Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-10-14
Mount ST. Sepulcbre.
Brooands franciscan Monastery Erected Through Efforts
Father Godfrey-Its Fame Spreading.

The traveller abroad interested in religious
edif1ces and institutions never fails to visit
the most representative monasteries wher-
ever the opportunity offers. These monas-
teries are invariably one of the particular
points of interest In a community. Wash
ington has such an institution, located on
the heights Of Brookland, and it is the OBJ
jective point of large numbers of the Roman
Catholics in this city. who make pilgrim
ages to the various shrines of It's imposing
church, as well as a great number of visi-
tors of various religious persuasions de-
sirous Of taking in all the points of in
terest about the nations capital.
Mount st. Sepulchre is the name that was
given to the monastery on it's dedication,
and the title is thought to be most appro-
pirate. since it embodies the atmosphere of
the Holy Land. with its grottoes picturing
with exactness the life of the Savior No
effort has been spared to make the repro
duction of the Holy Land complete. The in
fuence of the sanctuary Is of peace and
prayer. and breathes an atmosphere foreign
to the world and it's kind. 1t is thought to
be a revelation among churches, being pos
sessed of characteristics that are not found
in most edif1ces.
The Franciscan monastery Is situated on
what was once the old McCeney estate. sur
rounded by about twenty acres OF wood
land and undulating hills. The building
commands the highest eminence in that sec
ton Of the District and is an ideal spot for
the mother house in America of the Fran
ciscan order A special branch of this
order has for centuries devoted itself to
the protection and preservation Of the Saw
ior's tomb and the sacred relics Of the life
Of Christ. This began in the valley of UNI
bria. when st. Francis Of Assist, the foun-
der Of the order, first gave himself up to his
lffework. The duty has been taken up by
his followers. 1t was the Franciscan order
that devoted itself to the special task of
preserving everything commemorative of
the life Of Christ after the Crusaders had re-
covered Jerusalem from the Saracens, and
has continued the work to this day.
Since a number of Americans engage in
pilgrimages to the Holy Land it was deem
ed advisable to establish a monastery and
church here that would be an embodiment
of the holy places of Jerusalem, and to that
end a commissariat Of the Holy Land was
established by the Franciscans in New York
city in 1880. About twenty years later
Father Godfrey came to this city. He is one
of the bright minds of the order and the
beautiful temple on the heights of Brook
land is a result of his labor. The edif1ce
might well be divided into two PARASITIC
monastery and church-connected by arch
ways and doors, but each, part distinct in
itself. The monastery is 30 feet square,
two stories high. with basement 1t is
fitted up with the most approved appurte-
nances Of the cloister. There are cobbler
and tailor shops. laundry. ETC., for. in a
word, the monks supply every necessity for
their worldly comfort by their own hands.
Their postulants come from all walks of
life and practically every trade is repre-
sented, and those not skilled as artisans
find employment of some kind to meet the
necessities of the institution. On the south
side of the first floor are the offices of the
commissariat and the American College for
Missionaries in the Holy Land. The re-
mainder of this floor comprises study and
class rooms and sleeping apartments for
the professors and monks. The friars' cells
are on the second floor, where are also To-
Gated several class rooms and the library.
Everything about the establishment is of
the plainest, the floors of the entire building
being of cement. The open court lets in sun
shine and breeze, and every precaution is
taken to keep the building healthy and
pleasant. The friars, as is pretty generally
known, lead frugal and abstemious lives.
Practically everything about the property
is utilized to such an extent that it is de-
clared that the friars have little need to
go to market except for fresh meats. There
are a number of acres under cultivation,
which are titled most successfully by the
friars. Prayers, study and manual labor
make up their round of the days activities
They live most frugal and the laymen would
consider severe lives. The world and its
doings disturb them very little. If at all