Encouraging Times
These reflections have been prompted by the good work being done in the English speaking Provinces/Regions of the Institute seen in the context of numbers 135–137 of the former edition of the Directory. Very briefly this encouraged us ‘to deepen and diffuse the knowledge of Rosminian thought...through the formation of specially trained personnel, and with the necessary financial contribution’; that we should sustain the work being done at the Centro at Stresa, and that ‘Internal Rosminian publications will be promoted throughout the Institute and at all levels according to possibilities and circumstances, so as to meet the different needs and expectations of the various readers…’ As we know, some of these expectations have been fulfilled and I would like to contribute my thoughts in the light of a paper I wrote on 28 December 1976, entitled ‘Fr Founder’s Works – Our Hidden Treasure!’
I began by pointing out that there was quite a prolific output of translations at the end of the 19th century, mainly by Fathers Lockhart and Signini (other translations in manuscript by the former lie in the Rosminian Archives). I noted that between them, Signini and Lockhart produced 6 major translations of the Founder from 1878–1897. At the time I wrote, these remained the only major philosophical works in English, apart from the Five Wounds of Holy Church, translated by H. P.Liddon (1883), Rosmini’s Philosophical System, translated by Thomas Davidson (1882
Things ground to a halt in 1901 with the publication of the two volumes of Rosmini’s letters. The two exceptions were a CTS pamphlet Antonio Rosmini by Daniel Hickey (1923) and A Brief Sketch of the Life of Antonio Rosmini (Anon) (1925). It was pointed out to me that this was because of the shadow under which the Institute lived at the time. ‘Batten down the Hatches’ was the attitude in those grim days.
Finally, in 1950, a book called In the School of the Father (a translation of meditations drawn from Rosmini‘s letters) was published. But the next major work was Father Claude Leetham’s book, Antonio Rosmini, Priest, Philosopher and Patriot, published in
1957, and he followed this later with Counsels to Religious Superiors in 1960 and Luigi Gentili in 1965. Meanwhile in 1960 Fr Cuthbert Emery published The Rosminians.
It was during the 50’s that we first started studies at St John’s Seminary, Wonersh. One of the philosophy professors, Fr (later Mgr) Jim McConnon, took an interest in us and gave us a free hand in writing essays on Rosmini as part of our course. Jim was open-minded and encouraging, and was a notable benefactor to us, as he gave us the opportunity to make a reasonable study of Rosmini’s philosophy when we had the time to do so. He was a dyed-in-the-wool Thomist but was also interested to hear our views. I owe Jim a lot. Fr Emery always gave us his backing and it was his vision to have a group of Rosminians who would have as their work the study and propagation of Rosmini’s thought. It is a bit ironic that when we did have plenty of men in the Institute this never eventualised. Perhaps this was due to the drain on the Province to staff Rosmini College in New Zealand and Fr Emery, then gravely ill, no longer had the authority nor the energy to pursue his dream.
However things did start to take off in the 60’s. Denis Cleary produced a small booklet Principles of Rosmini’s Moral Philosophy, (1961) and I wrote, or rather edited, a book on the Nuovo Saggio, called Fundamentals of Epistemology, (1962) and followed this with another book called Truth, Certainty and Error (1962), based on the Logic and volume 3 of the Nuovo Saggio.
Fr Walter Dick, of the Irish Province, translated Fr Bozzetti’s talks (1970–1977). During my four years in England 1974–1977, I had the opportunity to transcribe some of Lockhart’s manuscripts and also to translate one or two of Rosmini’s works. Some of these volumes are still with us, though I regret that others are elsewhere or have been lost. Copies were made both for the Archives and the Rosminiana here! Fortunately Denis Cleary, with the help of his sister Joan Colley, computerised Lockhart’s translation of The Supernatural Anthropology, and my translation of The Introduction to St John’s Gospel. Thoughthese translations are imperfect as they stand, they are still useful for those wishing to study these works in English. In 1975 we published my book on the Ascribed Members of the Institute.
Time and space do not permit details of the succeeding years; suffice it to say that the work went on.
Fr Emery’s dream was at last fulfilled when Denis Cleary and
Terry Watson,began their work in 1986 at Durham. We need to remember the mandate given by the benefactor who finances all this work, namely ,to spread knowledge of the Founder globally. This is certainly happening. The first volume of Rosmini’s philosophy in English was published in 1987 and they translated nine works (22 volumes) between then and Denis’s untimely death in 2002., (Roland Murphy helped in the translation of the Nuovo Saggio.) Our gratitude is due to Denis and Terry for all their hard and valuable work over the years. Also Denis and I produced between us four books in smaller format, namely,A Society of Love (Dottrina della Carità), God’s Gift to Us, (Il Dono di Dio), Rosmini’s Principles of Ethics, and Antonio Rosmini, Introduction to his Life and Teaching. Meanwhile Fr John Morris translated The Ascetical Letters of Antonio Rosmini in six volumes,the last being completed by Fr Donal Sullivan after John’s death. John also translated Fr Bessero– Belti’s The Rosminian Question and Fr Alfeo Valle’s Christian Piety and the Interior Life.
Other smaller booklets have been produced. At present Terry Watson is translating the Theosophy, a mammoth task.
In New Zealand two books were produced Rosmini Revisited, a Commentary on the Maxims, by Michael Hill (1991) and my Antonio Rosmini, A Gift to the Church (1997). Since 1998 and my return to England I have fortunate enough to have the time to continue my work on Rosmini. In addition to the above, 2004 saw the publication of Father Domenico Mariani’s book on The Rosminian Generals and Bishops in English andin2005 Antonio Rosmini and the Fathers of the Church. A further book is in preparation for 2006, namely The Spiritual Exercises in St Ignatiusand Antonio Rosmini. I have also been able to produce smaller booklets, such as this one.
In addition to the above work, Father Antonio Belsito has been giving talks on Rosmini’s philosophy. He has also co-opted others to help, among whom are Father Terry Watson, and Professor Royden Hunt, an Ascribed Member. These will eventually be published in book form and it is my earnest hope that Royden will see fit to publish his many other talks on things Rosminian.
The Rosminian Magazine, Witness, first published from Durham in summer 1996 has been taken over by Antonio and the first issue in the new format came out this year.
In Italy Brother Nigel Cave has been doing sterling work with the Rosminian students, introducing them to Rosmini’s life and work to which Antonio has also contributed.
As can be seen, all this work should be a sign of encouragement to us in a our desire to make the person and work of our Founder known. But the question arises what do we do with all this material? Does it languish in the Rosmini Bookstore or are we trying to disseminate it
Our falling numbers and increase in age means that parish work is becoming more onerous and falls on those generous souls who have more than enough to do. I would like to suggest, once again, that our Ascribed Members could be invited to help in promoting Rosmini. One way in which this could be done is to set up a Rosminian stall in each parish ‘manned’ (dare I use the word?), by the Ascribed. This may not be feasible in every parish but perhaps a lot of responsibility in the spread of Rosminian literature could be handed over to them in South Wales and Loughborough/Rugby where there is a strong Ascribed presence and plenty of good will.
To sum up, it is not just writing about Rosmini that has really blossomed in the last 50 years but there has been far more active interest among us regarding our Founder; for instance many of us have experienced the 30 days course organised by David Tobin, Jimmy Brown and Maria Bruna at Monte Calvario. This had the benefit of enabling us not just to attend talks but actually to see the places connected with Rosmini’s life. Many have also shared in anniversary celebrations such as those last year. Leaflets and posters about Rosmini have been printed. The brethren in New Zealand made a significant contribution with their leaflet on the Maxims. This can be quite easily printed over here and is certainly worth considering.
When I was caring for the Ascribed over here in the 70’s there were over 300 on the Ascribed Register but it was an uphill struggle to get the brethren interested. Things have changed greatly for the better and now we have active groups and a greater interest in our lay Rosminian brothers and sisters, not to mention the clerical Ascribed. Individual Ascribed Members have also made significant contributions to the spiritual life of the Order in various ways.
From what I have said it will be clear that some of the recommendations of the Directory have been fulfilled, It remains for us to keep up the good work and to support in prayer and action those who are more directly involved .