Annals of St. Ann's Hermitage: 1908

The Novitiate began on 14 January 1908 with the inauguration of the new chapel.

The 7 Juniors who began their Postulancy were then separated from their co-disciples and became the core of the new Novitiate.

Rev. Father Williams gave a magnificent sermon on this occasion. He made the startling contrast between the use made of the rooms which formed the chapel in the past and the present. He also compared the seeming pleasures enjoyed by mundane society with the real delights of the present occupants in their generous beginning of religious life.

The official inauguration of the Novitiate took place on 27 January 1908. It was presided over by Brother Ptolomeus, then Director of St. Ann's Academy in New York and delegate of Brother Provincial.

At the end of January of that year construction plans, with an option of another property on which to build, were submitted to Rev. Brother Superior General, but Providence had better in store for us.

Brother Director thought it was time to purchase a larger lot on which we would be able to build a Provincial House later, though all the Brothers said we also had to keep the McPherson estate, already bought and paid for.

The "Bech Property," adjacent to the McPherson estate had been on sale for several years. Brother Zepheriny had already visited it when he was looking for a site. The only thing which prevented him from buying it was that the price was much higher than for the McPherson estate and, having at that time almost no resources, he had to think of money. Nevertheless he voluntarily took on Brother Boniface's intention of submitting the purchase idea to the Rev. Brother Superior General, highlighting the many and real advantages which would follow in buying it as soon as possible.

In brief, everybody seemed to put himself in the act, even the good and devoted Father Williams who wrote to the Superiors about it to help them decide to go ahead and give the requested authorization.

In Community several fervent prayers and novenas to St. Ann were made for the same intention, because "man proposes and God disposes."

During this time Brother Zepheriny was proposing the purchase to the Provincial Council, which voted unanimously for it and sent their request to the General Council.

Finally the approval so much desired arrived and was received with great joy.

The property was bought by a devoted friend, Mr. John P. Murray, of the Coudert Brothers Firm in New York.

Before the purchase but while there was talk of it, several rumors had sounded the alarm. First, it was that the owner no longer wanted to sell it because he saw it passing into the hands of a Catholic religious institution; then it was that the city of Poughkeepsie wanted to buy it for a public park.

But Providence had its own ideas, and with the help of St. Ann, we bought it.

A Word About the New Property.

The new purchase was a magnificent property of some 65 acres, magnificently located. This property is separated from the McPherson estate only by a road leading to the city aqueduct.

Having been abandoned for several years, its looks were not prepossessing. It was something like the McPherson estate when we bought it. However, when we strolled along its wide roads we could see beautiful groves, a large number of trees of varied species, and several variety of plants growing here and there. We could also see remains of spacious greenhouses in different places, some indication of what the property must have been at the time of the bourgeois.

Like the McPherson estate, this property has a magnificent view of the Hudson; the part along the river for some 900 feet has several pleasant inlets and promontories.

A word on the buildings there at the time of purchase. There were several. First, there was the owner's residence which has become the Novitiate. It was big enough to accommodate thirty Novices, but the gas pipes and water drains needed serious repairs; all the lead and zinc had been stolen. The hot air heating system was unusable. The veranda was falling apart. All these indispensable repairs were done immediately.

Secondly, at the main entrance to the property from North Road there is a lovely small two-storied stone house in good enough condition. It was the gate-keeper's house; it was occupied at the time by Mr. Gindras, the property's florist and keeper. This house is what we call the "Chateau" which the good and devoted Brother François-lsidore will soon occupy when he comes from Iberville to be the Community tailor. He loved his little "Chateau" which he kept as charming as possible inside and out; consequently it will cost him when, later, the Community of working Brothers, having developed and regularized, had to go live in "Central." Since then the "Chateau" has always been called the "Gate House" and now serves only to lodge a few students during the holidays and also some retreatants.

The cornices which were falling in ruins have been repaired and the "outhouse" has been replaced by a "toilet" and shower in the basement.

As we will see later, the "Chateau" was for several years the residence of the Brothers teaching at St. Peter's in Poughkeepsie, but they had no kitchen. They used to take their meals in the Juniorate. We put in water and gas for them; previously they pumped water from a cistern.

Thirdly, the Gardener's House. This small two-storied house is located to the north on the "Pumping Station Avenue." It used to be the gardener's residence, whence its name. The inside was in very bad shape; on the outside, the cornices were also rotten in many places.

First of all, Brother Desire Stanislas, having become gardener on the new property, used it to store his tools, stands for his garden nets, grains, etc., and he also did all his minor repairs there.

In August 1910 the Brothers from St. Peter's came and occupied it and thenceforth formed a separate community. The needed repairs were done, inside and out, and we built the present kitchen with sink and drain. Bro. M. Gualbert built the kitchen and Bro. M. Pimen put in water, gas, heating and did a few other repairs. We hired a mason to repair the chimney and a few interior ceilings.

Fourthly, Central. What we are used to calling "Central" was two buildings, one in stone and the other in wood, which had served as horse stables, carriage sheds, and lodging for the coachman and his family. These 2 buildings were to become later, [the stone] one the Scholasticate with a laundry in the basement, and the other the living quarters of Bro. Director General and some working Brothers, the supply-room, the Provincial tailor- shop, etc.

In the very beginning they served to lodge the first Brothers who came to follow summer courses in 1909; that year these Brothers went to take their meals in the Novitiate. Later, the Brothers taking courses and the Brothers of the Community went to take their meals in the Juniorate.

Fifthly, other buildings. Near the two "Central" buildings was a charming, small chicken-coop with a slate roof and transferred farther later on, and several sheds more or less in good condition. These were all repaired and became the present carpentry-shop; the two wings, though, served different purposes. The west part became the carpentry shop, and the east part the linen-room.

The plumber's shop, a cellar, and the furnace were fitted in under Central' s wooden building.

In the Course of the Year 1908.

The negotiations for the purchase of the Beck [sic] property lasted into July of that year 1908.

Let's continue, therefore, our annals of the first months of that year, which we interrupted to say a word about the new property.

During Lent 1908 Rev. Father J.J. Williams, S.J., our devoted chaplain, was chosen by his superiors to preach during this holy season at St. Mary's Church in Poughkeepsie, whose pastor at that time was Rev. P.P. Daily.

The devoted chaplain saw in this occasion a good opportunity to make our Institute and its purpose known to this Catholic population in the city. Accordingly he got permission from the Pastor for our Novices and Juniors to attend the ceremonies twice a week and to do the singing. Since these ceremonies took place at 7 p.m., two large carriages came to pick the children up and return them. Needless to say that the singing, carefully prepared, was greatly appreciated and praised, and the services were well attended. Rev. Father Williams gave eloquent and substantial sermons which were all the better received. Our work became known and appreciated. Afterwards the population showed itself very sympathetic towards us. The raffling off of a gold watch, which was held the following year, brought in some $900.

March. The month of March brought us the feasts of St. Patrick and St. Joseph, always celebrated with great joy and enthusiasm by our dear young men. For those days the Chapel takes on its beautiful decorations and the sweet voices of our Juniors enhance the beauty of the ceremonies and have us enjoy happy moments.

May. On the 22 of that month we had the unexpected visit of His Excellency Archbishop Farley, of New York, accompanied by the Rev. Father Lewis his secretary and Rev. Father Sheehan from St. Peter's. The brief words that the Archbishop spoke to us were for all of us a precious encouragement. After giving us his blessing, he departed, leaving with us a sweet souvenir of paternal benevolence and a profound feeling of religious veneration.

July. The first of this month 19 of our young men received the Sacrament of Confirmation, administered by Bishop Cussack, auxiliary bishop, in the little church of Pleasant Valley. Novices and Juniors attended the ceremony and enhanced the solemnity by their harmonious singing, prepared and led by Brother Boniface, Master of Novices.

House Members from February 1905 to July 1906

Bro. Gervasius, Director. Left in December 1905
Bro. Felix Eugene, Director. Arrived in February 1906
Bro. M. Pimen
Bro. Henri Ambroise
Bro. Victor Etienne
Bro. Etienne Frederic
Bro. Ethelbertus. Didn't stay long
Bro. Henri Stanislas. Didn't stay long
Bro. Jean Albert. Didn't stay long
Bro. Henri Colomb. Didn't stay long
Bro. Marie Florian. Didn't stay long
Bro. John Casimir.

House Members 1906-1907

Bro. Felix Eugene, Director
Bro. M. Sylvestre, procurator and teacher
BB. Victor Etienne, John Casimir, Joseph Athanasius, Jean Michel, teachers
BB. Michel Ange, Marie Eugene, M. Piemen, Godefroy, workers
BB. Jean-Albert, Stylien, M. Florian, Cadroes

House Members 1907-1908

Bro. Boniface, Director
Bro. Victor Etienne, Sub-Director. Left June 1908
Bro. John Casimir, teacher.
Bro. M. Sylvestre, Procurator. Left November 1907
Bro. M. Ovila, cook. Left December 1907
BB. Michel Ange and Louis Sanctus, farmhands
Bro. Desire Stanislas, gardener
Bro. Aldericus, tailor
Bro. Joseph Anthyme, carpenter
Bro. M. Narcisse, cook. Arrived December 1907
Bro. Charles Etienne, prefect. Arrived October 1907
Bro. Abelus, teacher. Arrived November 1907
Bro. Marcellien Louis, infirmarian. Arrived November 1907
Bro. Mary Severinus, teacher. Arrived May 1908
Bro. Hellade, prefect. Arrived January 1908. Left May 1908

The annual retreat opened on the 18th. As in the previous year, it was made by the Brothers of the Community and a few Brothers from New England and New York. For the first time the Novices made it, and the Juniors also took part for the final days.

The talks of that retreat were given with zeal and energy by Rev. Father Dooley, S.J.

The closing day was one of the most consoling, a truly remarkable day for St. Ann's Hermitage. The day of the feast of St. Ann, 26 July 1908, the first taking of the Habit took place. 9 Postulants were admitted. Here are their names.

Romeo Lelievre -- Bro. Paul Statonic
Adelard Lirette -- Bro. Peter Anthony
C. Henri Gregoire -- Bro. Henry Charles
Rene Gregoire -- Bro. Mary Andrew
Wilfrid Doiron -- Bro. Wilfrid Mary
Edward Gagnon -- Bro. Joseph Edward
Jean-Baptiste Villeneuve -- Bro. John Gabriel
Rosario Fecteau -- Bro. Ambrose Paul
Henry Hamel -- Bro. James Joseph

The splendor of the ceremony was enhanced by the presence of three of our friends from St. Andrew, the most sincere and the earliest: Rev. Father George A. Petit, S.J., Rector of St. Andrew, Rev. Father J.J. Williams, S.J., our devoted chaplain, and Rev. Father P. Richards who preached the sermon with vigor and eloquence. Never was there a more magnificent praise of the "Marist Cassock" which he termed the garment of glory and zeal.

That 26 was truly a day of joy, of a great future for the Community and the future Province.

Here we have to mention that the last legal deed for the purchase of the Beck [sic] property, so desired, had been signed two or three days before. This news was received with noticeable pleasure and we had an added reason to sing the ''Te Deum" to thank God and Good St. Ann for the protection received, after so many others.

It goes without saying that that afternoon all the members of the Community wanted to inspect the newly acquired property.

July 27, the day after the Taking of the Habit, a few Juniors were chosen to add to the Novitiate core.

That day we had: 9 Novices, 10 Postulants, 39 Juniors. This start was truly consoling and promised much for our Marist family in the United States. It recalled the prophetic words of our Ven. Founder.

August. On August 25, with the nomination list, we learned that Bro. Felix-Eugene is once again named Director of the Juniors.

August 31 was a "pie nic" day for the young men and dinner was served outside on the new property. The entire Community was there. The young men's joy was boundless, and they competed in their games and sports with liveliness and open joy until sunset when they had to return.

September. On the first, Bro. François-Isidore's tailor-shop was moved from the Juniorate to the stone residence at the main entrance to the Beck [sic] property. It's since then that that residence is better known among us as the "Chateau." (We spoke about this earlier.)

It's this year, on the first day of classes, that our Brothers, at the request of Rev. Father Sheehan, pastor of St. Peter's, began teaching the boys at the parish school, for sometime now directed by the Sisters of Charity.

Two Brothers began in the upper grades; a third Brother was soon added for the fifth grade. Later, there were five Brothers.

Rev. Father Williams, S.J., had worked to get us this school.

It has given us some good vocations and its venerated Pastor has always been very devoted to us.

It's on the 21st of this month that our good and capable woodworker Bro. Joseph Anthime had the sad accident which left him blind or almost. He was tended to by capable specialists, among them Dr. W.G. Dobson at Vassar Hospital, at that time the only big hospital in town. His case became hopeless; however, 2 months later he was taken to the "Ear and Eye Infirmary" in New York. In spite of several operations he recovered only a very small part of his sight.

In this sad situation, the good Brother had all the sympathy of the Community. He was so obliging and so eager to work for his religious family. He had been trained at N.D. de l'Hermitage in France and in Santa Maria in Italy by the good and capable Bro. Simeon-Joseph.

On the 25th the Novitiate was moved to new quarters which, though not completely ready, were sufficiently prepared to receive Novices and Postulants. The dormitories and the classrooms were ready.

October. During this month some changes were made in the Juniorate heating system. Results were satisfactory, and finally the house was adequately heated.

From that time on we had two very separate houses: the Juniorate house on the McPherson property, and the Novitiate one on the Beck [sic] property.

December. However, we must add that it was only in December, when the Beck [sic] residence was just about completely repaired and equipped with a satisfactory heating system, that the Novices and Postulants permanently took it over.

A beautiful small room on the second floor was turned into a chapel. From that time on they had Our Lord living under the same roof. They will be able to go visit Him often. From that time on they will have Mass in that chapel once a week; the rest of the time they will go to the Juniorate.

Midnight Mass. For the first time this Mass, almost unknown in the United States at that time, is celebrated in our Chapel with all the solemnity possible. For the older Brothers it was a sweet and pious remembrance of times past and, besides, of what took place in our Provincial Houses.

The Creche, the Christmas melodies, everything reminded them of the simplicity and piety of our first Brothers. Was not our first cradle another "stable of Bethlehem?" And was not our St. Ann's Hermitage another Lavalla?

December 31. A ''Te Deum" of thanksgiving is fervently sung before retiring to bed.

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