Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1888-03-01
THE TRAPPIST MONKS.
A Community Which Was Founded in Iowa
lii 1S49.

SAYS writer III the New 1 OK GTUpHIC,
was met by 4 beardless brother, to
whom presented my card and asked
TO see the father abbot. He glanced
from me to the card and back again,
but uttered never word.
I was in doubt if he were a man, and
[ knew he was not a woman, for, ac-
cording to the rules of the Trappists,
ssunder no circumstances is a woman
allowed to enter any part of the mon
astery."
They are, however, when accompa-
nied by men, allowed the privileges
Of the grounds and the guest-house
parlor; but thus far and no farther do
they penetrate.
Presently one of the fathers entered
the parlor. He was a thick-set,
smooth-faced man, whose richness of
OrOgue and glibness of tongue left no
doubt as to his nationality.
He wore a white serge habit, ar
ranged somewhat like Roman toga,
Dnly it had large, flowing sleeves, and
a bell at the waist. From his neck
hung a plain wooden cross six inches
long. On his head was tight-ftting
cap.
Like an oriental or criminal, his
sleeves were his pockets, and in one
hand he carried a big cotton handker-
chief and in the other snuff-box. He
politely offered me a pinch from the
last mentioned article. | refused say
ing / had no small vices.
mo" said he with sober face but
twinkling eye, ''if it were a vice you'd
be sure to have it."
tho ITcinocc Of tho ooooc;Oo
by asking him if everything heard of
the order is true.
Did Trappists 90 to bed in upright
stone collins garnished with deaths
head and crOss-bones?
Did they sleep standing barefooted
on cinders and broken glass bottles?"
Did they Wollop each other into a
pulpy state OF until the blood flowed
from their wounds.
It was only because monks never
laugh at ignorance that the good
father did not roar outright at these
questions His face beamed like full
moon.
He said: Come and be one of us,
and you will find we do nothing of the
kind. Trappists live peaceful, silent
life, and many of them live to a great
old age"
Even the prospect of a peaceful,
silent life that would be so seductive to
many a Benedick failed to induce me
to become 4 Trappist on the spot, but
was anxious to find out all could about
them and asked the privilege of stay
ing all night.
This request was freely granted, and
| was turned over to Brother Dominic,
another man of Erin.
Brother Dominic wore q serge habit
like other father abbOts. only brown,
the color worn by all the working
brethren, and with a hood which is
always on the head except during
prayers.
The Cistercians, the order of monks
of which the Trappists is a reformed
branch, was founded in 1898 for the
purpose Of affording an asylum to re-
pentant criminals and others who
WISICu ~ UAPIo.v iii. oIuo ny q 1IrU-
long punishment of the flesh and con-
secration to God. In order to be re-
moved the more entirely from all
temptation, they betOOk themselves to
solitary place, where in the privacy
of their own meditatiOns they could
fulfill the scriptural injunction of earn
ing their bread BY the sweat Of their
brow, and do it in silence and prayer.
The primitive austeritY of the CiSter-
clans astonished all and was MAIN
tanned for several hundred years: the
strict silence, severe abstinence and
arduous toll that characterizeg the
Trappists to-day was established by
them. A very notable abbot of the
order who established q monastery at
La Trappi, exercised such an influence
on his brethren rs to bring about a
change in the name of the order.
During the French revolution the Irish
Trappists of whom there were many,
were expelled from France, ana they
returned to Ireland, where they OBJ
tanned possession of five hundred acres
of barren land and founded the now
famous monastery of Melleray.
In 1919 this community sent a fills
han to America. They settled here in
Iowa, and named their home New
Melleray. They consisted of three
priests, seven Choir" and two ''lay"
brothers, and they owned half a section
of land. Now the community num-
bers seventy, and as many more are
buried behind the monastery. They
now own about five thousand acres of
the best farming land in Iowa
Their stock of cattle, sheep, and
horses, is the best in the country.
Throughout the buildings there is no
attempt at ornamentation except by
sacred statues and pictures of the
crucifx.
The refectory is a long spacious
room, much like many college chapels.
AT meals the abbot sits on dafs about
three feet high, and on either side sits
the prior and subprior. The priests
and brothers eat at the same table,
with no distinction whatever.
First they are called to PRAYER by
the abbot striking the table with i
mace. then grace is said, and that over.
another signal is given when they all
begin to eat, while at the same time
member reads aloud selections from
some religious work. Each member is
provided with 4 wooden spoon, fork,
cup of salt, a soup-dish, pewter
mug, tin cup, and napkin. The table
is simply common bare board two
feet wide. Should brother or a priest
be late at a meal he approaches the
abbot with uncovered head and waits in
silence till the abbot strikes his mace,
which Signal informs him that he can
take his seat 1T the table
A brother who wishes to retire from
the refectory before the meal is over
uncovers his head, approaches the
abbot, and awaits in silence the signal
to retire.
1t is no uncommon sight during
in tha