Annals of St. Ann's Hermitage: 1909
January. The first of this month we had the traditional custom where the members of the Community wish each other "Happy New Year." Though simple, this custom is always moving.
The 10th of the same month 4 of our Juniors made their First Communion. That evening the Renewal of the Baptismal Promises took place. Rev. Fr. Bourgeois, S.J., Canadian, presided at the ceremony and preached a sermon in French entirely appropriate for the occasion.
On the 25th we celebrated the first Mass in the Novitiate chapel. The entire Community attended, notwithstanding the room's small size. The Novitiate had been founded a year before; what had been only an ardent desire was now a reality.
March. On the 3rd of this month the very small house near the Juniorate barns, which served as laundry room, went up in flames during the night. Everything was burned. Insurance covered part of the fire. Mrs. Winslow, our neighbor, sent us $50 to help out.
Towards the end of this same month the zealous and devoted Brother Desire Stanislas, taking advantage of the start of good weather, began clearing that part of the new Beck [sic] property which has become the vegetable garden. He had to clear everything at first, but the spot was well chosen.
During the month we were visited by Bro. Zepheriny, Provincial, and Brothers Alfrid [sic], M. Sylvestre, Joannis [sic] Emile, Philomene-Joseph, and M. Anicetus returning from Europe where they had made their Second Novitiate in Grugliasco, Italy.
April, May. During the beautiful days of these two months the Novices and Postulants< are employed putting the roads in good condition, such that by the end of May the property had already taken on a better look.
June 14. Bro. Michaelis, Assistant General and delegate of the Rev. Brother Superior General in Mexico, passing through New York, came to visit our Hermitage. The entire assembled Community gave him a worthy reception. He was much edified and expressed his deep satisfaction for the occasion.
On the 20th a statue of St. Aloysius Gonzaga, sent by our Brothers in Manchester, was placed in our Juniorate chapel. This holy patron of our young men will be for them a stimulant to follow his example.
During this month some important modifications were done. A steam laundry is installed in one of the stone buildings on the Novitiate property.
The building next to that one was restored and made habitable for the future student Brothers who were to follow courses of study during the vacations.
July. Our magnificent river front gives us a preferred location to enjoy the "Boat races" which took place on the Hudson on the 2nd of this month.
On the 6th a contingent of student Brothers came to enlarge our Community for two months, spending this vacation time in study, prayer, recreation, as stipulated in our Rules. They quickly found pleasure in the middle of the tranquility of our groves, our shaded walks and our woods. It's an ideal place for study and reflection.
The annual retreat was preached by Rev. Father Rousseau, S.J., from the 19th to the 26th. As usual, the Profession of Vows took place on the last day; but this year, it was the First Vows of our eight [actually 9] first Novices trained in Poughkeepsie. They were called: the "Founders of the Juniorate and the Novitiate."
Devoted Father Williams, S.J., was present at this magnificent ceremony and gave the sermon. In practical and meaty words he sketched a line of conduct for these new Apostles of Mary.
The same day twelve Postulants took the Holy Habit.
The next day seven Juniors entered the Novitiate.
We had at that time: 8 [actually 9] Brothers in First Vows, 12 Novices, 8 [probably 9] Postulants, and 41 Juniors. It was very consoling, for sure, after only a little more than three years since the foundation of the Juniorate.
Personnel of the House
School Year 1908-1909
Novitiate
Bro. Boniface, Dir. & Master of Novices
Bro. John Casimir
Bro. Joseph Athanasius
Bro. Joannes Adjutor, Sept. 1908
Bro. Joannes Marius, left Jan. 1909
Bro. Pierre Emilius, Feb. 1909
Juniorate
Bro. Felix Eugene, Master of Juniors
Bro. Marcellien Louis, Procurator & Inf.
Bro. Abelus
Bro. M. Severinus
Bro. Albert Marius, came Sept. 1908
Bro. Etienne Adrien, left April 1909
Bro. Henri Stanislas, came May 1908
Bro. Edmond Jude, cook, left Nov 1908
Br. Charles Honore, cook, came Nov 1908
Working Brothers
Bro. Michel Ange, farm and carriages
Bro. Desire Stanislas, garden
Bro. François Isidore, tailor shop
Bro. M. Pimen, plumbing
Bro. Jos. Anthyme, carpentry
Bro. Louis Sanctus, fann and errands
Bro. Ethelbertus, farm; came in January 1909
Bro. Ambrosime, linens; left in Dec. 1908
Bro. Abel Antoine, linens; came in Dec. 1908
Bro. Paul Gaspard, fruit trees; came in April 1909.
St. Peter's: BB. John Vincent, Aloysius Mary, and Mary Severinus
August.The Community having grown in numbers, at the general nomination Bro. M. Anicetus was named Director General of the house; Bro. Boniface stayed as Master of Novices and Bro. John Casimir, who had just made his Vow of Stability, became Director of the Juniors.
Organization of Central.
In August of this same year Central was organized and fitted for Bro. Director General, who was at the same time the Econome, for the working Brothers in the House and for the tailor shop which was transferred from the Chateau where it had been for some time; Bro. Franiçois Isidore continued as tailor.
Brothers Michel-Ange and M. Pimen put in a heating system and made other improvements 'in Central for lodging the working Brothers, about 8 of them including the Juniorate cook who continued to stay there.
With the transfer of the tailor shop and Bro. Frarnçois Isidore, the Chateau was remodeled for the five Brothers teaching at St. Peter's who moved there at the end of August, while continuing however to go take their meals at the Juniorate.
September. Building of the Calvary Group. The 5th of this month the first Calvary, put up on the small hill before getting to the Novitiate, was blessed by Rev. Fr. Williams, who said a few words ad hoc. In the thinking of this devoted Father, and he strongly stressed the point, this august sign of our redemption should keep in the minds of all, but especially in the Novices, the absolute necessity to become experts in self-conquest all of their life, and help prepare them to carry their cross in the example of our Divine Model and example.
Visit of Bro. Pierre-Joseph, Econome General.
On the 11th of this month of September we received the visit of Bro. Pierre-Joseph, Econome General, who came as the delegate of Rev. Brother Superior General. He was accompanied by Bro. Zepheriny, Provincial. He was welcomed with enthusiasm. His visit left a fond souvenir among us, and since his return, our Province counts one more eloquent advocate in the General Council.
Death of Bro. Charles-Camille.
On the 19th of September of this year God called to Himself the good, intelligent and devoted Brother Charles-Camille. He was only 23 years old, but had already been remarkable by his piety, his zeal and his great Marist spirit. He had been sent as professor in the Novitiate at the last nomination; he had begun his work there with much devotedness and success. God was satisfied with his good will.
For some time he complained of a big headache, without however giving it much attention. ''The brisk air of Poughkeepsie is going to make me better," he would say at times. "There's no better place for that."
God had decided otherwise.
Friday 10 September he was obliged to take to bed and in spite of the best care of the Doctor and the fraternal attentions of the devoted Bro. Marcellien-Louis, infirmarian, his sickness got worse and became meningitis.
On the 16th he received the Last Sacraments and the next day fell into delirium until his death. During his last moments he almost never stopped singing the "Ave Maris Stella," the "Magnificat," and other hymns. He returned his soul to God on Sunday at 11 :40 a.m. while the Community was making the visit to the Blessed Sacrament.
These were the first offerings of the province in the United States to our big Marist province in heaven. This painful loss occasioned the making of a private cemetery. Located at the extreme south end of the property, it is simple in taste but deeply religious. It is the preferred pilgrimage of the Brothers of the House and of the retreatants during vacation time. They go there to draw courage and consolation and take a comforting example of fidelity. All cherish the very legitimate desire to take their last sleep there, in the shade of the tall weeping willows and helped by the prayers of the Community, faithful to its children in death as in the ephemeral days of their stay here on earth.
Good Bro. Charles-Camille was buried there on the 21st after a Requiem Mass was sung in the Juniorate chapel.
Bro. Ptolomeus, Provincial, came for the funeral. He had just been named Provincial, following Bro. Zepheriny, who had resigned because of ill health.
Bro. Zepheriny was named professor in the Novitiate to replace the deceased Bro. Charles-Camille.
December. Enlarging of the Juniorate Chapel.The chapel having become too small to accommodate the entire Community, we undertook this month to enlarge it somewhat.
To do this Brothers Michel Ange, M. Pimen, and Jos. Anthyme knocked down the partitions and the sliding doors which separated the various halls and repaired the woodwork. We put new wallpaper in the two halls at the back, which also got new pews. Thus remodeled, the chapel became more than sufficient.
Towards this same time our good neighbor Mrs. Foley bought us a new statue of the Sacred Heart, curtains for the windows, and Stations of the Cross.
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