Beginnings of St. Joseph Priory
Mineiros – Goiás
By Duane Roy, OSB
Chapter 1: Initiatives by Prior Emilio
Jordan, OSB.
Dom Emilio Jordan, OSB was a man who
greatly loved the church and Benedictine life.
He was a monk of the St. Gerald Priory, of the Hungarian Benedictine Congregation,
located in São Paulo since 1930. During
his tenure as dean, the monastic St. Américus Prep School gained public
recognition due to a high standard of education. By decree of the Holy See the monastic
community was elevated as Conventual Priory on December 8, 1953. Dom Emilio was elected the first Prior.
In 1963, following the expansion of the monastic prep school, the community
moved to its present location in Morumbi, a prestigious suburb of São Paulo.
As
Prior of the monastic community, and dean of the school, Dom Emilio made
efforts to obtain necessary resources to ensure continued quality of these two
institutions. Late in 1959 he
traveled to the United States seeking additional resources to realize his two
dreams: 1.) to seek funds for expanding
the academic and pastoral work his monks were developing in Morumbi, Sao
Paulo, and in Paraná, in the northern part of the state. 2.) to found a Benedictine monastery in the soon-to-be-inaugurated
national capital of Brasilia. With that
mission in mind during this trip to the United States he addressed many Abbots
on the possibility of founding a monastery in Brasilia.
Cuthbert McDonald, OSB, Abbot of
St. Benedict Abbey in Atchison, Kansas (1943-1962), expressed interest. His
monastic community in Atchison just celebrated their first centennial, and had
120 monks. The Abbot and Prior Emilio exchanged many letters, made trips, phone
calls and prayed to achieve their common goal. In his first letter after this visit
to the United States, Prior Emilio expressed gratitude to Abbot Cuthbert for his
fraternal support, and shared his satisfaction with the results of his trip.
On March 17, 1960, Prior
Emilio wrote to Fernando Gomes dos Santos, Archbishop of Goiânia-Goiás (GO),
narrating how he visited several monasteries in the United States, and
perceived interest from abbeys to make new foundations in South America. He sought the Archbishop´s orientation as how to
proceed to ensure a Benedictine foundation in Brasilia, the new capital of
Brazil.
That same day he wrote to the
newly appointed Archbishop of Brasilia, Joseph Newton Almeida Baptista. Receiving no response, he wrote again a
month later, asking the archbishop if he would allow American Benedictines to
found a monastery in his archdiocese. He
assured the archbishop that he asked several Brazilian abbots, and the Abbot
President of the Brazilian Benedictine Congregation, who confirmed they did not
have sufficient number of monks to make
a new foundation.
The new city of Brasilia
was inaugurated on April 21, 1960. A few
weeks earlier the Archdiocese of Brasília was created. In early May, Prior Emilio traveled to
Rio de Janeiro. Accompanied by Abbot Martin of the Benedictine monastery in Rio
de Janeiro they visited Bishop Joseph Newton, who was delighted to learn of the
proposal of the American Benedictines. The
Bishop agreed to pay a visit to the government authorities in Brasilia
to secure land for this foundation, and tend to other matters. Visiting the
Apostolic Nuncio that same day they received much support. The Nuncio, Armando Lombardo, said the Holy
See will rejoice with this Benedictine foundation, and agreed that Brasilia cannot be without
Benedictines. He personally
admired the Order of St. Benedict. Less
than a month before he named Father Clemente Ismard, OSB, Prior of the
monastery in Rio de Janeiro, the first bishop of the newly established Diocese
of Freiburg.
Prior Emilio was also
interested to see Benedictines in Curitiba, the State capital of Paraná. Some of his Benedictine priests served Hungarian
immigrants in northern Paraná. He wrote
to the Archbishop of Curitiba, Manuel
da Silveira d'Elboux. This Archbishop was also interested. He replied that he
is in communication with Abbot Filibert Moreau, OSB, Abbot of Notre Dame de
Tournay, in France, on this subject.
In early June, Prior Emilio
officially wrote to Archbishop Joseph Newton, probing the possibility of monks
of the American Cassinense Congregation establish in the Archdiocese of
Brasilia. He said he had already spoken
with the Mayor, Dr. Israel Pinheiro, who assured him there would be no
difficulty in arranging two or three lots in the area called "Mansions" for this
purpose. The Archbishop was
positive in its response. He
requested that the monks send him a document, ensuring their decision to
establish in Brasilia and acceptance of the condition they assume a parish in
the Archdiocese.
That same month Prior Emilio visited
Brasilia, and sent his report to the Abbot Cuthbert McDonald, O.S.B, of St.
Benedict´s Abbey, Atchison, Kansas. He wrote that the Archbishop is very
pleased to have the Benedictines in his diocese, and is willing to request from
the urban planning committee, 42,000 square meters
for the construction of the monastery, school and church in the region of
"Mansions", near the archbishop´s residence. He sent maps showing the location of
the area. Receiving no response
from the Abbot, Prior Emilio wrote again to Abbot Cuthbert, enclosing a translated
letter received from the Archbishop, inviting Abbot Cuthbert and Prior Emilio
to visit Brasilia.
Abbot Cuthbert invited his friend, Msgr. George W. King, priest of the Diocese of Kansas
City, MO, to accompany him on the trip to Brasilia to survey the possibility in
making a monastic foundation.
During his visit to São Paulo
and Brasilia, Abbot Cuthbert drafted two letters to Archbishop Joseph Newton in
Brasília. One, requesting that the Hungarian Monks in São Paulo be designated as
the responsible party to receive deeds to properties for the American
Benedictine Monks and Sisters, temporarily, but legally, and transfer to the
Americans upon their establishing legal identity in Brazil. In the second letter, Abbot Cuthbert proposed
for the Archbishop´s approval the following
three terms: 1) The monks acquire fifty hectares of land for monastic buildings
and a school; 2) The Benedictine Sisters receive 25 hectares to expand their
educational, cultural and social work; 3) In Gama - a suburb of Brasília - the
Archbishop designate for the Benedictine priests a parish with church, rectory,
and parish school with free education for boys and girls, administered jointly
by Benedictine Monks and Benedictine Sisters. The
Archbishop also affirmed that the monks of Atchison have the
"strong desire to begin work with the educational and spiritual needs of
the parish." Closing the
letter he requested the Archbishop to intercede with the mayor of Brasilia, Dr.
Israel Pinheiro, to provide the above mentioned land.
On this trip, Abbot Cuthbert and
Msgr. King consulted with the Papal Nuncio in Brazil, Archbishop Armando
Lombardo, in Rio de Janeiro, on the proposed founding of a Priory in Brasília.
Bishop Joseph Newton
apologized in his next letter for not being on hand to say goodbye to the Abbot
leaving Brasilia. He was officiating a
wedding at the presidential Palace. He
did send the letter to Mayor Pinheiro, who in turn personally pledged to take
care of all requests. Bishop
Joseph Newton promised to give official permission to erect the parish,
monastery, and schools as soon as he received an official request from the monastic
chapter.
Arriving at the monastery in
Atchison, Abbot Cuthbert wrote to Prior Emilio. He said he is confident the visit
prepared the ground for approval of the project by the Monastic Chapter. He began the process of choosing monks whom he
will send on this mission. He asked
Prior Emilio to closely monitor any developments in Brasilia because "the
decision on obtaining the land will be a major factor in chapter
discussion." Prior Emilio
replied immediately , awaiting the decision soon, since he intends to visit
Brasilia again to secure donation of land. "My
task there would be easier if I have the favorable decision of the
Chapter." Abbot wrote two
weeks later, to Prior Emilio, stating the Chapter will convene September 21 and
also shared that he received a letter from the Mayor of Brasilia giving consent
to his request for land. He told
the Prior that upon receiving a positive decision of the Chapter, he will
extend an invitation to him and the Archbishop to visit St. Benedict's Abbey in
Atchison.
Dr. Israel Pinheiro wrote to Abbot
Cuthbert: "... I agree with
the three items in your letter.” The
Abbot, however, did not receive this letter before the Chapter convened.
Abbot Cuthbert sent an
eleven-word telegram to Prior Emilio on September
23, at 2:05 PM, saying: “Chapter
accepts offer to go to Gama - Letter follows - Cuthbert McDonald”. In his
letter the same day the Abbot extended the promised invitation and explained
how important the presence will be of the Prior Emilio, along with Archbishop Joseph
Newton, to clarify any matter about the staff, buildings, contracts, etc. The
Archbishop would be a welcomed guest of the archbishop of Kansas City, KS,
Edward Joseph Hunkeler, and the neighboring bishop, Cardinal John Patrick Cody,
of the Diocese of Kansas City, MO. Bishop
Joseph Newton thanked Abbot Cuthbert for the invitation and scheduled his trip
for the end of October 1960.
Prior Emilio wrote of his
meeting with Mayor Dr. Israel Pinheiro in Brasília. The Mayor assured him that he documented
a favorable response on the land issue to Abbot Cuthbert´s request and sent it
to Archbishop Joseph Newton. But
he and his secretary, looking through the archives in his office, couldn´t locate
the document. He did find the
letter Abbot Cuthbert wrote to Archbishop Joseph Newton in August during his
visit to Brasilia. Prior Emilio
said he also met with the person responsible for planning the area in Gama, who
assured him that it will be completed by October 20. And, in view of this urban plan, the
Benedictines will be able to define the locations they want. For this task, Dom Emilio was frank
with Abbot Cuthbert: "That will be the task of one of the missionary
monks." He offered
orientation on importation of cars, and air fares.
Dr. Julio Dias de Queiroz,
Assistant to the Mayor of Brasilia, wrote to Abbot Cuthbert, informing him the
Mayor ceded the land requested for the Benedictine monks and the Benedictine
Sisters to build their monastery and convent building, a rectory and two schools, one for boys and one for
girls. He ended his letter with a
warning. Due to upcoming elections and future changes of personnel, it is
urgent to solidify the agreement between
Mayor Pinheiro and the Benedictines.
Prior Emilio informed Archbishop Joseph
Newton of his meeting with the Mayor and Dr. Maciel. He encouraged the Archbishop to define
immediately with Dr. Maciel an area for a future parish and the area destined
for the Benedictines in the event their delegate does not appear soon. He also expressed his joy with their
upcoming trip to Atchison to visit the monks and their Archbishop.
Prior Emilio wrote to Abbot
Cuthbert expressing his interest in visiting Atchison with Archbishop Joseph Newton. The Prior said he plans to extend his
visit to the United States to make appeals for donations to benefit the
missionary works his monastery promotes. He also explained that in accordance with
Vatican policy, the archbishop of Brasilia requires a special invitation from
the bishops whom he intends to visit in the United States.
Prior Emilio wrote to Msgr. King also, knowing that he has
campaigned among his faithful to help finance the Benedictine mission in
Brazil. Prior Emilio stated that
he needs funds for a seminary to be inaugurated in March next year in São Paulo
under the care of the Hungarian Benedictine Congregation. There is an enormous
lack of clergy in all Latin America.
Prior Emilio also made
contact with the National Conference of Religious of Brazil to inquire about
the legal process to receive deeds of land on behalf of the Hungarian
Congregation, and later transfer to the Benedictines arriving from the United
States. He expressed urgency in
this matter, while Israel Pinheiro is still head of city government in
Brasilia.
Recognizing the need for Benedictine
missionaries to act on the process to locate, receive and document property in
Brasilia, Abbot Cuthbert decided to travel to Brasília. He informed Prior Emilio of his air-flight
and arrival in São Paulo, October 19. He requested Prior Emilio to arrange a
flight to Brasilia for him, "hoping to solve many problems, with your
help."
Prior Emilio wrote to Msgr. King on October 21 to inform the Abbot´s
arrival in São Paulo, where he stayed a few days at the monastery, since the
Archbishop was traveling and could receive them only the following week. He expressed concern that the Abbot
would not be able to solve everything, due to slowness of governmental
processes.
Archbishop Joseph Newton and
Prior Emilio arrived at the Abbey in Atchison on November 13, visiting the
Benedictine Monks and the local bishops - Hunkeler in Kansas City, KS and Cody
in Kansas City, MO. Bishop Newton
remained only six days. Upon
returning to Brasilia he thanked Abbot Cuthbert, and said preparations continue
for the arrival of the first monks in Brasília.
Father Prior Emilio extended his
visit in the United States to make missionary appeals for their apostolic works
in Brazil. While on the road, he took
time to assist the missionaries. He
maintained communication with the Brazilian Consulate in Houston, TX. While at the Abbey in Atchison, KS he
received word the Abbey must provide "Proof of Subsistence," guaranteeing
the missionary monks have resources to support themselves in Brazil. Writing from New York, he told Abbot
Cuthbert about his contact with Consul Berenguer – a agent at the Brazilian
Consulate in Houston-TX, and specifically about his willingness to help
missionary monks. The Prior informed
them about the process to import American cars to Brazil.
Chapter 2 - The Missionary Monks Arrive
In December 1960, Abbot Cuthbert
announced the selection of the first three monks to be sent to Brazil: Father
Matthias Schmidt, 28 years old, Father Otho Sullivan, 59, and Father Stephen Burns,
28. Fathers Stephen and Matthias
were faculty members of St. Benedict College, and Father Otho was pastor of St.
Mary Parish, Purcell, KS. Father
Matthias was designated Prior of the new foundation.
Abbot Cuthbert wrote to the
Archbishop of Brasilia to present the missionary monks. He expressed his concern about constraints
and difficulties at customs at the port of entry, and asked the Archbishop
about the need for a "patron" in Brazil to facilitate the process. Without personal knowledge, the Abbot
mentioned the name of General Tavora. He
also asked the archbishop to communicate to the Brazilian Consulate in Houston,
TX the names of the monks going to Brazil, saying that the reception of monks
by the Archbishop in Brasilia was also confirmed by the Mayor. He informed the Archbishop that the
three monks plan to travel soon to Houston, TX to apply for permanent visas.
The Archbishop replied to Abbot Cuthbert’s letter ensuring him he wrote
to the Brazilian Consulate in Houston.
He also offered advice and guidance as to what to bring and not to bring. He said he would ask the monks and
friars in Rio de Janeiro to assist the travelers upon disembarking.
Prior Emilio returned to Brazil
during the last week of February 1961. Father
Matthias arrived about the same time, on February 23. His two colleagues would
travel by ship, bringing "sixteen large boxes made of wood, filled with
material for our monastery in Brazil." Prior
Emilio was on hand to meet Fr. Matthias in São Paulo before he flew to
Brasilia. The encounter was brief. Fr.
Matthias was intent to celebrate his name day in Brasilia, the feast of St.
Matthias, February 24. Prior Emilio provided two letters of introduction - one for
the Archbishop, and one for the Mayor. Shortly
after, he wrote that he and the monastic community in São Paulo were
available for any necessary assistance.
The Prior soon wrote a letter to Archbishop Newton to introduce Father Matthias Schmidt, the first Benedictine
missionary arriving from Kansas. The Prior requested any help the Archbishop
could give him with the legalities of land acquisition. He also wrote to the newly appointed
Mayor of Brasilia, Dr. Paul of Tarsus Nonato Fernandes da Silva, presenting the
bearer of his letter - Father Matthias - and requesting "support and
guidance for the Benedictine foundation."
Abbot Cuthbert also wrote the
new mayor of Brasilia, Paul of Tarsus, informing him of the arrival of three
missionaries monks in Brasilia, citing the names of each one. He explained that initially they will
be living in Anapolis, studying Portuguese and Brazilian Culture. He made reference to the agreement among
the Municipality, the Archdiocese and the Benedictine monks, to donate land for
the Monks and Benedictine Sisters, insisting that no provision of housing, parish
or educational activity could begin or be built without first receiving deed to
the property.
Bishop Newton expressed his gratitude
to Prior Emilio upon the arrival
of the monks of Atchison, although they were "rather late". He regretted that planning for the city of
Gama was delayed. He mentioned a
request from a woman in Ouro Preto, MG, offering her school to the Benedictines. He said the offer was at his
suggestion.
Prior Emilio sent a long letter to
Abbot Cuthbert after his trip to Europe and Rome. One goal of his trip was to make
contact with a Special Latin America Commission in Rome. Apparently members of
this Vatican Commission were not interested in helping organizations in Latin
America due to discrepancies of opinion between CELAM (Latin America Episcopal
Conference) and representatives of the North American Episcopal Conference at
the recent meeting in Buenos Aires. Again,
he repeated his willingness to assist the missionary monks in any way.
Father Matthias soon wrote to Prior
Emilio saying he met the two monks - Otho and Stephen – who arrived on March
7th by ship in Rio de Janeiro. They were assisted by a monk of the monastery in
Rio, Father Emmanuel Xavier Oliveira de Almeida, whose father was a federal
agent at customs in Rio. They were already
boarded at the Convent of the Franciscan Friars in Anapolis, beginning their Portuguese
studies.
Prior Emilio wrote to Archbishop Newton, stating he has maintained
communication with the Benedictine Sisters of Atchison, awaiting their arrival
in Brasilia. He would inform (OR
INQUIRE) more about a school in Ouro Preto, MG, whose owner - Zuleika Oliveira
da Veiga – has offered it to the Benedictines.
Fr. Matthias soon wrote to Prior Emilio, to make HIS first request: he
needed statutes for the Benedictines to legally receive deeds of properties. He
said the archbishop is urging him to provide this. He asked Prior Emilio that perhaps he could use as
model, the statutes of the monks in São Paulo. The archbishop promised to help
register the statutes in the Federal District. Fr. Matthias
suggested they use for their legal name: "Benedictine Fathers of Gama".
He added that he visited Gama, and
was pleased with the possibilities, although its development is delayed. Prior
Emilio immediately responded by sending several models of statutes of religious
congregations, provided to him by the National Conference of Religious in
Brazil.
In another letter from Prior Emilio
to Fr. Matthias, he named the owner of a construction firm located in Brasilia
- Dr. Carlos Kogl – who is a brother of one of his monks in Morumbi. He referred to a published interview
with President Jânio Quadros saying he wants to accelerate construction in the
capital. He quoted Paul of
Tarsus, the Mayor, saying that he is encouraging the construction of public
buildings in Gama. Prior Emilio said
he maintains communication with Sister Imogene, at Mount Saint Scholastica
Monastery in Atchison. He scheduled
a meeting in São Paulo with Mr. Howe, a Chicago businessman, friend of Abbot
Cuthbert.
Fr. Matthias replied that he forwarded
the statutes to be registered, since Novacap (the name given to the urban
planning committee) has already authorized the donation of land to the
Benedictines. He began looking
for construction firms to develop a plant for the first building, a simple
monastery, which later could serve as rectory. He shared with Prior Emilio of Abbot Cuthbert´s
opinion on a basic plant: "six room, a community room, kitchen, two
parlors, office, refectory, laundry and enough bathrooms."
During this time, Julio Dias de
Queiroz, Department of Tourism and Urban Planning of Brasilia, informed Abbot
Cuthbert the exact location of lands has been finalized, and soon deeds will be
forthcoming though the hands of the local Archbishop.
Toward the end of their studies
in Anapolis, July 1961, the monks are eager to begin their work in Brasilia. Novacap reported the situation in Gama
had to be re-studied, and the overall planning of Brasília redone. It may delay another six to twelve months. Archbishop Newton began to express
less interest in supporting the monks to found a monastery, parish and school. Novacap built a small school, chapel and
simple house in Gama for one parish priest. Housing
for the population in Gama at that time was improvised and unstable. This city is located approximately twenty
kilometers from Brasilia.
The monks began to put aside
Gama, and consider other possibilities. Father
Benedito Coscia, OFM, Bishop-elect of the Diocese of Jataí, extended an
attractive invitation. The monks studied
this possibility. The diocese is located in the southwestern part of the State
of Goiás. They consulted the former
bishop of Jataí, Abel Ribeiro Camelo, currently Apostolic Administrator of the
Diocese of Goiás. Father Matthias
proposed to his Abbot in Atchison that he and the other monks are studying possibilities
other than Gama. He offered to
return to the United States to discuss the matter personally with the chapter.
Father Stephen narrated the
following: “… in June [1961], three men from Novacap visited the monks to talk
about donation of land in Gama. In
early July, the monks met with Archbishop Newton and three other men. In a subsequent meeting with the archbishop
on July 5, he told us we could build a monastery in Gama. The monks visited the village under
construction, still in the process of re-alignment. On the designated site there is a
small parish house for one priest, a school and chapel.”
In September Father Matthias reported to Prior Emilio: "The situation remains
confused in Gama." Novacap
decided to re-plan the whole city. The
development of Gama will take a long time.”
Father Matthias considered this favorable however, providing more time for the
monks to acquire more experience. He
was teaching English and Logic at the Franciscan´s school in Anapolis. Father Stephen
made a trip to the Amazon. Father Otho was
doing pastoral ministry at St. Ann´s Parish in Anapolis, and assisting at the
seminary of the Archdiocese of Goiânia-GO in Silvânia - GO. Archbishop Fernando offered them a
parish in Goiania. And newly elected bishop of Jataí, Dom Benedito Coscia,
reiterated his generous invitation.
After a prolonged political
crisis involving the planning and construction of the national capital,
Brasília, Archbishop Newton wrote a letter,
dated September 7, finally responding to Father Matthias´ questions. The parish of Gama is reserved for the Benedictines. The area for school is guaranteed,
presently at the disposition of the Benedictines. Land for a parish still depends on the
urban plan. There is already a
simple house they can occupy. He
added: "Undocumented housing and land is part of the reality of many
residents in this city." The
archbishop urged the monks to move into the area, since thirty thousand people need
a pastor. He strengthened his
appeal saying that delay, or worse, non-acceptance, would cause negative
repercussions between United States and Brazil, as with the Vatican. He included
in his letter a clipping from the official governmental newspaper dated August
7, 1961, publishing the official statutes of “Society of Benedictine Fathers of
Gama”.
Prior Emilio regretted the delay the
monks were encountering to establish in Gama. He
blamed himself. All the time he
spent in the United States - November
1960 to March 1961 – prohibited him from assisting with negotiations. He returned to the issue of a school
in Ouro Preto, MG. The owner,
Zuleika Oliveira de Veiga and family were willing to donate it to a religious
group. Bishop Matthias replied
that he has many questions about the site, the students and the physical plant. And added that Gama remains
"confused"; Novacap hasn´t demarcated area for the monks and sisters. And Abbot Cuthbert insisted not to
begin construction before receiving deeds to the land. Bishops Benedito Coscia and Fernando
Gomes were making offers of parishes in their dioceses. Father Stephen was serving as assistant
pastor in Pires do Rio, GO, and Father Otho, substitute pastor in Vianópolis,
GO. "We are happy here in
Brazil, and we hope to start our work soon.
Prior Emilio expressed joy with the
enthusiasm of the monks, working in various fields. "I'm convinced that
the Archbishop of Brasilia did not try hard enough to obtain for you a
definitive place in his diocese."
The Prior wrote again to Abbot
Cuthbert. He explained that changes
in the government, and the resignation of President Jânio Quadros, placed the
country in an unstable situation. The
people feel a strong influence of Communism among students and intellectuals. He shared with the Abbot the advice he
gave Fr. Matthias: “As Hungarian
Benedictines, arriving in São Paulo many years ago, we considered several
places before deciding and building.
In November, Father Matthias
sent his Abbot a long letter with copy of a letter received from Archbishop
Joseph Newton. He remains
steadfast with the conviction TO not occupy and build before receiving deed to
the land, and TO not accept a parish before signing a contact with the
Archdiocese. The American Franciscans
agreed. Apparently, the
Archbishop wanted the Americans to build on archdiocesan property. Father Matthias outlined his plans to visit
the Diocese of Jataí, shortly after Bishop Coscia was to take office on
December 12. After that, he would
visit the Archbishop of Goiânia, Fernando Gomes.
The Prior-without-monastery began dialog
with his Abbot to send more monks in view that within a year they would be a monastic
community establishing roots. He considered
it unfeasible to begin with a school. He
preferred monks living in a monastery doing parish work. The monks decided to purchase a
vehicle, spending $2,042.00.
Prior Emilio wrote to Father Matthias and Abbot
Cuthbert encouraging patience with the political situation, and maintain the
ideal to found a monastery, perhaps not in Gama. It was disappointing for him that Gama
did not work out. He blamed his
absence during the months of November to March, traveling in Europe. He returned to the subject of the school
in Ouro Preto. He sent to Father Matthias
all the correspondence between himself and the owner.
Father Matthias shared with Prior
Emilio that he was enjoying Goiás. He
and Father Otho visited Gama again, and found everything the same. He wrote
that he already told the archbishop that the monks could not build anything without
first receiving the deed. This was Abbot Cuthbert´s decision. He told about Bishop Benedito Coscia
having been ordained in New York, visited the Abbey in Atchison, and soon will
be installed in Jataí. The monks
are planning to visit many cities in the Jataí Diocese with the new bishop in
the near future. Bishop Fernando
Gomes has offered several options for the monks in the Archdiocese of Goiânia. About
the school in Ouro Preto, he said perhaps, after the visit to Jataí.
Chapter 3: Discovering Mineiros
Father Mathias related the
events of his trip to the Diocese of Jataí, Sunday to Friday, December 31, 1961
to January 5, 1962. They left
Anapolis in Bishop Coscia´s car: Fathers Matthias and Stephen, two priests of
the Diocese of Camden, the provincial of
the Oblates of Mary Immaculate, Father Patrick McDonnell, and Bishop Coscia.
First stop was Caçu and Cachoeira Alta, two small towns with total population of
three thousand. A chapel was under
construction. Mass was held there three to four times a year. Next stop: Saint Simon. There the people had a
new chapel with a marble altar and marble baptismal font! Mass here was infrequent also. Nearby was the small town of Mateira,
located on the extreme eastern side of the diocese. These two places had a joint
population of five thousand. "The
Irish Oblates expressed interest in these two cities, due to their proximity".
They arrived in Jataí at the end of the
day for an evening meal and overnight stay in the bishop´s house.
The next day, January 1st, they took a short trip to Serranópolis, finding a small
chapel, but, according the people, without mass for three years. They returned
to Jataí to appreciate New Year’s holiday and Angelina´s fine cooking. She is
Bishop Coscia´s mother.
Third stop was at Mineiros, thirty
kilometers off the main unpaved highway, but a good road, about two hours from
Jataí. The parish has an extensive patrimony; and the people are friendly. The main church is beautiful, modern, with
three marble altars and magnificent towers.
There was a parish house, old and small.
Dutch Passionist priests have been pastors here for several years. The
travelers met the former pastor, Father Vicente Tobben. He was serving as the
substitute pastor. The meals were
excellent – lunch and dinner. There was
opportunity to talk with leaders of the area about their activities, plans and
hopes for the future. There was a parish school operating under the
administration of the Holy Family Sisters for five years. The building is
large, but unfinished. Under the administration of a small group of Dutch
Franciscan Sisters, a new hospital was under construction, the second in this
budding city. The city had the reputation of good cooperative spirit. They felt
the vitality of the parish community.
The politicians were receptive of the American missionaries.
The fourth stop was Saint Rita on the
Araguaia River, ninety kilometers west, the division of the state of Goiás with
the state of Mato Grosso. There was a small chapel under construction. Another
city on the other side of the river, called Alto Araguaia, had two fine
boarding schools, administrated by the Silesians Priests and Sisters. The travelers lunched with the priests before
returning to Jataí.
Their last city to visit was
Quirinópolis. Father Matthias remembered the terrible roads, and excellent farm
ground, considered the best in the state of Goiás. It was an isolated city, but
with good production. The church was
nice, with marble altar. The parish house
was new and well organized, with six bedrooms, lights and water. The group
returned to Jataí, arriving at midnight. The next day they returned to
Anapolis, “after a trip of 1700 kilometers”. In his letter to the Abbey, giving a report on
his findings, he wrote: “Mineiros is the place Bishop wants us to found a
monastery”. He prepared to visit his
fellow monks in Atchison to present his proposal to the monastic chapter, that
they establish their monastery in Mineiros instead of Gama. He arrived at the Abbey on February 5 to
formulate detailed plans for the new location. The Chapter approved. Two months after their first visit, Bishop
Coscia and Father Stephen visited the pastor in Mineiros to announce that the
monastic chapter decided to found a monastic community in Mineiros, and assume
Holy Spirit Parish. Father Stephen began to bring some of their belongings to
Mineiros, awaiting Father Matthias´ return April 16, 1962.
Chapter 4: Monks settle in Mineiros
April 26, 1962 was the
agreed upon date to celebrate the arrival of the first three monks in
Mineiros. Bishop Benedito Coscia advised
the people and invited the neighboring priests.
“It seems everyone came out for the reception”. There was a band, parade, speeches. The people of Mineiros welcomed the
Benedictine monks with joy as a moment of grace. The monks were anxious to find a place
to found their monastery. The
people of Mineiros were feeling the threat of not having a priest-in-residence. The people were predominantly Catholic;
the majority were immigrants from the neighboring state to the east - Minas
Gerais. This Holy Spirit Parish was accustomed to have a priest in residence
since its beginning in 1913. With
the possibility of three priests living in Mineiros the hearts of many were moved.
This day marked the founding of Saint Joseph Priory. Father Matthias was officially made pastor;
and Fathers Otho and Stephen, Assistant Pastors. The small parish house became
their monastery for the next two years. On March 21, 1964 the present monastic
building of St. Joseph Priory was inaugurated.
In September that same year, newly elected
Abbot of St. Benedict´s Abbey, Thomas Hartman, OSB, chose two recently ordained
monks to join the monks in Mineiros.
Father Ralph Koehler, 33 years old, and Herbert Hermes, 29 years old,
travelled to Brazil by ship, arriving in Rio de Janeiro October 4, 1962.
To be continued….
