Robert of Caldey

Caldey OCSO NECROLOGE 2009

July 8, 2009 : Dom Robert O'Brien (abbot 1984 – 1996). Born in 1933 in London (England), he entered Caldey in 1960 and made his solemn profession in 1966. He was ordained a priest in 1957. Father was 76 years old, had been in monastic vows for 46 years and 52 years a priest when the Lord called him.

To Abbot, Caldey

Dear Daniel,

We were sorry to hear the news of Robert's death.

Knowing him, he would be very happy about the way things have worked out. Long illnesses were not his forte.

I seemed to have known Robert for ever. He was a big presence and a genial companion. But he was a strong personality, too, which he needed to be to have achieved so much in a difficult period at Caldey.

Long may his life and presence bless your community.

It refreshing to have known him over many years.

We keep him and the Caldey community in our prayers.

Fr Donald is hoping to be present for the funeral.

. . . Mark (Nunraw, Abbot)

Wednesday, 8 July, 2009, Caldey Abbey Dom Robert O’Brien, Abbot Emeritus 27th April 1933 – 8th July 2009 ‘There were many other things that Jesus did; if all were written down, the world itself, I suppose, would not hold all the books that would have to be written’ (John 21:25). These words are very applicable to the life of Father Robert. His life was so rich, so many-faceted, and yet so incredibly simple and accessible. No doubt therefore, that so many, many people could relate to him. We all know that he preferred to be addressed as Brother Robert, because he took the Gospel very seriously where we read that we ‘should not call any man on earth “father”, for you have only one Father, and he is in heaven’ (Matthew 23:9). However, our experience is and forever will be Fr Robert’s fatherly qualities as our brother, because he loved and cared for the community, his brothers, the islanders, and the vast amount of men and women in our locality and from far away. His heart reached out to everyone without any distinction. He must have encountered this radical and unreserved love within his own family at Charlton in south London, where he was born as the third of five brothers. From a very early age onwards, he learned that to love means to serve, to get involved, to be prepared to take risks and to get your hands dirty. He never minded dirt too much… Quite soon it became clear to him that the demands of love could not remain within the boundaries of family life only. He responded to the self-giving Love of Christ by becoming a servant himself in his Church. He was ordained as Priest on June 15th 1957, and remained a Priest in the true sense of the word ever since: his heart was opened to the presence of the Lord and to the needs of countless of people. It was this inner disposition that drew him in 1960 to Caldey Island, where he embraced the service of the Priesthood within the radical simplicity of the Cistercian monastic life. He loved the monastic life and he loved simplicity, but not without struggle at times. Struggle had a vital role to play in his life and therefore he was deeply aware that nothing could be taken for granted. His service in our community ranged from guest-master, bookbinder, jam-maker, and procurator to abbot (1984 – 1996). Without any doubt we can say that thanks to his unwavering faith and untiring efforts our community still exists. It was especially during the 1980’s that it seemed inevitable that the monastery had to close its doors for good, due to lack of vocations. His enthusiasm and a deeply ingrained stubborn refusal to give up made it possible for the new influx of vocations to receive the life and the wisdom that he transmitted. Right to the end of his life he cared, with a great sense of responsibility, for the material welfare of the island as our bursar. As always he was eager to make ends meet and never lost sight of the ultimate quality of life: to be with his brothers and to remain involved in everything that could enrich the life of everyone within the community and beyond. There is no doubt that we will miss him: his clarity of mind (he could be very articulate!), his great sense of humour, his devotion to prayer and especially his perseverance in reading the Holy Scriptures, be it in plain English, or in Latin, or in Greek, or in Hebrew… ‘God, remember this to my credit, and do not wipe out of your memory the devotion which I have shown in the house of my God and in his service!’ (Nehemiah 13:14).