. duced Webber to tears by his portrayal theatre company also took the show on These have been initiated by Mr Mann, than that, and the Sodality since 1609. of Jesus in the West End performance tour, performing in Liverpool and Man- Director of Music. The most recent However, the documentation from of Jesus Christ Superstar, sings two of the chester, putting on two enthusiastically was for the Feast of the Immaculate the 35th General Congregation also tracks on the Vision CD and described received performances at Stonyhurst in Conception in which a full twelve verses speaks of how we reach people today, the show as ‘awesome’. September on its way back home. of the hymn, ‘Immaculate Mary’ were perhaps especially our young people, The show, a modern re-telling of the St Ives plans to take Vision to the Edin- rousingly sung. This was followed by and it suggests that we need to find new Lourdes story, has had an excellent 2008, burgh Fringe, eager to take the inspiring coffee and chocolate in the Emmaus words, faithful to the message, but which achieving its African premiere in Lagos, message of the show to a wider audience. Centre. are comprehensible to young people Nigeria in May. Vision was performed This young theatre company relies en- This term there will be a series of short growing up in our aggressively secular by the Playhouse Initiative at the Muson tirely on grants and donations, the dedi- talks each Thursday presented by several society. New words, indeed, which will Centre, Nigeria’s largest theatre, and cated producers (all voluntary) are des- different members of staff. The talks will was incredibly well received by a paying perately trying to raise the considerable be broadly catechetical in nature but Right: The contractor, Michael Conlon of public, few of whom had ever visited amount of money needed for Edinburgh. will include vignettes on issues such as, Conlon Construction Ltd, and Fr Adrian France. ‘There were times when I had If anyone out there can help, please con- how Popes are elected, religious art and Howell SJ, OS 55-64, governor of the College to pinch myself to remind myself that I tact the show’s producer, Jonathan Salt, the relationship between science and and Jesuit Superior signing the contract for was still in Nigeria!’ said one audience at: [email protected] religion. the work on the new Higher Line building member, who was transported to the www.visionthemusical.co.uk Michael Turner project. 20 21 These new pupils come from all corners education. He will of course also be of the world: recent new entrants have seeking to raise funds wherever possible COMMITTEE r eport come from London, the South East, Scot- for the developments outlined in the land, the Midlands, Yorkshire, Gibral- Building our Future literature. tar, Malta, Germany, France, Spain and However, despite the credit crunch, “Spir it u, Cor de, Pr actice” Mexico, as well as from the North West I am pleased that we are now in a of England. Some are the sons or daugh- position to embark upon phase one of ters of OS, though most are not and join our Higher Line building developments: us because they know of our reputation, the construction of forty new boarding our Committee has met five Aims: to be the College’s window into to debate on spiritual matters through the or because they want a Jesuit Catholic bedrooms to accommodate those who, as times in the last year. The quarterly the outside world, acting as ‘elder sibling’ Newsletter or St Omers Press. education. I believe it says something I have outlined above, are keen to benefit telephone meetings cover admin- in assisting pupils in that transition and Yistrative matters (organization of events, wherever possible using our resources, Action in Our World about the Stonyhurst community that from boarding at Stonyhurst during election of committee members, finances, financial and human, to maximise the Current situation: the Association through new entrants into Higher Line are able, Higher Line. We are able to do this thanks and distribution of grants for example); at benefit pupils receive from their education its members, the College and its events, so quickly and effectively, to embrace to a number of generous donations, and another level we have been pushing ahead at the College. To act as a ‘gathering point’ supports a myriad of charitable activities. Quant Je Puis and to involve themselves also thanks to an undertaking from the with our review of our aims and activities, for staff, present and past, both teaching Aims: to encourage our members to ask so fully in the opportunities here. Cur- Jesuits to support, from the Stonyhurst a process initiated at our meeting with Fr and support. what more can we do, what more can we rently, four of our thirteen Committee endowment, the remaining cost of the Holman SJ in December 2007 and which Reason: the support for Jesuit education at give, in every area of life, to generously members joined the College in Poetry, new building. Funds borrowed from the we have called ReVision. the College is a simple but genuine ‘thank place our talents at the disposal of others, as did one of the leading actors in last endowment will, of course, need to be In the spring we interviewed many you’ for what we ourselves received. especially the most needy, to work towards term’s production of Romeo and Juliet, as replaced in due course. It is, however, a interested parties, from the Headmaster Means: by supporting the College in all a more just world. well as a recent joint Head of the Line, mark of the Society’s confidence in, and to the head of Jesuit Missions, and put it does, and in whatever way we can, Reasons: as men and women of faith, and any number of young people who ongoing commitment to, Stonyhurst that together a draft discussion paper. On 22nd financially, through the provision of striving to be “for others”, deeds speak have taken part in the Arrupe volunteer- the Jesuits are prepared to underwrite November 2007, at a full day meeting speakers, careers advisers, by giving work louder than words; “when the hand ing programme. this project. The building will be ready at Farm Street, we reached a number of experience, by assisting with expeditions, touches the heart is transformed”; our It is in this context that we launched for September 2010 but will initially conclusions, summarised below. by involving pupils, staff and parents in main purpose is to integrate the service last summer the ongoing Building our be used to accommodate Higher Line Our task is now to put these aims into all we do, pilgrimages, retreats, events. of faith and the promotion of justice, to action; for that, we need your help-see By using the College for some of our foster through action the unbreakable Future appeal, both to raise money boarding boys who would otherwise be “Situations Vacant”! activities. By informing new parents and bond between love of God and love of for bursaries and also to raise funds in the New Wing while we also bring new staff about ourselves, by making them neighbour. to develop the campus, especially for that accommodation up to the highest Our Members welcome, by liaising closely with pupils Means: by continuing to support all the Higher Line. I understand perfectly well possible standard. Current situation; we are in touch with in Higher Line, by providing them with ‘good works’ of the College, and those that that, since we launched the campaign, As ever, the Governors and I are very 4,500 members (OS, parents and staff); information about how the Association have been spawned by it and the Associa- the UK and world economies have nose- grateful to all the Stonyhurst family, about 1,000 attend events each year. We can help them tion (e.g. Lourdes, the Children’s holiday dived, and that people who may have which offers such steadfast support in the know that we have potentially nearly weeks). By encouraging (financially and by been able to help us might, temporarily at work we are seeking to do. I am proud double that number of members. Our Faith for example providing local OS and other least, be unable to do so. That is why our to be at the helm of our fine school at a Aims: to make contact with and involve Current situation; the Association has Jesuit alumni contacts abroad, language newly appointed Development Director, time when we have such ambitious plans many more members, to hold more supported the Lourdes pilgrimage and the and skills help) OS old and young to be Jonathan Parris, an experienced charities for our future. A future in which, rooted information about them, and to contact Easter Retreat. It has funded the Prayer involved with projects such as Jesuit Mis- fundraiser, will be focussing upon raising in the modern mission of the Society of them more frequently. Book, and operates the St Omers Press. sion Volunteers, Jesuit Refugee Service, more funds for bursaries, to help those Jesus, we seek to nurture an increasing Reason: we exist for our members. Our It has organised ‘one off’ pilgrimages e.g. Jesuit Volunteers, Jesuit schools abroad, who might have been affected by the number of young men and women for Above: the North Elevation of the new activities must suit, benefit, and involve to Rome, and regular reflective walks- and similar. By providing a matching net- downturn, and make it possible in the others, young men and women of faith, Higher Line building, and below, a them. Pilgrim Pathfinders. work of funds, ideas, and people, eager Means: by tracking down lost members Aims: to continue the development and to cooperate in such projects. By lobby- longer term for more young Catholics young men and women with sufficient computer generated graphic of how it will through e.g. recruitment of ‘playroom reps’ formation of our faith to enable us to live ing for change (third world debt etc), and whose families would otherwise struggle confidence and clarity of thought to appear to the left of the Old Infirmary and overseas/regional secretaries and by out our faith more fully, to find God in all in promoting “Living Simply and Justly”. to pay, to benefit from a Stonyhurst make a difference in the world. building. involving members of staff; by making more people and all things, and to enable us By adopting Eagle Aid more positively as use of the database, Newsletter, website, engage with and transform our secular our charity through which to help fund email and Facebook; by asking members world in a positive and human way. projects throughout the world. By using for more information about how they might Reasons: as a Jesuit Alumni Association, our international links to greater effect. help in furthering the Association’s aims one of primary aims is to continue to e.g. involvement with charities, experience support the deepening of our members’ I would like to thank your Committee overseas, potential for giving careers advice understanding of who Christ is through for all the hard work that they have put or talks at the College, preparedness to inter alia their private and public prayer in to bring ReVision to this stage, and in assist with organizing events, pilgrimages, life (spirituality) and through their particular to thank Emma Wotton, who, writing for the Newsletter, working with St involvement with the Church. despite having her first baby, JosephX avier, Omers Press. Above all by making our aims Means: by increasing or facilitating in the midst of this process, was able to and activities under the other headings the provision of particular retreat days help with the fact finding and interviews, relevant to our members so as to engage for undergraduates / singles / young and to put together the draft papers for us. them in what we are aiming to do. marrieds / families / the retired at Jesuit I hope that you will all now reciprocate the Spirituality Centres / Stonyhurst / St efforts that have been made on your behalf Our College John’s, by encouraging involvement with by supporting the Committee positively, Current situation; we assist and are Ignatian spirituality through the Sodality/ by which I mean offering your prayers, involved with the College on a number Christian Life Communities/resources on practical help and wise guidance, as we of levels, not least in providing financial the web/retreats, by swapping notes about begin to implement ReVision. assistance (e.g. the Sodality Chapel) and how to contribute to our parishes and Christopher Page annual scholarships. university chaplaincies, by contributing 22 23 collections book review

jan gr a ffius Jimmy Bur ns

Higher Line Pupils working in the Bay Library have discovered exotic creatures lurking in Conrad Gesner’s Historia Animalium – and put them to good use. ew conflicts in the Preston can’t resist giving the traitor the twentieth century have stirred thumbs up, speculating that in the end o me mig h t f i n d it was added some years later but does not political consciences and fired lit- “he did the Francoist war effort some surprising that the historic libraries appear in the Stonyhurst copy.) Gesner eraryF imaginations as much as the Span- damage”. Thankfully the odious Philby at Stonyhurst contain a large num­ included a description of each animal in ish Civil War. Spain in the period 1936-39 is just one of a large cast of colourful and berS of books that were once included on German, Latin and English, and listed was a country at war with itself as well as often truly noble and heroic characters the Vatican’s Index of Forbidden Books. the name of the animal in most European a stage on which a wider ideological and who inhabit Preston’s latest instalment Many of these were famous works by languages. He gathered together all other religious struggle was played out by men in a lifelong professional dedication to authors who had written one suspect printed references whether scientific or and women of many nationalities. Spanish contemporary history. book, and thus, under the rules laid down not, including mythological and biblical For the nearly 1,000 newspaper corre- As one would expect from a leading by the Holy Office, the writer’s entire sources, as well as contemporary eye spondents who went to Spain, covering Hispanist historian who counts among oeuvre was condemned. One of the most witness sightings of some of the more the conflict was an unprecedented ex- his previous works a monumental bi- beautiful and idiosyncratic of the Index outlandish sea monsters and fantastic perience. As one of the protagonists, the ography of Franco, Preston’s latest book books in the Bay Library at the College is beasts which were also included. The American reporter Frank Hanighen, put on the Spanish Civil War contains much the ground breaking Historia Animalium unicorn made an appearance, as does the it, “almost every journalist assigned to original and detailed research including written by the Calvinist scientist, Conrad strange Bishop fish, shaped like a cleric in Spain became a different man some time extensive diary material and personal Gesner, and printed in Zurich in 1551. vestments and mitre, illustrated making or other after he crossed the Pyrenees” correspondence. Preston may show a pe- Gesner was on the forbidden list for his the sign of benediction. Here was also the for he had become a participant in, rather destrian style at times in his own writing strongly held Protestant beliefs, and so first printed description of the European than an observer of, the “horror, tragedy but the material he uses is rarely turgid. his academic publications were banned brown rat. The illustrations were drawn and adventure which constitutes war”. He takes issue with the pro-Franco in spite of Gesner’s international fame as by a scientific draftsman on Gesner’s For those supporting the loosely lobby in the US. Pro-Franco sentiments a scientist. It is understandable that Jesuit staff then engraved onto wood by a held coalition ranging from socialists were shared by important Catholic intel- scholars would be keen to have access professional printer. Each illustration was to hard-line Communists in the Spanish lectuals and literary figures on both sides to this book, the first modern work on then hand coloured. The book was hugely Republic, the right-wing military upris- “disappeared”, but several were killed or of the Atlantic. Of these, Evelyn Waugh zoology, which set the standard format popular, and its revolutionary format ing in the summer of 1936 represented wounded in action and most had to work gets a brief mention. But others, like Doug- for all such books for centuries to come. was copied by succeeding naturalists the dark forces of fascism. The coup in a minefield of censorship and political las Woodruff (then editor of The Tablet) We do not know, however, when or how for the next three hundred years. Much illustrations as the starting point of a fuelled a breakdown of law and order control. To that extent the Spanish Civil and the South African Catholic poet Roy the book made its way into the library, of the fascination for the modern reader project to design and print cards which in Republican-held areas with the kill- War saw the modern war correspondent Campbell, are ignored. No mention either but it is possible that the book was part lies in the illustrations – the depressed are sold in aid of Learning to Care. They ing of anyone identified with an oppres- come of age. of Graham Greene, who was notable by of the scientific publications belonging to hedgehog, the dyspeptic porcupine, the chose six illustrations – a difficult decision sive social system, including nuns and Preston’s compelling account of the his absence from Spain during this period, the College on the Continent. plaintive seal and the lugubrious spotted to make from over 1000 possibilities – and priests, prompting incensed reporting, journalists involved is coloured by his politically finding it impossible to come During his relatively short life he English whale among them. designed a pack for the cards, which are mainly by Catholics, denouncing the declared sympathy for the Republican down in favour of one side or the other. If published 71 books on science and Gesner died in Zurich in 1565, aged sold with envelopes. They are available by “Red terror” that had been unleashed. “loyalist” side and what he sees as the be- Greene’s sympathies lay anywhere it was geology, and at his death there were only 49, during an outbreak of plague. post for £5.50 including post and packing, And yet, as Professor Paul Preston trayal of non-intervention by Britain and with the Basques, many of whom were a further 18 manuscripts awaiting A group of Higher Line pupils, working from College Reception. Please make points out, there were also Catholic jour- France, in contrast to the involvement of both Catholic and anti-Fascist. printing. Historia Animalium was to with the Collections, has taken the cheques out to ‘Learning to Care.’ nalists who were horrified by the brutali- Nazi Germany and Mussolini’s Italy on On balance, though, this is required contain the sum of all available printed ty carried out by the rebel military forces the nationalist side. The involvement of reading for anyone interested in Spain information on the animal world, and or on their behalf by the Axis powers. the Soviet Union on the side of the Repub- or war reporting, with some moving and in addition was to be the first such Such was the case of the Australian lic is not ignored, but largely excused. incisive reportage deservedly selected book to contain illustrations. It Noel Monks, a “pious teetotal Catholic”, Thus Preston devotes a whole chap- for inclusion. Undoubtedly there will be is divided into four sections – deeply shocked by the German bombing ter to Mikhail Koltsov, using his forensic Tablet readers who will agree with one quadrupeds, amphibians, of civilians in the Basque town of Guer- skills of academic enquiry to challenge of Preston’s personal favourites, Daily birds and aquatic life nica. This episode, depicted by Picasso, the suspicion held by some Spanish com- Telegraph correspondent Henry Buck- (a fifth section unfortunately showed some English mentators that “one of Russia’s most suc- ley, “a devout Roman Catholic with radi- on snakes Catholics, such as Arnold Lunn, losing cessful writers and journalists” was a cal social instincts”, who commented their moral compass thanks to the false- Stalinist stooge and crude propagandist. that much as he disliked the burning of hood they were prepared to disseminate He concludes that he wasn’t. churches, he felt that the people in Spain for one of Franco’s more sinister spin Preston cannot ignore the over- who professed most loudly their Catho- doctors, Luis Bolin, that Guernica had whelming evidence that among journal- lic faith were the most to blame for the been bombed by “Red saboteurs”. ists covering the Spanish Civil War few poverty that existed on the eve of the Left, a Mountain Goat, and above, a The involvement of many journal- equalled the duplicity of Kim Philby, the military coup. Amen to that. Peacock,both from Conrad Gessner’s ists was physical as well as ideologi- Soviet agent who used his credentials Review by Jimmy Burns OS 66-71 published in the Historia Animalium, and both featured cal, with correspondents on both sides as a correspondent with The Times re- Tablet 13 December 2008. We Saw Spain Die, by Paul among the six cards published for Learning facing danger from snipers and enemy porting favourably on Franco’s forces as Preston, Constable £20. Copies can be ordered from the to Care. aircraft. No journalist was executed or a cover for his spying activities. And yet Tablet bookshop for £18: tel 01420 592974. 24 25 ASSOCIATION ANNUAL DINNER 2008

jay chitnis

h e 2 0 0 8 S t on y h u r st morning reminded us that our Stonyhurst Liverpool for Grammarians, and the Association Annual Dinner was education gave us the opportunity to be Arrupe scheme of voluntary service held on September 20th at the in the right place at the right time, and to for Poets working with a specialist BotanicalT Gardens in Birmingham, the recognise the battles we should choose school for the disabled, in homes for first time it has been held other than at to fight, however much dissenting from the elderly, a hospice, Cafod and charity the College, or in London, Oxford or the establishment view. Bruce seemed to shops, with riding for the disabled and Cambridge. epitomise this by his life at the College, support for the homeless. He told us of Since the venue had been deemed his religious life and his work for CND the building work and refurbishment suitable for the dinner of the G8 leaders among other causes. His wit and energy already undertaken and this led on to when they met in Birmingham, we were a delight, even if the merchant importance of the Appeal for £6m over decided that it was appropriate for this bankers and managing directors present five years and £10m over ten years, to meeting of the Stonyhurst family. felt amusingly uncomfortable. provide facilities as good as anywhere After the very wet summer the and to provide accessibility to this weather that weekend was excellent education with bursaries. He assured and those arriving early for the dinner us that under the new administrative were able to enjoy a walk around the arrangements, Stonyhurst would magnificent gardens and then many continue to be a Jesuit work, with the enjoyed their pre-prandial drinks on Provincial being the President of the the terrace, to the sound of a harp Governors. He concluded by asking being played just inside. for our prayers, our donations and One hundred and fifty one sat down legacies and our support by spreading to dinner and if the sound level was the news about the education provided any measure, the food and wine were by the College. greatly enjoyed. After the loyal toast, He was followed by the Heads of the the President introduced the guests Line who had had a harrowing journey and expressed his gratitude to Michael to Birmingham, due to no fault of their Joseph for his unfailing support and to own. Nicholas Isola referred to some of Beverley Sillitoe, Association Secretary, the successes in Sport especially Rugby for once again organising the dinner while Samantha Leach spoke of the so efficiently. Unfortunately Beverley opportunities offered by the College Scenes from the Dinner, clock­ was unable to be present due to the in the Arts. She then encouraged us to wise from left: Bruce Kent sudden illness of her husband. share in the prayer life of the College speaking, the Chitnis clan, joint The Guest of Honour, Bruce Kent by reciting the Prayer of St Ignatius Heads of the Line Samantha (OS 43-46 ), a long time campaigner for together. Leach and Nicholas Isola, Bruce Nuclear Disarmament, spoke wittily After dinner there was much Kent with Fr Tom Shufflebotham of his time at the College during the mingling and renewal of acquaintance SJ, and Mary Williams with her later years of World War II and of the such that it was an effort to expel the daughter Amelia, OS 06 contribution the Jesuits made to his company from the Botanical Gardens education. He received great applause by the witching hour of midnight. from an audience, many of whom were Above: Bruce Kent as portrayed by the The following morning the beautiful too young to be aware previously of his Tablet, February 2008. Reproduced by chapel at the nearby St Paul’s Convent background. One such OS commented: kind permission of the cartoonist, Edward was comfortably full with both older Here was a man of latter years but still Penting: www.edscaricatures.com and young OS and a most prayerful Mass of clear mind. He recalled people and was concelebrated, with the Association events which amused him and made He was followed by the Headmaster chaplain, Fr Billy Hewett, presiding. John him think. His polite irreverence was an of the College, Andrew Johnson, who Hartley played the organ to his usual example of the blend of conformity and highlighted the increasing number of high standard and Fr Paul Symonds from dissent which a good education should pupils at the College and St Mary’s Hall Belfast, a previous Playroom master at give. How do we manage to balance and the high ratio of Boarders to Day the College, delivered a most thought the affluence and privilege of being pupils. He referred to the improvement provoking homily. educated at a school like Stonyhurst in the exam results at A level, especially Coffee in the adjacent cloister garden, with our mission to influence change in the more difficult subjects, Modern again in welcome sunshine, drew the for the disadvantaged, and do we alert Languages, Maths, Physics and OS gathering to a somewhat reluctant others and especially our offspring to Chemistry, and he spoke of the sporting closure. that Christian duty. Both Bruce and tours, the Pilgrimage to Lourdes, the Jay Chitnis OS 44-50 is the President of the Father Paul Symonds in his homily next partnership with the Faith School in Stonyhurst Association 26 27 Lest we forget… OS War Graves Tours cl assifieds

For a free advertisment or announcement here, please email [email protected] paul ga r lington

Paul Garlington of SMH has been visiting and guiding tours to the battlefields of the Western Front for 20 years and ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT recently led the England Rugby team around the Somme before their World Cup campaign. This year he is organising tours Due to our ever expanding programme, the Association Office is for small parties of four or five people to visit the places where OS fought and fell during World War 1. looking for a paid part time administrative assistant, with a minimum of 15 hours per week. A really good working knowledge of Word, Excel n 1914, Stonyhurst respon­ One grave which strikes an even Comment on and Access would be necessary, with particular reference to database ded to the call to arms in a fashion greater chord for us at Stonyhurst, is contemporary issues experience, as would a flexible nature and a great sense of humour. For which was typical of its ethos; by that of Captain Hubert Chronnell, of further details please contact Beverley Sillitoe on 01254 827043 or by Ithe end of the war 1,012 had seen active the North Lancashire Regiment. When Reports from around the email at [email protected]. service and 394 had become casualties of war broke out, he left the College to join world whom 168 died. The figures represent a the Army and was killed in the Third significant sacrifice. Battle of Ypres. He was buried in the Insights and inspiration on The tours will endeavour to include nearby village of Vlamertinghe where theology and scripture, visits to many OS graves. Here are a few his gravestone is identical to all the faith and life stonyhurst association representatives examples of the Stonyhurst men who fell others except in one respect: his parents in action: chose to mark their grief with the words Would you be prepared to be the contact for Association events? We George Archer-Shee, the ‘Winslow Above: the graves of Paddy McCusker OS ‘Quant je puis’. t h i n k i n g fa i t h are looking for contacts to liaise with the Association Office, either as Boy’ was killed during the savage fighting and Freddie O’Neill OS The online journal of the Regional Representatives or as Year Group Representatives, helping of the First Battle of Ypres when the order British Jesuits to co-ordinate reunions and convivia. Whatever your age, wherever to retire did not reach his company. They not survive that day’s bitter fighting. The tours will be of five days you are, please contact Beverley Sillitoe on 01254 827043 or by email at fought to the last man. The priest who had said Mass for them duration and Paul explains in depth www.thinkingfaith.org [email protected]. Richard Gethin, stood out literally the day before, knew they were both the course of the major battles of the amongst his friends at Stonyhurst, Stonyhurst men and asked for them to be Somme, Arras and Ypres and how because he was so tall. He was killed in buried side by side. Mount Street Jesuit Center action on the first day of the Battle of Edward Joseph Weld left Stonyhurst they affected the outcome of the Loos in September 1915. before his studies were complete and War; he says that myths may well be LENTEN TALKS: LENTEN TALKS @ STONYHURST: ‘THE CHALLENGE OF FAITH’ GUIDANCE IN PRAYER Michel Amoroso’s selfless action was joined the Royal Artillery, gaining ra­pid dispelled in the process. All Welcome - 7.30pm in the Bayley Room, Stonyhurst College to save the lives of many. An artillery promotion. Near Ypres he was bad­ly This begins on Sunday 1st March (Visitors - please report to Reception upon arrival) lieutenant, he led his men from their gun woun­ded by a sniper and taken to hos­ If you would like to join one of and runs for five Sundays, 5-6pm. Fr. battery and set up a machine gun in No pital at Lijssenthoek where several the tours, or to form a party of your James Campbell SJ will be speaking This is a series of talks on Tuesday evenings in Lent. Speakers will consider on the ways that prayer has been ‘The Challenge of Faith in a Secular World’ and will reflect on how this impacts Man’s Land to help with the recovery of operations failed to locate the bullet. own, please contact Paul directly for on their particular ministry and work. the wounded. He was shot by a sniper He was attended throughout by Father further details at: St Mary’s Hall, experienced in Christian tradition and leading an exploration into the Tuesday, 3rd March Rt. Rev. Bishop Terence Brain, Bishop of Salford from 30 yards. Tibberghien who himself had been a pupil Stonyhurst, Clitheroe, Lancashire, Charles Griffin wrote regularly, in at Stonyhurst; he later wrote to Ed­ward’s varieties of praying, for example Tuesday, 10th March Fr John McDade SJ, Principal of Heythrop College : the currency of the time, to his ‘Dearest parents encouraging them to be strong BB7 9PU; email p.garlington@ the use of the Scripture (lectio “God, Imagination and the digital mind”. Mama’. These letters can now be seen because their son had given his soul to stonyhurst.ac.uk divina), the use of the imagination, prayerful reflection on life, forms of Tuesday, 17th March Sr Josette Zammit-Mangion, Lecturer at Heythrop College : in the Stonyhurst Museum in the ‘Do God. Edward Weld was 17 years old. “The Brother for whom Christ died”. room’. His men adored him. After meditation. All are invited. Tuesday, 24th March Fr David Roberts, Parish Priest of Holy Angels, Hale Barns intense fighting near Delville Wood, he 114 Mount Street, London w1k 3ah was writing letters to the relatives of Enquiries: [email protected] For further information, please contact Fr. John Twist SJ (email - [email protected]) or his men who had been killed that day, 020 7495 1673 Miss Sarah Young (email - [email protected]). Telephone : 01254 827009 / 01254 827143 when a shell hit the dugout where he was sitting. He is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial along with five more Do you have A: some free time and Stonyhurst men. Family Villa in the Dolomites B: some marketing experience? Patrick McCusker and Frederick St Omers Press O’Neill, both lieutenants in the Royal Villa Gordon, in the Italian Dolo­ Dublin Fusiliers, went to Mass on the mites and two hours from Venice, is looking for help in marketing its list afternoon of November 12th 1916 as a of titles. The work is voluntary, with is available for rental this summer allowance for expenses. preparation for ‘going over the top’ on the in May, June and July. Sleeps 15, following day. They were to fight in the surrounded by lakes, mountains, If you can help, please contact: action which would finally capture the castles and abundant good food. Anthony Eyre [email protected] village of Beaumont Hamel, which the or Christopher Page German Army had stubbornly defended www.dolomites.co.uk [email protected] for over four months. Paddy McCusker Contact [email protected] and Freddie O’Neill, however, would or Jan [email protected] 28 29 Below: In this well-researched and shop! readable account HJA Sire (OS 58–68) describes the role that Stonyhurst played as one of the principal providers of Catholic university education in goods ava il a ble from the a ssoci ation England. For over 50 years students followed courses of Thomist philosophy developed by the Jesuit community for Left top: Association tie, £19 degress awarded by London Univer­sity. The students–known as Philosophers­– Middle: OS tie, Knitted silk: £19 were drawn from an elite of the Catholic Bottom: OS tie, printed silk: £17 gentry, national and international. A Below: OS bow tie, knitted silk: high-spirited and privileged group, their £19 life outside studies – hunting, shooting and elegant entertainment – is vividly drawn in this inside view of the leading Catholic school of its day. Gentlemen Philosophers by HJA Sire, published by Churchman Publishing. 196 pages, paperback. £8.95.

Above: Glory be to God, a Stonyhurst Clockwise from above: Above: Aidan Liddell (OS 00–08) won Prayer Book, St Omers Press. Second Lapel Pins, £ 8.00 the fourth air VC in 1915. In With a Smile edition, with minor corrections. and a Wave Peter Daybell (OS 69) makes 128 pages, hardback.£9.95. Shields, £24.00 use of a wide range of source materials Books can be ordered from the Association: Pre-tied OS bow tie £15 including many previously unseen please add £1 for postage per item. OS silk cravat £30 family papers and photographs. Link Cufflinks £16.00 With a Smile and a Wave provides a Below: Many OS will remember vivid picture of the squalor and danger Andrew Henderson, who taught art Chain Cufflinks, £17.00 of war, the backbreaking hardship of at the College for 18 years. This is an trench life and the challenges of pioneer exciting story, drawn from eyewitness air fighting. But it is a story not just of sources, of the 100 years which saw the war, but of growing up in a devout and college go from a small group of refugees prosperous family, of a Jesuit education to the leading, trend-setting centre of at Stonyhurst, and of Edwardian Oxford excellence in Catholic education of its before the Great War. time. With a Smile and a Wave by Peter The Stone Phoenix, by Andrew Daybell, published by Pen & Sword Books. Henderson, published by Churchman 304 pages, hardback. £19.99. Publishing. 180 pages, paperback. £9.95. Left: Wanderers tie, £19 Left: Hiroshima: hundreds of thousands annihilated in a split second, in the ‘flash-bang’ – ‘Pika-Don’ in from st omers press Japanese. Death, excruciating pain and Left: Salve Regina, the unexplained sick­ness scarred humanity. Rosary and other Prayers, Fr Pedro Arrupe SJ was among the £12.95 survivors, leading a small Jesuit commu­ Please add £1 for nity; their experiences of the aftermath, postage and packing. and their Christian response to the Cheques should suffering, forms the central theme of this be made payable book. This is a true story, but as gripping to the Stonyhurst as any novel; read it and you will walk Association, please through the ruins of Hiroshima with note that we do not Pedro Arrupe and his colleagues, and have credit/debit card witness the horrors they saw. facilities. Pika-Don, by George Bishop, published Please mark your order for by Fisher Miller Publishing. 160 pages, paper­ the attention of: back. £10.00. Mrs B Sillitoe, Stonyhurst College, Clitheroe, Lancashire, BB7 9PZ

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