HELLO!...

Fr. Gwen's open letter to all Passionists and friends

08 Februari 2009
Dear Brothers and sisters,

Goede Middag!

I am sending this unsolicited communication to stay in touch with all of you. Much as I had anticipated this stage of my life—as a Passionist and as an academic—I really missed you all even since the very minute I parted ways with Fr. Dandy, who drove me to the International Airport.

It’s my first week here in the Netherlands. A fortnight before I departed Manila, I was warned by my academic counsellor here that I may experience both a cultural and climatic shock. Of course, many Filipinos have experienced like these in whatever country they are or were in—and most of them (like our brother Passionists, who have gone abroad) could proudly say that both the culture and climate are manageable. But, I should say I am overwhelmed. The O° Celsius temperature and the extremely different demography are telling me that I’m in a different part of the world.

The flight to Amsterdam (via the homey KLM Airlines) was fourteen hours. It’s just like travelling straight from Manila to Sorsogon. The crew, however, were charming and accommodating. I consumed five movies and after each movie I browsed the flight tracking. A lover of geography like me couldn’t help but be awed by the fact that our plane has hovered over China, Mongolia, India, Turkey, Russia (especially Moscow), then Germany. Our plane landed at 18:45h (that’s 11 am our time). I went with the flow of about ten Filipinos. I realized they are seamen and have different immigration procedures. I was cordially attended by an ARRIVAL personnel.

Fr. Leo Bos, the provincial superior of the Dutch and South German Passionists, immediately recognized me and approached me with a ready brotherly embrace. It is an everwhelming welcome that made me outrightly at home. From Amsterdam Schiphol (airport), it took us just about an hour to reach the colossal Klooster Sint Gabriel where I will stay for the next two years. The monastery, even at night, is a standout structure. I am staying in a suite in the fourth floor—each suite has four quarters: an ante-room, a powder room, a living/study room and the bedroom. The heating system is excellent so that it is very tempting to just stay inside. The evening is very long. From 6 pm to 7:30 am, it is still very dark.

The day in the monastery starts with a morning prayer and Eucharist at 7:45 am. Breakfast follows with cheese and fresh milk over wheat bread as regular items. Coffee, tea, and crackers are also in. At 10 am, we gather for tea and coffee and just talk about anything but especially concerning community life. At 12:30 is lunch—still it’s wheat bread, cheese, fresh milk, and strips of meat. At 3:30 pm, we gather again for coffee and tea just like what we do at 10 am. At 6 pm is the big meal—oyster beef, chicken and other meat over potato. On my third day, they served rice. At 7 pm, we have the evening prayer and meditation. At 8 pm, we gather at the TV room for community watching of news. At 10 pm, we gather again for beer, wine, and whiskey—they call it “nightly drink for the Pope.” This rhythm goes everyday and it makes the big community here very cohesive and intimate.

There are ten members in the community—eight are Dutch and two are Germans. They speak good English, but in meals, prayers/masses, and conversations, everything is in Dutch. It is pretty difficult a language. I am slowly picking up some of their conversations but, I’m sure, it would take much time before I could have firm knowledge of Dutch. But they all treat me like a baby. Fr. Leo toured me around Haastrecht and the nearest city, Gouda. He oriented me with the bus and train rides. Everything is automated. He also accompanied me to the University of Nijmegen for some administrative matters concerning my registration—both as a student and as a quasi-citizen. The university is so huge stretching almost a quarter of the city.

I have four courses—and we are only ten in most classes. In my program—International Research Master in Philosophy—we are only fourteen: there’s a Slovakian, an Italian, a Scott, a French-American, Iranian, a Ghanaian, and the rest are Dutch. In my concentration, Metaphysics and Neurophenomenology, we are only three. Our adviser has all the warmth so that I feel much ease on my first day. On Friday night, the Faculty of Philosophy threw a welcome dinner for us three new research master fellows. It lasted up to 10 pm (Fr. Leo gave me permission to be in this rare event). There was an avalanche of Dutch food and drinks.

The whole first week really motivates me to embrace this new stage of my life with gusto. This very day, my first Sunday here, we had mass at the church here in our monastery. It is very touching to see a full house attendance. Everyone offered me their disarming smiles. I believe I’m home. But I do need your prayers and communication. I should update you with what’s happening with me here.

De passie van Jezus Christus, moge altijd in ons hart zijn!

Missing you all,

Fr. Gwen Barde, CP
Klooster Sint Gabriel
Haastrecht, Nederland