The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1913-04-12

Iu6SlSA6u ny IlON1OOANO W OPOh
their eyes finally and fully to their
true position. One of the Com
munity wrote in his private notes for
the Chapter:-'It seems to me that
the Bishops straightforward letter is
something to be thankful for
the Divine Office, Benediction and
Exposition, the worship (veneration)
of Blessed Mary and the saints, all
have to be surrendered uncondition-
ally first, apart from what will be
demanded later; it means, in fact,
complete change of religion and a
dangerous uprooting of the devo-
tional life. / think few people who
know Galley would consider the
Benedictine Office and devotions to
the Blessed Sacrament mere lux
uries and not essentials to the life;
at any rate, we know in our own
hearts that we dare not surrender
them, because the whole life here
revolves round them and depends
upon them for it's very existence.
If they were taken away the life
would be unintelligible, having no
heart, meaning or purpose and could
not possibly go on, at least not as
the Benedictine life. God has shown
us His Will as plainly as if He had
sent an angel from Heaven, and
surely we should not be surprised
for we have prayed continually that
He would do So"
The whole correspondence with
the Bishop was submitted to the
Community and each was asked to
give in writing his opinion as to
what was now to be done. On Feb
ruary 18th they met, and the Abbot
first and then the majority of the
brethren read their decisions, which
we're practically unanimous. 1t was
that the Bishops demands had shown
them decisively that their faith and
practice could not be sanctioned by
the Church of England and-"could
not be justified on any other than a
strictly Papal basis of authority
to use the Bishops own words.
They therefore felt they must turn
to Rome The Abbot's written
statement was in part as follows: Il
can never be grateful enough for the
experiences we went through last
spring and the whole of the last year
since Easter has been bringing our
life to one point of focus. | have
myself been feeling that my work
sonally could do no more without
guidance and help. Things to which
in the past l have chung obstinately
l have now less desire to hold.
do not love my work here or my
brethren less, but I do feel a great
need in myself for something that
have not to enable me to go on to
more real progress. This need
would seem to lie along the line OF
surrender and sacrifice; and in the
decision that / have made l feel that
this desired opportunity has come to
me. I want to make real surren'
der 1 wish to make a definite sacri
j fee and that my VOW of obedience
should become urgent upon me. And
not for myself only, but as Com
munity | feel that obedience and sac
rifice voice our spiritual need. With
i out these / am sure there will be nc
progress for us; and l wish now to
tell you that l want to offer to God
my whole will, and that l wish tic
hold nothing back, but to place every
thing unreservedly at His disposal
My great longing has always been
for the ordering of our life and work
by authority. 1t is for this reason
that I have stayed so long where
have, and, now, without any seeking
of my own, God has shown me clear
ly what to do, and l wish in every
possible way to be ready for what
may be required of me. The prin
ciple of authority has always meant
much to me; it has never meant
more than it does to me to-day.
am sure that my whole future life
depends upon my true and whole
hearted submission to the Catholic
Church, and that in giving myself
up to the guidance of others, l shall
be doing Gods Will, promoting Hi;
Glory, and the good of you, my deal
|
side"
These noble words were never
meant to be published, but feel tha
they explain the state of mind O
those who are making this momen
tous change. The Abbot added
: others, too sacred and intimate fol
; me to quote here, showing how I'm
reservedly he rejoiced at this oppor
tunity of standardization and abne
CATION"
The Community then drew up {
letter to the Bishop, in which they
told him they were unable con
scientiously to submit to his de
mands This was signed by twenty
professed Brothers, four Novices
and three Oblates on February 10Th.