Annals of St. Ann's Hermitage: 1917
Centenary Year of the Founding of the Institute
1917 marks the great celebrations of the Centenary of the founding of the Institute.
January. On the 1st, the Community gathers for the customary exchange of best wishes for a good year. Bro. Provincial wishes that it be exceptionally good and productive in fruits of salvation for us & souls.
On the 2nd, the program for celebrating the Centenary begins. At 6 a.m. special High Mass for the occasion; beautiful performance of the music and ornamentation of the altars. In the evening solemn Vespers and sermon by Rev. Father Chetwood, S.J., on Catholic teaching & the good we do in our work; afterwards, solemn Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament & hymns of Thanksgiving.
A large painting of our Venerable Founder is placed in the Juniorate and Novitiate. Then, here and there decorations and some of the Institute' s commemorative dates recall the spirit of the day which remains memorable.
On the 23rd and 24th, some Juniors take the Regents Exams.
On the 27th, 24 Juniors move up to the Novitiate, happy to take another step in religious life. They leave behind exactly the same number.
The new Postulants will continue to go to the Juniorate for classes.
February. On the 15th, our Brother Louis-Sanctus, wanting to treat the cattle with some gasoline, accidentally starts a fire and bums his two hands trying to extinguish it and save the cattle and the barn. He's taken to the hospital. He returns after spending some two weeks there, during which he had to endure terrible sufferings.
We had to gradually replace the cattle which got burned and which we had to slaughter.
March. On the 2nd, the Community offers its condolences to the Reverend Jesuit Fathers at St. Andrew's by assisting at the Funeral Mass of the Rev. Father Pettit, rector, who had always been so sympathetic to us.
On the 12th, Monday Mass is started again in the Novitiate. It had been suspended since mid-November because of the work to enlarge the Chapel.
April. On the 6th, formal declaration of war between the United States and Germany. All the Brothers between 21 and 31 years old, according to the new law of military service have to answer a 16-page questionnaire given by the Authorities, but because of their functions, all our Brothers are exempt. However, three French Brothers enroll in the American Army in order to settle their military status with the French government.
May. On the 13th, opening of the annual Mission at the State Hospital Chapel by the Reverend Jesuit Fathers and, as usual, the singing and the evening Prayers during the week are done by the Juniors, Novices, & Scholastics.
On the 16th, 6 Juniors are confirmed in St. Peter's Church by Bishop J.P. Hayes, auxiliary bishop of New York.
June. On the 7th, feast of Corpus Christi. Procession on the Juniorate property with Benediction at the repository put up in the yard. The sky was overcast, but the scattered drops of rain did not interfere with this beautiful & touching ceremony.
On the 14th, celebration of the Centenary of St. Peter's Church, sumptuously decorated for the occasion. All the Communities of the Provincial House attended. The hymns at Mass were done by the Juniors with the children of the school. Sermon by the Rev. Father Sheahan, who was the celebrant. Rev. Father Donohue, former student of our Brothers in Ireland, served as Deacon, Rev. Father O'Brien from St. Mary's parish served as Sub-Deacon, and Rev. Father Lalli, pastor of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, was the Master of Ceremonies.
That evening, solemn Benediction and sermon by Rev. Father O'Brien, pastor of St. Mary's. Bad weather prevented all the Community from attending.
On the 16th, St. Peter's parish school held the civil celebration of the Centenary in Columbus Hall, decorated for the occasion.
Speech by Mr. J. Lavery, city notable, who develops the history of our Institute and pays glorious tribute to the patriotism of Catholics during the United States wars.
The evening included: plays, songs, recitations, tableaux, etc., all well performed by the children of the school.
From June 25 to July 2, 1st retreat preached by Rev. Father Salmon, C.S.E., full of zeal and Marist sentiments.
July. From the 16th to the 26th Novices' retreat preached by Rev. Father Butler, S.J.
On the 23rd, the Juniors join the retreat.
On the 26th, Mass of Communion, High Mass.
At the ceremony afterwards, 20 Postulants take the religious Habit and 20 Novices pronounce their First Vows. The ceremony is presided over by Rev. Father Sheahan, pastor of St. Peter's; Rev. Father O'Brien, pastor of St. Mary's, gives the Sermon, and Rev. Father Dillon, S.J., minister at St. Andrew's, gives the Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament.
August. 14 & 15. Celebration of the Centenary at the Provincial House. On this occasion we had from the Province of Canada: Bro. Joseph-Emerie, Provincial, BB. Cesidius, Chryseuil & Priscillianus, Provincial Councillors.
The afternoon of the 14th, all the communities gather on the hill next to the Novitiate, decorated with flags and garlands, to assist at entertainment organized by some Brothers taking summer courses. On a platform set up outside but tastefully arranged and decorated are presented one after another: a short comedy, songs & declamations; the band offers its best pieces.
On the 15th, religious celebration of the Centenary. In the morning, Mass of Communion with hymns of Thanksgiving.
High Mass celebrated by Rev. Father Dillon, S.J. In the evening at 5 p.m., solemn Vespers, special Sermon & Benediction.
In the afternoon the Communities are once again gathered on the Novitiate hill for entertainment offered by the Novices & Juniors. At the very beginning a downpour obliges us to transport everything to the Novitiate oratory where the program continues, made up of songs, hymns, recitations and staging of 2 incidents in the life of the Founder at the beginning of the Institute, and a play.
In the evening at 7:30 p.m., Rev. Father Coffey, S.J., opened the annual general retreat.
September. The Brothers in charge of the farm add 10 feet to the silo; it now measures 30 feet x 10 feet.
On the 4th, classes begin again in the Juniorate, Novitiate & Scholasticate.
October. On the 13th, 4 Juniors are confirmed in St. Mary's Church by Cardinal Farley.
On the 28th, blessing of a statue of the Immaculate Conception for the Juniorate grotto.
December. The 25th, Christmas with its ceremonies, songs, creche, tree, etc.
Beautiful Centenary observances, religious as well as civil, were celebrated in all the Houses of the Province & in all the Provinces. God be praised!
Personnel
Bro. Dacianus, Provincial
Bro. Heribert, Director General
Bro. M. Anicetus, local & provincial Econome
Bro. Adolph Leo, Master of Novices, helped by BB. Zepheriny, Fred. Charles & Patrick Nicholas, cook. 20 Novices.
Bro. John Casimir, Master of Juniors, helped by BB. Francis Regis, Jos. Severinus, Jos. Walter, Edward Wilfrid, Louis Mary. 34 Juniors.
BB. Ptolomeus & Leon Bernardin, professors at the Scholasticate. 12 Scholastics.
To take care of the House: 12 Brothers
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