Celebrating 100 Years – October 2009

The celebration of 100 years of education is a historic milestone for the Cistercian College and the community of Roscrea. Reflecting upon the  100th anniversary of the College conjures up many images. No doubt these will be somewhat different to those of others and such reflections will elicit many different thoughts. To think that up to 6,000 young men have passed through the doors of the Cistercian College over the past Century is a remarkable feat for the monks, the Board of Governors, the teaching and house mastering staff, the parents and indeed the past graduates themselves who survived the early risings! 

The establishment of Cistercian College Roscrea in 1905 as a secondary boarding school for boys is evidence of the adjoining monastic community’s willingness and ability to meet circumstances as they develop and build on its Cistercian tradition. In line with the College, the monastery has consistently developed and refreshed its vision while maintaining its essential monastic ethos. 

The Cistercian way of life is one in which a spirit of prayer, that is living consciously in the presence of God, dominates. The College aspires to be a Christian community of learning; a worshipping community with an awareness of the presence of God in daily life and in the preparation of a boy for adult life. It strives to bring alive the motto of the Abbey: “Insideat coelis animo sed corpore terris” (“While conscious of earthly needs, We seek the things of Heaven”). 

As Christians who live as monks, Christian life is the core substance of our daily lives and it is the monastic aspect, which makes this specific. We remind ourselves that Jesus taught his disciples to pray and his teaching on prayer was entirely in tune with his life, his words and his mission. He did not teach prayers, but taught how to live by praying and how to pray by living. We have endeavoured to instill this ethos in our boys and the entire community of Mount Saint Joseph over the past 100 years and this will continue to be a central part of our mission.

One hundred years ago, the omnipresent black and white habits were in abundance and a common sight to behold around the College grounds. Although these numbers may have diminished in recent years their spirit is strongly felt here, today and they are not forgotten. Having witnessed the Cistercian College grow and evolve over the years just as many young boys did from their first day here to their last, I feel an overwhelming duty to keep the great monastic tradition of education and spirituality alive.  

Set within a monastic community, the College has provided and continues to provide a broad-based boarding education with the overall objective being to produce young men of vision and principles, of leadership and of courage. As well as drawing spiritual sustenance from the monastic surroundings, each boy at Roscrea receives a balanced curriculum of religion, academics, cultural endeavour and sport not too mention a host of extra-curricular activities in areas such as drama, music, debates and public speaking.

While casting our minds back over what have become a very rewarding 100 years, we can look forward with real expectation and anticipation to the next 100, bearing in mind that as one of just two monastic boarding schools for boys in Ireland, we are all part of a very special community. This is a community, in my view, which promotes, radiates and projects a very distinctive and valuable ethos for the modern Ireland of the early 21st Century. It is important  during this special time, that we remember our past pupils, monks and members of staff who are now resting in Heaven with God. Without them Cistercian College would not be what it is today. 

For those of an inquisitive nature, “Living where you learn” evokes a natural curiosity. The atmosphere of monasticism touches the College. For pastmen who studied here, touched by this, I would hope that Cistercian College Roscrea became a home from home - and to this day remains so.

Kevin Daly OCSO
Abbot
Mount Saint Joseph Abbey

Céad Bliain Faoi Rath: The Story of Cistercian College Roscrea 1905-2005

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