The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-06-25
Let me in. Death.
How the Monks of Gcthsemane Abbey
Spend the Time.
New York Tribune.

New York Tribune.
The abbey at Gethsemane. in which these
ceremonies took place, lies only a short dis
lance from the village Of that name. At
the monastery all is peace and quiet. but
only a few miles further along the road are
New Hope and Coon Hollow, where large
every day thousands OF gallons of Ken
tuckys famous product. The people of the
neighborhood seldom see anything of the
bell tolls that they are made aware OF any
thing T UNUSUAL in the monastery.
in solitude, speaking to no one-not even
TO their brothers. When they are i'll a
special dtsPensation Permits them 70 make
Is the custom of the Trappists TO settle in
localities where the land needs cultivation.
and their sole joy. apart from that which
Is spiritual, comes from the satisfaction
which they feel at sight of barren lands
Transformed into fruitful, yielding gardens
by their own perseveriHg efforts.
The monks rise at 4 o'clock In the morn
ing. and the hours until daylight are spent
in prayer and penance. When il is light
enough they begin the daily routine Of SOW
exercises throughout the day.
There are in the United States only two
such monasteries-the one at G~ethsemane
and the other near Dubuque, la. In the en-
tire world there are only about a thousand
Of these monks who have taken upon them
er. solitude contemplation and privation.
The order was founded in the year 100 by
St: Bernard on much the same plan as ii
exists to-day. The discipline. however, was
so great that for a time II was relaxed,
until in 100 it. was restored by the Abbey
of Citeaux, and the name Cistercian Monks
was adopted. Some years later the rule was
again modified. but finally. in 1900. at the
Abbey Of La Trsppe, the influence of Abbot
Ruaz %reinstated the rule of former years,
and the name Trappists has chung 70 the
AS old age approaches the Trappist monk
finds time from his other labors 10. begin the
digging of his own grave, and when death
overtakes him he IS laid TO rest wrapped
only in his cowl. with the hood drawn down
over his face. For thirty days thereafter
a crueifix represents his place at table,
and his wooden bowl OF Cruel and crust of
bread are served the same as If he were
alive.
Within the walls of the Kentucky monas-
terry men of wealth and prominence in the
worlds affairs have sought seclusion. Trag-
edies of love and disappointment and hopes
unfulflled have inspired more than one TO
seek its shadowy walls. while others have
gone there inspired only by religious fervor.
In the little graveyard where lie the remains
OF the monks who have passed away a plain
tombstone marks the grave of one who was
a soldier in the army Of Napoleon. After
the battle of Waterloo he made his way 10
this country. broken hearted, and sought
the monastery. Years passed, and the monk
was without news OF the outside world.
When at last he lay upon his death bed the
"Brother'v he said. you have in all things
observed the rules of our order, but 10 US.
as TO all men. IT. is given. TO make a last
request before going into the world beyond.
Whatever you have TO ask now will be
granted"
The dying monk. arousing himself with a
great effort. said that. though he had tried
faithfully 10 forget all but spiritual things,
one thought had been in his mind during
all the long days and nights In the mon
astery. :,
Answer me one question" he said, "and
1 shall die at peace What became of Ma
poleon?"
The Abbey of Gethsemane was founded
by monks from the Trappist monastery of
Military. France. They arrived in Kentucky
on Dec. %. 1915, coming 10 Louisville by boat
from Pittsourg- Here they formed a process
sion. headed by one carrying n plain
wooden cross that they had brought from
their far-away home They were under the
guidance OF Father Eutropius. who had been
appointed their superior. and who was AFTER
now known as the abbey was one OF the