The Abbey Message

The Abbey Subiaco Message Abbey Jewett Annex and “The Arches” blessed The January 8, 2005, closed on the sides. With rededication ceremony the influx of vocations in brought to mind the first the 1940s and 1950s, this dedication ceremony of the space had to be utilized “new monastery” on June for living quarters for the 14, 1904, and a feeling, as young monks, novices, expressed by Abbot Jerome and candidates. Hastily Kodell, O.S.B., “of deep constructed partitions went communion with the found- up, the floors remained ing generation of monks concrete, and there were and their early successors, as absolutely no frills. Here well as with the many nuns these young men lived until who served here and the lay the early 1960s when the people who supported the north and northeast wings founding and mission of the June 14, 1904, blessing of “new monastery” of the monastery were monastery over the years.” finally complete. Construction of the present monas- area where our present renovation has The living rooms of the monks on tic building had been begun in 1898, taken place. It was only in the spring the second and third floors were quite but work was limited by the frequent of 1937 that it was possible to start a austere, with only a moveable wooden lack of funds. Even after the 1904 dedi- reconstruction project, which was not locker provided and a sink with running cation ceremony, work continued for finished until the fall of 1940, when a water. These rooms were in use until the nearly a decade. However, in December substantial gift from Sir Charles Jewett, present renovation. Gradually suction 1927, fire gutted most of the monas- Knight of Saint Gregory and the Holy fans at the end of the hallways provided tery, except the southeast wing and the Sepulcher and his wife, made it possible a little relief in summer. Common bath- south wing. When fire swept through to complete what became known as the room facilities and a reading room were the abbey, it destroyed the abbey/par- Jewett Annex. also located on each floor. ish chapel, the library on the two floors The new “annex” now contained Many friends and benefactors had above the chapel and living quarters on the monks’ refectory, where the former urged much needed renovation. Two the fourth floor. Even most of the stone chapel had been located, a new kitchen, alumni, Wally Sprick of the Little Rock walls had to be knocked down. Then two floors of rooms for monks and a architectural firm Wittenberg, Delony came the Great Depression. All dur- sleeping porch on the fourth floor for & Davidson and Leo Anhalt, president ing the 1930s there was nothing in this “cool” sleeping in hot summer months. This “porch” had a roof, but was unen- see “Jewett Blessing” on page 4 News of our Apostolates for Friends of Subiaco Winter 2005 Subiaco, Arkansas, Vol LXII, No.3 1 Abbey A Communion of Prayer In 1835 almost all the monasteries Maybe with this we could have avoided for you and in Spain were closed by the government suppression in the 1800’s. These are all your needs and their properties were taken over for good works, but we do not understand – in fact, the national needs. More than 20,000 men them as standing on their own. They are needs of the and women religious were evicted, many not why we are here. They are the over- Church and with no place to go but the streets. This flow or the outflow of our community world – every was only one example among many. life of seeking God. time we come The same thing was happening in other Recently we have sought ways to together for the “prayer of the Church,” European countries on various scales emphasize the role of prayer in our the Liturgy of the Hours, and whenever in a great wave of secularization, and relationship with others, to make prayer we come before God individually in would continue in some places into the itself more vividly a sign and seal of our personal prayer. Monastic life empha- twentieth century. communion. A few months ago we be- sizes the conviction of the Church that There was only one way a religious even prayer completely alone and in si- house could preserve itself: by showing lence, and even without words, is always its usefulness to the state and to society. intercessory beyond our awareness. That The government allowed some religious “This world is part of a is also why we value and count on your to continue in existence if they worked larger reality, the meaning prayer, which brings us blessings every in schools and hospitals. But all the and purpose of which can- day beyond our knowledge. communities devoted mainly to prayer not be discerned through a No one has expressed this com- were suppressed. They served no useful munion of prayer more beautifully than purpose. merely secular perspective. St. Paul at the beginning of his letter to People of faith see the world quite What is required is the his friends at Philippi: “I give thanks differently. We concede that work in perspective of the world’s to my God at every remembrance of schools and hospitals is important, as you, praying always with joy in my well as all kinds of hands-on service to creator, of God.” every prayer for all of you, because of human needs. But to focus exclusively your partnership in the gospel from the on what can be seen is to lose touch first day until now…. I hold you in my with the context, to distort, to confuse heart, you who are all partners with me a part of reality with the whole. This in grace” (Phil 1:3-5,7). That is how we world is part of a larger reality, the gan more systematically to keep track of think of you, as partners in the gospel meaning and purpose of which cannot the prayer requests we receive from our and in grace, and united with us in a be discerned through a merely secular friends, to post them on our community communion of prayer. perspective. What is required is the per- bulletin board and to include them in spective of the world’s creator, of God. the intentions at Vespers, our final com- Over a century and a half after the munity prayer of the day. In October, trouble in Spain monasteries are still a as reported in the fall 2004 issue of The curiosity, but mostly unmolested. What Abbey Message, we established a Prayer they are up to is not often any clearer to Hotline to make it easier for you to governments than before. And because contact us with your personal issues and all but the most enclosed monasteries prayer requests. The hotline (1-800- do some form of visible service in the 350-5889) is open to receive calls 24 world, their purpose and impact may hours every day, and a monk is available continue to be judged on that level. from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. daily to At Subiaco we conduct a school, respond personally and to monitor the minister in parishes, give retreats and calls that have come in. hospitality, raise quality cattle, and do As important as we feel this kind various other things which can be seen of contact is, our communion in prayer as contributions and services to society. goes much deeper. We are praying 2 Abbey Abbey Journal October The peanut brittle project was sion that all three factors are necessary delayed this year while the old bakery, for a prime leaf display: shorter days, After a dry September, we were where the brittle is cooked, was brought adequate moisture, and frosty nights. ready for some rain. We got some, and up to code. A shiny metal chimney We certainly had the moisture, then some more, and then some more, now tops a ventilation shaft. Hopefully with another nine inches in November! etc. After 3.5 inches the night of Octo- the chimney swifts who live in the old The process of room assignments ber 7-8, we lost power at 5 a.m. Rather brick chimney will know where to go in the renovated part of the monastery than taking the opportunity—and with next summer. The northside stairs were commenced in early November and a good excuse—for sleeping in, atten- also covered. This open stairwell was a concluded in December. This five- dance at 5:45 Morning Prayer and the hazard. Fr. Bernard Schumacher used phase process involved much inspec- Conventual Mass at 6:30 was perfect! to call it a “man trap,” and more than tion of rooms, and careful projections Saint Benedict uses the expression one vehicle had dropped a wheel into of what might still be available after “God forbid” in regard to the monks the opening. With an egress for fumes “he who had come to the monastery ever sleeping in past the appointed provided, and the ingress of rainwa- at the first hour of the day” had made time. So all were present, each with his ter—from the stairwell—excluded, the his choice. Those who got the “choice” penlight or candle or fluorescent torch, cooks went to work with a will, cooking fourth floor rooms with the large win- with a Coleman lantern on the organ up more than 2500 batches, one skillet dows and expansive views realize that console. The students were allowed at a time.

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