CLOSURE OF DOUAI SCHOOL

IT was with regret that the monastic community learned in June that Douai School was to close at the end of the summer term, on July 2. Readers will remember that last year the monastic community was unable to continue to finance the school, and a new lay board of trustees and govenors took over the responsibility (see account in Douai Abbey Newsletter No 5, Summer 1998). Unfortunately in April the school had to go into administration, and has had to close. Abbot Geoffrey Scott has written a brief history of the school.

Paris

The establishment of a school by the English Benedictine monks of the Community of St Edmund, founded in Paris in 1615, is shrouded in mist. The site of the first monastery in Paris, in the Rue Saint-Jacques had little room for expansion, once the church, residence block and community rooms had been built. There was certainly no room for a school. Nevertheless, English guests came as a daily occurrence, and the monks were responsible for finding tutors in Paris for young Englishmen who came to reside in the monastery to finish off their education. The earliest school, then, seems to have been something like an informal tutorial college, where lessons were followed by visits to the sites and curiosities of Paris, led by one of the monks as guide.

La Celle-en-Brie

The earliest school as such seems to have been founded in the late seventeenth century at the monks' country retreat of La Celle-en-Brie, a few miles to the east of Paris, close to Meaux. This was a medieval complex of monastic buildings on an island created by the streams of the Grand Morin. There were usually about four of the community resident, and the numbers in the school were in the region of twelve. Account books of this school at La Celle survive from the mid-eighteenth century, listing travelling expenses, clothes, books, pocket watches and guards to ward off highwaymen. A number of students later entered the novitiate in Paris, including the English Catholic Cisalpine liberal, Dom Cuthbert Wilks. The school's most famous pupil was the traveller and writer, Henry Swinburne, from Capheaton, Northumberland. There are descriptions, in verse, of La Celle's idyllic setting, the games played there and the lessons attended.

Douai

After the French Revolution, the Community moved from Paris to Douai in the north of France and established a minor seminary for students who would eventually return to England and join the major seminaries at Ushaw, Ware and Oscott. Among these church students at Douai were a number of lay pensioners, not destined for the church. St Edmund's College at Douai was dependent financially on capital from the Fondations Anglaises, funds promised by the French government in reparation for losses by the English Colleges abroad during the Revolutionary and Napoleonic period. The College established itself in the old school buildings vacated by the Community of St Gregory and its school [now at Downside] in 1795. Hundreds of English priests and a number of bishops were educated at St Edmund's College, Douai, during the nineteenth century. Pugin designed the College Chapel in the late 1840s, Squire Granville Ward donated money for a cloister and library, and a country house and estate were purchased at Planques, just outside Douai, towards the end of the century.

Woolhampton

The suppression of religious orders in France by means of the Association Laws at the beginning of the twentieth century forced the Community and its College to move again. They were offered St Mary's College, Woolhampton, a declining minor seminary, by the Bishop of Portsmouth, and in 1903 St Edmund's and St Mary's Colleges were combined at Woolhampton to form Douai School, whose headmaster became a member of the Headmasters' Conference in the 1928. In 1948 a preparatory school was begun at Ditcham Park, near Petersfield, and in 1976, the boys from Ditcham moved to the Woolhampton site. It is a pity that Douai School never achieved its full century at Woolhampton, especially as it came so close to doing so, but the Community's commitment to education will doubtless continue, albeit in a different form. 

E.B.C. HISTORY SYMPOSIUM

ON the Thursday of Easter Week, the 24th annual English Benedictine Congregation History Symposium was held at Douai. The topic was the celebration this year of the centenary of the Papal Apostolic Constitution Diu Quidem and the quincentenary of the foundation of the convent of English Benedictine nuns in Brussels.

Diu Quidem was issued by Pope Leo XIII and is the document which established the Congregation in the form in which we know it today, made up of autonomous abbeys in the genuine Benedictine tradition. Previously there had been a system of dual control. The superiors of the monasteries were priors who governed the internal affairs of each community, but the missions, parishes, as we know them now, were under the control of two provincials of Canterbury and York. The vast majority of monks at any given time were serving on these missions. The system of dual control had been abrogated in 1891, but the work of reform was not completed till this Bull of 1899.

Fr Augustine Clark OSB of Downside gave the first paper explaining the background and import of the Diu Quidem. Fr Luke Beckett OSB of Ampleforth then gave an account of the reactions at Ampleforth to the debate that preceded the Bull and its reception. Abbot Geoffrey Scott OSB spoke about Augustine O'Neill's attitudes. He was a monk of Douai who had been President of the Congregation from 1888 to 1996, the period during which the main debate was taking place, and so was influential in setting the scene for Diu Quidem, although by the time it was issued he was already Bishop of Port Louis, and not directly concerned.

All these papers drew attention to the strong feelings and tensions that were expressed by the monks of the time and the political dealings that went on behind the scenes. The tensions arose from two opposing points of view in the congregation; there were those who felt that the changes would destroy the missionary character of the congregation, and those who were seeking a more regular monastic arrangment. The establishment of a common monastic house of studies at Belmont in 1857 and the presence in England of the monasteries of other congregations at Ramsgate, Buckfast and Erdington, as well as the influence of Solesmes upon the nuns of Stanbrook, all contributed to the changing of opinions.

The foundation by Lady Mary Percy of the monastery of the Glorious Assumption in Brussels in 1599 gave rise to the first English Benedictine house after the dissolution. This community remained there until the Frenech Revolution, when the community was forced to flee to England, settling in Winchester, a city which at the time was host to some 2000 refugee French priests. Paul Arblaster, a former pupil of Douai School, spoke about the period in Brussels and Fr Aidan Bellenger OSB of Downside gave a paper on the time at Winchester. The building they occupied is now an hotel, quite close to the present Catholic church of St Peter. In 1857 the community moved to East Bergholt, Suffolk, and later to Haslemere, Surrey, where, unfortunately they died out in 1976.

MONASTIC INTERFAITH MEETING by Fr Peter Bowe OSB

FROM June 8 - 10 Douai was host to the annual meeting of the European committee of MID-DIM (Monastic Interfaith Dialogue), the network established under the Benedictine Abbot Primate and the Cistercian Abbot General in liaison with the Pontifical Council for Interfaith Dialogue of the Vatican to promote interfaith dialogue between monks and nuns of different faiths. Representatives of Benedictine and Cistercian abbeys in France, Belgium, Holland, Germany, Italy, the Iberian penisular and Britain came together to report on and give support to interfaith dialogue in the monasteries of Europe.

One day was given over to a fruitful and challenging reflection on the theme, What are we as Christians seeking in interfaith dialogue? and was addressed by Fr Jacques Dupuis SJ of the Gregorian University, Rome, Fr James Wiseman OSB of Washington, USA, the chair of MID in the United States, and Fr Michael Barnes SJ of Heythrop College, London.

On Thursday June 10 an interfaith consultation on True Devotion - Engagement of the Heart was held, which was attended also by monks and nuns from various monasteries in Britain. It was addressed by Swami Dayatmananda of the Ramakrishna Mission in Bourne End, Bucks, Sr Benedict Gaughan OSB of Minster Abbey, Kent, Ven Ajahn Sumedho of Amaravati Buddhist monastery, Hemel Hempstead, Herts, Sr Maureen of the Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual University of Willesden and Rabbi Jonathan Gorsky of the Council for Christians and Jews. This was a profound and moving occasion where much common ground was recognised.

The European group also paid a visit to the Swaminarayan Hindu Temple at Neasden, London, where they were received with great warmth and impressed by the devotion of the worshippers.ž

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Temple Consecration

ON Sunday July 4 Fr Peter Bowe OSB attended, with other Christian monks and nuns, the consecration of the new temple Amaravti Buddhist monastery at Hemel Hempstead. He writes, "It is a strikingly simple combination of Thai and English styles. The impressive ceremony was carried out by HRH Princess Vadhana of Thailand while 150 Buddhist monks chanted the service in the presence of 3000 guests. To witness the faith and devotion of these people was to strengthen one's own Christian faith".

News from the Parishes

A BENEDICTINE VISION FOR FOR ST ANNE'S ORMISKIRK

IN June, Fr Alban Hood OSB, the Parish Priest of St Anne's Ormskirk, produced an inspiring document A Benedictine Vision for St Anne's Parish. This is part of the parish renewal which was described in the last issue of the Douai Abbey Newsletter. In his introduction Fr Alban reports that the Archbishop of Liverpool hoped that a Benedictine parish would reflect Benedictine spirituality. St Anne's, Ormskirk, has been served by English Benedictine monks since 1732. Fr Alban identifies five aspects of Benedictine spirituality which could help articulate key priorities for the life of the parish community.

• The search for God through personal prayer and lectio divina (prayerful reading of the scriptures).
• The central place of liturgy in the life of the parish.
• The development of a strong sense of community in the parish, making hospitality a key feature as well as finding concrete ways of valuing the gifts of everyone.
• The promotion of on-going theological and spiritual formation for all through courses, study days and talks
• A particular vision of 'church' which transcends the local diocese and fosters a concern for Christian unity.

Each of these five aspects is looked at in detail in the light of the Rule of St Benedict, and in effect a programme for the parish's life during the next few years is outlined.

To quote the conclusion: "this document is offered so that we may all reflect on the riches of the Benedictine tradition; to appreciate aspects of that tradition that are already in action in the life of our parish as well as to gain some guidelines on how we might see opportunities for further development and new life. The final words should be those of St Benedict himself who call us not to be daunted by fear and run away from the road that leads to salvation. It is bound to be narrow at the outset. But as we progress in faith, we shall run on the paths of God's commandments, our hearts overflowing with the inexpressible delight of love."

New Parochial Appointments

Fr Paul Gunter OSB became Parish Priest of St Mary's Studley, Warwickshire, in June. The previous Parish Priest, Fr Augustine Stickland OSB, retired, and has been appointed to assist Fr Austin Gurr OSB in the parish of Alcester.

Fr Godric Timney OSB has been appointed Priest-in-Charge of the parish of St Francis de Sales, Wash Common, Newbury, a diocesan parish, with effect from the beginning of September. A few years ago Fr Austin Gurr OSB was parish priest there, but subsequently the bishop appointed a diocesan priest.

Br Benedict Thompson OSB, has completed his diaconal service at Limehouse in London, and from September until Christmas he will be working in the parish of St Anne, Ormskirk.

COMMUNITY NEWS

ABBOT Geoffrey Scott has made the following appointments, effective August 31: Fr Dermot Tredget OSB is to become Prior and Sacristan in succession to Fr Bernard Swinhoe OSB, who has been Prior since 1990; Fr Bernard is to become Novice Master, a position he had previously held in the 70s. Fr Alexander Austin OSB the previous Novice Master continues his work in the Woolhampton parish and has been appointed Zealator to the novices, a post we have not had previously although it is usual in continental monasteries. Fr Terence FitzPatrick OSB has been appointed Subprior in succession to Fr James Donovan OSB, thus restoring an old Douai custom of linking the Subprior's post with that of Parish Priest. Fr Leo Arkwright OSB is to become Book Keeper in the Bursar's Office. Fr Oliver Holt OSB will be responsible for development of the school buildings. Fr Louis O'Dwyer OSB is to become Infirmarian, responsible for the community's health.

Two Postulants

Two postulants arrived during the spring, Andrew Grattan, who once lived in Midgham, and Christopher Greener, from our former parish of Cheltenham. They will be clothed as novices on Friday August 27.

Fr Dermot

Fr Dermot Tredget OSB, the Vocations Director, and Fr Alexander Austin OSB, attended the annual International Serra Conference held this year in Glasgow. Serra is a voluntary organisation for promoting vocations.

Fr Gervase

Fr Gervase Holdaway OSB represented the Diocese of Portsmouth at the bi-annual Forum of the Churches Together in England held at Swanwick. The theme this year was Called to Make Peace.

Recording of the Douai Abbey Organ
Terry Charleston on CD

TERRY Charleston has been a regular performer at Douai, and gave the opening recital on the new Tickell organ in 1993. He has made several recordings and we are now offering a CD recorded in 1994; it includes Toccata in D BWV 912, Four Duets BWV 802 - 5, Fantasia in G BWV 572 by J.S.Bach; Toccata I by Muffat, Cento partite sopra passaglia by Frescobaldi, and Kyrie by Gigault. This CD is available price £15.00 from the Abbey Bookshop or £16.00 including post and packing from the Abbey Bookshop Manager, Douai Abbey, Upper Woolhampton, Reading, Berks, RG7 5TQ.

Sculpture in the Abbey Church

AS part of the Newbury Spring Festival six scultpures were on display in the Abbey during the month of May. These were works by the South African sculptress, Stella Shawzin who now works in Berkshire. Two large pieces in bronze Athlete I & Athlete III were erected at the back of the nave, while four smaller pieces in marble, three of mother and baby and one seated woman were displayed on the frustra at the sides. 

An Evening of Music & Flowers

ON the evening of June 18, there was a concert given by the choir of Winchester Cathedral to raise money for the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children's Berkshire Project. The Abbey Church was decorated with flowers and greenery for the occasion. Some 600 people attended. Fortunately the evening was fine, so they were able to avail themselves of the invitation to picnic in the grounds before the concert. 

Driveways & Car Park

WORK began on the second stage of the landscaping and car park construction in March. The roadways, footpaths, and car park were ready for use, albeit with a temporary surface by the end of May. The lighting was installed by Fr Wilfrid Sollom OSB and is now fully operational. The car park had its first major use for the concert on June 18. In July work began on the third stage, laying curb stones and preparing for the tarmacadam surface; the first layer has been laid on the footpaths. Work is still progressing steadily on this stage.

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Douai Abbey Newsletter No 8 - Summer 1999