The St. Mary banner., 1907-08-24
A HAVEN OF REST
Beautiful Atmosphere of the Home OF
the Blue Nuns at Fiesoe.

The most conspicuous object in
northern view Of Florence is the flank
ing. twin-peaked hill, in the hollow OF
which nestles the erstwaile Etruscan
city of Fiesole, that Flesoie whose
very name is music, evoiing sweet
memories Of sunshine and art. The
whole fertile slope is dotted with
dwellings,; stately, historic villas;
ancient, fortified Elanors> modern
houses, replete with comfort and
luxury, EMBODIED in rich mantles OF
verdure. Yet, lovely though they be,
the tairest spot Of all is the old con-
vent of San Girolamo. Standing
against a background of feathery,
gray-gr olives, just below the sum-
nit of the hill where once scared the
European citadel and now stands a
Franciscan monastery, it dominates
the whole wide, smiling valley Of the
Arno.
>
From the steep, winding road
which was the only approach to Fies,
ole before electric trans were thought
of, close to the spot where an in
scription marks the fact that here
several early Christians wei'e l.ar-
tyred, an arched gateway give; &C
cess to wide fight Of shallow STEPS
which mount between a double r"|
of stately cypress trees % he triple
arcaded atrium Of a little chapel
Just beyond is a motest door. Your
ring is responded 20 ~ swee.. ser
cnefaced nun, who answers yOir in
quiry in English and who, il She has
learned that you have 4 riSh5 to Ell
ter (some friend to visit " sister TO
see), cheerfully admits you. AS she
closes the door behind you, .he seems
to exclude by that at me oIter
world with all its scrdid cares and
worries.
Your first step brings YOU into a
little square, arcaded cloiste- shruL
and creeper shaded and rose screen
ed, in the midst Of which stands a
porticced stone well-head that bears
on one side the inscription Cos als
Medices" and on the other 'Flore
Dux H. Thus at once you are trans.
ported back in time. and he breath
of present tranquility and .ong-dead
repOSe envclops you. Over all
spreads a subtle atmosphere of love,
of peace on earth, of good will to
men, that visibly emanates from the
kindly sisters who are your guides,
hosts. or, as the case may be, your
nurses.
From this beautiful little courtyard
several doors give access to the con-
yentual buildings, as well IS to the
tiny, dainty chapel and to corridors
and cheerful rooms flooded with sun
light and air. For this monastic abode
has become adapted to modern use,
having been converted into conva-
lescent home by an order Ct English
nursing sisters who have had the
good luck to pitch up, this favorci
spot. No ascctc barenees marks the
apartments of the invalids, nor do
the medievalsstandards of luxury pre-
Vail III any O1 lne aTIdESt HeutS ~
skillfully and with such sod taste
has the blendin., of old and new been
accomplished, such loving care for
all that is precious in the Old, such
tactful concessions to the nee Is OF
modern life, that there is no sense
Of clashing, as is 50 oftcn the case
Instead, an impression of perfect har-
mony has resulted
Harmony, indeed, is the dominant
note that greets those who cross the
threshold of San Girolanlo today
harmony in nature; IN the lovely gar.
dens, in which everv advantage offer
ed by the matchless site has been
utilized: harmony in art. in the noble
simplicity of the building and its
quiet, sober decoration; harmony,
above all, among the human occu-
pants, the cheerful, unselish devo-
ton of the sisters seeming TO spread
to all those living within their in
fluence.-Helen ZinlIern in the Cen.
tury.
l!nnecessarv Srfferinn