Already in the second week of being a novice, to dress like the Blackrobes who came to Canada centuries before is an exciting event! The following two letters provide a record of that day, some novitiate practices, more about the farm which supported all the community, and the role studies began to play in the boy’s Jesuit formation.

Ignatius College Guelph Ontario

August 28, 1961

Dear Mum, Dad and all,

Well, a lot has happened since my last letter. Last Wednesday to Friday we had a retreat. At the end of that, after we found out exactly where we stand (I mean spiritually) we made a general confession and we received our cassocks and beads. So right now I am getting used to climbing stairs (etc.) with a skirt about me, however it gives you something to work for, by making you want to be really worthy of wearing it.

You should see the vegetables and fruits here. This afternoon Iwas helping pick apples in one of the orchards. I was picking the ones from the ground that will be used to make cider. It is quite a thing to go out and eat an apple right from the tree (I should say the bottom of the tree [we are only allowed to eat ‘wind falls’]). As far as other fruits are concerned, there are peas, plums and tomatoes (beautiful, large plants and fruit). The potatoes, cucumbers (I think most of them are practically a foot long and they are thick), carrots (with tops a foot high) and beans are but to mention a few.

The corn is simply beautiful, (we have had it for dinner and it is delicious). It is used more for feeding cows and pigs, but they have large patches of corn. As far as flowers, it is just natural to see all the beds on the lawns covered. But with the amount of rain they get here it is no wonder. I have been here about two weeks and it has rained about four days of it. The air is usually quite damp and I have not found it too uncomfortable yet.

By the way I hope I didn’t seem too distant the day I left. I didn’t feel that way. I had to treat it in more of a passive way because I knew I had to go whether I wanted to or not because God wanted it. So I didn’t peek out of the window of the train too much for fear the flood gates would open and wash away the train car. Real homesickness has not really struck me here yet, just a little at times however I guess that will wear off….

Today (August 29) I helped husk corn. I have never seen so much corn in all my life (all at once that is). 

Novitiate rules say that all ingoing and outgoing mail can be read by Father Master. Letters from home should not be any oftener than once a week. I may write home once a week until the long retreat, but after that, once every two weeks. Others may write occasionally (e.g., sisters and brothers etc.); under special circumstances, with permission, I may be able to answer some of these letters. I just thought that you would like to know a bit about the rules….

I just received your letter [about your impending operation] and your news confirmed my suspicions. However with prayer, God will grant everything will turn out alright….

Thank Marlene and Ed for their letter. I was happy to receive your letter, it sort of picked up my spirits a bit…. Well I guess I should sign off now. God bless you all!

Love

Frank

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Ignatius College  Guelph Ontario

Sept 4, 1961

Dear Mum and Dad,

I dated the letter for tomorrow because that is probably when I’ll finish it. It is very hot today; the actual temperature is not so high but the humidity is extremely high. Thus, with a black cassock too, it is practically like a Turkish bath. However, a cool swim this morning at thedam was very refreshing and the one this afternoon will seem heaven sent!

….Not too much new this week except, the daily order was changed. (I shouldn’t say daily because Thursday, Tuesday and Sunday are always different.) But the order for the other days was changed. This is done so the life does not become a routine but is different most of the time. I am still getting used to the place but I like it very much.

On Friday I began to take Greek classes. I am only learning the alphabet now so the rest is still “all Greek to me!” There are twenty-four letters in the Greek alphabet. They begin, alpha, beta, gamma, delta, epsilon, zeta, eta, theta, kappa, lambda, mu, nu, xi, omicron, etc. They all have capital and small symbols, so you see to learn the language we must start from the way bottom….

Have Rosemary and Mathew begun school yet? How is everything getting along at home? Well, I hope! It is a funny thought, that there is roughly 1800 miles between us. It doesn’t seem that far to me!

Well, I guess I should tell you a bit more about the novitiate. We (novices) are supposed to be completely isolated from world affairs etc. for the next few years…. In two years we take three vows, poverty, chastity, and obedience. During these two years we practice these virtues. (E.g. we can not ask anyone in the outside world for anything, however, we can accept gifts with permission from Father Master). As far as humility is concerned, every month we must ask for general permissions. We must have permission to talk to externs (people of the outside world), have guests, etc. This is not really as bad as it may look, for the idea, I guess, is that you are continually recognizing that someone is your superior thus recognizing that he is a representativeof God that you must obey. By doing what he wants you to do you are obeying God….

Soon we will be starting our month long retreat. (It’s going to be difficult to keep my mouth shut that long but I’m going to do my best) So I guess as you can see I will need a lot of your prayers then. During that time I don’t think we are able to write home so don’t be alarmed if you don’t receive a letter during the month of October. However, keep the news coming….

We had some apple cider the other day (from the squashed windfall apples); it of course had no alcohol in it but it makes a delicious fruit juice…. I just came back from a Greek class in which I learned how to decline the article “the”!

So I must sign off. You are all in my prayers. May God bless you all!

Love, Frank

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Source for all photos: Frank Obrigewitsch, SJ

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