Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1875-10-21
Dress and Discipline Of the Carmelites.

IHE dress of the Carmelites, though in
certain degree picturesque, is cumber-
some IN the extreme 1t consists of
coarse brown habit reaching to the feet
and fastened by a leathern girdle round
the waist, from which depends the usual
strlng OF beads, called rosary" over
TINS falls the scapular, nearly as long as
the habit, before and behind, and above
the scapular is worn the circular tippet
ana cowi, termed the " capuchin." When
lulIy dressed the monk also wears q thick
White cloak and hood, in which the brown
comi Is inserted as lining; and when
walking beyond the precincts of the con-
vent ne wears huge black sombrero which
gives grotesque dignity to the whole. 1t
is from the white cloak and hood Just de-
scrlbed that the Carmelite derives his
name of Whitefriar."
The rule of life of this ancient order
presents to the casual inspection of
worldly eye An aspect of revolving severi-
lty; this is, however, more apparent than
real. Eight months of the year are de-
voted to fasting, and on every Wednesday
and Friday throughout the year personal
discipline (self-infiicted), for the space of
one "Miserere, is compulsory upon every
member of the community. The instru-
ment of correction-called in monkish
parlance 8 "discipline"-is terrible
weapon when used by powerful hand
upon the bare flesh. 1t is composed OF
fine whip-cord beautifully twisted into
handle about foot long, from which de-
pend six or eight tails, finished at the ends
in artiStically-wOrked knots. Sometimes
wire is interviewer with the cord, and by
special permission of superiors, little steel
points are inserted into the ends of the
tails. On the evenings appointed for the
infection of the discipline the brethren as.
semble In the Oratory of the convent, or in
some place devoted to the purpose and the
windows and doors having been carefully
fastened and covered, so that no vagrant
ray OF light may enter at an inopportune
moment, all range themselves round the
chamber, discipline in hand, and the prior,
or other superior monk, commences the
PREDATORY prayers. Presently, at a given
signal. the lights are eXtinguished, and
each religious prepares to use his whip.
For this purpose the skirt of the habit is
drawn over the head, and the loose flannel
drawers beneath unfastened, and suffered
to fall about the hips; all is then ready
Suddenly whizzing sound disturbs the
air OF the ROOM a dull thud upon the
naked flesh, followed by the broken voice
OF the prior commencing the penitential
psalm, gives the signal to commence; and
Immediately there is sound as of score
of fails thrashing upon granary-foor,
while a chorus of agonized voices roaring
out the Nliscrere" attest, by their peculiar
emphasis, the vigor with which each
monk is scourging his own unfortunate
body. AS the psalm is burned over voice
and hand fail, and there is a sigh of in
tense relief throughout the assembly as
the prior, by an exhaustive effort, yells
out the last words of the psalm After g
sufficient pause, to allow of the dress be-
ing adjusted, the light is readmitted, and
after short final prayer each monk de-
parts in silence to his own cell.
In addition to this rough discipline the
Carmelite rule commands the total absti-
nence from flesh of every animal, and for
bids the removal of the habit for any pur-
pose except that of changing the under
clothing; thus, the monk is obliged to
sleep in his clothes upon a bare board,
with apillow for his head and a rug or
blanket for his feet.-Gentlemasa's Aaga-
zine.