Gratitude for 50 years of support

Many times memories spark sentiments of gratitude. In the throes of composing a history of the first fifty years of the foundation of St. Joseph Priory here in Brazil, these sentiments of gratitude are strong. Reading letters, reports, publications, and hearing what others express, reveal that this monastic foundation involved a multitude of persons over the fifty years. It´s time – even before the completion of a written narrative – to use this space to manifest gratitude to all those persons.  We frequently pray in our petitions during the Liturgy of Hours and at Mass for our benefactors, living and deceased. We ask God to bless family, friends and confreres.

Even before the first monk left St. Benedict´s Abbey in Atchison for Brazil to begin the foundation early in 1961, students and professors of St. Benedict´s College and Mount St. Scholastic College and Academy, alumni and families were donating funds for the project.  Interest was high. Papal Volunteers was a new project in the Catholic Church.  Some students and alumni of these colleges were already thinking and make plans for missionary activity in Central America. Newly elected President John Kennedy was soon to introduce the Peace Corp program, encouraging youth to service on foreign soil.

The Archdiocese of Kansas City was very supportive.  Msgr. George W. King accompanied Abbot Cuthbert McDonald to Brazil for the initial contact with church and civic leaders during fall of 1960.  Father John Stitz and others of the Archdiocese began the Diocesan Mission Cooperative program by which many parishes were annual contributors to missions, included to our monastic foundation. Many families and friends sent donations to a special fund administrated by the business manager of St. Benedict´s Abbey.  The no. 6 (1963) issue of Kansas Monks in Brazil published almost 300 names of patrons who built St. Joseph Priory in Mineiros, Brazil.

We have deep gratitude and admiration to Abbot Cuthbert McDonald, the founding abbot of St. Joseph Priory.  His vision and courage made it possible. Subsequent Abbots- Thomas Hartman, Brendan Downey, Ralph Koehler, and Owen Purcell were also equally generous and courageous in their interest and supportive decision to send and maintain Kansas Benedictines at the Priory over these fifty years. Abbot Barnabas Senecal, during these past twenty years has been constant with his presence and on-going communication, giving us support and guidance. We are grateful to them and to all the monks of the Abbey.

Our story is also the story of generous people, mission-minded persons who love the Benedictines and the Gospel.  We remember you, with gratitude.  Blessings of peace.