These two letters tell a little bit more about the daily life of the novice of 1961, doing chores, celebrating the liturgical calendar of the saints; the second letter focuses particularly on the one day novices really looked forward to, Villa Day, every Thursday!
Ignatius College Guelph Ontario
Sept 9, 1961
Dear Mum and Dad,
I can hardly believe that one month has passed already! It seems impossible to think that one month ago I was speeding along eastward.
This has been some week, the only ordinary day was Wednesday. Monday we had our half holiday schedule because of labour day. Tuesday is always like that, Thursday was our villa day, Friday was the Feast of the Nativity of Mary, today is a half day holiday because it is the commemoration of St Peter Claver, a Jesuit saint…. [W]e never ever get a sleep in (not that we need one for we go to bed either at 9:20 or 9:35) and get up at 5:00 every morning (I’ll bet you wonder how I am able to do that. Well it’s a surprise to me too!)
This morning we peeled, cut in half, and took out the stones of many peaches (for about a half an hour). There were about ten of us working. We did the same a few days ago but we worked a half hour longer so you can see how many peaches we did. Yesterday we cored and peeled tomatoes. There was the same number of us working and we worked about an hour.
Our laundry goes out every Thursday and comes back on Tuesday. Each has a number which we mark on every piece of clothing. Mine is GN-99 so those name tapes will now come in handy to mark some things more difficult to print on. I decided to do my own socks though, because they are a lot of trouble to mark and to read for the person that has to sort the wash.
Love, Frank
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Ignatius College Guelph Ontario
Sept 16, 1961
Dear Mum and Dad,
….I am happy that rain fell out there and hope a lot more falls this fall. You mentioned also the dropping of the temperature. We experienced a sudden change also. Two days ago it was extremely warm and now it is very chilly in the daytime and particularly at night.
Sept 17: Tonight I played a game of scrabble with Joe Schuck and two other brothers (novices). I didn’t know him very well at Campion but now I see that he is great fun…. I don’t get to talk to Jerry until I don’t know when. You see he is in the Juniorate Studies while I am only a novice so we are not allowed to talk unless on special feasts or holidays or something.. It may seem funny that we pass each other and not give a sign of recognition but it is a practice in self control, I guess.
In October as I mentioned in a previous letter we begin our month long retreat. This may sound awful but I feel I will enjoy it. It is surprising too, what little matter can be covered in that time when you are delving deep down into the material covered. Many novices have told me it is a priceless experience and that you may benefit from it for a long time. During that time I can not write any letters, however keep the letters coming for I would still like to keep up with all from home….
I said in a previous letter that I would tell you about villa day so that is what I shall attempt to do. On Thursday we wake up at the regular time (5:30 a.m.), visit at 5:50, leave on foot for the place which is about a mile or so from the college. We meditate on the way so all take their time. When we get to the place (I guess I should tell you what it looks like) we have mass in a room of the house. Villa isan old farm yard build on the most scenic sit in Ontario. The house is a huge mansion type building with a large veranda going half way around it. Inside there are four main rooms on the bottom floor. One the kitchen, the dining room, living room, and chapel.
The chapel can be used as a living room also for the altar is set in a small room off of it with doors that slide open to expose it. The upstairs is one huge room. The house is rickety but serves the purpose nicely. There is a creek flowing by which provides water for swimming. Poles are set up for volley ball, there is a basketball hoop, there is also a football field which can be used for soccer too. So you see there is a lot to do. We stay all day and more or less recreate all day. However, we still do all of our spiritual activities (Rosary, mediation, etc.).
I am getting better at tennis. Today I played with a secundi (second year novice) and was able to stay ahead for awhile then he evened the score. We were unable to finish the set for lack of time but it was a good energetic game.
I guess I should get this letter off so God bless you all and remember me in your prayers.
Love, Frank
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Source for photos: Frank Obrigewitsch, SJ
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