Abbot Paul's Homily At The Funeral Of Father Wulstan Probert
He was accepted by Abbot Anselm Lightbound and, when clothed in the habit on 2nd October of that year, he was given the name Wulstan. He made his First Profession with Abbot Anselm on 10th February 1952 and his Solemn Profession at the hands of Abbot Alphege Gleeson on 11th February 1955. In those days Belmont was even poorer than it is today, so studies for the priesthood were all done in-house, often combined with teaching in the school. Br Wulstan was ordained deacon by Archbishop Michael McGrath at Belmont on 24th June 1955 and to the sacred priesthood by Archbishop Francis Grimshaw at Evesham on 6th April 1956, the first Benedictine to be ordained there since the Reformation. As well as teaching and coaching various sports at Belmont from 1952 to 1959, Fr Wulstan was also Assistant Librarian and Assistant Infirmarian. He was the last Scout Master and started the Woodmodellers’ Club, specialising in the production of balsa and tissue aeroplanes. Assisted by the novices, he began making heavy cedar-wood refectory benches, some of which are still around, and almost single-handedly he dismantled the old monastic grange down by the river and reconstructed it as a cricket pavilion for the school.
He was put to teach Physics, after all he had done school certificate in the subject and had served in the Royal Navy. What better training could there be? The problem was that by now he could remember next to nothing. The only solution was to learn his classes by heart and hope that no boy would stop him to ask a question. At the end of one class, obviously vexed and exhausted, he asked, “Did anyone understand that?” One solitary hand went up. Fr Wulstan looked at the boy and exclaimed, “ I’m pleased someone did because I didn’t.” That was typical of his honesty, humility and good humour. He also taught Technical Drawing but what most interested him was History. By now he was famous for his long, complicated jokes and stories and greatly loved for his sense of humour, gentle kindness and personal holiness.
In 1959 he was sent to join the community at Alderwasley, our prep school in Derbyshire, where he spent twelve happy years teaching while at the same time developing his pastoral skills as Parish Administrator of Matlock Bath and Cromford. He would take afternoon tea with Dorothy Shaw, a custom he continued later at Llanarth. Even after his stroke he looked forward to a cream tea with Mary Jo Donnelly at the Pengethley. He took over the running of the scouts from Fr Hugh and would organise camping trips to France in borrowed coaches of dubious reliability, returning with a fund of new stories with which to regale us, almost until his death. He always looked back with nostalgia at the idyllic time spent at Alderwasley, something he was able to share with Fr Hugh, Fr Stephen, Fr Bruno and others, especially as they moved together to our second prep school, Llanarth Court, in 1971. At Llanarth he also helped Fr Hugh with parish work.
In July 1979 he went to St Mary’s, Harrington, first as curate then as parish priest until January 1988, when he returned to Belmont for a short time to look after this parish. In September 1989 he went to Our Lady and St Michael, Abergavenny, as assistant to Fr Stephen. Here he remained until September 1995, when he came back to Belmont to join the resident community and do much needed supply work. For example, he took over the parishes of Dolgellau and Bala from Fr Cenydd and remained there 15 months. This gave him the opportunity to drive around and visit those parts of the country he most liked. From 2003 until he suffered his first stroke, he was also confessor to the Poor Clares at Much Birch. In fact, because of his patience and gentleness, he was much sought after for confession by the brethren and laypeople alike. Wherever he went and whatever he did, Fr Wulstan was loved by everyone. I have never heard a bad word said against him. Not many of us can say that, least of all if we are priests working on parishes, where parishioners can often be quite critical of their clergy.
You could say that there was nothing remarkable, nothing spectacular, about Fr Wulstan’s monastic career. He enjoyed teaching, but wasn’t really a teacher. He coached sports and he was better on the field than in the classroom. He excelled in extra-curiculum activities and was a great favourite with the boys. He really cared for their good and they appreciated this, but he never had favourites. He was a curate or parish priest in many places and did countless supplies. No one will forget his homilies, though he often got lost in them himself. You always came away wondering what were “these things” he kept talking about. There were no great achievements, and yet in so many ways he was the heart and soul of the Belmont Community simply because he was a good monk and a devout priest. He was obedient and did whatever the abbot asked. He did it without grumbling, without murmuring, and to the best of his ability. He often did the impossible, like teach physics. He never said no when asked. As St Paul tells us of the Lord Jesus, with Fr Wulstan it was always “Yes” to God’s will, “Yes” to the abbot’s request to do a job and “Yes” to the needs of the Community and the Church. He was in every way an exemplary monk and priest. But, as we all know, there was so much more. I’ve already mentioned his kindness and gentleness, his great sense of humour, his readiness always to step in and help out and, of course, the stories and the jokes, in which he’d not only lose his hearers but himself. But he never forgot where he’d left off and, weeks later, he would take up the story much to the amusement and confusion of his listeners.
Unfortunately, after his stroke, Fr Wulstan had to give up driving, and, although he recovered remarkably well from it, he was saddened by his loss of freedom. No more could he make those day trips to Ross-on-Wye or take a short break at Church Stretton. He could no longer go out with guests and frighten them with his driving. His preference was for second gear but on a fast stretch, third! No longer could he go on holiday. Well into his 80s he would still take off alone and spend a fortnight swimming on a Greek Island or touring the South of Spain. He had always enjoyed his holidays with Fr Stephen or Fr Hugh and was a much travelled: Canada, the United States, Australia: you name it. He also read widely and enjoyed expanding his knowledge of the places he had visited. He was happy to share that knowledge with others. Like most monks he was an inveterate shopper and couldn’t resist a bargain, especially in a pound shop. No matter what you might be looking for, he either had it in his room or knew exactly where to find it. An enquiry about a screwdriver or a battery always resulted in a knock at the door before the end of the day, and Woollie, as he was affectionately known, proffering the desired objected. “Here it is,” he would say, “I knew I had one somewhere.”
He had made such progress after his stroke (malady, as he called it) that his final illness came as a shock to us all. You somehow felt that Woollie would go on for ever. He looked forward to visitors and always made the effort to come down to Sunday Mass and to lunch and recreation every day with the brethren. This was much appreciated by the Community as it showed how much he cared for us and loved being with us. There were times when this must have taken a great deal of effort, but then, that was Woollie, warm-hearted and loving. Nothing was ever too much for him. Just as he showed us how to live a good life, so in his final weeks he showed us how to die a good death. Never once did he complain about his condition, but accepted the care of nursing staff and monks alike with patience, gratitude and joy. Towards the end, his desire to be with God grew stronger and his wish wasn’t to be taken from him. To begin with he refused medication and then food and drink. Until he could no longer react, he smiled and nodded and enjoyed a joke with Br Bernard and Fr Andrew. On behalf of the Community I would like to thank the staff at Wye Ward, Hereford County Hospital, for the excellent care given to Fr Wulstan and for continuing to visit him at Belmont in his final days. He made friends even to the end.
It was a privilege for us to have known him and lived with him and to have been considered his brothers. May the good Lord now forgive him all his sins and welcome him into his Kingdom and may our Lady of Evesham and St Wulstan pray for him as he journeys to heaven. Amen.
2012-10-22 13:42:45
Source: http://fatherdavidbirdosb.blogspot.com/2012/10/abbot-pauls-homily-at-funeral-of-father.html
Source:
Anyone can join.
Anyone can contribute.
Anyone can become informed about their world.
"United We Stand" Click Here To Create Your Personal Citizen Journalist Account Today, Be Sure To Invite Your Friends.
Please Help Support BeforeitsNews by trying our Natural Health Products below!
Order by Phone at 888-809-8385 or online at https://mitocopper.com M - F 9am to 5pm EST
Order by Phone at 866-388-7003 or online at https://www.herbanomic.com M - F 9am to 5pm EST
Order by Phone at 866-388-7003 or online at https://www.herbanomics.com M - F 9am to 5pm EST
Humic & Fulvic Trace Minerals Complex - Nature's most important supplement! Vivid Dreams again!
HNEX HydroNano EXtracellular Water - Improve immune system health and reduce inflammation.
Ultimate Clinical Potency Curcumin - Natural pain relief, reduce inflammation and so much more.
MitoCopper - Bioavailable Copper destroys pathogens and gives you more energy. (See Blood Video)
Oxy Powder - Natural Colon Cleanser! Cleans out toxic buildup with oxygen!
Nascent Iodine - Promotes detoxification, mental focus and thyroid health.
Smart Meter Cover - Reduces Smart Meter radiation by 96%! (See Video).