The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1911-07-15
THE TRAPPIsTs IN JAPAN.

THE TRAPPISTS IN JAPAN.
The Trappist monks are doing a
great work in Japan. In the cultiva-
ton of the soil, according to their
rule, they come in contact with the
people, make friends with them, and
effect many conversions. Their char
ity also has won the confidence of
the Japanese The jealous, hardwork-
ing monks have many trials; their first
humble monastery was destroyed by
fire. At the cost of much self-sacrifice
they have replaced it with a more
substantial structure, and are, through
their good influence over the natives
in the vicinity. Any aims sent to
them will be well placed.
1--WE have first settled in this wild
erness, between the sea and the noun
tains, our presence aroused the hos
tility of the pagan population by which
we we're surrounded says Rev. J.
B. LIE Couteur, o. C. R., writing from
the monastery of .''Our Lady of the
Beacon" so-called from the nearby
lighthouse of the port of Hakodate.
"The government, also appeared I'M
friendly, but after various official
visits and inquiries into the object
of our coming here, we have been
regarded with more favor, and the
Emperor and public opinion have been
treasured of our pacific intentions
and desire to benefit the country and
the people. Now we receive many
kind attentions, and the peasants who
are our neighbors, have become our
friends.
'The neophytee, whom we have so
far gained, are certainly exemplary.
Sometimes they may be met on the
roads, rosary in hand reciting the
beads as they go to and from their
daily employment. If they are about
to undertake a journey they always
go to confession and Holy Communion
before setting out. While absent, they
are, sometimes, veritable apostles to
the pagans whom they meet One of
our Christians, who was employed for
two months in locality entirely
pagan, reported to us with joy upon
his return home that he had converted
two adults, and had baptized them
when they were at the point of death.
Dying children are frequently hap.
tized by our neophytes.
"Our people are very poor. One
day the Father Infirmarin was sent
for to go to the aid of a sick child
The season was January and the
weather was stormy. He started
trudging through the soft snow and
mud in boots made of woven straw
All traces of the road had disappeared
and batting against the wind was q
difficult task
cat last he reached his destination
a miserable hut in the heart of the
wilderness. AS he entered, the sight
that met his eyes caused him to forget
his own fatigue, so completely was
his heart filed with pity for the
wretched inhabitants The hut haG
but one window, or rather an unglaze6
} opening, that served as such. On 6
heap of straw lay the sick child.
Notwithstanding the misery de
picted on every side, the poor mother
exhibited beautiful Christian forti
tude coupled with an eagerness tt
save the life of her little son.
"The Trappist gladly administered
the remedies he had brought for the
young patient and told the mother
what she must do to relieve the suf
fering child. Then with a happy
heart, he retraced the rough way bacl
to the monastery.
AN old man who lived near us wal
: slowly dying of an internal cancer
) On a certain occasion, feeling that he
was near death, he babe his son tt
go to the monastery and ask a pries
to go and baptize him. The mission
airy went and baptized the man. Their
he administered a remedy which
proved effectual in prolonging the in
!. valids life.
Three months passed. One day /
message came to say that the sufferer
8 was again stricken and had lost thu
! faculty of speech. This time his las
2 hour was, indeed, at hand Before b.
: died, he turned his head as if he sud
: denly beheld a vision of some mys
ferrous parsonage approaching. Hi.
/ end was most edifying and mos
5 Christian.
: I should like to go and describe tn,
r ardor wherewith our neophytes Away.
q join in our religious procession OF
4 the feast of Corpus Christi, but vii
; leave this account for another letter
q Tf iS oasv findin0 roacrr,c ,x,I,-4t, :,