The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1867-10-31
A Sabbath among the Monks Of
81. Bernard.

A European travelling correspondent oi
the Cincinnati Enquirer thus describes ga
Sabbath among the monks Of St. Ber,
nard -
''Our readers have SO frequently heard
OF the monks cf ST. Bernard, and their
deeds of mercy, that we do not know that
we can make our letter more entertaining
than by devoting portion of it to de-
scrlpiion OF a Sabbath spent among them.
The HOspice of St. Bernard was found
ed as early as the tenth century by Ber-
nard de Meurhop. The Brotherhood
consists of from ten to fifteen Augustine
monks, with some attendants, who receive
and accommodate strangers without charge.
but who especially render assistance TO
travellers during the heavy SHOWS. We
learned that, notwithstanding the Hospice
had received numerous grants of land and
property, 1t had experienced some diff
culties. At one time 1t was possessed of
| eighty beneices, but now it holds but a
limited portion of lis original property.
1t now requires about ten thousand dollars
for IFS annual support, and this sum is se>
cured by subsidies from the French and
Italian Governments. There are, too, fire.
quent contributions of parties who receive
hospitalities from the institution, but we
were info rmed that the amount thus de-
| rived was not at all commensurate with
the number entertained.
''The monastery, which consists Of two
| buildings and morgue, is situated at the
very summit of the pass of Great St.
| Bernard and a much frequented passage
| leading from Switzerland into Italy. The
larger of the two buildings is a massive
structure of rough cast, and is devoted 10
the entertainment of travellers. 1t CON
tains also the chapel of the monastery.
The other building is also used for the re-
ceptlon of poor travellers, and also as
place of refuge in case of fire, although,
fro" the nature of the large building, it
would seem that fire is an impossibiity.
Upon our arrival on Saturday night,
after a walk Of Thirty miles, we entered
| the large Hall, and ringing the bell, were
received and cordially welcomed by one of
the fathers. He conducted US to the din
ing room and kindly invited US to partake
OF a most excellent supper, including good
wine, the latter of which we partook of
only 'ior the stomach's sake as we have
had occasion TO remark before. After we
had finished, and after spending an hour
i'll pleasant conversation, we were shown
our apartments, which consisted Of accom-
modations for SIX persons, the number of
the party. After good night from the
father we retired to rest the WEAKNESS oc-
casioned by a march in one day which re-
quired three days on the part of the great
Napoleon to accomplish. At six o'clock
in the morning we were awakened by the
merry chime of the bells of the monastery.
which awakened pleasant echoes at that
Sabbath hour, when so far from home in
the mountains. We breakfasted at eight
o'clock, and at ten attended mass in the
pretty chapel. The music, both vocal
and instrumental, seemed very impressive,
and the attendance of strangers and peas
ants comfortably filled the room. At
twelve O'Clock there was a most capital
dinner served, including several courses,
at which all the fathers, as we'll as the
strangers, sat down. The food was sub
starRial and we'll prepared. There seemed
TO be none of that reserve or conformaIity
that Oftlimes characterizes such occasions
as these, but all seemed 10 manifest the
suarite'' an 0aodo, and participated in gen
eral conversation to an eminent degree.
There was a feeling on the part of every
one that he was not an intruder but a wel-
come guest. Rev. Father Metroz, TO
whom we are under special obligations,
assured US that they had entertained as
many as thousand persons at one time.
"In consequence of the cold, the large
rooms are warmed during the entire year,
and during our stay there, although upon
an August day, we found not only fire
but even our Overcoats quite comfortable.
''It is said that The monks, Dotwith-
standing they may possess strong ply
SiqueS at the time they enter the Hospice,
yet, after comparatively short time, they
retire with ruined constitutions TO other
climates. 1t is, indeed, the highest win
ter tabitation on the Alps
''There is a library attached TO the Hos
pice, containing large collection of val
liable works, as well as large number of
Roman coins and many relics, among them
fragments of the brass tablets of, red to
Jupiter Penninus, after his escape from
danger We also noticed the portraits of
many distinguished persons, among them
the Napoleons, Washington and Lamar
! tine. In The chanel is the rnan"r.,e->'