The ‘All Student Gathering’—Prayer, Work and Fun

It was a cold winter’s day in January, but the atmosphere inside Whitefriars Hall in Washington, DC, was warm and bright as Carmelites in all stages of formation from the Province of the Most Pure Heart of Mary (PCM) and the Province of Saint Elias (SEL) came together for the Annual All Student Gathering, a.k.a. the “Jamboree.” Attending the Jamboree were the separate pre-novice communities from Houston (PCM) and New Jersey (SEL), the novices from Middletown, New York (of both Provinces), interns from various locations, and the theology students at Whitefriars Hall. There was a veritable cornucopia of cultures and nationalities representing Vietnam, Dominican Republic, Mexico, Peru, Guatemala, Africa, Indonesia, Trinidad, Canada, and, of course, the United States. As the various students began to arrive, there was ample free-time to settle in and informally greet and meet with each other. It provided a wonderful opportunity to catch up with old friends as well as to make new ones.

Soon enough, the time came for the “Jamboree” to officially begin. The weekend started off with an opening Evening Prayer which helped to place everyone in the right frame of mind and spirit. This was followed by the ever-popular pre-dinner potus (Latin for ‘happy-hour’) which allowed for more socializing and bonding. Before we knew it, we were being directed to the dining room for our first dinner together as a larger community. Just before dinner, Father Bill Wert, O.Carm., prior of the Hall, officially welcomed the students to Whitefriars Hall. After the blessing, we enjoyed each others company while we savored our first meal together. However, it was after dinner when the real fun began as we all spread out among “the Hall” to take part in various impromptu activities such as karaoke, board games, card playing, chatting, etc. Eventually, we called it a night and headed to bed, some later than others (just ask those who sang into the wee hours of the morning with the karaoke machine).

The homily, given by Father Gregory Houck, O.Carm., set the mood for the day as we prepared ourselves spiritually and mentally for what was to come. After a short break following our liturgical celebration, we made our way into the classroom for our first of three sessions in a series of lectures/discussions given by Father David Blanchard, O.Carm., on “Carmel as Culture,” which proved quite insightful.

Once we completed a productive and motivating day filled with lectures, discussions, and meetings, it was once again time for a night of fun filled excitement. This time it took the form of the “First Annual All Student Gathering Bowling Classic,” the brainchild of Bill Wert. Despite the fact that this was the first exposure to bowling for some, it was a night filled with good-natured competition, support from teammates, camaraderie, and lots of laughter as we shared in the travails of a new experience with each other. After a fun but exhausting night of heaving 14 pound balls down long hardwood alleys, we returned to Whitefriars Hall for another night of much needed and deserved rest.

On Sunday morning, our final day, we gathered once more to celebrate Mass, which was organized by the novices of both provinces. The homily, given by Father Quinn Connors, O.Carm., placed the weekend into perspective. As we participated in the Liturgy of the Eucharist for the last time as a larger community, a palpable spirit of brotherhood and Carmelite culture could be felt. This seemed to be captured in the group pictures that were taken after Mass of the various groups of formation. Soon thereafter, time came for our final meal together before our weekend experience came to a close. However, this was no ordinary meal. This was an “Awards Banquet” to recognize the many accomplishments of those who were victorious in various categories of individual and team bowling. In the end, Bill Wert, the resident bowling ace of Whitefriars Hall, proved to be too much for his few serious contenders in the individual competition while the team of Brother Jeffery Smialek, O.Carm., proved victorious.

As our intimate gathering came to an end, we took the opportunity to bid farewell to each other as we busied ourselves for departures back to our respective communities. As we did so, many reflected on our brief experience of community in a larger context which allowed for exposure to a richness and variety of cultures, ideas, insights, and personalities. Indeed, a good time was had by all as we participated as brothers in the right balance of prayer, meetings, lectures, and fun. The motto of the Benedictine Order is “ora et labora” (prayer and work); ours should be “ora et labora et ludo” (prayer and work and fun).