The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1868-10-11

,aDceS of those VcneIaOAo Oau MOI, -
~. . crity 81 their lives, the silence which
surrounded me, all produced on mo az
impression. ..,ti
: 1Thia andilen transition from the tumuH
Of human passions and noise OF the WOfu
10 the calm and silence OF retlremesG ~
capable of moving even the mose naIaG h;
ceremonies. but visited their dormitory, +
cemetery, and all that strangers are ailowea
to see. i felt myself in an atmosphere ..
piety. It seemed as IL virtue insinuaeoo
itself into the very pores OF my peln81 ~
strangely was affected Dy a.! ! a sa~ n
this TRANQUIL haven, and abandon forever
the stormy sea of the world. ProVaoence
ordained it otherwise.
At the hours of recreation loved to con-
verse with the Father Guardian, q man OF
rare intellect, exquisite NPo!iteness, angehc
piety, who spoke of heavenly things as one
awaits. with holy impatience the long
wished for moment when he Willie per-
mitted to roll up his tent and depart on the
voyage of>eternity. One day, in the mlust
of our conversation, there passed near US
modest looking religious, OF smiling cGnn.
of sanctity shone on his gracious brow.
His white wooden robe, his leathern belt,
his sandals, the beads which hung at ms
side. his noble mien, his tall, majestic
stature, all attracted my attention.
The Father, noticing my surprise, aske ;a
me If wished to hear the history OF this
good Father.
MTbis reliaioSs,n said he, belongs to
noble and wealthy family. While yet
Young, he was deprived of the protection
and wise counsels of his parents; possess
deceitfnl voice of the world; he drank
deeply Of the cup of pleasure, and sought
in the midst of sensual eDjoyments what
worldlings call happiness: he found moth
ing but remorse. 1t was IN the very cap
ital, in the midst of all the voluptuous graf
ifications which it presents to ITS votar,es'
that he gave free scope to his wild PASSIONS
Deceived in his dreams, tired OF an exist
| ence which had become too heavy burden
| for his weakness, he formed the fatal reso-
1 luton of putting an end to his life. Iak!ng
q pistol he entered the woods OF Bonlogne ;
but when in the act of executing his mnr-
derous project, he remembered he had a
| few debts to pay. An honest man. said
he to himself, .should not wilfully leave
| this world without having paid his debts.
He retraced his steps. On his way he met
an intimate friend who drew him into .
restaurant. This friend had just returned
from La Trappe, and was never weary o
expressing his admiration of the life o
these cenobites, of the happiness they fint
| in the midst OF their notifications ant
austerities; and he earnestly exhorted Inn
to make an excursion to Aguabella II IRON
NO other motive than that OF curiosity
Very WE'LL said he, i:sst s sat's'y yssn
yes, will go La Trappe.
mThe two friends separated; the yOuni
libertine whom grace awaited ON the tresh
hold of the convent, said to himself: LIE
, US go to La Irappe. 1 certainly shall hu
q cOrrer in that solitude to blow out m
brains. aud thus end my miserable eS
! isteuce.' A few days later be raped at tn
= door of the monastery, pistol In ms COZ
pocket. He is introduced, and mingis
with the strangers, who assisted at tt
= public ceremonies from gallery dest!ne
=. | for that purpose. The venerable aspect
7 the religious, the air of happiness diffuse
. over their countenances, make an lmpre
- sion on him; but when, after vespers
p, the Saire Regina, when the Young novle
- in their Trappist robes surround the alta
), and with appraised arms repeat with t
"A candor and gentleness becoming their ae
w this touching prayer: 0 clemens, PA,
as dulcis VirJo Mario ! he is beside himse
~ from his eyes; his letters are /loosed, a
' "a the Queen of Angels and men snatched a
~. other victim from hell. The young Hb'
u tine. the seeker of worldly pleasures, ovt
- come like another Saul on the road to L
a., mascus, sought Ananias, made to him I
lx avOwat OF his u1SOrUeTS, lis cIitiiuai ~ We
sfs and handed to the Reverend Father Abb
he the murde..oa. weapon which was to hs
els terminated his existence. On Bonded kl
rs, ne besougbt him with many tear to be I
,nr mitted, in spite of his unworthiness, anne
mt the brethren, solemny promising Ged "a.
=" His holy Mother to repair by mortihcat
90 10 and penahce the scandals of his dissol
ose life. IL. .o T..
rcb Guardian =, I" he edities the whole comm
w., ,Sn ityl by his.aAny virtues, especially, by
ju- apuens aexo.,on nrs ~ nv the recital of
Inn, iim good rel gious, and felt my heart inla'
! in with more love NJ, Wa.t,ar ~ Mercy. onr
our consolation, our hope! Should q
- ! I;,.s Coli into the hands of some unfortu