association N e w s l e t t e r

Newsletter 297 AMDG s e p t e m b e r 2 0 0 8

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

Newsletter 297 AMDG september 2008

contents from the ch a ir man Diary of Events 5 The Stonyhurst Association 100 Years Ago 5 (Extracts from Chairman Christopher Page’s speech at Great Academies 2008) Congratulations 6 What is the Association and what do we aim to be? Correspondence & Miscellany 7 Put simply ‘a caring, sharing, Eucharistic, community’. Reunions & Convivia 9 What on earth is that? Let me start with community. Not all schools are communities. This is. Why? Wanderers’ News 11 Stonyhurst is of course a wonderful place. It is a beautiful, historic Charities’ News 12 building in the most glorious valley. But community is not about place or architecture. ‘A College’ may mean a building in the shallow sense; Eagle Aid 14 at a deeper level it means much more than that. It means a group held XVP 15 together by common rules and values. What are they? Pilgrimage News 16 Stonyhurst has a great and long history and wonderful traditions. These are important. They give it a distinctive and distinguished character. Stonyhurst and 18 ‘A tra-dition’ means a gift passed down. You do not throw gifts away Guyanese Artefacts 23 lightly. Our traditions must not be lost: the strange vocabulary (I have translated this speech from Stonyhurstese), the Collections, the OS in Guyana 24 vestments, the libraries, the central heating system powered by the blood The Stonyhurst Magazine was founded in 1881. Until 1935 there were six issues per year. Between 1935 and 1957 the A Time of Gifts 27 of the martyrs. number varied between three and six. From 1958 to 1975 there were three issues per year. From 1976 to 1986 there But traditions do not make a community. were two, since then only one. Held in Trust 30 Copies of most back issues from 1881 to the present time are still available. They can be purchased at £5.00 per Association Constitution 32 Any school has its rituals and traditions. Here our rituals and traditions copy, including postage/packing, from the Editor (for details, see below). overlap with our faith. They include the celebrations of the great feasts, Today’s Magazine contains almost 100 pages of illustrated and fascinating articles, all with a historical Classifieds 33 Campion Day, St Omers Martyrs, the great tradition of communal Stonyhurst connection, in addition to a full report on the year’s activities, obituaries of former pupils etc. It singing, the Pater Noster, but they do not make a community. will keep you entertained for hours! Shop 34 A community needs shared activities; a community that eats together To purchase a copy of the 2008 edition, please send a cheque for £10.00 (payable to ‘Stonyhurst Magazine’) to: The Published by the Editor, The Stonyhurst Magazine, , Clitheroe, Lancashire bb7 9pz. and prays together will grow together. That is why this great room, the To enrol as a subscriber, please email [email protected] for an application form. Stonyhurst Association Old Ref, and the Boys’ Chapel are so important to us; they resonate with Stonyhurst College, Clitheroe old conversations, hymns, prayers and laughter. You can hear the echoes Lancashire bb7 9pz Tel: 01254 827043 now. These communal activities help. Front Cover: “It was the first and last time I was ever on a cayman’s back”, detail from the painting by Captain Edward Jones OS of Email: [email protected]. But ultimately a community comes to life, has meaning, and works, Charles Waterton OS capturing a cayman in Guyana (Stonyhurst College). From the landing we hopped into dugout canoes and started to paddle downstream for around one hour. We passed through an absolute Editor: David Mercer only where its members are formed in a communal sensitivity to each fairyland, there were huge trees towering over us. Kingfishers, parrots, macaws and thousands of other birds flew in front of the boat in ([email protected]) other, are protected from insensitivity, from discrimination, from flashes of bright colour. In the water in front of us fish darted in every direction, fleeing from these huge invaders. . . A description of the injustice. That mutual activity of forming and protecting its members, Guyana jungle, not by Waterton or Jones, but by a contemporary OS, Giles Rous-Eyre: see A Time of Gifts, page 27. © Stonyhurst Association the educating of the members to build peace into all their relationships, ensuring that those relationships and uphold the traditions and history the World Jesuit Alumni. We here, we are based on fairness and respect, on of the College, and of course keep the now, should take up the challenge to Diary of Events love; these are the things that build a College always in our own prayers. be leaders. Our children will look at us, community. But we are also the College’s window or parents and staff, and raise an eyebrow This love comes through and is exhibited bridge to the world. As we mature our if what they are taught does not accord in obedience, restraint, humility, and sense of ‘what is our community’ also with what they see at home, or school. September 20th 2008 October 22nd 2008 May 1st – 4th 2009 generosity. These material realities of matures. We move from school and So what is this leadership? Stonyhurst Association Convivium in Newcastle 1957 – 1963 Reunion a community make it sacramental, the family to our place of work, our place in Here it inevitably has a Jesuit stamp. Annual Dinner means by which the hidden grace of the parish, our place in the world. What It calls for humility in self awareness, We are planning to hold a convivium in A reunion for all those who left Christ is given to the members. New we have learnt here we should practise ingenuity in a changing world, heroic The dinner will be held at The Botanical the Catholic Chaplaincy at Newcastle between 1957 and 1963, along with their members learn this grace through there. ambition, the imagination and will to Gardens in Birmingham, when the University, with Mass at 6.30pm, followed wives and partners. Please email the community life; they then become We know that, just as the College is not strive to shape an inspiring future, and President will be Dr Jay Chitnis OS 50 by refreshments. Further details will be Association Office for a booking form, educated in the Eucharistic sacrament of simply a building, the Church is not above all, for a love which is used to and the Guest of Honour will be Bruce published on the website and a letter of or contact Michael Joseph at michael@ service to others. simply an institution. It is the mystery of enable and empower others to use their Kent OS 46. invitation will be sent to those living in kenmoregroup.co.uk or Edward God dwelling in our midst. The Church, talents to achieve spiritual fulfilment. the area shortly. Gonsalves at edward_gonsalves@ the body of Christ, means that we are October 11th – 12th 2008 yahoo.com Accommodation has been one. That belief should drive us to share arranged at a local hotel, with various at S ton y h u r s t, w e Poetry 1983 Reunion the joys and sufferings, desires and I f w e d o not a c t, activities over the weekend, and dinner s p e a k of c h a r i s m , needs of all our neighbours, near and The reunion in October marks the November 12th 2008 in the Top Ref. far. The Association wants to nurture w ho w i l l ? 25th anniversary for those who left Convivium at Campion the unbreakable bond between the love the College from Poetry 1983. We are of s o u l , of Hall, Oxford of God and the love of neighbour, all the A nd i f not no w, currently planning this event and would October 10th – 11th 2009 best things that Stonyhurst represents, to be delighted to hear from any OS of that Mass will be celebrated at Campion Hall, t h e Holy S p i r i t; 1987 Reunion be men and women of God for others. If w h e n ? year who would like to come along. followed by a talk by Father Nicholas t h at i s w h at ma k e s we fail, if we are timid, joyless, afraid of Mark Hurst and Anthony Chitnis are King SJ with refreshments afterwards. A reunion for those OS who left in 1987 is the world and of each other, why should organising the reunion and their contact Further details will be published on the being organised by Richard Veys. He can a r e a l c o mm u n i t y anyone believe what we say, trust what It is that sort of leadership that we, staff details are: Mark: mark.hurst@hdak- website and a letter of invitation will be be contacted at richard.veys@alliumtrx. we do? and parents, must teach our children uk.com Anthony: a.chitnis@ipsgroup. sent to those living in the area nearer the com. Further details will be published How do we try to achieve this? through our example. That is what the co.uk. time. on the website nearer the time. That is a serving, sharing, Eucharistic, We talk of the College producing Association is for. Leadership is not community. To quote Benedict, Christian leaders for the future. We about status; it is about action. But as St ‘we need to promote a spirituality of could stand back and watch. We could Ignatius reminds us, deeds are greater communion, making it the guiding just give prizes to those who perform than words: for him there was no gap principle of education’. Some schools well, to those worthies who have their between decision and action. So this A Hundr ed Year s Ago… talk of ‘ethos’, of ‘culture’, of ‘tradition’. portraits painted (a second-hand sort of year the Association has been looking Here at Stonyhurst, we speak of charism, Christianity); or we can ask ourselves ‘If closely at itself. We have our reunions, . . . The College was visited by Hilaire of soul, of the Holy Spirit; that is what we do not act, who will? And if not now, our convivia, our pilgrimages, our Belloc MP, who gave a talk on makes a real community. when?’ These were the questions asked walking retreats, our children’s holidays, ‘Truth in History’, in which he It is a fragile and precious thing which by Father Kolvenbach at a congress of our grants to students. What more can paid tribute to Lingard’s ‘History must not be taken for granted. In its first we do? of ’. 400 years, the College had boys living in We are looking at adult placements with . . . George Archer-Shee (The Winslow this community often for ten full years. Jesuit Missions abroad, with the Jesuit Boy) left for Osborne, the Royal They were here for months on end with Refugee and Volunteer Services; they Navy college and subsequent, if rare holidays. The Jesuits really were in need doctors, engineers, administrators, temporary, ignominy. He later died loco parentis. They had plenty of time lawyers. We are looking at family retreat in the second battle of Ypres in 1914. in which to educate the boys in that and discussion days; we are looking at spirituality of communion. ethical debate, at political lobbying, at . . . An edict went out that black coats That is not quite the case now; new publishing more, at using the Newsletter must be worn on Sundays. challenges face the College in the new Comment on for views as well as news, at acting as contemporary issues . . . The English Jesuits withdrew millennium. We as the Association, we a network linking people, ideas and from Malta but their loss was the as parents, have a bigger part to play. Reports from around the world money, at supporting third world College’s gain which received The Association is here in part to give projects through Eagle Aid with our some of their sporting trophies. practical help. We talk to Rhetoric about Insights and inspiration on pockets, hands and hearts, at linking the future, about the ‘real world’. We better with other Jesuit Alumni here and . . . Alfred Harrison OS 77 – 84 continues have offered our help in careers advice. theology and scripture, abroad, at encouraging our members to search for an Arctic continent. faith and life We have offered to help with talks, in their spiritual growth for example . . . The redecoration of the Sodality societies, with the Sodality, with sports through the ‘virtual Sodality’, in every Stonyhurst Philosophers, 1908. Messrs. J. Villas Boas, J. Sabates, J. de Woelmont, M. Tiefenbacher, C. Coulston. Chapel was declared completed. tours. We include the College in our t h i n k i n g fa i t h possible way encouraging everyone’s Messrs. J. Kavanagh, O.Ryan, C. Ryan, A. de Lichtervelde, R. de Beaudignies, G.Fox, H.Wibzell, O. Stolberg, A. Cooke. events and activities, for example taking deepest urge, namely to serve and love Messrs. I. de la Torre, A. Asphar, A. Liddell, B. Smith, J. Plunkett, J. Josika, J. de Troostemberch. . . . The Archbishop of Glasgow, the Messrs. K. Callaghan, J. Eyre, F. Troup, F. Waldbott. Higher Line pupils to Lourdes. We give The online journal of the others… Most Rev John Maguire OS 66 - 67 scholarships and prizes. We will always British Jesuits Eight years later, Aidan Liddell was awarded the VC and then died of wounds and became President of the Stony- help with fundraising. We have recently What I do is me: for that I came Joseph Plunkett was executed for his part in the Easter Rising in Dublin. hurst Association. restored the Sodality Chapel. We record www.thinkingfaith.org (G M Hopkins SJ)

4 5 congr atul ations cor r espondence & Miscell any

Births The article about OS in Scotland in the OS golfers please note – the fee for last issue should have included Robert playing at Stonyhurst Park is now £10. Will Cooper OS 85-95 and his wife Belderbos OS 60-65. He and his wife Sally Deborah had a daughter, Catherine Wini­ run a Bed-and-Breakfast in Aberlady, CONGRATULATIONS to Tomasz fred Joan Carmody on 18 January 2008 East Lothian mainly catering for golfing Mazur OS 01-03 who is now a graduate visitors. Operating since 2002, they have student at St Catherine’s College, Oxford, Joseph Lo OS 89-94 and his wife Nadja welcomed people from all over the world after graduating there with distinction in had a daughter, Ivy Anlei on 22nd May, as well as some OS (www.aboutscotland. Mathematics and Computer Science. He 2008. com/lothian/aberlady.html) has a scholarship from the Leathersellers’ Alexander Malone OS 81-89 and his wife Robert is also Vice Chancellor of Company of the City of and Charlotte had a boy, Oscar William, on the Archdiocese of St Andrews and says ‘Working with students as a college 20 February 2008. Edinburgh and his main responsibility lecturer and doing scientific research at is Human Resource Management for the same time has already proved to be Richard Wotton OS 78-88 and his wife Archdiocesan employees. He is chairman very rewarding for me, and I see a future Emma had a boy, Joseph Xavier, on 3rd of several other committees, which are career for myself in academia’. April 2008. support services for the archdiocese and represents Cardinal O’Brien and the Congratulations also to Khashi Sharifi M a r r i ages Trustees in a number of other areas. He OS 81-87, serving in Afghanistan with says it is a very fulfilling post and he is the Queen’s Royal Lancers, who has this Above: Seb Whitehead and his bride meeting Pope Benedict lucky to be working so closely with such month been promoted to Lieutenant- a holy and inspirational cardinal. Colonel.

In Memor i am va lete Anthony Fattorini OS 84-93 is still ….also to Captain Andrew Noyons OS running strong in and won 95-00, Welsh Guards. He has recently News of the deaths of the following OS With considerable regret, we say the most gruelling ultramarathon, the ChristopherLee/Getty Images been promoted and appointed Equerry has been received since the last issue of goodbye to Adrian Bidwell OS 69-74, Bogong to Hotham, in January, over a Adebowale Ademuyewo in action to HRH the Prince of Wales, a very the Newsletter. Stonyhurst Association Secretary, and distance of 64 km in the Victorian Alps. prestigious post within the Royal House­ his wife Gussy who are leaving the be coming to the College to give a talk hold. Dr Alan Rebello ksg, kchs College. The Wanderers in particular And Adebowale Ademuyewo OS 96-01 about the expedition under the auspices Associate Member have reason to be grateful for the was chosen for the Team GB 400m squad of the Stonyhurst Geographical Society, …and to James O’Donnell OS 00-05 and Gordon Benedict Hurst os 40-48 enthusiasm and patience which he has for the World Indoor Championships in on 13th November in the Centenaries Hamish Reid OS 99-04 who have been applied to their affairs, the Sporting Valencia. He normally represents Wales Theatre at 7.30 pm. awarded 1st Class Honours degrees at John Michael Harrison os 25-28 Weekends and the social events in after moving to Cardiff in 2001 and also Durham University, James in Economics Peter Benedict Joliffeos 56-66 connection with them. More recently he runs for Sale Harriers, Manchester. At the end of May, Kevin Barrett OS and Hamish in Geography. David Plum os 47-59 has used his talents and his gardening 93-08 helped the England Sevens Team club work force, in producing the Rosary The Alpha Global expedition ended on win a historic victory by scoring in the John Alletson OS 46-65 has written Michael Mellion os 56-63 Garden to the great satisfaction of those 21st May, 2008, when Adrian Flanagan match against New Zealand. He recently from Australia to say how much he likes Above: Jorge Gomendio Kindelan Terence Daniel Prosper Drake-Lee involved in the Lourdes Pilgrimage. OS 74-79 entered the Solent in his yacht revisited his alma mater and spoke to the the new format of the Newsletter and to Barrabas to achieve a solo ‘vertical’ people in the Games Department before say that averse to the often fatal effects OS 80-83 was married in July, 2007, to os 48-58 In his speech at Great Academies, the circumnavigation of the earth. serious business at the Bayley Arms. of retirement he is on a working holiday Maria Belen Tristan in the church of Las Donald J R Sheridan os 41-46 Chairman, Christopher Page, said ‘Adrian …Sailing up the Solent with the wind coming On April 12th, I believe, playing for around Australia. Now in its third year Esclavas del Sagrado Corazon de Jesus in is a top quality gardener, an annoyingly Patrick Francis George Allardyce os 35-44 from astern and the sails goosewinged under Exeter, he found himself opposing with one circuit completed, John and Madrid. good fisherman, and a brilliant cricketer. a warm sun seemed majestically surreal. another OS at Twickenham, Joe Ansbro his wife plus a caravan and Landrover Robert Roland Hull os 36-44 He has been a great support to the Christopher Lewis Malone OS 83-91 I remembered sitting at my desk three OS 99-04 who played for the Saints. are now ‘at home’ on the road. Playing William Harold Johnson os 47-54 Association, a guest master to visiting married Amy Louise Davis on April years before thinking about a name for the OS and parents, an inspiration to our 28th, 2008 at Christ Church, Jebel Ali, Michael Williams os 43-52 expedition and coming up with Alpha Global sportsmen and women in the Wanderers Dubai followed by a reception at the and now here I was completing the first Michael Osmun Stewart os 54-58 teams’. Fortunately, although leaving Royal Mirage Hotel. single-handed vertical circumnavigation the College, he will be remaining on the Anthony Joseph Keig-Shevlin os 33-36 of the earth. Thoughts made real – a dream Dr James (Seb) Whitehead OS 82-87 Association Committee. married Miss Nicola Mary Searle Hinton Dr John Philip MacFaul os 41-50 made concrete… at Worth Abbey on 15th December Dr David Reynolds Cheetham os 49-54 A natural gentleman, Adrian could He is now finishing his bookOver the Top, 2007. The Nuptial Mass was said by Fr always be relied on to raise the tone of an account of the voyage, to be published Nicholas King SJ, OS 60-66. Other OS may they rest in peace a gathering and with his easy charm, in October by Wiedenfeld and Nicolson present were Benedict Whitehead OS ensure the smooth passage of a social and his boat is up for sale. Adrian will 84-91, Saul Quirke OS 82-87, Michael Friends or next of kin, who wish to write the occasion. He and Gussy will be greatly O’Maoileoin OS 82-87, John da Gama- usual obituary for the Stonyhurst Magazine, missed. Right: Adrian Flanagan gets a welcome cup Rose OS 83-87, Edward Burke OS 78-88 are invited to contact David Knight at the of cha from the Royal Navy on his return and Charles Whitehead OS 52-61. College. Photo: page 10 home SaraCoombs/TKZ

6 7 golf whenever and wherever possible rebuilding and development of London principle. The Freemasons had earlier CCF Inspection – watching whales, catching fish – after the plague and the Great Fire prevented the College’s foundation and r eunions exploring National Parks – they have which in some respects was a blessing in in a letter to Stonyhurst College in 1887 picked strawberries on the East Coast disguise. The Spectator gave the book a Alejandro had said: he biennial inspection – fruit in the Murray Valley – grapes favourable review saying that he made a Our last battle with the Freemasons has of the Corps on May 12th 2008, and convivia in West Australia, and learned to love formidably good case for his period being been hard and rough, and notwithstanding was carried out by Major- wine even more. They have helped run unique in the ‘intellectual, economic our efforts, as we had the authorities and TGeneral Nicholas Francis Vaux CB, a supermarket in Broome and managed and social ferment, which transformed soldiers against us, we were defeated, and DSO, OBE formerly of the Royal ‘82 R eunion — Br endan Roche real estate offices in Queensland. The the city and set it irrevocably on the path the three Fathers of the Society, who came Marines. He was at the College from weather is marvellous – the people they to modernity’. to found a College in Arequipa were expelled 1946 to 1954 and this was his second meet are wonderful, the only cloud in by force; taken from the ’s Palace and inspection of the CCF. the sky is the price of diesel fuel. Adrian Beltrami OS 76-83 read Law at sent to Bolivia. This time he was accompanied by his He adds that should anyone think of a both Cambridge and Harvard and is a A large number of Catholics (myself included) wife Zoya and they stayed two nights, winter down under, he can always be member of Lincoln’s Inn. He has recently were imprisoned…We are not at all dining with the officers and RSM on reached through his home address: 10 become QC. intimidated and will continue the good fight Monday evening after watching the Drury Avenue, Southport, Queensland, till our last moment. The Freemasons want to cadets go through their paces in the Australia. Kyran Bracken OS 85-90 former rugby exterminate, if possible, all religion in Peru, afternoon. They were also given tours star is now a professional ice-skater of and hate and fear terribly, the Jesuits... of the College, Libraries and Collections From the same region, Patrick Smyth equal celebrity. He is also the Honorary The Colegio San Jose was finally estab­ and two signed copies of his book March OS 49-55 who had been out of touch, President of the rugby charity, Wooden lished in 1898 (see p. 13, From Peru). to the South Atlantic (isbn 0-907675-56-5) suddenly contacted us by email Spoon. about the Falklands campaign where enquiring about the College. He had he commanded 42 Commando, were googled it on a whim and was astonished We hear that Charles Cuddy OS 94-05 announcements presented to the College. Contrary to to find it co-ed. He complains he was has gained his Commercial Pilot’s rumour it was not Max Hastings but born 50 years too soon and said he was Licence and is employed by Virgin 1989 Reunion Nick Vaux and 42 Commando who retiring soon, probably to the northern Nigerian Airways based in Lagos and Dominic Medley is gathering emails in were among the first into Port Stanley NSW coast. should shortly qualify as a First Officer. preparation for a planned reunion of OS and put the flag back on Government 1989, SOMETIME and SOMEWHERE House. Jorge Gomandio Kindelan OS 80-83 His brother Tim OS 95-07 is following in 2009. Please contact: dominic@ He gave an informative and stimulating has written to tell us of his marriage the same path and is presently studying afrikamedia.com talk to the CCF and expressed his satis­ and some other news. After leaving for his Civil Aviation Ground School faction with all he had seen but when the College, he completed his A Level exams. SCHOLA CANTORUM showing his wife his old room was equivalent in Madrid and returned to This elite choir is soon travelling to surprised to find it considerably changed London to study architecture. After The noted pianist, Jonathan Plowright for a concert weekend at St and now part of the Girls’ quarters. wenty-seven of those College for Mass on Sunday morning and AA Diploma and RIBA membership, OS 73-78 teaches music in Cheltenham Blasien (21st–23rd November) and hope He was an inter-Service pentathlete, who left the College in 1982 then dispersed. We owe many thanks to he joined the practice of Lord Richard and has been busy producing more CDs also to produce a CD of their work. point-to-point rider and skier and now returned for a reunion on the Chris Thorpe who organised the reunion Rogers for a year and then worked with on the Hyperion label at £12.99: cda– They are performing on the following enjoys shooting and fishing and training 3rdT and 4th of May, 2008. A great time and then found himself unable to go due Sir Norman Foster for four years, gaining 67562 with works by Paderewski and occasions, partly to raise money towards gun dogs. They live in Devon. was had by all. While a small group to a posting to Afghanistan. He sent us the experience to set up his own office in cda-67630 with Piano Concertos 1 and 2 their expenses and are always in great played golf on the Saturday afternoon, the following message from Kabul: Madrid. by Henryk Melcer. need of sponsors. Below: General Vaux with Cadet Joshua Jan Graffius kindly showed the rest of He says he would like to thank the McAllister us around the newly restored Sodality Stonyhurst was my life and I’m sure it was for Friday 26th September school for what he thought at first, was Charles Stephenson OS 00-05 is study­ Chapel and the Arundell Library. Larry many others. However, five years after leaving, st ’s, liverpool some kind of punishment but gave him ing in Montevideo as part of his Spanish Crouch then showed us St Mary’s Hall. when we all attended Great Academies as my Concert to mark the closing of the confidence and will power. He also says and Business degree. He also needs to In the evening, after a drinks reception youngest brother left, I feared that I would Held in Trust exhibition. that he would like to regain contact with make a profitable business within three with the Headmaster, we dined in the no longer feel any connection. But still now, his contemporaries and his email is: months and has created a pedalpowered Friday 17th October Top Refectory. Our guests were Father after 25 years, every time I walk around the [email protected] smoothie-maker based on a bicycle. He top ref, stonyhurst Bossy, Peter and Brigid Hardwick, school galleries, I almost recognise the pupils uses this to make and sell fruit drinks To raise funds for the German trip. Simon Andrews and Wilf Usher. As is and I have to take a second look to convince Patrick Baladi OS 82-90 is still around the city. often noted by returning to myself that I don’t know the faces. Thursday 23rd October successfully treading the boards and the College, the food seems to have st michael’s church, mytholm­royd earned considerable coverage in Woman’s improved enormously in the last 25 years As you know, I am in Kabul at present and Concert as part of the Weekly. He recently played the part of A ddendum or so, although there must have been you may have heard about the attacks here Ted Hughes Festival Dodi Fayed in a documentary drama something beneficial in the regime when last Sunday. I’m pleased to say that our about Princess Diana and then appeared The last issue of the Newsletter carried Saturday 8th November we were at the College, because none of Intelligence suggested some sort of trouble in BBC One’s series, Mistresses. After an article ‘Jesuit Connections’ about hereford cathedral us had aged a day since leaving (please and that 20 minutes before the firing started, a visit to Hollywood, he found it didn’t a distinguished OS, Eduardo Lopez To mark the opening of the ignore the evidence to the contrary in I had already been raised from my post night- appeal and says the most important thing de Romana and the foundation of a shrine to St Thomas. the picture above). Simon Mills simply shift slumbers to don helmet and body armour is his family. He is married to Gemma Jesuit College at Arequipa in Peru. His looked older because he had grown and take cover. We took some stray incoming Anyone interested in sponsoring or and they have a young daughter Ava. elder brother Alejandro also deserves an enormous beard in keeping with rounds but no-one was hurt. making a donation to the choir, please a mention. When Eduardo became his status as a Franciscan Friar of the contact: Leo Hollis OS 86 – 91 has written a President of Peru, Alejandro was Prime Renewal (the basketball-playing order I hope that some of you will arrange a further book, The Phoenix, (isbn 9780297850779) Minister but trouble with the Freemasons Dr Kevin Morgan on 01254 826345 Ext 318 or from the Bronx). After a rather late reunion and next time I will be able to published by Weidenfeld at £20, about the led to his resignation on a matter of [email protected] session at the hotel, we returned to the attend!

8 9 London Con v i v ium R eunions wander er s

ednesday 2nd April During past years we have organised 2008 saw the London many reunions at the College and Association Convivium at assisted with those planned elsewhere. adr i an bidw ell WSt Mary Moorfields Church, the only It has been decided due to the growing in the Square Mile. We popularity of these events, and the were privileged to have the Association demands of the College calendar, to his years Wanderers care in organising 8 teams to take part , Father Billy Hewitt SJ, OS concentrate on 25 and 15 year reunions, sporting weekend took place in a seven-aside rugby competition on 41-50 come and celebrate the Mass for being held generally in May and October at the College at the beginning Smithfield. It was wonderful to see so us, with fine cantors from Corpus Christi respectively. Tof the summer term. It was fantastic to many OS young and not young who had Church, the Jesuit parish in Brixton. About see so many OS of many different eras played there on many occasions before 80 people were there, the youngest being There are already plans being made for making an effort to come and take part. trying to reach the standards they once Conor de Blank and Haben Habtom, the coming 12 months, 1983 in October That the pupils won most of the events took for granted. The winning team was our two excellent servers from SMH, up 2008, 1957-63 in May 2009 and 1987 in only put a minor dampener on the an invitational seven from Blackburn to Father John Grummitt SJ, OS 44-47. October 2009. occasion. RFC which included 4 OS; Tom Barnes, Thanks to Joe Egerton OS 65-69, for his It was cold for the cricket on the Oval Nick Barnes, Dino Radice, and Gareth help in organising servers and cantors. The Association Secretary at work: North If your 25th or 15th year reunion then falls with a biting and persistent East wind Evans. However my favourite team was In his sermon Father Billy reminded West Convivium in 2010, 2011 or even 2012 and you would but also mercifully dry. The Wanderers made up of the OS cricketers who played us of our duties to those less fortunate be interested in galvanising your year batted first and eventually amassed a with panache and spirit but unfortunately than ourselves in society, particularly the Reading and Father O’Halloran the into action then do let us know. It is good total around the 200 mark. Early did not win a game! Thank you to all OS migrant refugees, and these sentiments Homily. We are grateful to Rosanne never too soon! The Association Office wickets then fell when the boys batted who made the effort to come, some only were further echoed in the prayers of Allen who played the organ. can assist with postal addresses and and we felt a win in the offing. However to watch and I hope you will all be keen intercession. One of the highlights of the It had been planned to have the after emails, but we are not always informed the boys then rallied well and held out to come again next year. Mass was the organist having a temporary proceedings outside on the front lawns of changes, therefore any help you for an honourable draw. Many thanks to lapse and missing his entrance when and enjoy the summer evening and the can provide with new details is always Richard Drinkwater for organising the SHIREBURN 100 WINNERS he was supposed to lead us in the Pater new Rosary Garden, but the sun failed gratefully accepted. Wanderers team. January, 2008: John Denvir OS 1950; April, 2008: Neil Macfarlane OS 1975; Noster…unperturbed the congregation to shine on the righteous and at the last It was cold and windy for the golf too July 2008: Huw Williams OS 1982. sang with great heart acappella. moment matters had to be rearranged Please contact Beverley Sillitoe at making for some interesting golf. A The draw was made by Mark Leslie, Development Director at the College. At the end of Mass, wine and canapés and everything brought inside. Drinks [email protected] if you feel strong OS team were a little too good were served in the Church Hall and it were served in the Pieta Gallery as that you would like to be involved. for the boys this year and Eric Craven 1988 R eunion was wonderful to see OS and families of conversation grew apace until, the and his team won convincingly 4-1 in the all ages enjoying themselves. Speeches headmaster, Andrew Johnson, welcomed end. At the same time as the Sporting Weekend, a group of 1988 OSs decided on a reunion were given by Christopher Page on everyone on behalf of the College and The footballers found the strong wind at Stonyhurst, but staying at Ribchester were mainly able to take only vicarious the work of the Association, and Mark Mark Belderbos spoke for the Association difficult too but Rob Eatough and his enjoyment in the activities at school. However as can be seen from the photographs Leslie on College developments, and and thanked the Association Secretary, team were determined to put right last they had a good time, revisited their old haunts and some managed a game of golf. the wine glasses were large enough and Adrian Bidwell, for his services. He is Con v i v i a year’s defeat. The boys however had the speeches short enough, to ensure leaving to take up gardening and was just returned from their football tour to attention throughout. presented with the tools of the trade We are planning a cycle of convivia Malta and their stamina and organisation Toby Lees OS 94 – 99 as a parting gift. Look out for him on around the UK, with the intention of saw them through to win. ‘Gardener’s World’. holding two each year. We are hoping OS girls battled strongly against the It was then time for a buffet supper in to hold one in London and one either current girls in the hockey and the the ‘Do’ Room and a delicious selection in the North/Scotland or the Midlands, netball but couldn’t manage a win in North W est Con v i v ium of sweet and savoury canapés and rotating each year. We are currently either. Thanks to Charlotte Dugdale and sandwiches followed by some very exotic planning one for Newcastle this October, Rachel Ward for putting together some eld on the 5th June, cakes and tarts whilst the conversation and one at Campion Hall in Oxford in very competitive teams though. this was a very special event flowed as freely as the wine and the November (see Diary page 5). Everyone had fun on the Saturday hosted jointly by the College hubbub grew louder. Encouraged evening. Drinks in the Longroom were andH the Association. Not only were perhaps by the lengthened daylight, and We would be happy to hear from OS who followed by dinner in the Top Ref with Stonyhurst ‘at home’ but the numbers despite some having a long way to go, may like to suggest venues, and be happy OS and pupils mingling well. There was attending ensured its success and anyone most were reluctant to leave and lingered to assist with the organisation. The usual a very happy atmosphere – quite the within a reasonable distance seemed on into the gloaming. format would be to start with Mass, and best that we have had since this event determined not to lose out: they were About 150 came to the evening, then have refreshments afterwards. began a few years back. It never ceases well rewarded. from as far away as the Lake District We would like always to invite the to amaze and delight me how easy it is After a few words of welcome from Mark and Cheshire. Big numbers do not Headmaster, the Jesuit Superior and the for the different generations to get along Belderbos, Association President, Mass necessarily mean a big success but in this College Chaplain to attend so we need to together with their shared experiences was concelebrated in the College Chapel case it worked and most people voiced plan dates in advance to try and ensure of life at Stonyhurst. by no less than five Jesuit priests, Fathers considerable satisfaction with the event. that they would be available. On Sunday there was a great crowd at Around the table from the left are: Adrian Howell, Michael O’Halloran, Mark Belderbos, Association President, Mass and as usual the singing increased Hilary Thomas, Matthew Power and and Andrew Johnson, Headmaster of Please do contact the Association Office in volume by many decibels. Then we John O’Riordan, Jamie Malcolm, Andrew Warneken, Simon Dixon, Paddy John Twist. Mark Belderbos read the Stonyhurst College would like to thank if you have any suggestions and can offer had a new event organised superbly by Keown, John Koo, Chris Weld, Frank O’Friel, Eddie Burke, Bidding Prayers and Adrian Bidwell gave people for coming. assistance. Marco Vaghetti. He took much time and Dominic Carrington, Joe Fattorini.

10 11 char ities jesuit missions

If I should walk in the valley of darkness Kubatana in . David Hurst OS No evil would I fear… 62-70 was running his second , dav id mercer The words of the responsorial psalm had raising money for the Makumbi mission an ominous relevance: the Jesuit Missions in Zimbabwe, where he worked in the Besides the charitable work carried out or supported by the Association and therefore indirectly by its members, Flora runners had 1970s after leaving the College. Brian gathered for Saturday evening mass at Thursby-Pelham OS 88-90 was also there are many OS involved at a personal level. Here are just a few. the Sacred Heart Church, Wimbledon, running his second marathon, after on the eve of the great day, all minds a ten year gap. He was our youngest newman holiday trust st giles trust for childr en focussed on the challenge ahead. Look member, and our fastest, coming in on the bright side, I thought, apparently below four hours despite wearing one of Dr Anand J Chitnis OS 76-81 is chairman Brendan Roche OS 78-82, Chris Atkin which will be familiar to those who have we might be able to walk through this the Womble outfits (see inset). And then of the The Newman Holiday Trust OS 77-82 and Eddy Newton OS 74-82 are been involved in the children’s weeks valley, whereas my understanding had myself, Anthony Eyre OS 70-74, running which organises high quality holidays among the trustees of the St Giles Trust, at Stonyhurst: trips to theme parks, been that we were contracted to run; in support of Jesuit Missions in Guyana for children with special needs, free of founded in Oxford in the early 1980s swimming sessions, daily Mass but well anyway, pastures where my son was working for charge. (It was born out of The Higher under the auspices of OS such as Ronan plenty of free play. green and quiet waters XVP . Line Handicapped Children’s Trust). Treacy, Henry Lubienski, Simon and They are seeking helpers who can commit sounded like a good The Isle of Dogs is The formula has changed only a little Matthew Power, Finbar O’Callaghan themselves well in advance, to allow for enough approximation without doubt the over the years but the challenge now is and Paul Byrne. They organise holidays Criminal Records checks to be carried out. to our finish line at Valley of Darkness. It the change in statutory regulations and at Ampleforth for children with special Any donations will be gratefully accepted St James’s Park, and if is here that you have inspections, which are now undertaken needs, taking about 15 children and about and can be sent to: Brendan Roche, 8 divine help would ease to con­front the so- Above: by Ofsted. They have to supply a fully 16 helpers and following a programme Blenheim Road, St Albans, al1 4nr. my journey over the called Wall. David From Peru, Francis Rainsford OS fledged children’s home for one week, marathon course, so Hurst describes his 66-71 writes to tell us that the Alumni which is a tall order and an expensive much the better. particular experience: Association (ASIA) of his local Jesuit one. Divine help was “It couldn’t get any school, Colegio San Jose in Arequipa However last summer, the 27th year of never far from us: colder or more painful... ‘adopted’ the nearby school for holidays, the Ofsted inspector awarded in the morning the I knew I was slow when I handicapped children. This is state run the highest possible level for the care they 21 runners gathered was overtaken by an elderly but with very basic resources and the provided. In the categories of ‘helping under the leadership lady who was knitting parents of the children are from the children achieve well and enjoy what (“I will lead from a scarf while running. poorest of backgrounds. they do’ and ‘helping children make behind!”) of Fr Tim And then by an 85 years ASIA adopted the school in the 1990s a positive contribution’ their standard Curtis SJ, Director of young man with a sign reading and to date, has donated funds and was adjudge to be ‘outstanding’. Few Jesuit Missions. He led us in a pre-run ‘Running in. Please Pass.’ I very nearly equipment and built an annex to the professional Children’s Homes achieve huddle for a prayer and a blessing, and fainted at around the 20 mile mark but two building. Many hours of voluntary time such a rating. then we were off. And lo and behold! We other runners caught me as I was wobbling have been invested by both ASIA and Below is an email linking to a video on emerge from Greenwich Park rounding and the St John’s Ambu­lance people helped the students of Colegio San Jose with YouTube about the Trust as well as how a bend on Charlton Road to come in sight me recover with excellent personal attention. rich rewards in human terms. Francis, to volunteer and support it: of the Catholic church of Our Lady of I somehow got going again and was amused as an ex-Jesuit pupil also helps in their http://www.youtube.com/ Grace, and the parish priest, armed with and stunned to hear the very next song on my activities. watch?v=rDv6oLLvLQ holy water and aspergillum, sprinkling iPod which was ‘Knock Knock Knocking on The Trust has grown quietly and blesma the runners with a “God bless you!” Heaven’s Door’ – honestly.” now need over £50,000 per annum to That’s it then, I thought. I’m cooked. No The Jesuit Missions team raised £44,000, Adam Culley OS 96-98 wrote to say comply with regulations. All involved After 36 years in the army, Colonel administration, personnel and liaison and excuses now. an excellent result; there is renewed that he has been working in the UAE for are volunteers and apart from some Stephen Coltman OBE, OS 53-63 he organised most of the Rehabilitation The Missions team had an impressive interest at Stonyhurst to field a team for the past 14 months but was returning nominal administrative costs, every worked as the Deputy Chief Executive events. total of six Jesuits running with us, while the 2009 Flora London Marathon. If you to London to do an MSc. He planned to penny they raise goes directly to running for the British Limbless Ex-Servicemen’s He describes the work as extremely Stonyhurst was represented by four are interested in taking part yourself you come overland by motorbike and raise the holidays. Anand Chitnis says, ‘We Association from 1999 to 2006. The humbling, dealing with those who runners: Jonathan Sharples, who teaches should contact Alan Fernandes (alan. money for ‘Riders for Health’ (below), a hope the young men and women at the charity also looks after those who lose had suffered traumatic injury but who, languages at the College and was raising [email protected]), who charity which provides for healthcare College will see the NHT as a way to the use of a limb as a result of service and with the assistance of BLESMA and money for our twinned school, St Peter’s has places available for next year. visits in Africa (http://www.riders.org/ continue and develop their voluntary their widows or widowers. fellow amputees, would come to terms our_work.aspx). We have not heard since work. We need 150 volunteers each BLESMA operates two Homes, in with their injury and go on to lead (in but hope he made it. summer – we would be delighted to Blackpool and in Scotland, provides virtually every case) a worthwhile life. Left: Andrew Hanratty OS 05-07 together have current Poets or Rhetoricians join counselling service, gives advice on Highlights of his time were organising with his mother, Krista Hanratty, ran our team of dedicated and enthusiastic pensions, benefits and compensation and an all amputee sailing crew in the Fast­net the 2008 London Marathon and jointly volunteers.’ He adds that they are also makes grants to those in need. It works Race of 2001 to beat 100 other able bodied raised over £11,000 for Meningitis Trust. particularly keen to hear from qualified closely with the MOD Medical Services, crews (above), and a male and female Many individuals linked to Stonyhurst and registered nurses. the Defence Rehabilitation Centre and crew in the Atlantic Challenge (Canaries most generously sponsored them. If you would like to make a donation to the NHS. It also plans and organises to St Lucia). The work was demanding Andrew finished in 3 hours 53 minutes the Trust, please go to: rehabilitation events including sailing, but rewarding and he now continues in a and 42 seconds, 38 seconds ahead of his www.newmantrust.org ski-bobbing, parachuting, golf etc. voluntary capacity. As an ex-Serviceman mother, so the honour of the College or www.justgiving.com Colonel Coltman’s role was to run the himself, he feels he owes it to them. Cross Country Team was saved – just!

12 13 x v p eagle aid

mich a el gor man tom leona r d & nick crouch

The Xavier Volunteer Programme (www.xvp.org.uk) provides opportunities to young adults to continue agle Aid has recently Upendu Unit, Kangemi support 8 projects, concentrating on introduced two new projects, as Eagle Aid has supported Kangemi their specific needs, which are beyond to be ‘men and women for others’. Last year Tom Leonard OS 2006 and Nick Crouch OS 2006 well as rejuvenating another. Mission near Nairobi, in for the reach of their available income. We participated in the programme spending six months working in the north west E almost ten years, but we lost contact with do not, as a rule, support their day-to- of Ghana in the town of Wa. (see also A Time of Gifts, page 27) Stomaltherapy and Wounds Clinic the Mission when Fr Gerry Whelan, SJ day expenditure, as this can create a Responding to a request from Fr Gerald took a sabbatical prior to taking up a new culture of dependency, which the JRS e very much wanted was interested in our Premier League. trip we went to a hippo sanctuary and McCabe SJ, OS 41-49, Michael Gorman appointment in Boston, USA. However, has taught us to avoid. We sometimes to do something that was We also helped a local primary school another to the Mole National Park, a OS 39-49 seized on the opportunity to the Pedro Arrupé World Foundation, describe our support as ‘enabling’; for worthwhile and would pre­ which had computers but no one to very beautiful place where one can see support this Harare clinic which was which promotes the Arrupé $ scheme has example, our support for the Craighead pareW us for the challenges of adult life teach the skills. It was great fun starting elephants, antelopes, snakes and many running out of resources. In particular recently focused its attention on the HIV/ Institute ‘enabled’ them to get started in so we volunteered for XVP and were from scratch and by the end, many of the other species of wild life. At one point the Clinic’s transit truck was spending AIDs pandemic in Africa, starting with Eastern ; or our contribution of chosen to work in Ghana. The dates of children were proficient in the use of a we were literally six feet away from more time in the repair garage than the work Fr Gerry began in Kangemi’s £5,000 to repair the main water supply our posting allowed four months to earn computer. elephants as they drank and washed in on the road. With roaring inflation in Upendu Unit. for the village of Borovica, ‘enabled’ extra money to add to what we had raised Wanting to make the most of our time a watering hole. We also went down a Zimbabwe the cost of these repairs was the village to be rebuilt during the to finance the programme so I, (Tom) we were determined to join in with gold mine and visited the fort at Cape quickly bringing the Clinic to its knees. One frequently asked question is: following year. worked as a Gap student at St Mary’s the community and make a difference Coast, built to house slaves before Eagle Aid financed a new Mazda 4 x 4 that “How does Eagle Aid distinguish itself from Hall and Nick toiled in local restaurants. to their quality of life so we helped at a shipping them to the Americas and has restored the Clinic to its former state. Jesuit Missions and from CAFOD?” And from the Association Chairman, We left our families in Preston and after local hospice and an orphanage. It was squealed with delight at the sight of The Clinic also needs help with buying The three charities are quite different. Christopher Page: a few days in London, flew out to Accra, a humbling but enjoyable experience goodies in the only supermarket in the the bandages, dressings and appliances CAFOD is a major development agency As our own charitable funds tend to be the capital of Ghana in January 2007. As and would make anyone appreciate the country in Accra. needed for their work and Eagle Aid sent operating on a very wide canvas. In used for specific purposes (scholarships, advised on the XVP Orientation course services we have and take for granted There were also celebrations. In March £7,000 to a Johannesburg company who particular, and especially when Eagle bursaries, travel grants and our own we had attended the previous summer, in England. We soon began missing the – Independence Day and the birthday of are able to supply all that is needed. Eagle Aid was first established, CAFOD would administrative costs), and our fundraising we carried enough medical equipment simple pleasures of home, particularly one Thomas Leonard, weddings and a Aid is also sending £1,000 to help supply not allow donors to specify the projects efforts are usually Stonyhurst-centric, to set up a field hospital. In addition Nick food and drink. A simple basic diet was memorable Easter Monday picnic in the diesel for the new truck. they wished to support, preferring to it seems very important to me that we had brought his guitar. It would be a long the order of the day and some of the local park. retain the right to determine the asset should retain a wider context for the six months! dishes took some getting used to but We enjoyed our time in Ghana and liked Milenje School, Malawi allocation of their funds. Association by supporting the excellent Two days in Accra and we spent thirteen hunger is always the best sauce. However its people. They show great respect and The second new project is an appeal we Jesuit Missions are another major work done by our sister charity, Eagle hours reaching St Francis Xavier’s school we did draw the line at dog’s brain and care for the elderly – a lesson we could received from a local Catholic School international player. They do not invite Aid. It is an obvious duct for any in Wa. It is known as a Junior Seminary rat on a stick! learn from, and in our experience at least, who have set up an initiative called SJB support other than during the London fundraising initiatives we may have for but only a few become priests and the It was not all work and we could travel it is a safe and friendly place and one we Africa to involve the whole secondary Marathon, when they run a major appeal. the developing world, and has a well rest get a good Jesuit education. On the at weekends and the holidays. One such should like to return to some day. school in the rebuilding of a Primary and Jesuit Missions’ main activity seems to proven track record in choosing and journey we had the opportunity to try the Secondary school at Milenje in Malawi, be to act as a hard-currency banker for monitoring suitable projects. ‘internationally famous’ dish, Foo Foo – Below: Isabella Gee OS 02-07 teaching at St Ignatius School, Dodoma, Tanzania. She and which are both derelict but continue to every Jesuit project overseas. They will, We hope to forge even closer links with interesting to say the least, consisting of Stefano Ghirardi OS 05-07 spent part of their gap year in 2007-8 working at the school on an have almost 1,000 pupils, whom they however, credit any donations received Eagle Aid to develop the various ideas ball of sticky dough with a thin soup and XVP placement. try to teach in appalling conditions. to the project of the donor’s choice. that Michael Gorman (past President of meat, which in Ghana means any part of The cost of this project is estimated at Eagle Aid, on the other hand, is a the Association) and his fellow trustees the animal. No orientation course could £42,000 spread over two years and it small charity which selects specific have pursued in raising and distributing have prepared us for the culture shock would be good if Eagle Aid could make a projects to support; raises awareness of the funds, ideally cross linking into other of the strange food, unreliable transport useful donation of perhaps £4 or £5,000 their needs and activities, and invites areas where the Association and OS are coupled with discomfort, dust, and more towards their target. donations in support. At present we involved. dust. That said the Ghanaian people were very friendly. Eagle Aid: a new We had a few days to settle in, meet the locals, attend a colourful funeral and get Web address accustomed to our basic accommodation, http://eagleaid.typepad.com only cold running water, electricity on occasion and creepy crawlies in the beds. You are all invited to visit us now. Then we were let loose on the pupils of St Francis. These were roughly our own The site is constructed using age but teaching was easier than expected 6 blogs, the ‘parent’ blog and because they were remarkably well the others covering projects in behaved and eager to learn. Throwing Africa, Europe, the Far East, ourselves into the work, we attended India and the Middle East, and choir practice – a doubtful contribution Central and South America. – and sports, especially basketball and football and we found that everyone

14 15 Michael Gorman OS 39-49 is the well known pilgr image news director of EAGLE AID and he too has been organising annual pilgrimages to support and complement his work. pilgr im pathfinder s e agle a id pilgr images He reports on their visit to the Holy Land:

‘Life is not just about having new journeys Maxinne Torrents dels Prats organises to our Florence destination, the com­ Eagle Aid completed its first Pilgrimage with the same eyes but also about having the functions to raise money for Eagle Aid and an fortable Loggiato Dei Serviti. The faÇade to the Holy Land in November 2007. same journeys with new eyes’ (Buddha) annual retreat and pilgrimage for the same of the building forms part of the early Michael Gorman organised the Pilgrim­ purpose. One function this year was a piano Renai­ssance colonnade forming the age and Frs Michael Bossy SJ and Billy Formed in January 2006 in preparation recital by Rose Cholmondeley to be held at square in front of the Servite church. Hewett SJ provided the spiritual content. for the Stonyhurst Pilgrimage to Rome, the Polish Embassy. Maxinne likes to use The Prior made us very welcome and We spent three nights by the Sea of Pilgrim Pathfinders is now approaching embassies because, when she asks ‘Without arranged for us to have Mass together Galilee, two in Bethlehem and five in its 3rd year. Since then we have met 14 fail, the Ambassador replies that he has been in a chapel adjoining the cloisters next East Jerusalem, based on the Mount of times and trodden over 140 miles in the educated by the Jesuits or a relative has been, to the church. Within the church there Olives. Although few – we were only 14 cloud forest of the Ribble Valley (below). and he would love to cooperate’. is still the 15th century fresco of the – this turned out to be an advantage, as As was the practice during our walking On the 2007 pilgrimage to , she writes: Annunciation, carefully preserved from we were able to go to places which could pilgrimage to Rome, there is the the original building, in front of which not accommodate a larger number. opportunity to begin the day with the 10 November 5th, without fireworks, was St offers his virginity The high point of the visit was undoubt­ am Mass at St Peter’s Church. Although the departure date for the 2007 Eagle to Our Lady. That was a good spot at edly our visit to Bethlehem, where we often cover familiar ground, be it Aid pilgrims, twelve of us; though in the which to pray for Stonyhurst through we visited Bethlehem University, sang over Longridge Fell, Dunsop Bridge, Departure Lounge we realised that our the intercession of its patron saint. Vespers and then had supper in the Beit Whitewell or the River Hodder, Father two most experienced travellers were Florence is totally absorbing. Donatello Jala Seminary and concelebrated Mass John Twist continually surprises us with missing: Pat Doyle from Indiana and is a special study of Steven’s so he saw on Sunday in the Parish of Beit Sahour. new paths and routes. Maureen Whelan from Dublin. They to it that his work became a focus for us We carried with us some £10,000 (or We would like to thank all who have were able to take a later flight and join in the midst of so much, clamouring for $21,700) to distribute in the various places continued to join us this year and us next day. Meanwhile, we had arrived our attention. On the Sunday we went we visited. Some 60% of this used to welcome you again in the future. For as planned at the Franciscan monastery together to the principal Mass in the replenish the ‘Eagle Aid Humanitarian further details, please contact us at of La Verna, a site originally given to Duomo and afterwards met up with Fr Fund’ which the Latin Patriarchate [email protected] or see St Francis and where he received the Gerry Whelan, Maureen’s Irish Jesuit son administers on our behalf. the Association website for future dates. stigmata. At 1128 metres the beautiful who had come down from his lecturing In our talks with Fr Faysal, he indicated Emma and Richard Wotton OS 78-88 buildings, some dating from soon after in Rome to spend a day or two with areas where he would like to use our the time of St Francis, look over and us. We had one day in Siena, admiring donation: to fund a mosaic for the contribute to an area of outstanding the church of St Dominic and the great Parish Church, of St Teresa of Lisieux, beauty and I, inhabitant of a busy London Duomo with its spectacular Biblioteca the Parish’s Patron Saint, and to fund street, felt that my lungs might collapse Piccolomini. Another day we wandered the cost of security bars on the school’s under such pure, crisp air. all over the lovely walled city of Lucca windows. The monastery particularly commem­ with its famous Volto Santo, a crucifix We also met with the General Admin­ orates the stigmatisation of St Francis which is copied in the embroidery of one istrator of the Latin Patriarchate, Fr and houses many works by Andrea of Stonyhurst’s old chasubles. Always Shawki Baterian, who explained to us della Robbia, notably the famous Altar however, we returned to our hotel beds how our contribution had been spent. of the Ascension of Christ. During our in Florence and no matter how wearying From a 2007 balance of $25,000, $8,000 was two days retreat we had a Mass with the day, we were fortified by a meal at shared between Taybeh Parish, Birzeit st thoma s ga r net sj a talk from Fr Michael, morning and one or other of the splendid restaurants Parish School and Beit Jala Seminary; evening, and the opportunity to join Steven had found for us when he, as it $14,500 was distributed to 32 beneficiaries 2008 marks the quatercentenary of the the community and other visitors for were, walked the course for us earlier and $2,500 remained unspent. The report death of the College’s protomartyr, St the morning and evening office. The in the year. The weather was seasonally provided 10 examples of the nature of Thomas Garnet SJ, an event celebrated religious feeling was greatly enhanced kind. Only on one afternoon did it rain these contributions. For example: with a special mass in the Jesuits’ Gardens by the surrounding countryside in all the and that rather sadly was when we went A four year old girl suffered head injuries in a car at the College, and in London with a glory of autumn. A group of Franciscan to visit La Pieta, formerly the home of accident and needed urgent plastic surgery, at a pilgrimage from the Tower to Tyburn Sisters gave us excellent meals and on Sir Harold Acton. The interior was full cost the family could not afford. The Patriarchate under the direction of Christopher Page the third morning we bade them a fond of fine things but we would have loved a gave $ 5,000 so that the operation could go ahead, OS 67-76. adieu as we headed off, first to Arezzo dry walk through the gardens. and they withdrew this from 3 Funds, of which After meeting for Sunday morning mass and thence to Florence. It was in the This year, the fact that we were pilgrims ours was one; our share was $1,500. at the Church of English Martyrs near rectangular chancel of the church of was underlined by the two-day retreat In another case, an old man from Aboud Parish the Tower, a group of almost 40 set off St Francis that we admired Piero della with which we started, but that is not developed severe abdominal pains. He needed on foot for Tyburn Convent, pausing Francesca’s frescoes of the story of the necessarily part of the programme every an urgent operation, at a cost of $4,000. The along the way for reflection and prayer finding of the True Cross, realising also year. Whether we are renewing old Patriarchate gave $3,000 for the operation and (above: in St Paul’s Church Yard). We were how fortunate we were to have with us friendships or making new ones, those withdrew this sum from 2 Funds, of which welcomed by the community at Tyburn, so modest and knowledgeable a fine arts friendships are at the core of the holiday, ours was one; our share was $1,000. and after Benediction led by Billy Hewett guide as Steven Fachada. expressed daily in our Mass together and We are delighted to help in this way and SJ enjoyed a picnic in Hyde Park. After absorbing some of the many by the varying connections we have with look forward to keeping our Fund in beauties of Arezzo, we made our way Stonyhurst. Jerusalem topped up on a regular basis. Right: Christopher Page with Billy Hewett SJ

16 17 Stonyhur st and Gu yana

dav id mercer

uyana is situated on years after leaving the College and he had detested the institution of slavery on the N.E. coast of South America a yearning for a warm climate His uncle which it was based. The settled parts and occupies an area greater than managed a sugar plantation there and his and estates were along the coastal strip thatG of Great Britain. The coast was first father had recently bought a neighbouring which very soon gave way to trackless seen by Christopher Columbus in 1494 estate which needed someone to act as forests inhabited by wandering tribes but he did not land. Sir Walter Raleigh overseer and so in 1804 he arrived in of Indians and escaped slaves and a very sailed up the nearby Orinoco in 1595 and Stabroek (Georgetown) the capital. few Europeans who were ‘Protectors’ after him came English, of the Indians and Dutch and French maintained some traders and petty wars degree of contact with ensued, but the Peace of the tribes. A few more 1815 after Waterloo left might be engaged in Britain in possession of extracting the valuable the colony, now called hardwood timber or British Guiana. were plantation owners He had made friends with a timber that purpose. They caught one at last Above: Mibiri Creek From the sixteenth who preferred to live a merchant who lived far from the coast in on a baited bunch of wooden hooks and cent­ury, it had become safe distance from the isolation on the Mibiri Creek and from then ‘nothing remained to do but to get and by main force, twisted them on his back; a busy Dutch trading swamps and mosquitoes him and his family, he learnt about the him out of the water without injuring thus they served me for a bridle.’ (see Front area with new settlers of the coast. wildlife of the forest and adopted their his scales’. He was determined that his Cover) happy at first to treat Waterton returned way of life. He gave up wearing shoes specimen should be unblemished. At After a struggle, the cayman was finally the original inhabitants briefly to England and soon was able to run and climb first his party refused to cooperate and secured and carried back to the site as commercial partners. when his father died in barefoot like an Indian and could live as wanted to kill it but then he took the mast where they had their hammocks. ‘There Relations, which began 1805 but was soon back they did from the forest. of their canoe and using it as a defence, I cut his throat; and after breakfast was over, as cordial, soured as in the Americas and In 1812 he set out to explore ‘the far, placed himself between the cayman and commenced the dissection’. the Guyanese were ex­ doing a considerable extending, unexplored wilds of Guiana’. the others who were to pull the reptile (Wanderings in South America – Charles ploited financially, then amount of travel. He He chose a bad time – the start of the out. If it attacked him he would push the Waterton) worsened with outright was very pleased to be rainy season and when he got back four mast down its throat leaving the skin ill treatment. Many, commissioned (as the months later he was ‘so careworn, sick undamaged. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle OS 1868 – 75 such as the Pata­mona first of his family since and changed’ and it was three years ‘This was an interesting moment. I kept my did not visit the region but heard fascina­ moved up into the hills Queen Mary’s time) to before he recovered from malaria and felt position firmly, with my eye fixed steadfast ting accounts of it, especially the moun­ and to replace them deliver dispatches to the strong again. The expedition however on him. By this time the cayman was within tain plateaus such as (below) the settlers brought in Spanish Government to the fort of Sao Joachim in made two yards of me. I saw that he was in a state which lies on the border with Brazil African slaves and later at Angustura, 300 miles him briefly famous and when he returned of fear and perturbation; instantly I dropped and Venzuela. His active imagination Indian and other Asian up the Orinoco River to Georgetown he carried the spoils of the mast, sprang up, and jumped on his peopled it with prehistoric monsters labourers to work their and this journey gave his travels – a ball of rubber ‘delightful back, turning half round as I vaulted, so that which had survived into the modern age farms. The colony be­ him his first real sight odiferous gum… about 150 of the most I gained my seat with my face in the right and led to the book The Lost World – the came independent from of the life that was rare and beautiful birds and fine, fine position. I immediately seized his fore legs, original theme for Jurassic Park. Britain in 1966, as Guy­ana hidden in the forests blowpipes’. He also had quantities of and is the only English and wetted his appetite the vegetable poison curare, which he speaking country in for more. His insatiable had tested on an ox. He had watched South America. curiosity covered the Indians preparing this but it was not In 1780, Fr Leonard every­thing, people, known then that the bark of the liana vine Neale SJ, StO, later animals and plants contained the poison. His experiments Archbishop of Balti­ and he seems to have with the substance helped to lay the more, visited, but the been greatly struck by foundations of modern anaesthesia, Dutch who then held the contrast between developed in the 1960s at the University of the colony would not the areas touched by Liverpool. Some of these items he brought let him do any spiritual civilisation where ‘the back to Europe and can now be found at work and he soon came vice, ignorance and Stonyhurst in the Collections. away. corruption’ was the In 1820 he returned to the abandoned The next OS to be same, and those which house of his friend at Mibiri Creek associated with the area were not. The people of continuing his activities in natural was the famous naturalist, explorer and Always an oddity, he did not find the the forest had a dignity and spirituality history and collecting specimens. He notable eccentric Charles Waterton debauched social life of the colony to his which echoed the quality of their had a particular ambition to take a large OS 1796 – 1801. The Napoleonic wars taste and tended to say so and although landscape and Waterton felt drawn to cayman back to England and made an prevented him visiting Europe in the he worked ‘at intervals’ as manager, he their world. expedition up the Essequibo River for

18 19 Evelyn Waugh was not quite OS but a Galton to the Takutu River to begin his Left: Fr Henry Mather SJ parent of one and frequently visited the missionary labours among the Indians at College. So his journey through Guiana the station known as St Ignatius. a mischievous little mocking-bird who in the 1930s and his subsequent book, ‘For thirteen years he journeyed, upset everything and to whom I became Ninety-two Days deserve a mention. instructed, baptised and did heavy particularly attached; he was killed by a He visited Fathers Mather and Keary at manual work in the building of mission cat during my stay. There was also a huge St Ignatius on the Takutu and travelled a houses and churches. His mission toad who inhabited the house, though he little with Father Keary (cf Henry Cotton field extended from the head of the can scarcely be described as a pet; he had Mather). Ireng among the Patamona Indians to quarters behind a kerosene tin and woke Travelling was still a very arduous and the head of the Rupununi among the up at sunset with a series of deep barks; fairly dangerous business in the interior. Wapishanas, a distance of 280 miles. he never appeared except by lamplight As he remarked: ‘There are a hundred He rarely travelled by boat, and very when he would come out, flopping excellent reasons for rough travelling, rarely rode a horse: practically all his along heavily; he had an unaccountable but good living is not one of them.’ commemorated on a postage stamp journeys throughout this immense area taste for burning cigarette ends which Provisions were always a problem and (above). were made on foot; and he nearly always he would snap up and swallow with an accommodation non­existent unless Being a part of the English Province, the walked barefoot. insatiable appetite.’ he could find a ranch or a mission. He Jesuits themselves were mainly English His food was that of the Indians among Another writer, Michael Swann com­ commented: ‘It had been a hard and and as such had a Stonyhurst connection. whom he happened to be staying at the mented on his manual skills and also at times arid experience. I had taken A number of them were OS and many time: farrine, cassara bread, yams, salted described him as an ‘enchanting talker’. enough strenuous exercise and suffered had been at St Mary’s Hall, which for or smoked fish or meat. Fresh meat was He relates in The Marches of El Dorado: enough mild privation to justify myself in a long time was a seminary, for part of rare, and sometimes there was no fish ‘We lunched in the mess adjoining the spending the rest of the year in indolence their training. or fresh meat for days on end. When at mission house, and to celebrate my visit, and self-indulgence….I had caused his headquarters, St Ignatius, he fared Father Mather unlocked a cupboard and unavoidable pain to several horses. I had The famous Father Cuthbert Cary- somewhat better; but his visits there produced a dust-covered bottle of Scotch added to my treasury of eccentrics… Elwes SJ, OS 1881 – 87 was also an were rare and brief.’ whisky. He told me about including the fantastic Mr Christie’ eccentric from his early years. Rather ‘…His love for the Indians, his very real travelling hammocks that were a triumph ‘He asked me if I were a believer and I troublesome at school, he astonished zeal for souls, his hardy, self-denying of craftsmanship, the type of wild cotton said yes, a Catholic. Alban Goodier by telling him that he apostolic spirit were perhaps his most they use, the special reeds from which ‘There are some good Catholics conceded was at the College because he was going prominent virtues; and they were they make their baskets; he told me about Mr Christie…Only the other evening I to be a priest, go out to the missions and closely interwoven with a gentleness, the excited dances performed on the flat was looking at the choir of the blessed be martyred. The future archbishop was a prayerfulness, a shining holiness that surface of a rock by those brilliant yellow singing before the throne of God and to aghast but straight after Stonyhurst, the drew people to him and very powerfully and orange birds, the cock-of-the­rock; my great surprise, I recognised the late pair began their noviceship at Manresa. attracted Indians whose love and he told me which part of the Kanukas Bishop of Guiana….’ reverence for him are still strong.’ I might go to if I wished to gather the One of the qualities which impressed leaves of the Erythroxylun coca, whose THE JESUIT CONNECTION the Indians, was his utter fearlessness He began his noviceship in 1907 and after room was his work – firm, finely jointed active principle is an alkaloid cocaine. 150 years of danger. The Wide World magazine his tertianship at Tullamore sailed for and fitted, delicately finished, a marked ‘The Indians use it as a tonic,’ he said, When Britain became the ruling power carried an article describing him taking British Guiana in 1923. He was appointed contrast to the botched makeshift that ‘chewing the leaves with lime and ashes.’ more religious toleration was shown. a photograph at the top of the Kaieteur to St Ignatius but had a bad attack of prevailed even in Georgetown. He An infusion of this leaf is the famous Churches were established at Santa Falls. ‘Father Cary stepped to the side malaria on the way and had to divert to loves and studies all natural things, secret constituent of Coco Cola – or was.’ Rosa, Abram Zuil and Malgretout of the camera, bent over, balancing on Boa Vista in Brazil and be nursed back in particular woods and birds about After lunch, Father Mather pointed out and later at Georgetown and New one foot, with the other waving in thin to health by the Benedictines. He then which he has huge stores of first-hand the highest peak of the Kanuku range Amsterdam and in 1857 the Mission was air above that awful abyss, and made the found his way back to Georgetown by knowledge. It is very rarely that he goes and told him that an epiphytic liana handed over to the English Province of needful adjustments as though there had going down the Amazon and round by down to the coast; when he does the grew there and without it the Makushis the and last year saw the been a drop of but a few inches instead of sea. He tried again in 1928 with Father riverside scenery – to me unendurably could not have become the best makers 150th Anniversary Celebrations of the a thousand feet beneath him’. Keary but their boat capsized in rapids monotonous – provides a luxurious of ‘urari’. Swann continues: event. As missionaries, doctors, hospital He became known over thousands of and several of the party drowned but orgy of observation; occasionally some ‘Come with me’ said Father Mather with workers and teachers, they established Unworldly as well as odd, nobody square miles as the ‘Little Padre’ a term the two priests survived and were call will take him into the hills, but for the air of a man who knows he has made a strong foothold in the country carry­ thought he would stay the course but of high distinction and honour and not eventually taken back to Georgetown. the most part his work keeps him in the his intended effect. We went to a back ing out valuable work among the Amer­ he did and when he taught for a while for nothing does his picture appear on The third attempt succeeded and they desolate surroundings of St Ignatius…. room and from a locked cupboard Father indian population, who held them in at Beaumont, he won the respect of a postage stamp commemorating the arrived safely at St Ignatius where Father It was as lonely an outpost of religion as Mather produced a dozen black gourds of high regard. The Jesuits founded and otherwise difficult pupils with his 150th Anniversary of the arrival of the Mather remained except for a brief you could find anywhere.’ various sizes each with two small holes ran two hundred primary schools and sincerity. After asking his Provincial, he Jesuits (left). interval, until 1944. He usually stayed Describing life at the mission, Waugh on either side through which three secondary schools in addition to was sent to British Guiana in 1904 and at the mission base learning the difficult says, ‘There were pets of course; a mis­ a piece of bush-string had numerous mission stations. (See back immediately asked the bishop to let him Henry Cotton Mather OS 1897 – 07 language of the Makushi while Father anthropic and rather menacing ‘bush been looped. Each gourd cover). do a mission in the cathedral. The bishop was of the same family as the famous Keary travelled among the Wapishanas turkey’ which strutted about the gallery, was heavy with a dull A very fine cathedral in wood – the finest was not encouraging but the mission was American Puritan, Cotton Mather, but his and the Patamonas. shaking his scarlet dewlap; two toucans black substance, fissured wooden building in the world – was a great success and he had similar results mother and her children were received Evelyn Waugh visited in the early with vast disproportionate beaks, like sun-baked bitu­ erected in 1870. It was unfortunately training a male-voice choir. He showed into the Church at St Wilfred’s, Preston thirties, describing him in his book shaped and coloured like toys; they used men. ‘There’s enough destroyed by fire in 1913 but immediately great capacity to inspire, and a genius in 1893. From an early age he was noted Ninety-two Days as ‘the kindest and most to appear at meal times and catch pieces there to kill the rebuilt in more durable material. The for making Catholicism attractive: he for his considerable manual skill and an generous of all the hosts of the colony’. of bread with astonishing accuracy; if whole Black Watch same fate overtook the equally fine fully realised the value of ritual and ability to repair things to perfection. He He also says: neglected they asserted their presence by in Georgetown’ Sacred Heart church in 2004. It is now ceremony. In 1909, he went with Bishop was also keenly interested in bird life. ‘Most of the simple furniture of the living pecking one sharply in the leg. There was said Father Mather….

20 21 You’ve probably heard of it under its and later when he was invalided home, as In Guyana his contemporaries described detective story name – curare. You his substitute, until Fathers Mather and him as ‘always willing to help and gu yanese a rtefacts remember the Sherlock Holmes tale? Keary took over. His father was a naval absolutely reliable’ and that ‘he was It’s the original South American poison VC and perhaps he too had the sea in his deeply loved by many ordinary people’. Jan Graffius unknown to science and leaving no blood. At the College he and his brother There have been other OS Jesuits in this here is a significant collection of Amerindian artefacts from trace. Except that it’s been known to had made an ice-sailing boat and later remote part of the English Mission and it science for donkey’s years – they were in Guiana, he designed and had built a is good to see that Peter Britt-Compton TGuyana held at the College, brought back by Jesuit missionaries using it for nervous diseases in Europe 30 foot boat with an outboard motor. SJ, OS 31-36, maintains the Stonyhurst and Charles Waterton. nearly a century ago.’ Once on holiday at Barmouth with connection with the area. It is also Cary-Elwes, the brothers hired a sailing fitting that two of our gap year students Waterton was a great champion of the Amerindian peoples of Guyana boat which Cary-Elwes is said to have this year, Paddy Page and Giles Rous- and used his fame as a scientist and naturalist to plead their cause, steered with faultless precision on to a Eyre, both leavers in 2007, were posted although his case was often undermined by his numerous eccentricities. sand bank. His luck in this direction did to St Ignatius almost a century after its In 1817 he visited the Vatican to ask Pope Pius VII (1740-1823) to intercede not improve and he and Bishop Galton foundation in 1909 by Cuthbert Cary- on behalf of the Patamona tribe, but unfortunately while waiting for were once capsized into the rapids of the Elwes SJ , OS 1881 - 87. his audience he became bored and proceeded to climb to the top of the Ireng when he gave the wrong order to the crew. At the Anniversary Celebrations, dome of St Peter’s, leaving his gloves stuck on the lightning conductor. On his journey to the Takutu to help his Father Holman, the British Provincial, The Pope was unamused and made him bring them down and the ex-pupil, Mayo shipped his boat on to a described how 150 years ago, the Pope subsequent audience was less than successful. steamer sailing up the Demerara River had asked the British Jesuits to take and then a short distance by train to responsibility for the Catholic Church in The following items from the Collections form part of the exhibition Rockstone on the Essequibo where the Guyana. Father Etheridge was appointed ‘Held in Trust’ at St Francis Xavier’s Church, Liverpool, from 30th July boat, manned by a dozen Indians, was as the first Superior in 1857. He was a until 27th September. The exhibition is one of the Liverpool’s ‘City of George Weld SJ, OS 1893 – 1901 was the loaded with supplies for the mission to remarkable man whose missionary style Culture’ activities. A Patamona Girl grand-nephew of Cardinal Weld and the sail to the confluence of the Rupununi. paved the way for the work of future son of Walter Weld of Leagram. He had The boat had to be loaded and unloaded generations of Jesuits who have since set two Jesuit uncles in Guyana and was many times for it to be lightened for up schools and missions, spirituality and Vicar Apostolic for over twenty years negotiating the rapids. They finally went interfaith centres and parishes, often in becoming Bishop in 1932. He taught at up the Rupununi to Upukari where they the most inhospitable and challenging Stonyhurst and went to St Stanislaus travelled with bullock carts across the environments deep in the interior of College, Georgetown in 1923, and was savannah to St Ignatius. Evelyn Waugh Guyana. In more recent years, the appointed headmaster the following later made much the same journey. Jesuits launched the Catholic Standard year and under his direction the school Such expeditions of course like the life newspaper and a Catholic television flourished. During his episcopate, he they led in the bush, were not without station, and were influential both in quietly and calmly followed the work dangers. Besides alligators, the rivers held the formation of a democratic electoral of his predecessors in the development electric eels and the pirai or pirana which system and in many institutions such as of his Vicariate, greatly increasing sometimes attacks without the stimulus of the Guyana Institute for Social Research Above: Guitar made from Armadillo skin 1870 –1895 the number of schools and churches blood in the water. Father Mayo was asked and Action. Father Holman paid tribute This bizarre musical instrument comes from the Jesuit especially in remote areas. by one of his crew to shoot an alligator to the people of Guyana and said the missions in Guyana. It is uncertain whether it was He has been described as ‘a man of the to obtain its teeth but when he did so it two important words he had to say were made to be used seriously or as a joke or souvenir. It was greatest humility and selflessness. He was immediately attacked by myriads of ‘Thank you’ ‘Thank you to God, to the originally identified as being made from a coconut shell: thought little of himself or of his own pirai. It is fortunate that the Hodder holds Church in the Diocese of Georgetown, possibly the cataloguer at Stonyhurst had never seen an comfort or convenience’. When he died, no such monsters or Francis Mayo would to you who have worked alongside us armadillo before. the Anglican Archbishop of the West not have been such a successful salmon and to the many more who with your Indies said he felt a real sense of personal angler or landed the fish which once won kindness and friendship have supported Right: Arm ornament made from Beetle Wings 1800-1836 loss. He said that on his arrival, Bishop him the Moylan Salmonship. us.’ This unusual, and probably rather uncomfortable, armlet comes Weld was the first person to call and (From Jesuits and Friends Issue 68) from Guyana and was catalogued at Stonyhurst in 1836. welcome him and that they often took Herman de Caires SJ, OS 20-28 was There is no information as to the donor, or the exact location in Guyana from counsel together on matters of common one of the best cricketers the College which it comes, but it may well have originated with Charles Waterton. interest and especially in dealing with produced and would certainly have government departments were often been an international had he not joined able to take common action. Bishop Weld the Jesuits. He was a noted all-round would never compromise on a matter sports­man although academically not so of principle, he said, but he was never brilliant. Due to World War II he did obstinate about non-essentials and by parish and youth work in St Helens his persuasive charm he helped others to before returning to Guyana in 1947. Here emulate his own sweet reasonableness. he did parish work and was noted as a determined perfectionist and very direct. Left: Beaded garment of the Patamona Indians c.1890 Francis Mayo SJ, OS 80-88 arrived in Once he went to watch cricket at Leeds The Patamona people largely live in the highland forests of Guyana. Georgetown in 1912 but he too soon to find the ground full so he asked to see Today it is estimated that there are about 6,000 Patamona living went up country to St Ignatius, first to Leary Constantine at the gate and was chiefly as hunters and farmers in the more remote regions of that help Father Cary-Elwes, whom he had then admitted to the pavilion. ‘Always country. The photograph above, showing a Patamona girl wearing known when he taught at Stonyhurst, go to the top’ he would say. Above: the Cock-of-the-Rock such a skirt, was taken by Evelyn Waugh.

22 23 taught at Stonyhurst for a year but was Louis John Patrick Willems OS 48-54 the conversation turned to Forest os in gu yana asked at the end of his tertianship if he very kindly arranged to give us time for Conservation. We raised the typical would like to go to the missions in the an interview in his house, and then took questions on wildlife and global then Rhodesia or Guiana. Like many us out for a delicious meal in a nearby warming. Mr Willems gave a valuable people to whom we have spoken about restaurant (one of the bonuses of news insight into the sustainability of patr ick page & Giles rous-eyre our travels, and like us before we were to gathering is the often lavish hospitality Guyanese Forestry. The qualification come here, Fr Britt didn’t have a clue as of OS!). He started his education at ‘Guyanese’ is important. Basically, as he Our special correspondents in South America, Patrick Page and Giles Rous-Eyre, both 2007 leavers, have managed to to the wherabouts of the latter. He told a Benedictine school in Trindad but puts it ‘we do not have a problem because them he would like to go to Africa and at the age of twelve and with the the forest protects itself.’ contact some of the few OS now living in Guyana and have sent us their news. Seniority of place must go to so was sent to British Guiana in South encouragement of Bishop Weld OS, he He explained that their forest is generally Peter Britt-Compton SJ, OS 31-36 and who has been in the country over half a century. They write: America. ‘But’ he said with the usual crossed the pond to St Mary’s Hall to poor and the trees very thin. The tree glint in his eye ‘I’m very, very happy that recover from the experience. This may available in commercial volumes is the e met Fr Britt-Compton celling neither in academics or sport but the College he went straight into I was, especially considering the way seem a cruel banishment but Mr Willems ‘Greenheart’ and so they practice selective in Aishalton, one of the he did enjoy the Cadet Corps and being noviceship in Roehampton to ‘learn Zimbabwe has gone since then’. said it was far from the case because his forestry without the wholesale destruction larger villages in South surrounded by many young Jesuits in- the ropes’ and took his vows for the He had been ordained in 1950 and mother died when he was still young and one normally sees and so the forest WGuyana’s interior where we had been sent spired him hugely….. Society in 1938 before going to teach at arriving in 1953, like most missionaries his father did considerable business in remains largely unchanged, so much so to teach in a secondary school and help …to such an extent that on leaving Wimbledon College. He was called up then, did not expect to return. At first Liverpool and was able to visit regularly. that conservationists have mistakenly out in other ways. at the outbreak of he worked in Georgetown, the capital, Moreover both his elder brother Anthony described them as ‘pristine’ and ‘virgin’ When we came to war but the as a hospital chaplain and assistant at and his younger brother Michael were at rainforest. Accepting the need to tackle ask Fr Britt if we government had the Sacred Heart , which unfortunately the College and SMH. climate change, he was dubious about the could talk to him, done a deal with burnt down on Christmas Day 2004, and Mr Willems loved his time at Stonyhurst. sincerity of some conservationists who he was buried quite the Jesuits who then at other places in the coastal region Not very academic, Mr Willems was, as as he pointed out live on the charitable happily it seems would supply 50 involving much travelling by canoe in seems to be characteristic of Guyanese donations to their cause. in his Baptismal and the the creeks and rivers to visit schools and OS, an extraordinary athlete. In particular Since retirement, he has been a board Records. other clerics would outlying parishes. Epidemics of polio he excelled in long-distance running. In member of the Ethnic Relations Fr Britt is 89 and be exempted. To had to be contended with and it was his cross-country there were three pools and Commission which can take much credit left Stonyhurst in satisfy some quirk sad duty often to be burying babies. on his arrival, Mr Willems witnessed the for the first bloodless elections in 2006 1936. He has been of Canon Law In 1982 he came out to St Ignatius, winner of the first pool cross the Lions since independence in 1966. The country in Guyana since and to qualify as a Lethem in the Rupununi where we are before the runner- up had set foot on the is a racial melting pot and the two main 1953 and is a mine ‘cleric’ the novices and where he is fondly remembered by Avenue. He was impressed, but in his own political parties are representative of of information. He had four locks of the then chil­dren but has also visited debut race, he won by the distance of the the most numerous ethnic groups so articulates perfectly hair cut off. But Kuruka­baru in the Pakaraima Moun- Avenue…plus five minutes! His athletic that politics can have a very divisive for an interview during the threat tains. He told us that over the years the superiority well-established, he was effect. The Commission has the vital but he is quite of invasion he biggest challen­ge has come from the asked before one race by two OS, who job of ensuring good relations between deaf so we wrote happened to be evangelical churches who have reward- was going to win and he replied ‘Me.’ An the ethnic groups in matters economic, our questions on cycling near the ed converts with clothes, shoes and bi- arrogant remark perhaps but among the sociological and political. a sheet of paper. south coast in the cycles. He is now sta­tioned permanently teachers and pupils, discussion was not ‘if’ Mr Willems lives with his wife Mary He is in excellent usual shorts and in Aishalton but is not retired or, as the but by how much he would win. He has a (who makes delicious ice cream) in health and seems top and had put his Jesuits say, ‘pray­ing for the society’ and fond memory of a Stonyhurst race against Georgetown. His son John, Vincent, unaffected by the clerical garb in a calls himself ‘semi-retired’. He does the Ampleforth when he lay second all the Francis known by his third name Francis, standard tropical bag to discover later time-consuming and essential work of way but managed his trade-mark spurt at who also went to the College died diseases and was and to his horror issuing Baptis­mal and Marriage Cer- the end and just win to the delight of the tragically in a boat accident. He also has delighted to help, that this was the tificates and gardening every morning Rector, Father Vavasour who can be seen two daughters, Dominique and Ruth. he told us, because outfit supposedly in his ‘togs’. We have never seen togs in a photo of the event celebrating with the Association used by German before which epitomize the word so not only his hands but also his legs in the We arranged to meet David de Caires has been kind in spies parachuted perfectly! air. OS 49-55 at the office of theStabroek News, sending him the into England. He does not wish to be ‘shunted’ home While at the College, Mr Willems also Guyana’s most popular daily newspaper Newsletter. In September 1940, and hopes that Aishalton is where he broke the record for the fastest one- of which he is the editor. We began by He had a ‘pleasant’ he went to Hey­ will finally ‘end up’. When we asked him mile run, previously held by Father asking about his time at the College. time at Stonyhurst throp to study Phi­ what was the best thing the Jesuits had McKenna and Cardinal Merry del Val, Both his father and uncle were OS and and sees it as a very lo­sophy and it was done for Guyana he answered that they by one second in the time of 4 minutes had excelled at boxing and cricket (see valuable train- here that he met had been ‘the core of catholicity’ from 51 seconds. Like many, he loved the Report and Accounts for 2005, and also ing for his time in an aged Fr Cary the beginning. countryside around Stonyhurst and once page 22). Coastal Guyana is essentially Guyana. He felt for- Elwes OS 1887, the with a companion ran to the source of Caribbean and the standard of cricket is tunate to be taught first missionary in (In the February Newsletter, there is a letter the Hodder. high and much was expected of him. He by Crispian Hollis’s western Guyana from Peter Britt-Compton asking for news He was Captain of Athletics and of Boxing was able to satisfy expectations in cricket father and because and to whom the of some of his classmates. Unfortunately and played the cello in the Orchestra and to some extent but he had no background of this receives a strong faith of the we were not able to help because the people the triangle in the Band! or talent in boxing as became obvious Christmas card Amerindians in concerned were either deceased or out of Leaving the College and after experience when pitched against the best boxer at from the Bish­op. the Rupununi (our touch. If there is anyone with information in a sawmill, he took a course in forestry the College and he emerged from the In his characteristi- area of savannah about them, please get in touch with Peter before joining the family business which ring in a less then perfect state. cally modest way he told us that he was Above: Peter Britt-Compton SJ with his and mountains in west Guyana) can be Britt-Compton. Editor) he ran until it was sold in 2002. He did not enjoy living away from his a ‘hum drum’ sort of pupil at school, ex- parish records. (Photo: Patrick Page) largely credited. In 1946, Fr Britt actually Inevitably (…slightly at our insistence…), family and missed the climate but feels

24 25 that a Jesuit education instils a sense David de Caires has two sisters in We were unable to meet Edward of duty to others and to God and gives England and he visits regularly. He is the Gonsalves OS 52-59 in person because A Time of Gifts an idea of purpose and direction in life. son of Frank de Caires OS 20-27 who he was working on a bridge over one of On leaving Stonyhurst, he trained as played cricket for the West Indies and the the largest rivers in Guyana, the Berbice, a solicitor in England and returned to nephew of Father Herman De Caires so he kindly gave us time for a ‘phone Guyana to practise law. When many libel SJ, OS 20-28, another noted cricketer. interview’. He was sent to Stonyhurst patr ick page & Giles rous-eyre actions were filed against the editor of the He also has a daughter, Isabelle, married due to the legendary and incessant Catholic Standard, Fr Andrew Morrison to the cricketer Michael Atherton, so encouragement of Bishop Weld OS and January have our own classes. One hears from June SJ by government ministers, in an effort keeping the game well and truly in his daughter Catherine, also OS, was teachers in other developing countries, to close it down, he and others defended the family. His son Brendan OS 80-88 Second Head of the Line. e arrived at St Ignatius of keen and perfectly disciplined pupils. mnia de mores – we continue him free of charge. In an effort to avoid worked with Amnesty International and A very good athlete like many Guyanese, Mission, Guyana, on 26th The children here are very charming to be the abused climbing further suits, they asked to see proofs to is now a literary critic for the Caribbean Mr Gonsalves played for the ‘Bantams’, January 2008, travelling and we enjoy teaching but there is simply frames of the children – more pre-empt avoidable legal hassles. The Book Review. He lives in Canada with the aptly named rugby team for the overnightW from Georgetown in ‘the big no discipline. Pupils come and go as they scorpionsO and poisonous snakes – the paper was the only part of the media to his wife and two young children. shorter members of the year, from the bus’. It is a fourteen-hour reckless and like and truancy is a huge problem. mosquitoes and kaboura still enjoy their speak out against the incompetence and time of his arrival until the U16s. After rugged expedition by mud tracks across After Mass, we teach Year A Catechism soft skinned fleshpots. corruption of the government of the time. Dominic Mendes OS 74-80 met us in that, his speed and skill were recognised the interior, to the nearby township of to small children and Year D syllabus to But we also continue to have new and ex­ Mr de Caires’ job with other lawyers was the Oasis Café in Georgetown. His and he went straight into the 1st XV to Lethem, where we were met by Father those approaching Confirmation which citing experiences. Easter holidays gave to present the articles in such a way that time at Stonyhurst seems to have been a play alongside the future internationals, Joachim de Melo SJ, a Goan Jesuit, with deals with more complex issues. We’re a rest from teaching and parish work the paper could not be sued for libel. combination of the disadvantages of long- Barry O’Driscoll (Ireland) and Nick open arms and a big smile. learning a lot! and a chance to climb the reputedly President Burnham died in 1985 and his distance boarding and the advantages Drake-Lee (England) The presbytery is a two storey building We do youth work for the parish, highest Kanuku mountain. At the top, successor President Hoyte indicated an of the unique ‘Stonyhurst experience’. He was also a cricketer, wicket keeper in with a verandah on the top floor meeting twice a week. On Wednesday Fr Joachim said Mass and washed our intention to liberalize. Under Burnham Despite being more used to a tropical the 1st XI throughout Higher Line, when equipped with hammock. It is a minute’s we have prayers and sing the youth hymn feet (it was Maundy Thursday). Then we the media had been state controlled. It climate, Mr Mendes remembers the he also won the Hundred Yard Dash. He walk down the bank to the Takutu River, (all about wanting a ‘youthquake’ to spent a very cold night at ‘base camp’. was in that context of glasnost that he ‘Plunge’ with an ironic fondness and says liked fencing, but enjoyed the CCF ‘as which forms the border with Brazil and ‘shake, shake, shake’ the earth). Sundays Easter is also the time for the Rupununi started to print the Stabroek News in 1986 he enjoyed the game of ‘Murderball’. much as I enjoyed the ferula’. only a ten second walk to the parish we may pray with and help the old or Rodeo and the dusty, sleepy town and two years later stopped practising This consisted of playing in muddy We enquired what Stonyhurst had church (which we really appreciate ill members of the community or play of Lethem opens its groaning doors law. He had thoroughly enjoyed the fields with a heavy round leather ball: done for him and he gave an analogy: at 6.00 in the morning!). Behind the games with the children or picnic and go to most of Georgetown (the capital), challenge of publishing a newspaper, fascinated, we enquired about the rules. ‘Products of Stonyhurst are like tractor numerous cashew and mango trees, fishing and swimming. We spend a lot of some Brazilians, the local vaqueros or which had led to a deep involvement in We were told that the only rule was that tyres…’ Fortunately he elaborated: ‘they one can see clearly the forested Kanuku time unofficially at these activities and cowboys from Guyana’s ranches and the society, but wished that he had started there weren’t any. Our experience of are hard to bore, can be bent millions Mountains. In the presbytery there is have had some wonderful experiences. occasional rodeo fanatic from the USA. twenty years earlier – when he had a lot Stonyhurst led us to guess, correctly, that of times and can withstand all kinds of TV with DVD player (and some Hindu Recently we both accompanied the This is the Rupununi Festival with events more energy. the aims of the game were to mutilate pressure’ He was careful to point out film classics) and broadband internet. Bishop on his Confirmation rounds. such as calf-roping, bucking broncos, His huge enthusiasm enabled the one’s opponents (chosen on impulse and that he meant mentally rather than Our rooms are comfortable and our Giles went south to the savannah bull-riding and one called the ‘The Strabroek News to become the most at random) and get as muddy as possible physically. food delicious if not very varied. Fathers country and Paddy north to the villages Greasy Pig’. The nature of this last event prominent ‘daily’ but what is the purpose before ‘washing it off’ in the Ponds. Mr He studied Civil Engineering in Mon­ Joachim and Kuru are fantastic company of the Pakaraima Mountains. A huge can be left to the imagination. On Easter of a newspaper? He answered himself Mendes also has fond memories of CCF treal, Canada and then returned to play and have been at pains to make us feel at advantage of being with the Jesuits is Monday we helped with the Church Fair, by quoting the American playwright under Major Cobb. a major part in the difficult business home. It must be the best Jesuit house in that we are not merely tourists and can raising money for the new roof with Arthur Miller: a good newspaper is After the College, he studied Com­ of building up Guyana’s transport Jesuitdom although we have to share it interact with the Amerindian people ‘Hoopla’. At first we had little custom, a ‘nation having a conversation with munications Electronics in Florida and infrastructure and has also worked on with poisonous snakes in the shower and who are on the whole quite shy. It was with prizes of plastic kitchenware, but itself’. He has certainly fulfilled this joined the family business in 1987, but major projects in India, the USA, scorpions in the bed sheets, well one of fascinating to see how they live. became a hotbed of activity by adding criterion; the ‘Letters’ section is given then became a pilot working for ‘Trans- and . each anyway, and lizards, frogs and the a prominent place and more generally, Guyana Aviation Ltd’ in 1993. That year From his perspective as an engineer, ever friendly mosquitoes. Outside in the the paper expresses the frustrations he also married Jacqui, with whom Mr Gonsalves had interesting views compound there are chickens, two dogs, of the people. When he founded the he has three children, Pascale, Rose on the future of the country and in an evil cat and the occasional anteater. (cf News, then the only privately owned and Benedict. He went on to Roraima particular, her relationship with Brazil. Evelyn Waugh’s description) newspaper (and still the only respected Airways in 1997 leaving as Chief Pilot in Many Guyanese believe that Brazil St Ignatius was a mission founded in one), two of their main editorial themes 2001 to go back to Trans Guyana Airways will tarmac the road from Lethem to 1909/10 by Father Cary-Elwes SJ and OS for the first few years were the need for where he was trained on their turboprop Georgetown which is the only North- and like almost all Amerindian villages fair elections and a return to democracy aircraft, going on to become Operations South route in Guyana, a longitudinal does not have a recognizable centre but and the privatisation of parts of the Manager before leaving in 2006. country. They think that Georgetown describes a community covering an area economy – some 80% was in government He then moved to the Caribbean Star will be used as a harbour to export of three miles radius. Sunday Mass is a ownership. airline, in Antigua, now taken over goods but he explained that they vibrant occasion with much singing 1992 saw the first fair elections since by LIAT. Last February he and his would first need to dredge it and make and guitar playing for a congregation independence, although incompetence family moved to Vancouver, Canada. it deeper and keep doing it because it of about 300, the majority children who and corruption are still rife and Guyana’s Like many Guyanese, he is frustrated constantly silts up. He thinks they are have been very welcoming. future remains controversial, many by what he sees as the false promises likely to use French Guiana which We are involved in the parish but also looking towards Brazil. Mr de Caires is and mismanagement of the current has a better transport infrastructure work at the secondary school, a 10 confident that stronger links, if managed government. Some have optimistic views and dismisses the Georgetown idea as minute cycle ride away, only helping correctly, will be of economic benefit to on the future of the Guyanese economy, wishful thinking. at first but due to recent losses of staff, the country, which traditionally looks particularly due to Brazil’s increased Mr Gonsalves has been keeping in touch we are much more involved and now towards Europe and the Caribbean. interest in the country, but Mr Mendes with many OS and is planning a reunion His newspaper keeps abreast of these believes that there are some issues that in May 2009, for all who left in and before Left: Paddy Page taking a junior liturgy class contemporary issues. need to be resolved re governance. 1963. at St Ignatius Mission, Lethem

26 27 been in Guyana since 1953 and has worked throughout the country but mainly in the South Rupununi Savannahs. We had quite a talk with him to get material for the Newsletter and he seemed delighted to see us. (see OS in Guyana)

During their time at Lethem Giles and Paddy were also able to attend a jungle survival course, which consisted of ten days training in the jungle ending with a two day ‘isolation’ period. With mixed results: We went night spotting (above), moving silently down river in canoes with Sometimes we did survival theory and headlamps on. Thanks to the flash-back psychology and jungle knowledge – of the animal’s eyes, you can in fact see basically the skills need to survive the more than in the day. We met a three foot last two days on our own. We were cayman and with a lot of splashing (and shown all the spiders, snakes, scorpions swearing) one of the guides caught it and Above: another cayman, another OS – just and ants that can give you excruciating pulled it into the boat to take back and another unlucky day in the Guyanese jungle! eat but he later felt guilty and released it. Other catches were a five foot anaconda Left: the jungle survival party with their and a baby black alligator (these ones catch of haimara fish. Paddy is on the left, Above: Fr Joachim with yet another poisonous grow huge). We took them back to Giles is third from right. snake camp to play with them. Unfortunately we have no photographs of either of us chocolate before paddling out of the unfinished business but it has been enabling us to enjoy these last few weeks. alcohol and money to the prizes. Mass pain – it took the guides a mere half sitting on the cayman! jungle and trekking to the village and our a fantastic experience and we have We would also like to express our huge on Easter Sunday however is always less hour to find a huge assortment of these We learnt creek poisoning from the root survival course ended with a welcome developed a strong affection for the gra­titude to Father Joachim and Father of a success because most people are still beasts. We learned skills of hunting, trap of a vine cut up with machetes which beer – ice cold in the Rupununi. Amerindians…They are very relaxed Kuru who have been such good company hung-over from, or still celebrating, the making, fire building, shelter building we then beat into a stringy mess and but when they need food, they will go throughout these months in Lethem, rodeo. and the uses of the different plants. dipped in the water. It is supposed to Paddy’s birthday was on the 28th May and farm their cassava and go hunting and especially to the parishioners of St The Jesuit Superior in Guyana, Father Nuts were gathered from a kukrit palm, deoxygenate the water temporarily but and so some of the older children of the or fishing. This laid-back attitude is Ignatius and most all to the children Dermot Preston took us south to which when cracked open with machetes having started we noticed a huge black parish got together and baked a cake epitomised in the phrase ‘just now’ for who have entertained us non-stop. It is Aishalton for a conference of Lay exposed fat little maggots – they didn’t lump just upstream. It was a haimara, and made some soft drinks. It was such when something will be done. It means impossible to say what we have done for Ministers who officiate at weekly services taste bad either. Unfortunately they were the first of six of these monsters that we a wonderful occasion. The children absolutely nothing. It could mean a them: easier to say what the experience in many villages when a priest cannot be for the baitfish. We went in dugouts, shot that day. They are dark, huge and were between the ages of six and 15. second, a minute, a day, a week….If we has done for us. We have become more had. We spent a week there and did some using little lines with the maggots. We immensely powerful and take maybe Father Joachim arrived and turned the bring anything back from Guyana to aware of the complexity of difficulties teaching at the secondary school where soon had several baitfish each and these ten arrows to kill (an Amerindian may party round. He has a great talent and university, it will be that phrase… facing the developing world, but have the pupils were smiley and willing and were put on stronger hooks and we cast use about five). memory for children’s games and we It remains to say thank you very much also become more optimistic that things well disciplined. It was a huge relief and them. It was fantastic – through no kind Then came our 48 hour isolation for played Musical Chairs and other games to all at Jesuit Missions, especially Hania not only can be done, but are actually very rewarding. of skill most of us had continuously tight which we had been preparing. Our kit involving nursery rhymes. Fortunately Lubienska and Father Tim Curtis SJ, for being done. Aishalton is the base of Father Peter Britt- lines and the fish varied between one consisted of machete, bow and arrows, they know exactly the same nursery Compton SJ, OS 31-36, aged 89. He has and five pounds. fishing line and hooks, medical kit, rhymes as us; unfortunately neither of emergency radio, water bottle, iodine, us can remember them! However we flint and steel fire starter and the clothes joined in wholeheartedly…It wasn’t we stood in. We were very excited. the classic 19 year-old’s party (‘ba-ba We were taken to separate spots and black sheep’ and ‘pop goes the weasel’ made shelters and tried to fish – our don’t usually feature in these) but it was only source of food. It is a common unforgettable. misconception that there are lots of The last night of our stay was made fruit and berries in the rainforest. We very special. They had organised some caught baitfish in the approved manner Guyanese songs, some poems about us, but nothing else. Paddy had some of some funny skits and some Parishara the maggots and found a carbohydrate (traditional Amerindian) dancing and called ‘Heart of Palm’ but Giles had then a good Rupununi supper. They also nothing. gave us two very nice T-shirts which had Next day was no better. Paddy caught a been hand-painted with a scene from the small fish and shot an iguana (about a Rupununi and Ariwa Youth written on foot away). Again Giles had nothing and them. decided to sleep until the morning when It feels like we are leaving a lot of we were collected and revived with Right: the return to the mission at Lethem Left: the Jesuit presbytery at St Ignatius, and Paddy’s birthday party. Giles cuts the Lethem where we stayed cake.

28 29 held in trust glories and majesty revealed

he Held in Trust exhibition Peter Leech is a scholar as much as a However it was Peter Leech the musi­ t E muir at St Francis Xavier’s Church, musician: the concert had its beginnings cian who stepped onto the podium, and Liverpool, was opened on in musical research over ten years ago, conducted an exhilarating performance WednesdayT 30th July by His Excellency and as such was a unique event, with glowing with energy: as he commented, Held in Trust: 2008 Years of Sacred Culture. A catalogue of an exhibition from the Stonyhurst College Collections, th Archbishop Faustino Sainz Muñoz, seven modern world première perfor­ hearing the black dots become music held at St Francis Xavier’s Church, Liverpool, 30 July-27 September 2008. Editor: Maurice Whitehead. Apostolic Nuncio to Great Britain. He mances of pieces unheard for 300 years. again was a transforming experience. The St Omers Press, Stonyhurst. 2008. £9.50. spoke to a packed church, which included The research gave the programme evening began with a lively villancico by amongst many distinguished guests coherence and logic; the Stuart kings Antonio Marques Lesbio and ended with ccording to the media The catalogue is planned around The whole is preceded by an excellent Patrick Kelly, Archbishop of Liverpool married Catholics, and the repertoire a thoughtful and moving Nunc Dimittis Liverpool’s status as a ‘City of six essays by distinguished Catholic Preface and Introduction by Maurice and Michael Holman SJ, Provincial of the of the private Catholic royal chapels by Innocenzo Fede SJ. In his introduction Culture’ is primarily associated scholars. These cover the Medieval and Whitehead, the editor, and Tom McCoog Jesuits in Britain. His speech preceded a provided much of the material, dating Peter Leech commented on how the fact withA The Beatles. Yet obviously there periods (Norman Tanner SJ respectively. These do not just pull the concert which more than lived up to its from the later 17th century; in many that James II’s prayer book was a mere 30 is much more to the city than that. To SJ and Deborah Youngs), Lancashire various religious, historical and cultural title, the happy fruit of an opportunity cases it has only come to light after foot away, that perhaps James himself had a substantial degree it was a Catholic Recusancy in the Sixteenth and themes together; they show how the which St Francis Xavier Church and the painstaking archive searches. St Omers listened to the same music whilst holding metro­polis, and not simply due to nine­ Seventeenth Centuries (J.A. Hilton), concept of a museum was very much Catholic Record Society were able to was well represented: two of the premi­ that prayer book, made the evening so teenth-century Irish immigration. This the Nineteenth-Century Gothic Revival a Jesuit invention – the product of a give to Dr Peter Leech, who conducted ère pieces were organ pieces by Antoine significant. The concert gave the exhibi­ splendid exhibition shows the extent at Stonyhurst and Liverpool (Anthony genuinely holistic approach to education. Capella Fede, the musical ensemble he has Selosse SJ, Director of Music at St Omers; tion voice; glories and majesty were to which Liverpool’s Catholic heritage Symondson SJ) and the Jesuits and the Beautiful, curious and historically sym­ founded to perform neglected pieces of and another première was from a St revealed, and that great guiding principle, is rooted in its Lancastrian hinterland Wider World (Michael Barnes SJ). In their bolic objects, when displayed around a 17th century choral and instrumental Omers play, Sanctus Tewdricus: a frag­ AMDG, was again enshrined. which, at the same time, was plugged different ways they relate the contents of building (not just left in cases) and used music, in their debut performance. ment found in the Cheshire Record Office. Anthony Eyre into an international religious scene. exhibition to their respective historical in religious worship and teaching, play a The Held in Trust exhibition ends on Saturday 27th September, 2008. This is because St Francis Xavier’s church, and social environments. To each are vital role in the enculturation of a sense On Friday 26th September the ending will be celebrated with a concert given by Stonyhurst’s Schola Cant0rum, where the exhibition is held, was founded attached splendid photographs (67 in all) of identity, of belonging to a supportive which you are encouraged to attend. Further details from the exhibition office: 0151 298 1911. in 1840 by Jesuits from Stonyhurst. So, of a selection of the exhibits, many of wider community, that is a true pur­ appropriately enough, the lion’s share which should be familiar to Stonyhurst pose of education. This is what the of exhibits comes from here. Yet by 1900 denizens. However the critical notes exhibition and its catalogue are about. St Francis Xavier’s College and parish by Janet Graffius, our curator, show It is something that many present day numbered over 2,000 pupils, 11,000 how much our understanding and educators, trapped in modern humdrum parishioners and 25 religious. It had appreciation of this gorgeous heritage standardised educational units of limited become the largest Jesuit missionary and has been recovered and enhanced in aesthetic value, are all too prone to educational enterprise in Britain. recent years. forget. Buy it and see for yourself.

Held in Trust: 2008 Years of Sacred Culture, ed. Maurice Whitehead; 208 pages, paperback, illustrated in colour throughout. Price £9.50 Copies can be ordered from the Stonyhurst Association. Please add £1 for postage, make cheques payable to “Stonyhurst Association” and send them to : Mrs B. Sillitoe, Above, l to r: Dr Peter Leech and Professor Stonyhurst College, Clitheroe, Lancashire bb7 9pz. Maurice Whitehead OXAV. Below: Sr Mary Walmsley CJ, Stonyhurst Governor, Dawn Johnson, Jan Graffius, Below: Tony Horan SJ, OXAV ’47, (left) with Curator and Andrew Johnson, Headmaster. the Apostolic Nuncio, Archbishop Muñoz

30 31 the stonyhur st association cl assifieds

The Association Newsletter has an estimated readership of almost 10,000 like-minded people, an ideal target group with shared interests and values. Rates are competitive – £8 per column centimetre – and enquiries should be sent to a ims & acti v ities A ssoci ation officer s member ship [email protected]

for the members president Full membership of the Association is To maintain contact with and support members of the Jay Chitnis OS 44-50 available to all pupils leaving the College Association, other friends of Stonyhurst and Jesuit and its prep schools, to their spouses and chairman schools worldwide, through: parents, to all past and present members THe Spir it of Be aumont Christopher Page OS 67-76 Contact database; newsletter; student grants; of staff, and to those relatives and friends reunions; annual dinners; sport; other annual events. treasurer who wish to support the objectives of The older members of the Stonyhurst Association will remember that 41 years for the church Gerard Lagerberg OS 74-79 the Association. ago Beaumont College Old Windsor closed and Stonyhurst saw a substantial Associate membership is available to influx of Beaumont Boys. The boys of that generation of both Jesuit schools To encourage members to develop their faith and sup- office manager parents or guardians of current pupils, shared the same repertoire of hymns. While it is more than 40 years since the port of the Church, through: Beverley Sillitoe The Association Prayer Book; the College Easter and to current staff members. closure of Beaumont, the Beaumont Union is not merely surviving – it and the Retreats; the Lourdes and other Pilgrimages; the newsletter editor Applications for membership should Spirit of Beaumont is very much alive, with 145 attending its annual dinner last Sodality; the Association’s Chaplains. David Mercer be made to Mrs Beverley Sillitoe at the October and 200, including families, the Remembrance Sunday Mass at the for the college Association Office, Stonyhurst College, War Memorial in the grounds of Beaumont. Clitheroe, Lancashire bb7 9pz. To work closely with the College and to provide, where The Beaumont Union, as part of its fundraising effort for the Lourdes charity, possible, support for the College in the achievement of commit tee its objectives, through: Benefits of Membership HCPT - The Pilgrimage Trust and for the Dermot Gogarty Memorial Trust Mark Belderbos OS 56-61 (in memory of the late headmaster of St John’s killed tragically in a car crash Association Office, giving support to the Devel- Golf Adrian Bidwell OS 69-74 in 2005), marked the 40th year of the closure of Beaumont by producing a CD opment and Admissions office; scholar­ships, The Stonyhurst Golf Club allows Martin Clifford OS 93-98 entitled “Cantionale – The Hymns of Our Youth” which is a recording made prizes and bursaries; publi­cations through the members to play golf when visiting the Association’s St Omers Press; careers advice. Lawrence Crouch OS 69-74 in the St John’s Chapel in 2007 by members of the BU of the hymns sung in the College for a fee of £10, which is payable for the disadvantaged Anthony Eyre OS 70-74 Beaumont Chapel in the 60s and before. It is accompanied by an illustrated at the Bayley Arms. It would be advisable To provide comfort and support for the disadvantaged, Victor Fauvelle OS 80-85 souvenir booklet designed by Andrew Flood (OSJ 91). to check to ensure that the green is not particularly those suffering from bereavement, pover- Michael Goodier OS 58-66 ty, sickness, mental or physical disability, through: Michael Joseph OS 55-59 closed for competition purposes. Their The proceeds of the 290 copies already sold have to date given each of the charities £2,000. We envisage that the The Annual Stonyhurst Lourdes pilgrimage; Toby Lees OS 94-99 telephone number is 01254 826478 nostalgic delight that this CD has engendered for the BU will be replicated for the Stonyhurst Association. An order supporting holidays for children with special Tim Kearns OS 76-78 form for this unique recording is available from me at [email protected] or West Hylands 71c Dorking needs; Eagle Aid; promoting the Xavier Volunteer Sarah Knight OS 87-89 Fishing Road Epsom Surrey KT18 7JU or on 01372 725951 and the cost is £15 + £1.50 p&p. Programme and other Jesuit projects; benevolent Any member who might be interested funds. Niall Macfarlane OS 66-75 John Flood Brendan Roche OS 78-82 in fishing on the Hodder or Ribble The Stonyhurst Association is run by its officers, can contact Mrs Beverley Sillitoe at committee and full time Office Manager, through Jerome Saulet OS 90-94 Charles Whitehead OS 82-87 the Association Office (association@ its office at the College, and is funded through stonyhurst.ac.uk). Permits can be subsciptions and investment income arising from Emma Wotton Bruisyard Hall gifts made over the years by members. obtained for the day, but alas this is for quant je puis rugby members only and not friends. Good A Country Retreat Grants trout fishing can be had from mid March Saxmundham, Suffolk The Stonyhurst Association has some funding r epr esentati v es to September and the sea trout fishing Sleeps 20 - 10 bedrooms & 5 available for student grants in the following categories: ireland is at its best in June, July and August. bathrooms & 1 priest’s hiding hole! Salmon start to run the rivers from mid Derek Fanning OS 81-89 Ideal for OS students at university undergoing financial summer until late autumn. Fly fishing hardship; Medical Electives; and Travel Electives. belgium Family gatherings - Reunions is the preferred method but in certain QJP Rugby is an invitational John Martin OS 59-67 conditions spinning is allowed. Partners meetings In 2007 we awarded £3750 to OS students who rugby sevens club, competing in made successful applications. www.bruisyardhall.co.uk a number of highly competitive Weddings 01728 638712 tournaments in the UK and abroad, The Association will consider grant applications wander er s r eps Members who are to be married can and seeking to live up to its motto at the end of each summer term before the next cricket have their wedding ceremony in both on and off the rugby pitch: all academic year. All grants are subject to the avail- Bryn-y-mor Richard Drinkwater OS 84-91 St Peter’s, subject to the date being tournament winnings are donated ability of funds. In the case of financial hardship provides comfortable self catering grants then the applicant needs to demonstrate golf available and with arrangement with the Villa in the Italian Dolomites to the SCHT, the Stonyhurst that there is a real financial need. The application Paul Harben OS 90-94 Parish Priest, Father Adrian Howell SJ. Villa Gordon, in the Italian Dolo­ accommodation in an idyllic setting College Holiday Trust. should include a letter of support from the appli- We are also able to offer a champagne mites and two hours from Venice, overlooking St Bride’s Bay, Newgale, cant’s University Tutor or Head of Department, hockey Marco Vaghetti (OS 98-03) is Charlotte Dugdale OS 94-96 and canapés package following the is available for rental in 2009. Sleeps Pembrokeshire. and in the case of medical and travel electives always looking for sponsors to ceremony, and the College grounds of 15, surrounded by lakes, mountains, it should confirm that the arrangements being netball Sleeps 9. Great for a family holiday help with the growth of the club. made will be beneficial to the student’s degree. course provide a perfect setting for the castles and abundant good food. Jessica Macfarlane OS 00-05 wedding photographs. For further details or a quiet getaway. If you are interested please go to www.qjprugby.co.uk for contact All applications should be sent to: rugby please contact Mrs Claire Eddleston at www.dolomites.co.uk www.bryn-y-mor-pembs.co.uk Mrs B Sillitoe, Stonyhurst Association, Stony- details and more information. Marco Vaghetti OS 98-03 [email protected], or telephone Contact [email protected] 01568 708038 hurst College, Clitheroe, Lancashire, BB7 9PZ. 01254 827014.

32 33 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: £19 high-spirited and privileged group, their 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. Shields, £24.00 and a Wave Peter Daybell (OS 69) makes 128 pages, hardback.£9.95. Pre-tied OS bow tie £15 use of a wide range of source materials including many previously unseen Books can be ordered from the Association: OS silk cravat £30 family papers and photographs. please add £1 for postage per item. Link Cufflinks £16.00 With a Smile and a Wave provides a Chain Cufflinks, £17.00 vivid picture of the squalor and danger Below: Many OS will remember Andrew of war, the backbreaking hardship of Henderson, who taught art at the College trench life and the challenges of pioneer for 18 years. This is an exciting story, air fighting. But it is a story not just of drawn from eyewitness sources, of the war, but of growing up in a devout and 100 years which saw the college go from prosperous family, of a Jesuit education a small group of refugees to the leading, at Stonyhurst, and of Edwardian Oxford trend-setting centre of excellence in before the Great War. Catholic education of its time. With a Smile and a Wave by Peter Daybell, The Stone Phoenix, by Andrew Henderson, published by Pen & Sword Books. 304 pages, published by Churchman Publishing. 180 hardback. £19.99. pages, paperback. £9.95. Left: Wanderers tie, £19

Left: Hiroshima: hundreds of thousands annihilated in a split second, in the ‘flash- from st omers press bang’ – ‘Pika-Don’ in Japanese. Death, Left: Salve Regina, the Rosary excruciating pain and unexplained sick­ and other Prayers, £12.95 ness scarred humanity. Fr SJ was among the Please add £1 for postage survivors, leading a small Jesuit commu­ and packing. nity; their experiences of the aftermath, Cheques should and their Christian response to the be made payable suffering, forms the central theme of this to the Stonyhurst book. This is a true story, but as gripping Association, please as any novel; read it and you will walk note that we do not through the ruins of Hiroshima with have credit/debit card Pedro Arrupe and his colleagues, and facilities. witness the horrors they saw. Please mark your order for the Pika-Don, by George Bishop, published by attention of: Fisher Miller Publishing. 160 pages, paper­ Mrs B Sillitoe, Stonyhurst College, Clitheroe, back. £10.00. Lancashire, BB7 9PZ

34 35 L 36D S