Cuthbert Cary-Elwes (1 October 1867, Boulogne (France) - 22 August 1945, London) was an English Jesuit priest, itinerant missionary and founder of the Rupununi Mission, in South-Guyana.
After studying at Downside Abbey and Stonyhurst College he joined the Society of Jesus on 7 September 1887. He followed the regular course of philosophical studies at St Mary’s Hall, Stonyhurst (1890-1893) and Theology with the French Jesuits, first at Jersey and then Lyons (1897–1901). He is ordained priest the 18 July 1900, in London.
After three years in Georgetown, headquarter of the British colony, Cary-Elwes is finally sent to the interior of the country. He is stationed first at Morawhanna, at the border of Venezuela where he does catechism and pastoral work.
But a new mission is to be opened further south in Guyana, close to the Brazilian border. Cary-Elwes is chosen for the challenging task. In 1909 he travels through the Amazonian forest to reach the Takutu River. He is in Macushi and Wapishana territory, two Amerindian groups whose langue he learns. For two years he has to rely entirely on interpreters for communicating with them. But soon his progressive fluency in the languages allows him to make himself understood among the Patamona people who receive him well. He builds many simple houses and a few churches. Quite a few people receive baptism.
His pastoral area covers 300 square miles (780 km2) through which he walks for hours and days, finding this more helpful for prayer: «without a real spirit of prayer my life as a missionary would be impossible». Once he had mastered the Makushi language he used to sit long hours into the night, surrounded by men, women and children, talking, singing and instructing them in an informal way. Rupununi people called him ‘Little padre’, an affectionate title.
Return to Englandedit
In January 1923, struck by a severe mental breakdown that left him disoriented in the forest for several weeks he was taken back to Georgetown and repatriated to England. He recovered fairly well, but a return to Guyana was deemed unthinkable. His Rupununi congregation of Christians kept on asking news about his ’Little padre’ but Cary-Elwes had to remain in England.
For another 20 years he gave lectures, missions and retreats, and published his notes on the Makushi, and other tribal languages of the region. Keeping in touch with the mission he used to compose hymns in Wapishana. Cuthbert Cary-Elwes died in London on 23 August 1945.
Recognitionedit
Acknowledging the great contribution the simple missionary made to the people of the Amazonian forest made, the Guyana postal department issued in 2007 a stamp in honour of the Missionary among the Amerindians.[2]
Referencesedit
^"Tipuru celebrates 100 years since arrival of Jesuit missionary | Jesuits in Britain". www.jesuit.org.uk. Retrieved 11 January 2021.
^"Cuthbert Cary-Elwes, SJ". www.manresa-sj.org. Retrieved 11 January 2021.
Bibliographyedit
J. Bridges (ed): Rupununi Mission: The story of Cuthbert Cary-Elwes, London, 1985.
Audrey Butt Colson, Fr Cary-Elwes S.J. and the Alleluia Indians, Amerindian Research Unit, University of Guyana, 1998.
December 18, 2023
cuthbert, cary, elwes, october, 1867, boulogne, france, august, 1945, london, english, jesuit, priest, itinerant, missionary, founder, rupununi, mission, south, guyana, contents, youth, formation, missionary, calling, return, england, recognition, references, . Cuthbert Cary Elwes 1 October 1867 Boulogne France 22 August 1945 London was an English Jesuit priest itinerant missionary and founder of the Rupununi Mission in South Guyana Contents 1 Youth and Formation 2 Missionary calling 3 Return to England 4 Recognition 5 References 6 BibliographyYouth and Formation editAfter studying at Downside Abbey and Stonyhurst College he joined the Society of Jesus on 7 September 1887 He followed the regular course of philosophical studies at St Mary s Hall Stonyhurst 1890 1893 and Theology with the French Jesuits first at Jersey and then Lyons 1897 1901 He is ordained priest the 18 July 1900 in London Missionary calling editInspired by an uncle 1 missionary in South Africa he writes in 1902 to the Superior General of the Jesuits Luis Martin offering to be sent to any mission land China or the wild Indians of Brazil The General leaves the decision to the local provincial who accedes to the desire of Cary Elwes and sends him to British Guyana in 1904 After three years in Georgetown headquarter of the British colony Cary Elwes is finally sent to the interior of the country He is stationed first at Morawhanna at the border of Venezuela where he does catechism and pastoral work But a new mission is to be opened further south in Guyana close to the Brazilian border Cary Elwes is chosen for the challenging task In 1909 he travels through the Amazonian forest to reach the Takutu River He is in Macushi and Wapishana territory two Amerindian groups whose langue he learns For two years he has to rely entirely on interpreters for communicating with them But soon his progressive fluency in the languages allows him to make himself understood among the Patamona people who receive him well He builds many simple houses and a few churches Quite a few people receive baptism His pastoral area covers 300 square miles 780 km2 through which he walks for hours and days finding this more helpful for prayer without a real spirit of prayer my life as a missionary would be impossible Once he had mastered the Makushi language he used to sit long hours into the night surrounded by men women and children talking singing and instructing them in an informal way Rupununi people called him Little padre an affectionate title Return to England editIn January 1923 struck by a severe mental breakdown that left him disoriented in the forest for several weeks he was taken back to Georgetown and repatriated to England He recovered fairly well but a return to Guyana was deemed unthinkable His Rupununi congregation of Christians kept on asking news about his Little padre but Cary Elwes had to remain in England For another 20 years he gave lectures missions and retreats and published his notes on the Makushi and other tribal languages of the region Keeping in touch with the mission he used to compose hymns in Wapishana Cuthbert Cary Elwes died in London on 23 August 1945 Recognition editAcknowledging the great contribution the simple missionary made to the people of the Amazonian forest made the Guyana postal department issued in 2007 a stamp in honour of the Missionary among the Amerindians 2 References edit Tipuru celebrates 100 years since arrival of Jesuit missionary Jesuits in Britain www jesuit org uk Retrieved 11 January 2021 Cuthbert Cary Elwes SJ www manresa sj org Retrieved 11 January 2021 Bibliography editJ Bridges ed Rupununi Mission The story of Cuthbert Cary Elwes London 1985 Audrey Butt Colson Fr Cary Elwes S J and the Alleluia Indians Amerindian Research Unit University of Guyana 1998 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Cuthbert Cary Elwes amp oldid 1084391297, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
