Two weeks together in South Africa

From June 2 to 18, twelve Holy Cross monks from North America travelled to our Saint Benedict's Priory in Hermanus, Western Cape province of South Africa, where we were welcomed by the six resident Brothers. We held the meeting of our annual chapter in a half day. The rest of the time we spent time together on many excursions. In the middle of our stay in Hermanus, thirteen of us travelled to Makhanda (previously known as Grahamstown, Eastern Cape province) for four days to visit our Holy Cross School. 

We had invited our investment adviser of many years, Mr. Derek Nolan to accompany us. Derek has long helped us develop and grow the two endowments that support Saint Benedict's Priory in Hermanus and Holy Cross School in Makhanda.

Travelling to and from South Africa. From top left, clockwise: 10 Holy Cross Brothers from Toronto and West Park, and our friend and investment advisor, Derek Nolan (tall guy, second on the left) about to depart on their trip; the South African flag on the whale watching boat we took from Hermanus; the tail of a Bryde's Whale; Bros. Bernard and Daniel hugging goodbye; the plane's interactive map showing the flight from Cape Town to Newark.

After several travelling difficulties on our way to Cape Town (cancelled flight, two twelve-hour layovers, one in Newark and one in Heathrow), we rested for a day at Volmoed Retreat and Conference Center which includes Saint Benedict's Priory in the town of Hermanus. We were lodged in pairs in several cottages.

Our first excursion took us to the Cape of Good Hope through stunning landscapes and pretty seaside towns. On our way, we stopped at Stony Point Nature Reserve in Betty's Bay where we observed a colony of adorable African Penguins.

Excursion to the Cape of Good Hope. From top left, clockwise: group photo at the Cape; Bros. Bernard and Josias at the Cape: Bros. Robert James and Aidan at Stony Point Nature Reserve (penguins in the background); Bros. Anthony and Mpumelelo on a stop along the coastal route; Br. Anthony at Cape Point (lighthouse near the Cape of Good Hope); Bros. Bernard, Josép and Randy at Stony Point; Bros. Aelred, Josép, Anthony and Mpumelelo along the coastal road; group picture of the monks with the South Atlantic ocean.

Our next excursion was to the city of Cape Town, the oldest city in South Africa and the legislative capital of the country (Pretoria is the executive capital and Johannesburg is the judicial capital). The metro area of Cape Town counts a population of  a little less than 5 million inhabitants.

We visited the Desmond and Leah Tutu Foundation, the District 6 Museum and Table Mountain. We were lucky to have a young impassioned and knowledgeable guide at the Tutu Foundation. He mesmerized us with his recounting of Desmond Tutu's life and vision and action for a just South Africa.

Table Mountain is a flat-topped mountain forming a prominent landmark overlooking the city of Cape Town. It is a significant tourist attraction, with many visitors using the cableway or hiking to the top. We took the rotating cableway. Table Mountain National Park is the most visited national park in South Africa,

We enjoyed the breathtaking views of the city, the ocean and the surrounding mountains. 

Table Mountain and the Tutu Foundation. From top left, clockwise: Bros. Ephrem and Mpumelelo on Table Mountain; our guide at the Tutu Foundation: a mannequin of Archbishop Tutu flying to the chandelier above our group; Table Mountain as seen from the city; Archbishop Tutu's cassock and pectoral cross; Br. Ephrem with a panoramic view of part of Cape Town in the background; another mannequin of "The Arch" on the museum's balcony with Bros. Leonard and Aidan; panoramic view of Cape Town and Table Bay (with Robben Island in the upper left corner) from Table Mountain.

Eventually, we had to attend to the serious business of our annual Chapter meeting. It took place in the afternoon to enable the Brothers who remained in Canada and the US to join the proceedings on Zoom. We had all read preparatory reports and had had a day of conference discussion the day before we departed from West Park. All this enabled us to dispatch a lot of legislative work in under three hours.

Three member of the Council of OHC needed to be elected for two year mandates. Bros. Scott, Roger and Luc were all elected on the first ballot. Bros. Aidan and Ephrem remain on Council for another year. 

Chapter and renewal of vows Eucharist. From top left, clockwise: five of our men in formation (Bros. Josias, Anthony, Aelred, Bruno and Mpumelelo): the community and Derek Nolan (on the right) after the renewal of vows Eucharist: Bros. Aelred, Aidan and Ephrem; Bros. Bernard, Josép, Robert James and Adam during the Chapter meeting; Br. Scott preaching at the Eucharist; Bros. conversing after the group photo shoot; Bros. Aidan, Bernard, Josép, Robert James and Leonard during the Chapter meeting; (center photo) Bros. Josép, Aidan and Scott on the church porch.

The next day a dozen of us and our friend Derek took an 11-hour van ride to Makhanda where they stayed four days. The day after their arrival, we took a day safari at Pumba Private Game Reserve. Our group was spread between two rover vehicles. We spotted a lot of wildlife, sometimes very close to our vehicles.

Day safari at Pumba Game Reserve. From top left, clockwise: Bros. Robert James, Randy, Bruno and Mpumelelo: close encounter with an elephant (two pictures); a troop of hippopotami ready to take a dip in the pond; a giraffe crossing the road.

The next day, we were the guests of Holy Cross School. The school was founded by Holy Cross Brothers. Some of our Brothers contine to sit on the school's Board of Trustees. The Order of the Holy Cross maintains an endowment to support part of the school's operations.

We were enthusiastically welcomed. We participated in a school eucharist. Then we were split in pairs that attended classes in rotation. We all got to attend two classes. After which, we were treated to an amazing talent show featuring spirited songs and dances.

Holy Cross School, Makhanda. From top left, clockwise: Br. Robert James distributes communion to the students; the school's entrance arch; (center left picture) Bros. Bruno and Josias with school faculty and staff; Br. Randy with students; Bros. Josias, Bruno and Leonard with students and teacher in a classroom; Br. Josias attending another class; students of the school; (center right picture) Br. Bruno with students; singers at the talent show.

Throughout our stay we had several times of relaxation together to share our impressions on all the wonderful things we experienced.

Meals and recreation times.

The Volmoed community within which the Brothers of Saint Benedict's Priory live was very hospitable and often shared in our worship. Towards the end of our stay, we had a typical South African braai together.  A braai is a South African tradition of cooking meat over an open flame, similar to an American barbecue. 

The Volmoed land is full of beauty featuring the Onrus river and its gorge, mountains and meadows. Even though it was winter in South Africa, quite a few plants were flowerring and we delighted in the local fauna too (hyraxes, troops of baboons and beautiful birds). We took quiet a few walks through the surrounding fynbos. Fynbos is a small belt of natural shrubland or heathland vegetation located in the Western Cape and Eastern Cape provinces of South Africa.

Volmooed grounds. And Br. Bruno in front of a local sign in the nearby town of Hermanus.

As you can see, we had an amazing time as an international community of Brothers working (a little) and recreating (a lot) together. Our commitment to each other's monastic flourishing in our respective countries and our bonds of brotherhood are all reinforced by these blessed two weeks.