Connecting with Chile and Bolivia

CHILE: "THANK YOU, MARYLAND"

MARYLAND: "THANK YOU, CHILE"

Maryland began its relationship with Chile in 1937 with the arrival of Gus Weigel, a member of the then Maryland - New York Province. Gus was famous as Dean of the Faculty of theology at Catholic U. and had a very close relationship with our next saint, Padre Hurtado.

Then Georgetown received Padre Hurtado at the request of Gus Weigel in 1946. (I have a copy of that letter.) During his short stay in Baltimore (no one knows in what community) he made a very imporlant retreat. Juan Ochagavía has written a booklet on those Exercises: "Como vivir la vida".

In 1951, with the help of Gus Weigel, Arturo Gaete became the first Chilean scholastic to study al Woodstock. Then came Renato Poblete, Patricio Cariola y Juan Ochagavía and many others. The list of Chilean scholastics studying at Weston and other universities. continues. Many Chilean scholastics have studied English at Geogetown, St. Joe's and Wheeling.

Then in 1959, at the request of the first bishop of Osorno, six men from Maryland were rnissioned to start the new Colegio San Mateo.

There have been approximately 50 Maryland Jesuits who have passed through Osorno. The history of those first pioneering years has been written by John Henry, Frank Nugent and Joe O'Neill. The school started with 250 students. Now it has achieved a very wonderful reputation, especially for the number of needy students who have benefited from scholarships. We have had many vocations but many have dropped out. Presently we have one Jesuit priest who is a graduate and one to be ordained soon.

Presently there is no Maryland man in Osorno but the "First Fathers" and all Maryland men are still remembered with great affection and many of the Jesuits from Maryland keep returning for a visit.

San Mateo started out as a region separate and independent of the Chilean Province. Since 1971 we are all part of the Chilean Province.

At one time, due to tbe lack of younger Jesuits, the Maryland Jesuits have assumed superior's roles in various apostolates. Barry Doyle, rector of three high schools, Tom Gavin, high school rector and súpenor of the Padre Hurtado Retreat House, and John Swope, director of CIDE. Three Marylanders still remain. Gene Rooney is doing great work in the libraries of the province and has given life to the archives. Gene Barber has been the source of many vocations while working in Osorno and Antofagasta. He is now doing a very unique and difficult work with the religious dance groups in Arica. That is a huge operation with very little help. In addition he works in the jail twice a week and is an inspiration to all.

John Henry, oldest of the crowd, is director of the Centro Ignaciano, founded ten years ago with the help of Maryland, to fulfill the urgent need of formation for people. He works with a group of lay people in retreats and bible formation. He is also chaplain of the Hogar de Cristo with five social works in town.

But Maryland has also benefited by this twinning. Four of the ex-Chileans have been pastors of Holy Name in Camden and others are working with the Spanish population in other cities.

It is wonderful to see that a Chilean, Jaime Guzman, is presently the minister at Wernersville. May this twinning continue for the good of both provinces.

John Henry