CIC book chronicles Holy Ghost Fathers’ history

In prefatory remarks, Fr Ronald Mendes states, “During the year December 2012 to December 2013, there were a number of successfully executed events spanning all areas of College life; the production of this book is one of these highlights.”

He states the book’s ambitious goal: “We have attempted to chronicle both the history and achievements of the work of the Spiritans and their many collaborators over the past century and a half, and the impact that this work had had in the development of the nation.”

The book is rich with historical information and facts, reflecting the fact that St Mary’s has a yearly record dating back over one hundred years.

The information ranges from items such as: the passage of the dirigible Graf Zeppelin over the college in 1933 (the airship was the inspiration behind Raymond “Atila the Hun” Quevado’s classic calypso ‘Graf Zeppelin’); several war heroes; a profile of the historian and writer Fr Anthony de Verteuil and of the first female teacher at St Mary’s, Carmen Acham-Chen.

There are biographies or “pen portraits” of several CIC Hall of Fame inductees as well as well-known alumni.

Those featured include: Desmond Allum SC; Arnold Rampersad; Kenneth Gordon; Eddie Aleong; Michael Williams; Brigadier Joseph Theodore; the Brothers Furlonge; Justice Ulric Cross; Michael Agostini; Dr Ian Hypolite; Shaka Hislop; Justice Roger Hamel-Smith; Clive Pantin; George Padmore; Christopher Thomas; Professor Emeritus Kenneth Julian; Dr Hollis Liverpool; Wayne Berkeley; Fr Gerard Pantin; Justice Michael de la Bastide; Professor Courtenay Bartholomew and many more.

The wealth of material is sometimes overwhelming. The book does not follow one linear narrative but instead allows you to dip into the various sections and topics at leisure.

We also get various snapshots of school activities through the decade, going some way to bringing life to an overall picture of the instruction as a whole through time.

Copies are available at Metropolitan Book Suppliers, Frederick Street, Port-of-Spain.