Monk Dawson

This programme contains some strong language.

BBC Radio News. The headlines this morning.

The United Nations Secretary, Senor Prez de Cullar, has admitted

that military action is the only action left if Saddam Hussein is to be removed from Kuwait.

I don't think he ever forgave me for what happened.

I don't see how he could.

I realise now that we were always going to be different.

He lived in the hope of making things better.

I lived for myself.

CHURCH BELL RINGS

You're a long way from the action, Mr Winterman. Yes.

And this is not a professional visit.

No, Father. It's personal.

You do realise he's taken a vow of silence. Yes.

I can grant a dispensation.

But it is not to be given lightly.

You're not family, are you? No.

But I have known him for quite some time.

BELL RINGS

You'll find your friend in here. Try not to be too long.

Hello, Eddie.

I was just passing. I thought I'd...

..you know...

TRAIN WHISTLE

You a new boy?

Take your trunk and join the line over there.

Good evening. Good evening, sir.

Welcome, Mr and Mrs... Dawson.

I'm Mrs Dawson, this is Dr Dawson and this is our son Eddie.

I think it should be Edward, dear. No, he's ALWAYS been Eddie.

It doesn't matter. Here he will be known as Dawson

Our friendship was sealed on that first awful day.

And though I soon had others, I always thought of Dawson as my best friend.

But a friend somehow too precious for everyday use.

In our second summer at the school, Eddie's father died.

At the time, none of us were aware that Dr Dawson committed suicide.

I'm sure it was this mortal sin that gave the monks their early hold over Eddie.

I take it you'll be able to afford the new fee. I should be able to.

Sally will have to go to the local school but... Your son should come first.

Yes. I'm so glad you can keep him on.

The school became his home and the monks became his family.

Come on, keep going. Move it.

Come on, keep going! Don't flag now!

That's right. Come on, Winterman. What's the matter with you?

Left, right, left, right, left, right...

Bloody ridiculous. We almost got incinerated last week over some island in the Caribbean

and here we are playing at soldiers as if nothing happened.

Eyes up, left!

Bloody ridiculous.

Eyes up!

Dawson, Eddie. Sir House's turn to take high mass on Sunday.

Can you arrange some servers? And impress upon them that this is not a lark.

I do not want us to look as foolish as St Aidan's did last Sunday.

Clear? Good.

JAZZY FRENCH LOVE SONG

ORGAN PLAYS

THEY SING A HYMN

And it is with this spiritual dimension in mind

that many young men think of a vocation to the priesthood or to a monastery such as this one.

It is sad nowadays how many young men should feel that the priesthood is not a place for them.

You are all doubly blessed.

You have both a circum education and the one true faith.

These blessings bring with them responsibility.

You must exercise this responsibility well.

God has given you a gift.

Do not squander it.

Stand.

SAYS LATIN PRAYER

'Eddie loved to serve at the altar on Sundays,

'and we could all see how the monks treated indifferently.

'They trusted him and gave him responsibility over the juniors.'

Winterman, are you awake?

No.

I'm worried that, if I go to sleep, I'll get a vocation,

end up stuck here for the rest of my life.

Surely it's something to welcome rather than fear.

I'm damn sure I don't want to find out.

You must be mad if you think...

KNOCKING SOUND

Furness , did you lamp-post Steele's bed?

Yes.

Why?

Well, because he's fat and he's smelly.

MUFFLED GIGGLING

Dawson! Dawson! Quickly, Dawson!

It's Furness - he can't swim!

COUGHING AND SPLUTTERING

Everyone's in, sir.

Thank you, Dawson.

Something the matter?

Have you got a moment, sir?

How long have you had these feelings for this boy?

I don't know, sir.

Eddie, there are some things you may not quite understand.

This friendship for Furness, it is not, cannot be, a good thing.

Do you understand?

Yes, sir.

Feelings such as these are often a by-product of growing up.

That's not to say they are not wrong.

This is a serious matter, Eddie, and it must be nipped in the bud.

Six strokes of the cane, I think, will sort you out.

Understand, don't you, Eddie?

Surely this vocation thing will pass.

You've got to get out into the real world,

outside this valley, give yourself some experience.

There are plenty of ways to help people outside.

Surely the best way to serve others is to serve God.

'I could never understand how my friend's affection for Ferness

'led him to believe that he was destined to serve God.

'But it was no surprise to me that, when I fled the valley,

'Dawson stayed on.'

Most Reverend Father, Holy Mother Church asks you to ordain this man,

our brother, for service as a priest.

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit...

I'm so proud, Eddie.

You really ought to call me John now, Mother.

You know I'll never get used to that, dear.

So, what's the form here, then?

Normally I'd be expecting to kiss the bride.

Thanks for coming, Bobby. You remember my mother?

And this is my sister, Sally.

Hello. Hello.

Bobby's been rather successful, Mother.

I'm only a journalist, Eddie.

Journalist! That does sound exciting. Just think, Eddie.

Sorry I have to rush away.

You're always in my prayers, Bobby. I hope you don't mind.

God! I mean good Lord, no. They seem to be working.

Well, goodbye.

Goodbye, Father John.

'I've been to numerous weddings, though never my own.

'And I have yet to see a bright look as happy as Dawson did that day.

'As I drove away, I was convinced that my friend

'had truly found his home.'

'Man was utterly corrupt, utterly fallen, could only perpetually sin.

BELL RINGS

OK, gentlemen.

You're free now, aren't you, John?

Yes.

Tell me, John, are you happy teaching?

Father Abbot, I am disappointed.

I only seem to be helping the sons of the rich.

Our order have always been servants to the community.

Try not to think of us as serving one particular class.

Our job is to try and turn out young men who will lead

good Christian lives. We're not a missionary order, John.

If that's what you want you should have been a Jesuit.

Well, it won't come to that, Father(!)

A sense of humour will always keep you afloat.

The problem is you're too young for a parish proper.

However, Father Bonaventura's not well, the village needs a priest.

I think you might be just the man.

Christ isn't asking us to go from wealth to poverty

to gain entry into his kingdom.

All that he asks is that we are aware of the sufferings of our fellow humans.

That we do not pass them by without thought or sympathy.

But that, like the Samaritan in today's gospel,

we must instead look into our hearts and acknowledge our responsibilities.

Let us stand and profess our faith.

We believe in one God, the father of the Almighty...

Goodbye. Bye.

I would be most grateful, Father.

It's very kind, Lady Toynton but... I won't bite, Father,

and I promise you'll be back in the monastery in time for your office.

At 3 o'clock, then.

It is important, Father.

Father? Hello.

Um, I want you to do my daughter. I'm sorry?

Baptise her. Oh, yes, of course.

If you'd like to come inside, we can arrange a time.

It's Mrs...? Mollie. My name's Mollie.

Mollie.

HE COUGHS

Sugar, or honey for your throat?

Excuse me. Sugar. One, please.

That's a Kirkham boy.

I should think so.

Come now, Father,

you know there's always been a certain amount of 'loi du seigneur'.

My husband was at Kirkham.

Just before he died...

Charlie shrugged off all his reserve.

What I'm about to tell you, Father,

should remain as secret as a confessional.

More so, in fact. Yes.

Yes, of course.

When Charlie was in the sixth form, he had a tumble, a roll in the hay,

whatever euphemism you prefer, with a kitchen maid.

The result was a baby boy.

I see.

What happened to the boy? I've no idea.

But, believe me, I see my husband's face

in every 40-year-old man on the estate and in church.

You see, we never had a child.

20 minutes with a kitchen maid gave him what 30 years with me could not.

Oh, I am sorry.

Which brings us to the reason I asked you here, Father Dawson.

Mollie Jolliffe. Have you spoken to Father Bonaventure about her?

No, not yet.

You see, Mollie's daughter's illegitimate.