The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1906-07-21
IN A TRAPPIsT MONASTERY.
Daily Routine Of Life at Gethsema ane,
Nelson Co., Kentucky.


Daily Routine Of Life at Gethsemane,
Nelson Co., Kentucky.
The Trappist Monastery at Geth-
semane. in Nelson county. Kentucky,
is Il place of exceeding interest. There
are only two institutions of the kind in
Iowa. The founding of the monastery
at Gethsemane dates back nearly
hundred years. fhe crowded condi-
tion of the abbey at Meleray, France,
made it necessary that some of the
brotherhood should depart for new
fields. America was decided upon, and
band of volunteers took passage for
the new world. They landed at New
Orleans, went by boat up the Missis-
sippi, and up the Ohio to the present
site of Louisville-then an insignifi-
cant town-and completed their jour-
ney in wagons. The slow but steady
growth of the Order was accompanied
by many vicissitudes and trials At
one time the main building burned,
entailing great financial loss. 1t was
rebuilt as quickly as possible, apd
made larger and better IN every way
Today the monastery is very COM
plete establishment, and is the Mecca
for pilgrims from all parts of the
world. Recently I was a guest at the
abbey for a day and night, and every
moment of my stay was crowded with
interest.
A short run over the l.. & N. Rail-
road from Louisville brings one to the
station at Gethsemane. made up of a
very few houses store and q distil-
lery. A wagon road climbing over Il
hill northward is pointed out as the
route to be taken to the abbey-a
pleasant walk of a mile or more.
Presently one discerns large build
ing to the right, set upon q hill. This
is Gethsemane College. founded, built
and conducted by the monks. De-
scending the hill. which slopes gently
down beyond the college. one stands
in front of the magnificent avenue of
English elms, planted in double rows
which leads up to the porter's lodge
of the monastery. This avenue has
become world-famous, but of late
years the trees have suffered dreadful
ly from the elm pest, an insect which
feeds upon the leaves, and finally kills
the trees.
The door of the porters lodge is
always kept closed. but from tiny
hole Il cord hangs, with handle fash
ioned like a crucifix. Pulling this. Il
bell jangles within, and the visitor is
quickly admitted by q brown-cowled
brother, who greets him briefly. leads
him to Il room in the lodge. and in
quires his name and business. If you
come as a guest you are given a room
every possible courtesy is extended to
you. A lay brother is dcputiZed to see
TO your needs. He announces the
meals and leads you to them, and if it
is your wish to attend any of the
chapel services he acts as your guide.
Contiguous to the porter's lodge is
the first court, which is practically q
flower garden. with palms. shrubs and
other plants arranged with an eye for
is a life e-size statue of the Virgin,
surrounded by trellis. Set in this
trellis, in large letters, are the words:
''Dulcis Virgo Maria Salve." Cross
ing the court. fight of stone steps
leads you up to the monastery proper
and into wide, bare, uncarpeted hall.
To the left is the reception room, and
thither you are conducted to await
the appearance of the Abbot.
The refectory is a very plain room,
as BELTS the Trappist's VOW of humil-
iatiOn and poverty. Long, narrow
| tables and benches run up and down
the apartment; the plates are of tin.
the knives and forks Of pewter, and
the spoons of wood. The diet Of the
Trappists is mainly bread and water,
with lentils in season Occasionally.
on holidays, little wine is given to
| them, but meat never forms a portion
of their food. In the library are rare
and beautiful volumes, some printed
entirely by hand in colored inks. For
merly the abbey owned and operated a
book binding establishment, but this
has been discontinued for some time.
1 shall never forget my feelings
upon first entering this chapel. 1 had
been in my room in company with a
friend, idly turning the leaves of a
book-selected from a number which
had thoughtfully been brought to US.
There came timid knock at our door
| In response to my invitation to enter
a brown-cowled figure slipped inside
and announced in low tones that 1t
was the hour for vespers-if we cared
to come. We arose at once and fol-
lowed him into the hail. With crossed
| hands and bowed head he went in
front; silently we came after. At the
top of the stirway was a life size
statue Of the Virgin and Child. Our