The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1871-10-08
fConwunlcated.l
The Trsppists

In view Of the recent misfortanes wniSo
have fallen 20 heavily upon this Order, m me
destruction Of their Monastery IN Kent 81.
Arehbishop. has given them Pernis.aon e . sP-
psal for help 70 the charitable citisens OF this
disosss, Il may not b. iuapproprtaes 70 give
H. &. .:s .s s. IL: r.:
This great Order. which shines In the front
rank Of the Church, which has given to It %
msay illostIiess Pontie:, xhich J, h.s pscPls Cd
particularly BY it, austerities. TWAS founded
By st. Benedict, in the sixth century, but St.
Bernard having, In the eleventh centary, made
rules 10 regarded - their second patron.
demned to ) perpetual Silence they sleep on
Sat live entirely upon fruit and yeg.ta6les,
which are generally eaten raw. From 18th Sep
tember to Easter Sunday they take only one
meal Daring the day they perform 1; mammal at ona
o'clock to pray. They are willing victims,
crucifying themselves and dying - An offering
to the justice of God for tho iniquitiee Of the
world they are penitent followers Of Moses
Heaven suppliant hands, asking for grace ana
mercy for sinners and for the sins OF tho world.
The Monastery Of the Treppist is not only
. place Of penance, but 10 also an asylum OF
charity open to sll classes Of society without
regard to religion; retreat, where sinners
come to purify Themselves, and where virtuous
people, pt16oG9 ma Ol8OOpO, COWO w o0oA AZ
tirement after the fstiguing lsbors OF their
missions
The friendless and homeless poor man or the
belated traveller 10 always certain Of finding
hero sweet reposo and truly Christian hospi-
tality-after having recuperated bis strength
for some days, and in many cases having
changed the rags of poverty for moro comfort
able and decent garments, he retires, carrying
with him the material benefits of charity, the
blessings of heaven and tender memories
of those who watched over and nursed him
like Q friend and brother.
How beautiful how touching! to see those
holy men kneel before every visitor who
knocks at the gate of their monastery for I'D
blessed patriarchs Of old, they PROSTATE them
selves before their guests before inviting them
to enter.
To do good to others, to forget himself, to
live only for God and the good Of his neighb0r,
is, in u few words, the life of Trappist.
What is his endf After having lived thirty,
forty or fifty years in cloister, ignored BY the
world to which he bad already bid an eternal
farewell, he feels the approach OF death, and
with chants and canticles Of Joy he halls the
hour of deliverance. In order to persevere to
tho very end in the rules Of the Society, and
that his soul may be moro and more purified BY
the modification Of his flesh, he has himself
placed ON the floor, his arms extended in the
shape of . cross, thus assuming that position
Of humility which 10 tho Sign of our redemp-
ton, and thus his soul takes its flight to his
throne of eternal glory in paradise.
It 10 upon such mon that misfortune has
comet is these good religious, who, even in
| their great poverty, have never refused assist
| ance to one human being, who now como to
AJAX assistance for themselves. G. h. U.