The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1905-01-07
her companions, until death discloses

her companions, until death discloses
it Oh the garlanded bier"
The great surprise awaits the postu-
liant when she enters the cell prepared
for her first nights rest in the cloister.
ION the coarse coverlet of the mar
''On the coarse coverlet Of the nar-
row cot,' recounts the Countess Of
Noailles, like enormous topazes inlaid
in bed of emeralds. are superb tea
roses, blossoming between the glisten-
ing leaves of a wreath Of ivy. In the
middle are lilies and lilies, INTERVIEWING
until their imma culate petals form
large cross Caprcious sprays Of frag-
rant jasmine run round the pillow, the
tender white blossoms appearing to
pursue one another without ever meet
ing In the cetner of the pillow is
crown of white roses and orange bios
SONS. and fastened like a black pearl
in the heart of this crown is a wooden
cross-the cross of the dead, the cross
which she will carry to the tomb
clasped between her rigid fingers when
she will have merited the crown. Be-
tween this cross and this crown passes
the life of Carmelite num-
The life of Carmelite nun may be
summed up in pray much, suffer
much, work much, love much" \
Carmelite has been compared to Il wax
candle-slowly consumed to the honor
and glory of God. All day, all night,
the Carmelite nuns throughout the
world chant or sing during four or
five alternate hours the Divine Office.
1t is alteration for the millions of men
who adore nothing, praise for those
who never praise, form of love for
those who know not how to love.
Two hours of each day are given to
meditation mental prayer. during
which they intercede for the world,
supplicate and implore God to give
priests and religieuse strength and in
telligence to follow faithfully their vo-
cation, to restor the sick to health, to
give the dying supreme grace. to deliv-
err suffering souls and to protect family,
friends and enemies. Sundays and
fete days their Implications are dou-
hled. \ perpetual choir of Carmelites
adore. Others initiate the crucifiNion,
climb Mount Calvary, follow Christ on
His way: Frustrated, thier foreheads on
the earth. others say the rosary. Many
prefer to be alone with God. Shut up
in their cells or secluded in the heart
of the cloistcr, they mediate on the
Scriptures.
Bodily modification occupies a prom
inent place in their daily life. The
Carmelites are vegetarians. Flesh meat
is vigorously interdicted. Their fasts
are frequent and long. Ecclesiastical
fast days forbid use of eggs, butter and
milk. This restriction holds good for
every Friday of the year except be-
tween Easter and Pcntecost. The great
fast begins September II and ends
with Easter. The fast days of the Or
der arc kept less vigorously than those
of the Church.
Their bedding consists of straw, with
sheets of serge. No one is admitted
into the enclosure unless it is absolute
ly necessary. The Carmelitcs speak to
visitors through iron gratings and with
yelled faces. Time not spent in prayer
or necessary recreation is given to
manual labor. Fruits of this labor are
a source of revenue to the monastery
Continual silence is observed except at
recreation. The Carmclite nuns in this
country rise at 5 o'clock in summer and
an hour later i'm winter. They retire
usually at II o'clock. Their only de-
IRISH-SEVENTE II II II II II;
parturc from the rule is in teaching.
Since the middle of the last century
they have taught in small way, with
out, however, relaxing the general aus.
terity.