|
A Day of Many Celebrations
August 28 in Suffern, New York was rainy and gloomy, and things got steadily worse as the day progressed. The wet weather, however, was not enough to dampen the spirits at Tagaste Monastery as the friars prepared for the annual celebration of the Feast of St. Augustine. Actually, it was a day of many celebrations, since the Augustinian Recollects were remembering not only the feast day of their founder and spiritual father, but were also marking the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the St. Pius X Guild and the 50th anniversary of the profession of vows of Br. Joseph Joly. Some 200 people, including visiting clergy, Secular Augustinian Recollects from Tagaste, St. Cloud Monastery, and St. John Parish, Guild members, and the principal groups and individuals who support Tagaste as well as the family of Br. Joe, attended the 5:00 PM concelebrated Mass presided by our new Prior Provincial, Fr. Joseph Gallardo. Principal concelebrants included Frs. Charles Huse, former provincial and homilist for the occasion; Ramón Gaitán, prior; John Gruben, vice prior; and Msgr. Joseph Giandurco, pastor of Sacred Heart Church in Suffern. Br. Anthony Torretti served as master of ceremonies, and the Tagaste students were acolytes for the occasion. Br. Joe carried the cross in the entrance procession, which moved through the chapel while the choir led the congregation in singing “Gather Your People.” Members of the Adorno community from Ramsey, New Jersey, and Fr. Ángel San Eufrasio, OAR, who played the organ, assisted in providing music for the liturgy. In his homily Fr. Charles expressed heartfelt thanks to the members of the Guild, the SARs, and to Br. Joseph, praising them for their work “which lifted material things into the realm of the spiritual” and for the encouraging witness of their fidelity over so many years. Following the homily, Br. Joe approached the altar and, at the invitation of Fr. Provincial, renewed his vows before the community. He then joined his sister, Pauline Denault, and representatives of the Guild and SAR fraternities in bringing up the Offertory Gifts, which included—in addition to the wine, water, and hosts—the Rule and Constitutions, and the bylaws of the Guild. After communion everyone joined in the traditional hymn “O Great Father, St. Augustine” to honor the great monk, pastor, and teacher whose image was enthroned in front of the lectern and who remained the central figure of the celebration. Fr. Provincial concluded the Mass by offering his own words of thanks to the community and by placing the house and all who are associated with it under the protection of Mary, Mother of Good Council. The recessional hymn, “City of God”, once again reminded everyone present of their membership in the Augustinian Recollect family and of their call to form a community “one in mind and heart on the way to God.” Following the Mass everyone proceeded to the Fire Place Room to enjoy a reception of wine and cheese before moving on to the Guild Hall for dinner. Once everyone was seated in the hall, which had been beautifully decorated in “gold” by Florence Opulencia, Fr. Ramón offered words of welcome, expressing the joy of the Tagaste community to be hosting this event honoring the Guild and Br. Joe. After the table blessing, the dinner was served. On the menu were salad, chicken cordon bleu, roasted potatoes, and mixed vegetables. Dessert included a delicious “tres leches” cake prepared by Gabby Rivera, house cook. Toward the conclusion of the meal, Fr. Ramón, assisted by Rita Gannon, presented certificates of appreciation to members of the Golf Committee who organize the annual Golf Outing, the most profitable of all Guild activities. He also presented Papal Blessings to Br. Joe and to the Guild. Margaret “Peggy” Evans, president, accepted the blessing on behalf of the Guild, and offered her personal reflections on 50 years of service by Guild members to the Tagaste community, concluding by expressing the hope that the next 50 years would be just as successful. She was then surprised to receive a “key” to Tagaste Monastery, which was actually one of Br. Joe’s creations in gilded wood. The hour drew late, and the reluctance of people to leave was a clear indication of how much everyone had enjoyed the celebration. Fr. John Gruben, OAR
|
