Dear Editor,
The saying, “The pen is mightier than sword” is true. The writers speak the truth and the truth will certainly sharpen our minds to understand current happenings by looking backwards at our own history. I was delighted to hear that the new book, Guyana and the Wider World by Sr Mary Noel Menezes, Professor Emeritus, University of Guyana, was launched this week. It is even more delightful to hear that her former student of history and our President, Mr David Granger, paid homage at the book launch. The President said, “This meant that once you passed through her hands you had to know how to do research and sometimes even after you have grown up and become an ‘old boy’, when you write something you would ask yourself, would Sister approve of this? This book that is being launched here gives you an idea of Sister’s intellect, the range of her interests and the intensity and passion with which she wrote. Students who were taught by her were made to think.”
This will be the sentiment of most of us who have had brief or long interactions with Sr Noel. She is a person of depth in her spiritual and academic life, which is well expressed in her book, that is really a potpourri of academic excellence. It comprises a collection of Sr Noel’s essays and addresses, and could be an interesting read with its nuances in relation to different events and situations that she came across in her academic and spiritual life. The two aspects of the book that gripped my curiosity are, firstly, her knowledge of and reflections on the Church in Guyana, which became instrumental in the education of boys and girls. This was truly an eye-opener for me as a Catholic priest to know the history of Christianity in Guyana. Secondly, her critical approach to the situation that very often prevails on our roads. She criticises the lawlessness on our streets, and the total disregard for the law by road users. Like most of us, this must have come from her first-hand experience on our roads.
I would strongly recommend this book because of its depth and first-hand experience of the reality of life. It could be read by academics or others because it will unravel some of the day-to-day happenings in Guyana and why they occur in such a way. I thank Sr Noel for enlightening us with her hard work and commitment in writing these essays.
Yours faithfully,
Fr Jerri Melwin Dias SJ
Diocese of Georgetown
