The Nome daily nugget., 1936-04-25

by motor, has an age-old air of perma- hence. There Is no establishment any, where except on the chapel, with it's rounded apse.
 The archway emerges into a sun-lit plaza or market place, filled with low land peasants hawking their wares, and groups of pilgrims of all classes actively and noisily bargaining for food
 A traveller directed to terraced ar- cade at the far side of the court, with in which is the office, was given some what of surprise. Over the desk of tLe father in charge of pilgrim regis tration was shining electric light, and at his right hand was telephone! He had not expected such innovations in Benedictine monastery.
 Had he been better acquainted with the rule of St. Benedict he would have known that the manner of life among Benedictine monks has never been austere.
 The father takes your name and place of abode and informs you that you may remain for three days. You are then assigned to room, given an armful of linen, and turned over to lay brother. Solemnly the latter leads the way through the sepulchral corrf- dors of one of the large dormitorles. fitfully lighted here and there by a dim electric light bulb, to small, plainly furnished room overlooking one of the courts. It is clean and neat, with two iron beds, a table, a chair, a basin. an empty waterpot, and can- dlestick without candle. The lay brother hands you key. informs you that meals can be taken in the res- taurant of the monastery, accepts a small tip under protest. and with draws.
 The Black Virgin.
 As the monks echoing footsteps re- cede down the. corridor, something of the blissful peace and quiet of the place steals over you The clear sun pours through the window. dazzling bright against the whitewashed walls. In order to see the sacred image which is shown at the 10 o'clock mass one hurries down to the courtyard. steady stream of worshipers files through the carved doorway of the basilca. According to legend, La Moreneta, as the Black Virgin is called, was carved by St. Luke himself and brought to Barcelona A. D. 30 by St. Peter During the Moorlsh invasion and occupation 1t was hidden by Chris tian monks in one of the caves of Mont serrat near the site of the present monastery. Years later shepherds dis covered 1t and told stories of strange music heard in the vicinity.
 An effort was made to bring 1t down from the mountain. but. although the statue Is hot quite lfe-size, 1t could not be moved beyond the ledge where the monastery now stands. The basil- | ica, accordingly, was erected to pro- | tect it, and the monastery built to care | for the throngs of pilgrims who | climbed the mountain to worship at the Virgins shrine. Especially do young couples come to Montserrat, for the blessing of La Moreneta is said to | insure happy union.
 The dinginess of the interior of the basilca serves only to accentuate the brilliance of the altar with It's jewels, silver plate and bright vestments. It was on this altar in the Sixteenth cen. tury that Loyola laid his sword when he abandoned his military life to de- vote himself to the service of Christ. Above the high altar. surrounded by lighted candles. is small stage con- cealed by two velvet curtains. You keep your eye on those curtains for you know the image must be back of them. Presently the chanting of the | priests increases in volume, and the curtains are drawn slowly aside. You gasp! Even though you have been told that the image is blackened from age. you had not expected any thing like this. White vestments and a light background make the face and the hands gleam like jet For a silent moment everyone gazes. and then the curtains drop together. Only 50 long is the sacred image exposed to view.