Vol. LVI, No. 3

Winter 2004

The Artisans of the Monastery
By Br. Ephrem O'Bryan, O.S.B.

The Subiaco Abbey Arts Council featured the creative works of the Benedictine moAnks of Subiaco Abbey for the December art exhibit.

Quoting The Rule of Benedict, Insights for the Ages, "The function of the artist in the monastery - and in the life of us all - is to make the transcendent visible; to touch the soul in ways that match the soul; to enshrine beauty so that we may learn to see it; and to make where we live places of wonder."

Many mediums are represented in the exhibit, all executed beautifully and from the heart. They are God's gifts flowing through the fingers, expressions of spiritual peace. Abbot Jerome, Br. Jude, Br. Adrian - segmented wood turned vessels; Fr. Felix, wood cuts; Fr. Aaron, needlepoint; Fr. Eugene, metal sculptures; Fr. Sebastian, Br. Michael, Br. Jose, Br. Adrian, crochet; Br. Ephrem, Br. Jude, Br. Jose, photographs; Fr. Harold, sand blasted glass etching; Br. Ephrem, Fr. Hugh, calligraphy; Br. Peter, pencil drawings; Br. James, ceramic and alabaster sculptures; and Br. Louis, rosaries.

Nate Alexander viewing an Abbot Jerome bowl at opening night of monastic art exhibit

Why do the Subiaco Benedictines "do" art? One monk explained the need for taking "mental health moments" occasionally. Even in the tranquil setting of a monastery, time for creative outlets prov ementally and spiritually beneficial to several monastic artists and artisans. Br. Jude Schmitt, O.S.B., explains that he becomes "lost in time while drawing." Maker of wood bowls inspired by Indian pottery, Br. Jude adds "the shades, colors, and textures of woods which complement each other are considerations when designing and creating these bowls." Another worker in wood, Abbot Jerome Kodell, O.S.B., states in a similar vein, "I enjoy working with wood, whether for practical building or for art. Wood is a gift of nature …. beautiful in itself but also permitting humans to work with it for new beauty." Doing calligraphy is an exercise in "meditating on the beauty of the thoughts behind the words of Mother Teresa, John Milton, or Oliver Wendell Holmes, at the same time adding a visual attractiveness to the text," notes Br. Ephrem O'Bryan, O.S.B. According to rosary-maker Br. Louis Fuhrmann, O.S.B., he pursues this "hobby" to keep himself out of mischief and so that more people will pray the rosary." Br. Peter Pusch simply explains his interest in artistic pursuits, "I love art. I have dabbled in oils, pastels, watercolors, acrylic, pencil, pen & ink, pottery, ceramics, jewelry, and silkscreen. . . .since the advent of computers, I have generated most of my graphics using software. In the past 15 years, I have designed more than 250 logos for various events, programs and companies."

As numerous as the reasons given for exercising creative talents in the monastery are the uses of the various objects d'art. In the area around the Abbey, a Chamber of Commerce, a public school, and a municipal art center have been given art works by the monks for fundraising events. The Subiaco Alumni Association and the Academy annually reap financial benefits from silent auctions of monks' creations. All the proceeds from the sale of the art in the present exhibition will be used to defray the costs of renovation of Jewett Annex, the old part of the monastic building. Perhaps the phrase ars gratia artis (art for the sake of art) sometimes becomes ars gratia argenti (art for the sake of silver).

A metal sculpture by Fr. Eugene Luke, OSB

Throughout history Benedictines have created, nurtured, preserved, and shared the visual arts, architecture, and music. In its 125-year history, Subiaco has had sketchers and painters, draftsmen, calligraphers, metalworkers, photographers, woodworkers, and stained glass craftsmen. The earliest sketch of what is now Subiaco Abbey is from the pen and ink work of Fr. Benedict Brunet, O.S.B., done in the early 1880s. Only two examples of the innumerable specimens of the work of Fr. Stephen Heinkele, O.S.B., are still in existence, i.e., a decorative wooden arch in the Abbey business office and a wood salad serving set displayed in the Abbey museum. Hanging in the student dining room is an oil painting by Br. Anton Weder, O.S.B., of the Abbey as it appeared in 1892.

Br. Peter Pusch explains: "Art serves many different purposes. As we express ourselves in art, we communicate our impressions of the world as we see it and as we would like it to be. In its simplest form, art is decoration; bringing color, texture, and form as a feast for the five senses. On a deeper level, art stirs our emotions; making us stop and consider some aspect of the world that brings joy or pain into our hearts."
 

The Abbot's Message

We are trying to imbibe the spirit of the earlier generations of monks and to continue the journey of faith God started with them.

Looking Ahead

In 1909, a 14-year-old boy in Switzerland felt the invitation of the Lord tugging at his heart. He went to the Abbey of Einsiedeln, where he was allowed to work in the kitchen until he would be old enough to enter the monastery. While working there he heard about an Abbey in the United States in need of brothers, and at age 16 joined an expedition to Subiaco Abbey in Arkansas, where he arrived on November 11, 1911 (or, as he would later say: 11-11-11). He waited another three years until he could formally enter the monastery, and on June 24, 1915, he made profession of vows as our Brother Norbert Zwyzzig. He kept going faithfully forward following God's call until his death at the Abbey on October 2, 1978.

Brother Norbert's career was not unique. Many of our founding generation were monks from Switzerland and Germany who responded to their vocation at a very young age, "leaving brothers and sisters, father and mother," crossing the ocean to an unfamiliar land to do God's work. Brother Norbert was the last, and he died in the Abbey's centennial year as if closing a chapter in our history.

I think the monks of the founding generation stamped our community with a spirit of hope, going forward into the new world, the new language, the new mission, conscious of what they had left behind and drawing strength and energy from their origins, but not thinking of going back. Their commitment was to the present and the future, not the past. Many of the earliest ones could never return home. Brother Norbert returned once, on his fiftieth anniversary in 1965, and had a very good visit. He was glad he went and he was glad to be back. I was assigned to pick him up at the Tulsa airport on his return. It was close to midnight, and because of weather delays he had been traveling nearly twenty-four hours, so I asked him whether he would like to have a chance to sleep before making the trip back to Subiaco. His response was immediate: "Ve go home!"

We are just beginning the renovation of the monastic living quarters, the area where, since the 1930's, most of the monks at the Abbey have lived. It is another chapter in the unfolding of the history begun and established by our founders in a spirit of hope and looking forward. We are preparing for the years to come. I have been impressed by the spirit of our present middle-aged and elderly monks who are very dedicated to the renovation project, but not so much for their own interests. Many of them have never had air conditioning or individual bathrooms, and though they appreciate these amenities, they know they can live well without them. But they also know that the absence of these facilities would be an unrealistic hardship on most monastic candidates coming now and in the future, and they feel we must do whatever we can to provide the same opportunity we have had for the monastic life to the men God will be sending in coming years.

I detect this same forward-looking spirit in the many friends who have been encouraging and supporting and urging us to proceed with the renovation now, rather than waiting, even though these have not been the best economic times. They also sense something in this project bigger than the renovation of living spaces. We are all joined together in doing something for the Church and world, for the future. We have been heartened by their encouragement and support.

Right now, however, and for the coming year, we expect to experience some chaos, but "nice" chaos. All the monks in the area slated for renovation have moved to other parts of the monastery. That has taken some scrambling but is working well. Furniture is being stored or set aside for a garage sale. Much that has been discovered in the moving and cleaning is headed for the burn pile. So there is a sense of starting again and renewal, and not just of the building.

During recent days, in connection with our 125th anniversary, we have been reading from A Place Called Subiaco, our centennial history. We have shared again the struggles of the founding years from 1878 up to 1891, the year we were made an Abbey; and the shock of the disastrous fire of 1927, followed by the community's courageous re-emergence from the ashes during the Great Depression, leading up to the first major building project after the fire, the construction of the Jewett Annex in 1938-39. As we embark upon this present important monastery renovation, we are trying to imbibe the spirit of the earlier generations of monks and to continue the journey of faith God started with them. 

What's Going On

A CHRONICLE OF EVENTS

October

Brother Jerome Heard suffered a heart attack on October 1. He spent a few days in the hospital, had by-pass surgery, and within two weeks was back home, carrying his heart in his hands. Don't worry; he's the same Jerome as before. The "heart" he carried was a large red heart-shaped pillow that he clutched to his chest whenever he coughed, thus easing pressure on his sutures. He has since laid his heart aside, and has made a full recovery.

During October, the exterior of the Abbey Church was pressure washed and water-proofed. The patina of age can be attractive, but the fresh, clean look is very nice too.

It was rather eerie watching the crawler base of the extension boom moving about, apparently on its own. Actually, an operator controlled its movements from the workbasket, some 75-100 feet up in the sky.

Br. Jerome Heard hugs his heart cushion.

The meager pecan harvest got underway in mid-October. Brothers Adrian, Augustine, and Louis were the chief "picker-uppers"; Fr. Paul is the chief "picker-outer." Very few trees bore heavily this year, and our orchard of young trees did not produce the expected first crop. Perhaps the drier summer is to blame, or perhaps the trees were simply taking a break following last year's massive production.

The inner court porch is being re-roofed by a local company. The crew included a lady roofer, who holds her own with scraper and hammer. Deer season was blamed for a lull in the project. Then the roofers re-appeared and worked frantically under lights until 10:30 at night for a while; then they vanished again. One could ask the reason, but why stifle good speculation and commentary?

The monk/faculty evening art class ended with attempts to draw fully leafed trees, and then portraits. These projects provided the answer for those participants who had begun with the question "I wonder whether I have any artistic talent?" Sometimes the truth hurts. Teacher Bill Wright steadfastly ignored Bro. Joseph Koehler's request to "paint rocks." B?
November

In early November quite a number of monks began telephoning and traveling to solicit financial help. This was a new experience for some, and a good experience for all. The reality is that we are all needy, vulnerable, and dependent in so many ways. Saying to another "I need you" opens the door to many virtues both in the mendicant and the donor. A big "Thank you" is in order to the invariably gracious and virtuous people we contacted.

Monks began moving out of Jewett Annex and the southeast wing of the monastery . These are the areas slated for the renovation to begin in February. Space was found for all-that is, living space. Storage space was another question; and many of us had to shed accumulated "impedimenta" in order to fit into our new rooms. This "letting go" was another salutary experience. More than one monk commented-brightly, not sorrowfully-about how much "stuff" he had gotten rid of in the move.

Fr. Richard traveled to Guatemala in mid-November for the installation of Fr. Hector Sosa Paz as the third abbot of the Abadía de Jesús Crucificado in Esquipulas. He stopped off in Belize to see how things are going at the former Santa Familia Monastery. Much of the same work and ministry continues there under a lay administrator. Two Guatemalan priests use the former monastery as their base of operation, ministering to Spanish-speaking communities in the area.

On November 13, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration presented Bro. Anselm with the John Campanius Holm award for his 40 years of service as Abbey weather observer. The story was picked up by the wire services, and friends from Florida and even from Germany (!) reported seeing the story in their local papers. At the same time, the new Abbey "Monk Sauce" (habanero pepper hot sauce) was also getting media attention.

An article about Fr. Richard and the "Monk Sauce"appeared in the Arkansas Democrat Gazette, with a later spin-off in the Religion News Service, which appeared in a New Jersey paper and probably in other locals. This notoriety caused a run on the "Monk Sauce" that continued for some time. By year's end some 1200 bottles had been produced and distributed.

Business Manager, Glenn Constantino, visits with Fr. Herbert and Br. Henry at a January birthday party in the Health Center.

A former community member, Fr. Wolfgang Mimms, visited in mid-November. He has been with the Trinitarian Order, serving in Victoria, Texas, for some years now. He remains a colorful character. His visit gave our newer members a chance to meet the source of the "Wolfgang" stories they had been hearing.

The warm, clear days of November allowed grass and foliage to remain green quite late this year. The color change began suddenly, reached its peak in days, and the leaves were down within two weeks. The first freeze, on Nov. 23, brought down all the ginko leaves overnight, producing a glorious golden carpet.

December

Advent meditation booklets and Advent preachers promote an attitude of "quiet calm" and a "peaceful waiting" for this season. Even in monasteries, the world's frenetic pace and the supposed "musts" that our culture imposes at this time, make a quiet Advent rather difficult. The Academy shifts into overdrive to finish out the semester and to cram in all the extracurricular activities and projects that for some reason have to be done in December.

And of course there are the parties to attend. This year's scheduling showed a high level of cooperation and communication, so that no two parties overlapped. At the Health Center party on Dec. 18, not a word was heard of the regular cautionary advice about fats, sugars, calories, and cholesterol. All diets were put on hold for that one brief shining moment!

Brother Jude's father died suddenly on December 9. Several monks were able to attend the funeral in Fort Smith. Flu struck Bro. Mel and Prior David. They went into hibernation and successfully avoided spreading it.

Brother James Casey, home from college, spearheaded the Christmas crib display in Church. He and assistant Bro. José produced a forested glen with a mossy path leading to the stable; and across the nave, a desert oasis with a bubbling spring, where the wise men and camels waited. The layout of the church forced the sages to come from the north rather than the east. At any rate, they arrived on time, adapting to the revised liturgical calendar.

We had two inches of wet snow on Dec. 13, which was gone by the next day. In spite of all the dire predictions of a severe winter, this one bit of snow has been the only winter weather so far. The year ended with record-breaking heat on January 2nd and 3rd. Air conditioners were running! Bro. Anselm reports 33 inches of rain in 2003, which is 18 inches less than the previous (wet) year. Our average is about 42." No wonder our water supply lakes remain low. We still need a good heavy rain that produces a lot of runoff.

Abbey News

Jean Rockenhaus Retires from Coury House
by Donna Forst

Jean Rockenhaus, a fixture of graciousness and hospitality at Coury House for more than 30 years, retired this year and was treated to a surprise retirement party Dec. 20.

A smile and a hug from Jean welcomed countless visitors to Coury House in the past 30-plus years while Jean accepted reservations, assigned rooms and greeted the many retreatants who passed through these doors.

"I liked meeting people," Jean said of her work at Coury House. "I enjoyed that people came here for spiritual enrichment. I made a lot of friends through Coury House."

Jean began work at Coury House in 1970 as an assistant to Dorothy Stanford in the office and a "pinch-hitter" for the housekeeping staff. She moved into the Coury House reservations office upon the retirement of Dorothy Stanford in the 1980s.

For more than 20 years, Jean was the right hand for directors of Coury House.

"I always had nice bosses," Jean said. She has worked for four Coury House directors, Fr. Herbert Vogelpohl, OSB; Fr. Hilary Filiatreau, OSB; Fr. Aaron Pirrera, OSB, and Br. Mel Stinson, OSB.

"Jean was one of the first persons I met when I came in 1977 for my visit, and she made me feel very much at home," Fr. Aaron said. Fr. Aaron was director of Coury House from 1990-1996. "When I came to stay she made me feel, and I still feel, very much a part of her family. She taught me a lot when I became director of Coury House."

At the reception Dec. 20, Br. Mel presented Jean with a plaque commemorating her years of service to Coury House and the Abbey Retreat League. From the Abbey Retreat League Jean received a lovely statue of the Holy Family. Jean is a charter member of the Abbey Retreat League, which supports the retreat mission of Subiaco Abbey.

Jean Rockenhaus flanked by Fr. Aaron and Br. Mel.

"Jean has become an institution in her own right," Br. Mel, current director of Coury House, said. "She has given so much to Coury House, Subiaco Abbey and the Church throughout the state of Arkansas and our neighboring states. She has been my right hand, my great supporter, my confidant and friend."

Known by many Catholics across Arkansas through her career at Coury House, Jean also became known in 2000 as "the Bishop's aunt." Her sister and brother-in-law, Kathryn Sartain and the late Peter Sartain, are the parents of Bishop Peter Sartain, who was ordained bishop of the Diocese of Little Rock March 6, 2000. Jean enjoyed telling some of the little stories about her nephew when he was growing up.

Hospitality is such a part of Jean's life, and that Southern and family trait is, in a way, responsible for her marriage and family and the reason Subiaco can claim this Jackson, Tenn., native.

Jean's brother befriended A.J. Rockenhaus, a Department of Agriculture worker from Logan County in Arkansas, to St. Mary's Parish in Jackson. He invited the newcomer home to his family's house for lunch. The two men became friends: a good thing since they also became brothers-in-law in 1954.

Jean and "Rocky" moved back to Logan County in 1960. Together they raised six children, Ginger, Claire, Marge, Del, Jim and Fred. A.J. died in 1993.

Originally, Jean had hoped to spend a couple of days a week at Coury House answering phones and continuing to help out in the office. However, back problems conspired to limit her mobility and she chose to take a complete retirement.

Since retiring, Jean welcomes cards and letters as well as the occasional visit. She keeps busy reading and keeping tabs on the two grandsons who live next door. Four more of her 13 grandchildren live nearby. She also makes the occasional visit back to Coury House for lunch with her friends and former co-workers.

The inquiries about Jean from Coury House visitors have been many. Br. Mel has thought about painting yellow arrows from the retreat center to her house to facilitate those who want to visit the woman whose voice and kindliness welcomed them on their visits during the past 31 years.

Subiaco Abbey community members, employees and guests will miss Jean's smile, friendly voice and know-how. She remains in the prayers and hearts of her friends and co-workers."Jean knows the specific needs of all the groups, and that made it extremely easy when I first began in Coury House," Br. Mel said.

Fortunately, she will be around occasionally to check and see how things are going.

Gather Us In

Getting Out The Message

This is the final issue of The Abbey Message/Raven. Beginning in April, the publication will revert to its former name The Abbey Message. Under this masthead, the entire institution of Subiaco will present its "message," with space allocated to its several departments and ministries. Brother Ephrem, Publicity Director, spearheaded this consolidation. He did the research, and presented convincing arguments for the change. The unified publication will absorb The Alumni News, Subiaco's other quarterly, reducing the annual mailings to four. There will be a significant saving in postage. Those who formerly received only The Abbey Message/Raven or only the Alumni News will now get a unified picture of Subiaco. Regular features, such as the Abbot's article, the Chronicle, and Abbey News will continue, with space allocated to the Academy and Alumni, Coury House, Development, and occasionally to the Farm and Parishes.

We are excited about the change and hope that our readers will approve.

Quite a number of monks, employees, and volunteers have a hand in getting the Subiaco "message" into print and into your hands. The pictures allow you to see the faces responsible. Let us know what you think-about the publication, not the faces!

Editors: (front row, L to R) Mr. Lee Roy Smith, Development; Fr. Mark Stengel, Editor-in-Chief; Mr. Don Berend, Alumni; (back row, L to R) Br. Mel Stinson, Coury House; Fr. Richard Walz, Photo Editor; Mrs. Hermina Fox, Academy

Circulation: (L to R)  Mrs.Timmie Geels, Mrs. Lesley Blaschke, Mrs. Gina Schluterman Photographers: (L to R) Fr. Richard Walz, Photo Editor; Br. Ephrem O'Bryan, Publicity Coordinator; Br. Jude Schmitt, Br. Francis Kirchner

Layout and Printing: (L to R) Fr. Felix Fredeman; Layout Br. Paul Edmonston, OSB, Printer