Cecil Donovan, later to be Father Bruno, was born in Monkstown, Co Dublin, on 18th May 1911. He entered the school here as a small boy. He was never a leader in any serious or remotely official sense, but he was well liked by those who noticed him. So cheerful, friendly and unselfish a boy inevitably had magnetic charm. His gaiety was maintained, though with some loss, in spite of acute self-consciousness over a facial disfigurement, a hare lip.
He received the habit in 1930, and fulfilled the usual course of preparation, including classics at Oxford. After taking his degree he remained at Oxford for a further two years studying theology at Blackfriars. He began there to specialise in the study of the Scriptures, which was henceforth his main interest. He was ordained in 1940 and was busily employed in the community. He had long, however, felt an attraction for a more secluded life - and this had influenced his choice of religious name. Presently his uncertainties became painful and he was allowed in 1945 to test them in Mount Melleray. In the wise hands of the Cistercians he became satisfied with our way of life, and he returned to us in October 1946 with his doubts resolved. He was appointed Novicemaster in 1954 and held the office for twelve years although handicapped after 1962 by the effects of a severe heart-attack, the first of several. He was much sought, too, for retreats to priests and communities; and he threw himself eagerly into post-conciliar ecumenism. But it was not such work that formed his main contribution to his monastery and its friends. That was himself. He was unselfish to a degree ill defined by that negative term. Rather, he should be described as a free and incessant giver. His interest was quickly aroused, and he became utterly absorbed in the occupation of the moment-with unhappy consequences of unpunctuality.
His eager darting mind had considerable penetrative force, and often reached highly original conclusions. He had an enviable power of showing his eager sympathy. Barriers of constraint fell before him, and whether it was merely intelligent conversation on impersonal subjects that was desired, or investigation of a private problem, 'a talk with Fr Bruno' was a popular and fruitful recourse: if there were tensions they relaxed; depression was lifted. His value in this respect grew in his later years when he, who had always been a good talker, became also a good listener. One further thing may be added. It perhaps gives the key to understanding him: there was a radiance, a transparence, in him (and it had already been noted when he was a small boy) which indicated the very best sort of goodness. In this he strikingly resembled an older namesake, Fr Bruno Dawson. During the summer he clearly weakened, but he was rarely laid up. On the day of his death, Sunday, 13th August, he was at breakfast with the community, and intended to say Mass in the evening. A few hours later, while resting in his room during the community High Mass, he had a number of heart attacks. Father Abbot administered the sacrament for the sick, and he quickly and quietly died. May God take him to Himself. We offer our sympathy to his surviving brothers and sisters.
A correspondent from Ontario writes:
I really thought he was a tremendous man, and I am sure countless other people must have thought the same. He was unique. I can see him creating havoc amongst a few pious souls up above with his rather unorthodox views, can't you? I have a facetious fantasy in my mind which shows St Peter saying to me gruffly, 'And where do YOU think you are going?'; to which I only reply, 'friend of Fr Bruno' and pass through without further argument!'
CECIL BRUNO DONOVAN 13 August 1967
1911 18 May Born Monkstown Co Dublin
Educ Ampleforth
1930 Clothed at Ampleforth
1931 Temporary Vows
1934 Solemn Vows
1933 At St Benet's Hall Oxford obtaining a scond class in Lit Hum
1937-39 Remained at Oxford for theology at Blackfriars
1938 Subdeacon
1939 Deacon
1940 Priest
Taught in the school
1939-45 Professor of Sacred Scripture in the monastery at Ampleforth
1945 Went to try his vocation at Mount Melleray
1946 Returned to Ampleforth & resumed his teaching
1954 Novice Master
1957 Assistant at the village church
1961 Appointed assistant examiner in s scripture for the EBC
1962 Failing health caused his retirement from the village curacy
1966 Retired from the novice mastership due to his health
1967 13 Aug Died at Ampleforth
Buried at Ampleforth