Abbot discharged from hospital, using recovery for spiritual rejuvenation

Abbot John Pereira OSB was discharged from San Fernando General Hospital (SFGH) on Monday, September 9, after undergoing “major surgery” almost immediately following a sudden illness that occurred on Sunday 1. Doctors described the situation as “a serious emergency.”

Abbot Pereira told The Catholic News he was sent home with medication to be taken over the next eight weeks, noting that “the recovery will be gradual.” During his time of convalescence, visitors will be disallowed.

He shared he now embraces the solitudo vastissima (vast solitude), a term used in early monastic writings to determine the flight of the monk into the lonely deserts of Egypt, Palestine, and Syria.

An ulcer had ruptured in his stomach, leaving him unable to move. He was quickly transported to St Augustine Private Hospital, where doctors recommended surgery. However, due to financial constraints, Abbot Pereira requested to be transferred to San Fernando General Hospital for treatment in the public sector.

“I told them that I was not able to afford the private treatment and asked if they could arrange for my care at San Fernando General, where it would be free,” he explained.

While in recovery Abbot Pereira expressed gratitude, sharing, “Each day I am feeling a bit better, thanks,” in response to concerns following his Facebook post on Thursday, September 5. In the post, he praised the quality of care at SFGH, stating, “I give San Fernando General Hospital a grade of 10/10. Having been to hospitals in Colombia and Italy, I find their level of care unmatched. The medical personnel are kind, caring, and efficient…”

Abbot Pereira also noted that his hospitalisation was “very unfortunate” as it disrupted his plans to attend the World Congress of Benedictine Abbots at Sant’ Anselmo in Rome this month. He hoped to participate virtually “at some point”. However, he told The Catholic News on Monday, he may not be able to participate remotely as he is not “strong enough”.

Reflecting on the event, he mentioned the recent election of Maksymilian Robert Nawara from Poland as Abbot President of the Benedictine Congregation at the General Chapter in Subiaco, Italy, six years ago. “I was looking forward to meeting with him. Since his election, he has been a great support and blessing for both myself personally and our monastic community at Mount St Benedict in Tunapuna,” Abbot Pereira said.

Five days after his surgery, Abbot Pereira was on a restricted diet and not allowed solid foods. All dietary restrictions are now lifted. “I can eat normally. I already began doing so during my latter stay in the hospital,” he said.

Abbot Pereira shared that his physical duties will be restricted at the Abbey over the next eight weeks.

However, his spiritual exercises will be “intensified”, and he plans to use this recovery time as “a stage of spiritual rejuvenation along my quest for holiness.”

He further added he is “very pleased” that in his physical preparations for the World Congress of Benedictine Abbots, he had invited two “very knowledgeable and experienced” Benedictine monks to assist the Abbey in his absence: one from Belgium and the other from Brazil.

They are both ordained priests. They are now on the Mount and are “very happy” to assist the community in whatever way is required, the Abbot said.