Annals of St. Ann's Hermitage: 1913
January. On the 1st traditional greetings among the Brothers of the Community, the Brothers, Novices & Juniors for a good and happy year.
In the evening, entertainment given the whole Community by the Juniors. The young actors are all taken up by their parts; the songs and orchestra pieces are well appreciated.
February. The 16th, 6 Brothers from Italy, chosen by the Rev. Brother Superior General to do their apostolate in North America visit us. Four leave the next day for Canada with Bro. Joseph-Emetic who had come down to accompany them.
March. On the 12th, 3 Brothers from Canada, returning from the Second Novitiate, spend the day with us, giving us news of our respected Superiors.
April. On the 14th, Brother Angelicus, Assistant General and delegate of the Rev. Brother Superior General for the visitation of the 2 Provinces of Canada and the United States, stops at St. Ann's Hermitage for 2 days, on the way from New York to Iberville.
He arrives accompanied by Brother Provincial who had gone to meet him at the Station. Upon his arrival the Brothers, Novices & Juniors are happy to see him and to receive a fraternal embrace.
A welcome is then given him, a few songs for the occasion, and Brother Provincial expresses to him the feelings of filial affection of the entire Community.
That evening the Juniors offer some brief entertainment.
May. As in previous years the choir goes each evening to the Mission exercises for singing and Benediction. These are given by the Rev. Jesuit Fathers in the Chapel of the State Hospital.
June. On the 30th of this month some 40 Brothers from the establishments arrive to take summer courses.
July. On the 26th, end of the Novitiate retreat, followed also by some 30 Brothers.
The program included a Communion Mass at 6 a.m. in the Juniorate by Rev. Father Green, preacher, followed by a Mass of Thanksgiving by Rev. Father Dillon, Chaplain. At 8:30 a.m. High Mass by Rev. Father Sheehan, pastor of St. Peter's.
At 10 a.m. Taking of the Habit, taking and renewal of Vows presided over by Rev. Father Sheehan, Rev. Father Green, Rev. Father Dillon, and Rev. Brother Angelicus, Assistant General, Delegate. The sermon was given by Rev. Father Dillon. The ceremony ended with the Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament.
That evening at 6:30 p.m. exercises to close the retreat in the Juniorate chapel. These exercises consisted of hymns and consecration to the Sacred Heart and to the Blessed Virgin.
Twelve postulants had taken the Habit that morning and 12 Novices had made their First Vows. One of the Novices, not having the [canonical] age, had to wait a few days.
August. On the 23rd, end of the annual retreat preached by Rev. Father Dooley, S.J.
That day we celebrated Brother Dioscoride's Golden Jubilee.
The day's program included: Communion Mass at 6 a.m., High Mass at 8 a.m., renewal of Vows at 9:30 a.m. presided over by Rev. Father Dillon and Brother Angelicus, Assistant General, Delegate. At 11 a.m. presentation of best wishes to the Venerated Jubilarian.
The whole Community, having gathered in the hall decorated for the occasion, our Bro. Dioscoride, Rev. Bro. Assistant on his right and Bro. Provincial on his left, took their places on the stage.
A feast day hymn and an orchestra piece were performed, then there was the reading of the speeches: one by a very small Junior, the other by Bro. Leon Bernardin, Director of Lowell. His face radiating with joy, the Jubilarian acknowledged with his Marist simplicity the good wishes offered him and heartily thanked the Brothers, Novices &Juniors.
Brother Provincial, speaking next, talked about the zeal, the devotedness, the piety and the qualities of a true Little Brother of Mary which our Venerated Jubilarian possessed and wished him on to his Diamond Jubilee.
Another song and orchestra piece concluded the fraternal reunion. Then Bro. Assistant said a few words of paternal affection to the day's hero and asked us to sing the "Magnificat" in thanksgiving.
Next came the refectory where a dinner for the occasion invited all to satisfy their hunger.
A holy card was given to everybody as a souvenir.
In the evening after Beads the announcement of exam and diploma results was made.
Various Projects.
During the two months of summer vacation a dam for hydroelectric power was built across the brook in the field below the Juniorate. This wall thus created a waterfall which was to generate power. This project was continued during the following months: namely, we. buried a conduit of some 20 feet for the brook and the generation of power, a building was put up and the overshoot water wheel was put in and a pump added; later, an artesian well 65 feet deep was dug a few feet from the building.
The final installation was continued the following year.
Bro. François Isidore's accident
On Sunday August 31 Bro. François-Isidore was taking a stroll along the road with Bro. Paul Mary when, around 2:30 p.m. a car coming up behind them hit him and threw him down, causing grave wounds to the head and several bruises, knocking him unconscious.
An ambulance took him to the State Hospital where doctors gave him immediate care.
After examining him the doctors stated that his life was not in danger, but the Last Sacraments were given him, just in case.
The next day he recovered consciousness and stayed under the care of the doctors and nurses at the hospital until September 8. Out of danger then and well on his way to recovery, he was brought to the House infirmary, staying under our doctor's care.
September. On the 3rd of this month, 4 Brothers coming from Grugliasco, Italy, visit us on their way to Canada.
On the 9th, classes began at the Juniorate and the Novitiate.
On the 27th Brother Assistant makes his farewell visit to the Provincial House. That same day, accompanied by Brother Provincial, he goes to New York where, after a short stay, he takes a boat to Europe.
Our good wishes and prayers go with him.
October. Bro. Alexander-Josaphat's accident. This month Bro. Alexander-Josaphat, Novice, had a foot crushed by a tree he was felling. He was brought to Vassar Hospital, and amputation was judged urgent. After a month of care he is brought to the infirmary where he later gets a prosthetic leg.
December. On the 26th, Brothers Legontianus & Jos. Cesidius come to spend a few days, preparing plans for the installation of electricity in the Juniorate from the water power we already had.
Building of the silo.
In the Fall the Brothers in charge of the farm build a silo near the stables with special hollow bricks.
Marist College | Marist Archives & Special Collections | Contact Us | Acknowledgements