As Veronica and I were walking
towards the gate of departure at Calgary International Airport, we saw
a familiar figure striding along ahead of us, it was of course, Father
Bélisle on his way to Econe for the blessing of the new church
at the Seminary. On inquiring the time for the start of the celebration,
he replied "10-10-10." He went on to explain that this meant
ten o'clock on the tenth day of the tenth month - which made sense!
Nine p.m. saw us depart Calgary
promptly and very shortly afterwards the hostess was calling for a medical
doctor -a Sikh had become sick! By ten p.m. the Captain announced that
we had a medical emergency on board and that he was turning back to
Calgary, after dumping fuel over the wheatfields of Saskatchewan! By
eleven-thirty we again departed Calgary, arriving London Heathrow, still
two and a half hours late, at three p.m. (This finally put paid to my
thought of dashing down to Bournemouth for the funeral of an old friend).
The flight from London to Geneva
on the next day, Friday, was less eventful. We arrived on time to catch
the train for the two hour journey around Lake Geneva with it's 100
foot fountain, stopping at Lausanne and Montreax, to our destination
of Martigny, the nearest town to Econe and on the borders of the old
Diocese of St. Francis of Sales. Martigny is a small town where everyone
appears to have a vineyard in their backyard, front yard and every other
yard. (I believe the main reason we never see their wine in our stores
is that they manage to drink it all themselves, for this they cannot
be blamed as it is excellent stuff!)
Martigny was called Octoduram
by the Romans, who passed through on their way to invade both France
and England in the middle of the first century. Their influence can
still be seen in the amphitheater, baths, and the fort on the bend on
the river (which allowed the sentries ample warning of new arrivals).
It is also close to the famous St. Bernards Pass and is within sight
of the Matterhorn and Mont Blanc mountains of the Alps. As is usual
in Switzerland, the town is clean and the people friendly- but pushy-
and mufti-lingual with German, French, and English . . . that is until
you order something in English and the waiters look at you as if you
are talking a foreign language!!! An interesting little item as we went
to dinner, the maitre d' ushered us into the dining room with the "special"
of the day, "It's fish - as it is Friday." When did you last
hear that in Canada? Then it was off to bed to try and get rid of our
jet-lag.
Saturday dawned bright with the
sun on the snowcapped mountains making the Rhone River Valley beautiful
as we drove north to Econe, a twenty minute drive from Martigny. On
arriving at the Seminary, we discovered that invitations had been sent
out and therefore we might be lucky to get a standing seat, outside!
As the blessing of the new Church was completed, we inveigled our way
into the Church to hear the whole of the Pontifical High Mass, receiving
Holy Communion at a rail outside - with hundreds of others.
Bishop
Fellay
|
Bishop Fellay's sermon - unlike
Fatima last year when he spoke in four languages-was delivered in French
throughout . . . at some length . . . consequently the only parts I
understood were his opening and closing words of, "In Nomine Patri,
et Filio, et Spiritu Sancti"!
The church itself is beautiful,
built in the traditional cruciform Latin style with the nave having
central and side aisles and the altar facing east; north and south transepts
for seminarians and choirs-who were excellent throughout Mass-with nuns
outnumbering priests. The sanctuary is very high with a 12 foot long
altar with central tabernacle and a six-foot crucifix suspended over
it. A semicircular wall behind the altar hides the sacristy. The Bishop's
throne is at the Gospel side with it's red and gold canopy. Still, the
sanctuary is large enough for the eighteen priests who assisted Bishop
Fellay with Father Schmidberger as Deacon.
The ceiling is 12" x 4”
beams in pine, with pine boards covering and sustaining the clay tile
roofing. The pillars and arches are in manufactured stone, as are the
exterior walls, made from the local Dolomite rock of which the Alps
are formed, and has a distinct coloration of beige and pink. The floor
is of local slate stone. The pews and kneelers are in oak and are very
hard on arthritic knees, the pew-ends have been very obviously done
by an artist. The rest of the building; cloisters, piazza's, stairs
etc., are formed of 260 tonnes of concrete. The steeple with it's carillon
calling the faithful to Mass, is square, high, and clad in the square
stone. At this time there are no pictures, statues or stations of the
cross, but obviously they will appear when funds are available.
The overall effect is one of
great beauty and simplicity, set hard against the mountain with an active
waterfall behind and overlooking the lush valley of the Rhone, surrounded
by vineyards and orchards. As Archbishop Lefebvre said once, "if
all else fails - we can sell the scenery."
The Archbishop's tomb lies at
the far side of the seminary in a very tranquil spot, surrounded by
his fellow Priests who have gone to their rest. The rest of the seminary
dates back a long time with the additional new building built about
ten years ago. It's all very peaceful and conducive to study.
After Mass, we were treated to
a short concert by Alpenhorn players in their traditional alpine dress,
this was followed by a typical Swiss Silver Band who played a selection
of popular tunes-between them they made the, "Hills come alive
with the sound of music" -without the assistance of Julie Andrews!
At this time we joined up with
Father Emily and some other Canadians from Ottawa and Sherbrooke PQ.
Father Bélisle had passed in procession without seeing us. We
also met with Bishop Williamson, who was pleased that we had come so
far for the day. Bishop Fellay also joined with Bishop Williamson in
sending their best regards and blessings to all in Western Canada, but
particularly to Father Grueter in Vernon.
Then lunch was served to approximately
2500, who made very short work of the wine harvest, as well as the loaves
and fishes. Time to go, so we looked around for a taxi, but they were
nonexistent - as were telephones to summon same. A very young priest
advised us to walk to the village of Riddes in order to catch a train
back to Martigny "It's only a kilometer or so," he said! Now
a kilometer . . . or so . . . to 25 year old legs is neither here nor
there . . . but to an old codger like the writer, it is a very long
way with the sun beating down on your back!!! Thankfully the train arrived
as we did and so sped us back to our hotel for a shower before dinner.
A most magnificent day - well spent - and well worth the trip!
Back in London, we attended a
High Mass in the church of St. Joseph's and Padarn. This was a most
beautiful Mass, celebrated by a Redemptorist Priest from Zimbabwe; the
small male - voice choir was exceptional and was augmented by a young
baritone sitting behind us who was perfect in his Latin and phrasing
of the Mass. The reason that the Mass was celebrated by a Redemptorist
was that the Superior, Father Black, was in Africa conducting a retreat
for the priests and nuns from South Africa and Zimbabwe. Father Wingerden
was back in New Zealand on holiday, and Father King had been taken to
hospital with suspected appendicitis and was due for surgery as we were
at Mass. The Redemptorists owe their being in England to Archbishop
Lefebvre, who started them off with a small convent in Kent. This became
too small and they ail transferred to France where they have gone from
strength the strength, their gratitude is expressed in supplying Father
Black with three extra priests when the need arises.
It is good to travel to other
areas of the Society and see the growth both in it's people and priests,
I was particularly impressed by the number of nuns at Econe for the
Blessing. The Seminary looks to be well supplied with young men and
Bishop Fellay was quite optimistic for the future. All in all - it was
wonderful trip, but - as always - it's good to be home again.
