Abbot Pereira prepares for surgery*

By Kaelanne Jordan, kjordan.camsel@rcpos.org

Abbot John Pereira OSB (in photo with Ghanaian priest, Fr Vitus Mensah) continues to remain positive and relaxed days before an operation for transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP). His surgery is scheduled for Thursday at 2 p.m. (Vatican time), 9 a.m. local time.

He told Catholic News that he feels the “powerful support” of the community of monks at Mount St Benedict as well as the prayers of his family and well-wishers in T&T.

“The knowledge of the prayerful support of so many has brought me much comfort during my time of exile from the monastery,” he said via WhatsApp message.

Abbot Pereira shared that he was taken off Eliquis (blood thinner) January 16 and placed on new medication—Clexane, a daily self-administered injection taken below the skin.

He mentioned that the new prescription is “much stronger” than the Eliquis and is to ensure that there is no recurrence of a blood clot. “The doctors here are much more vigilant that I do not get another thrombosis or embolism, so they are taking all precautions,” he said.

Abbot Pereira was given a “special anti-embolism” pair of stockings which he will wear during his time in the hospital. He confirmed that after a battery of medical tests with the doctor January 15 and 16 “all seems to be proceeding according to plan”.

To this end, Abbot Pereira said that he is inspired by the words of the Apostle Paul: “Therefore I am happy in sickness…for Christ’s sake. For it is when I am weak that I am strong… ‘My grace is sufficient for you: my power is at its best in weakness’…” (2 Cor 12:9–10).

Let us all remember Abbot Pereira in our prayers.