Regina Mundi Convent- a history
By Pat Pillay
ledader of Lalyans Seselwa
The Lenten period was personally enriching for me in more ways than one. When we take some time off and in utter silence, listen to our inner thoughts, it provides us with many insights into where we are and where we may travel to. To put it in another way meditation or contemplation or moment of silence does provide introspection and a perspective into one’s life.
During the days of reflection I allowed myself to browse through my miniature collection of books on Seychelles. I browsed through two hard backed books which their respective authors had autographed. One is entitled ;- “ Launching out into the deep,” authored by Donald Taylor and the other is one is called “FIC and Seychelles” compiled by Robert Symth.
Donald Taylor was a English missionary, who has since passed away and who spent many years as an Anglican missionary in Mauritius and Seychelles. His book; ‘Launching out into the deep,” charts the history of the Anglican faith in Seychelles. To an Anglican it makes for fascinating reading. I am sure that any student of Seychelles’ history will find it very informative and enlightening.
The second book is by Robert Smyth. Brother Smyth, (Bro to those close to him) is a Canadian Brother of Christian Instruction, who worked for many years as a teacher at the Seychelles College and later at the Seychelles Polytechnic. I had the privilege of working closely with him for three years from 1986 to 1989. He was then holding the post Assistant Director for Studies. As for Donald Taylor, I had the privilege of knowing him both as a missionary and as also when he was in the process of writing the book.
During the Holy Week, I attended the Chrismal mass at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception on Holy Wednesday. It was when the Roman Catholic Clergy were renewing their vows and I had wanted to pray with them as I really believe that most of them are providing strong pastoral and professional nourishment to the church followers particularly the youths.
After mass and while mingling with the churchgoers, I spotted Sister Dominic in the passenger seat of a car waiting to be driven away. She still had the matronly look for which she is still remembered by her former students of the Regina Mundi Convent, where she taught arithmetic and English in the lower secondary and later succeeded as the head of the primary section there, after Sister Enda departed.
Having browsed through the book by Brother Smyth which is really a compendium of the years the Maristes Brothers and subsequently the Brothers of Christian Instruction devoted to the education of the youth of this country; I reflected about the years that the Sister of Saint Joseph of Cluny have spent giving themselves selflessly to the education of the young women of Seychelles. As my reflection allowed my mind to wander I thought about the ones I have known personally.
At this point I must point out that I did not attend school at the Regina Mundi Convent, my five sisters did. I thought of the two nuns that I had known best, Sister Jude and Sister Dolores. Sister Jude, I remember well when she was head teacher and I was a junior officer in the Ministry of Education. Sister Jude ended her career just before her demise as the Principal Secretary for Education- the top executive post in her profession. No mean feat for a non- Seychellois in a religious order!!
I say that Sister Jude was one of the two nuns I got to know well because I remember when I was appointed minister she sent me a card which contained a bookmark entitled “Prayer for a Politician,’ and in the card she said the following;- “ Pat you will need the three Hs – Head, heart and hide’! Sadly, I have misplaced both the card and the bookmark.
The advice however, has stayed with me and I remembered her words when I was arrested and charged last November just before the Presidential elections. I then realized that in politics you really need a thick hide. - Good advice indeed.
As for Sister Dolores if my memory serves me right, was a teacher of mathematics. However, I got to know her better when she was head teacher of Glacis school. At that time Glacis school had both a primary and secondary section. I was a junior officer in education responsible for the science programme in all the schools. One day Sister Dolores called me in a panic… (to be continued..)
Source: Weekly 4-1-16