The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1892-07-09

tucky. The original home of the Trap
pists now located at Okla was at Belle
fontalne, France. The monastery Al
that place was closed by order OF The
French government in 1881. The monks
were dispersed. Four of them came tc
Canada and founded the monastery al
Oka Afterwards they were joined by
Others A grant Of 1000 acres of swamp
mountain end rocky soil was obtained
from the seminary of st. Supice, and
upon this domain the Trappists are now
laboring. Their methods of tillipg the
soil are being initiated by the French
Canadian farmers in the neighborhood,
much to the benefit of the latter. The
monastery at Bellefontaine was re-opened
in 1883 but meanwhile large number
of Trappists had emigrated to Canada.
They have no sources of revenue bat the
farm, the mills and the creamery. Heavy
incumbrances had to be placed upon the
property to obtain means to put up
buildings. procure stock, etc. The land
which the monks have undertaken to
clear would not DO accepted as II gift by
the ordinary farmer. Yet they now
raise large crops. The buildings must
have cost at least $103000. The great
majority of the monks are natives of
France, but some Canadians have joined
the order. Two years ago Il number OF
orphan boys from a Montreal home Were
placed upon the monastery to learn
| farming, but the arrangement did not
work we'll A few boys elected to be-
come workers in the order and the re-
mainder were sent to the home. The
Trappists have in ten years cleared seve-
raj hunded acres Of land, built saw and
grist mills, barns, etc. all the work
necessary to the carrying On of their
operations is done On the premises. They
have l2C COWS and 40 horses; besides a
great number of pigs.
The Trappists rise at z o'clock every
morning in the year. They go to bed at
8. In the summer they are allowed to
sleep one hour in the Middle Of che day.
They never speak TO each oJher or to
strangers while they work. Prayer and
devotional exercises occupy the time
which is not spent in work or sleep.
When meeting the Trappists salute each
other with the solemn "noLnanti merit"
remember death). Their food is of the
plainest description, They eat neither
meat, tish, eggs, butter, cheese, nor any
other animal prodnct. Homemade
bread. vegetables soup made from vege,
tables, water, and sometimes homemade
cider are the onl, things Of winch taey
partake. They sleep in small cells, one
man in each, which are built ia two rows
in che centre Of a large room. Each
monk has small straw mattress. The
Irappists are noted for their hospi-
tality, and special portion of the main
building is sat apart for visitors. a
monk, usually Father Peter, young
French Canadian who speaks En- slish
, we'll, is appointed to communicate with
visitors, and to SOC that their wishes are
complied with SO far as possible. No
other members Of the order are conmu-
nicated with, unless the abbot. Father
Antoine, wishes to speak to his visitors.
One of the most strict rules Of the mon
astery is that which prohibits the pres
ence Of women in or near the establish
ment.
mo ladies admitted here is the no.
tice posted over the carriage entrance
by the roadside. "It may be supposed
that our rule with respect to strict 81
lence is not always Observed" said
Father Peter, ''but it is. We never
speak to each other. La ths fields the
foreman or director of the work gives or
ders and they are obeyed. When it be-
comes absolutely necessary to have con-
versation the head superior or one OF the
deputies is communicated with, and
through him necessary explanations or
~
purchases are to be made to or from out
siders, or when laborers are to be paid,
one Of the friars acts as business mana
ger. At night it is what we call dead si-
lence. Not word is spoken, not even
by the abbot. The rules are observed as
rigidly by him as by the youngest boy
in the place. We all live in exactly the
same way. Only in case of extraordinary
emergency can word be spoken at night,
and then only to the head superior.
Please keep as quiet as you can while
here, because the occupants Of the rooms
adjoining yours may be visitors making
retreats, and they may be annoyed at
the noise"
Visitors to the monastery are we'll en-
tertained. The. humblest wayfarer is
treated Just as the highest in the land
would be. When the archbishop of
Montreal visits the monastery he is
troato1 oa an ordinary visitor Guests