xt7s4m918z61 https://exploreuk.uky.edu/dips/xt7s4m918z61/data/mets.xml Eutropius, Abbot, 1804-1874. 1899  books b92-34-26573611 English s.n., : [S.l. : Contact the Special Collections Research Center for information regarding rights and use of this collection. Abbey of Our Lady of Gethsemani (Trappist, Ky.)Obrecht, Edmund, 1852-1935. Gethsemani Abbey : a narrative / of the late Abbot Eutropius of the Foundation of the Trappist Monastery at Gethsemani, Kentucky ; with an account of its present state by the Rt. Rev. Edmund M. Obrecht on the occasion of the golden jubilee of its foundation celebrated A.D. 1899. text Gethsemani Abbey : a narrative / of the late Abbot Eutropius of the Foundation of the Trappist Monastery at Gethsemani, Kentucky ; with an account of its present state by the Rt. Rev. Edmund M. Obrecht on the occasion of the golden jubilee of its foundation celebrated A.D. 1899. 1899 2002 true xt7s4m918z61 section xt7s4m918z61 









































LI

 
G)ETHSEMANI



ABBEY



          NELSON CO., KEITUCKY, U. S. A.





ITS FOUNL)ATION AND PRESENT STATE





         NARRATIVE PUBLISHED ON THE OCCASION OF THE



G(OLDEN



JUBILEE OF THE MONASTERY



Celebrated A. D. 189


 






































THE RIGHT REVEREND EDMUND M. ORRECHT, 04.R.,
           Abbot of "thsemant Abbey.



    115,...1-11
    1It","                 ,
      "t......4

L

 
GETHSEMANI



ABBEY



         A Narrative of

Y'HE LAIfE ABBOT EULTROPIUS, O.C.R.

     Of the Foundation

           OF THE

 TRAPPIST MONASTERY



      AT GETHSEMANI, KENTUCKY, U. S. A.





        With an account of its present state

BY THE RT. REV. EDMUND M. OBRECHT, O.C.R.

           On the occasion of the

 Golden Jubilee of its Foundation



CELEBRATED, A. D. I899


 








iS


  


        IN LOVING MEMORY OF
                    THE

               Most Reverend

   on   M. Esupd Obreckt, 0. C. S. 0.

         Aboat of slh Abbe of Getmaup
                 -0-
Born at Stotzheim, Alsace, - November 13, 1852
Entered at La Grande Trappe, - February 10, 1875
Received the holy habit,   -   -   March 7, 1875
Simple profession.- ,       -  March 19, 1877
Ordained priest, -    -    -  September 19, 1879
Solemn profession,   -      -   May 28, 1882
Supejor at Gethsemani,    -   - January 24, 1898
Elected and installed Abbot, - October 11, 1898
Abbatial Benediction,  -    -   October 28, 1898
Recetved violet zuchetto,  -   -   May 21, 1924
Receved Cappa Magna,    -   September 19, 1929
Called to his eternal reward, -  January 4, 1935



               LET US PRAY
  o GOD, Who, amongst apostolic priests, hast
adorned Thy servant Edmond with the pontifical
dignity, grant, we beseech Thee, that he may also
be associated with them in everlasting fellowship.
Through Christ our Lord, Amen.

                  -0-

FAVORITE MAXIMS OF THE DECEASED:
Give me grace to do what Thou commandest and
then command what Thou pleasest.
                            (St. Augustine).
All to JESUS through MARY.
May the Will of GOD be done.
                  -0-

He was a lover of the Rule and of the place.
                        (History of Citeaux).
  Let us place our hearts at the foot of the
Cross, and accept the death of this loved one, for
the sake of Him who died on it.
                       (St. Francis de Sales).
JESUS, MARY, JOSEPH.
        (Indulgence 7 years and 7 quarantines.
                     Plenary, once a month).
Sweet Heart of JESUS, be my love.
                      (300 days indulgence).
Sweet Heart of MARY, be my salvation.
   (300 days indulgence. Plenary, once a month).

 


   OUR LADV OF 6ETHSEMANI. (Ky)
   One of the 3, rooms of the library
   containing over 60 000 volumes.






     May the Divine Infant grant
you and all those dear to stou a most
Hol  Chrsirnas and a itappyi Neew


Abbely of  tr Lady of (oethcnsei m
Abbot Edmond M Obrecht, 0. ,. 0.
TRAPPIST P. O., KY.  xII, 20   33
HI'S Let CFAqR -I/



74aLAb    Ae        Ak    x



A44IC 44 

 


  O GOOD and sweetest JESUS, before Thy face
I humbly kneel, and with the greatest fervour of
spirit I pray and beseech Thee to vouchsafe to fix
deep in my heart lively sentiments of faith, hope
and charity, true contrition for my sins, and a
most firm purpose of amendment; whilst I con-
template with great sorrow and affection Thy five
wounds, and ponder them over in my mind, having
before my eyes the words which, long ago, David
the prophet spoke in Thy own Person concerning
Thee, my JESUS: "They have pierced My Hands
and Mly Feet; they have numbered all My Bones".
                             (Ps. XXI-17,18).
  (Plenary Indulgence, applicable to the souls in
Purgatory, if said before a Crucifix, after Holy
Communion).


     MEMORARE OF SAINT BERNARD
  Remember, 0 most gracious Virgin Mary,
that never was it known that any one who fled to
Thy protection, implored Thy help, or sought Thy
intercession, was left unaided. Inspired with this
confidence, I fly unto Thee, 0 Virgin of virgins,
my Mother; to Thee I come, before Thee I stand,
sinful and sorrowful; 0 Mother of the Word
Incarnate, despise not my petitions; but in Thy
clemency hear and answer me. Amen.
              (300 days indulgence, each time;
                       plenary, once a month).
IMPRIMATUR,        -   +John A. Floersh, D. 1).,
                            Bishop of Louisville.

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INTRODUCTION.



  It is with feelings of pleasure that we present to the friends of the
Abbey of Gethsemani as a souvenir of the Fiftieth Anniversary of the
foundation of the Abbey, the following pages, compiled from the articles
appearing in the Messenger of the Sacred Heart, during the year 1898.
The first part of the narrative was written by the Rt. Rev. Abbot
Eutropius, who led the first colony of Trappists from France to America,
and founded the institution at Gethsemani, and the closing pages by a
religious who is at present a member of the Community. We present as
a frontispiece the picture of the Rt. Rev. Edmund M. Obrecht, D.D.,
O.C.R., Abbot, who at the time the following pages appeared in the
Messenger of the Sacred Heart, was but Superior of the monastery. He
was unanimously elected Abbot on the I 1th day of October, 1898, and
was blessed as Abbot on the 28th of the same month by the Rt.
Rev. Wm. George McCloskey, Bishop of Louisville, Kentucky.
  We trust this short sketch of Gethsemani, setting forth the sacrifices
and joys of the Trappist monk, will at least serve to bring the friends of
the Abbey of Gethsemani into closer touch with the Community.
                                      FR. M. THEODOR, O.C.R.,
                                  Secretary to the Rt. Rev. Abbot.
Gethsemani, June 7, 1 899.

 This page in the original text is blank.


 

          GETHSEMANI ABBEY


     ITS FOUNDATION AND PRESENT STATE.


            N the year 1848, the crowded condition of the French
              Abbey of Melleray necessitated the departure of some
              of its members. The church, refectory and dormitories
              were taxed beyond their capacity. There was no room
              to admit any more postulants.  This, in itself, was a
matter of deep regret to the Rev. Father D. Maxime, who was forced to
refuse the number of zealous applicants who weekly presented themselves,
for the purpose of dedicating their lives to God, by practising the
heroism and self-sacrifice of the devoted and faithful children of St.
Bernard. The Reverend Father, unable to rely on any human aid,
believed that it was the will of Almighty God that he should found an-
other establishment, where the wants and aspirations of those numerous
applicants could be fully realized. Nor was he by any means a stranger
to such arduous and difficult undertakings, having already commissioned
twenty-five of his brethren to penetrate the defiles of the Dark Con-
tinent, and establish a monastic institution on the order of La Trappe,
amid the savage and barbarous associations of the African wilds.
  Notwithstanding the constant appeals that were made on Melleray,
for members to recruit the ranks of those heroic pioneers of the Chris-
tian faith, whose numbers were frequently diminished by the hardships and
diseases so characteristic of that benighted region, there yet remained a
large number who were willing and ready to undertake the establishment
of a new retreat, in more distant and favorable climes. It was not, there-
fore, subjects, but means, that were wanting for this heroic enterprise.
Melleray Abbey suffered from the political crisis of that revolutionary
period, and, hence, found itself at that moment without any pecuniary
resources. Yet, confiding in the providence of God, never found want-
ing to those who trust therein, the Rev. Father Abbot formed the reso-
lution to make room in his house for those to whose prayers for admittance
he could no longer remain deaf, by sending a colony of his religious
abroad, to found a new monastery.



7

 

Gethsemani Abbey.



  For this purpose it was important to choose a suitable place. Several
of the bishops of France, learning of this project, invited to their respec-
tive dioceses this band of solitaries. But France, always in the turmoil
of revolutions, offered no guarantee for the future prospects of religious
orders. At the advice of several wise and intelligent friends, among
whom was M. dle Courson, Superior of the Seminary of St. Sulpice, at
Paris, and M. Morel, Superior of the Grand Seminary at Nantes, the Rev.
Father Abbot, Dom. Maxime, deemed it prudent to look abroad, in
order to secure a place of refuge for the children of St. Benedict, who
might be exiled by the revolutionary storms of that unhappy period. He
turned his gaze to the interior of North America. The United States
struck him as the most suitable country for the execution of his project,
and so much the more, since several bishops of the New World ardently
desired to have the Trappists in their dioceses, in order to dignify the
humble avocations of labor by the work of their hands, and awaken the
slumbering faith of their fellow-man by the severity of their vigils, fasts
and discipline.
  On May 26, 1848, Father M. Paulin and Father Paul set out for the
New World, for the purpose of finding there a suitable place for the es-
tablishment of their order. The two delegates embarked at Havre on
the first of J Line, and, after a tempestuous voyage of forty days, arrived
in the city of New York. Thence they proceeded by slow stages to the
city of Louisville, then, as now, the most prosperous city in the State of
Kentucky. Mgr. Flaget, of happy and saintly memory, had, ten years
previously, transferred his episcopal see from Bardstown to this more
promising city on the banks of the Ohio. It was, accordingly, to this
venerable prelate, known to all France for his great virtues and saintly
character, that Father Paulin and Father Paul presented themseves.
This apostle of Kentucky, then eighty-six years of age, but in the full
enjoyment of all his faculties, received the two travellers as his children
and ambassadors of heaven, for the purpose of establishing what he so
much desired, a Trappist Monastery, within the territory of his jurisdic-
tion. With heartfelt joy he received them in his arms, and, with tears
of gratitude, expressed to them the happiness he would feel at seeing,
before his death, a house of the Trappists erected in his diocese.  He
did not stop at words, but despite his great age, gave all the encouragement
and assistance he possibly could. Mgr. Spalding, his coadjutor, was as
anxious for the establishment as the venerable Mgr. Flaget.  This
saintly bishop, not having, to his deep regret, a single place to offer for



8


 

Gethsemani Abbey.



this foundation, authorized his secretary, M. Lavialle, to accompany
Father Paulin, that together they might seek, in the whole State of
Kentucky, a suitable location for the home of the Trappists.



THE ABBEY OF GETHSEMANI
   NELSON COUNTY. KENTUCKY.



  After having visited several places, the two prospectors finally arrived
at a place called Loretto, where sisters of the same name conducted a



9

 

Gethsernani Abbey.



large boarding school. This institution is about eighteen miles south-
east of Bardstoxvn. Here Father Paulin found the Rev. Father Deuparc.
Superior and Director of the Community with all its possessions.
  M. Deuparc, learning the project of Fathers Paulin and Lavialle, in-
formed them that the sisters had, about nine miles west, a large prop-
erty of fourteen hundred acres, on which those devout and holy women
conducted an orphan asylum. This property, called Gethsemani, he was
ready to offer to the Trappists, if it proved suitable for the new founda-
tion. 'M. Deuparc offered to accompany Father Paulin and M. Lavialle
(Father Paul remained at Louisville), should they wish to visit Gethse-
mani. The proposition was accepted, the placc visited and inspected,
and proved to be in every way a suitable location for the establishment
of a Trappist Monastery.
  The situation of this community is really charming. Separated from
everything calculated to disturb the silence so dear to Cistercian Relig-
ious, it stood on the declivity of a secluded knoll facing the sun. It had
for its horizon a wide circumference of towering peaks, crowned with
magnificent trees, some of which were from sixty to eighty feet in
height. Between these little mountains and the house were large fields,
neglected, it is true, but capable of improvement. Abundant sources of
limpid and delightful water are found at every hill side, field and valley.
This, in itself, is certainly a luxury for the cattle, especially during the
great heat, which is here excessive, during the three or four months of
Summer. Several of these streams, converging in a large dale, afford
sufficient water power to operate a flour mill, threshing machine and saw
mill. Adjoining this pond were several rolling fields, which, with a little
cultivation, could be made some of the very finest meadow lands.
  These advantages were fascinating to Father Paulin. One thing alone
seemed to mar the prospect, the want of sufficient buildings, as old age
and neglect had begun to tell on the ones already in use. Nevertheless,
with some changes and little additions, the regular places could at least
be made, temporarily, into chapel, refectory, dormitory, cloister, chapter-
room and kitchen. The cabins of the colored people would serve as
workshops for the brothers.
  Father Paulin concluded to enter into a contract with M. Deuparc, in
the hope that, later on, a suitable monastery could be built on the prop-
erty, which contained every material necessary for its erection. The
contract was agreed upon for 5,000 (20,000 francs), subject, however,
to the consent of the Rev. Father Abbot, of Melleray, which approba-



so

 

                        Getlisemani Abbey.                          1I

tion Father Paulin stipulated as a condition sine qua non. The report
was immediately sent to the Abbot of Melleray, who received it at the
general chapter. It was read before all the Abbots assembled. With
unanimous voice the report was approved, and the foundation and pos-
session of Gethsemani ratified and confirmed.
  The Sisters were to occupy the house until the arrival of the Trappists.
Affairs being thus arranged, Father Paul returned to Melleray, and Father
Paulin remained for the purpose of harvesting the crops, which he bought
with the property, and of planting the wheat for the following year. In
this labor he was ably assisted by colored servants, generously placed at
his disposal by Mgr. Flaget. Father Paul, with a more detailed account
of the undertaking, arrived at Melleray on the I 2th of February, 1 849.
The Rev. Father Abbot at first intended to send his religious in bands of
eight or ten, and thirty more the following Spring; but, following the
advice of Father Paul, he concluded to send all at once, so that they
might arrive at their new home before the rigors of the Winter
season.
  He then chose those who were to comprise the new colony. Among
all designated to take part in the perilous, yet glorious undertaking, he
found to his satisfaction the greatest self-denial and devotion. All de-
clared that they had no other desire than to accomplish the design of
Almighty God, which was manifested to them in the choice of their
highest superior. But, as the Rev. Father Abbot did not wish to inter-
fere with the liberties of any of his children, he left all free in determining
their choice. To this kind indulgence there was, however, a single ex-
ception, in the case of one who was not at liberty to decline the burden
of chief, imposed upon him by his kind superior.
  After the departure of Father Paulin, whom I succeeded with much
reluctance in the capacity of Prior in the Abbey of Melleray, I was far
from foreseeing that a duty still more painful was in store for me. Con-
trary to my expectation, I was designated in the list of emigrants, and
not the last in the rank, where I deservedly belonged; but was bidden
to direct and lead to the New World the little colony of Trappists. This
order was for me the more terrible, inasmuch as it was not and' could not
be foreseen. Vainly did I object, pray and entreat. I could not effect
a recall of the sentence. I had to submit and bear the burden of the
charge, notwithstanding my protestations and the inmost conviction of
my incapacity for such a mission. Accordingly, I became resigned and
offered my sacrifice to the God of Gethsemani, repeating with Him,

 

Gethsemani Abbey.



" Father, not my will, but Thine, be done." Prostrate at the feet of Mary,
my mother and patroness, I besought her, with St. Joseph, her august
spouse, to take under their powerful protection the new foundation, and
the long and perilous journey we were about to undertake, for the pur-
pose of demonstrating to the enemies of our religion, the devotion and
self-sacrifice with which the Catholic faith inspires and animates the children
of St. Bernard.
  My band was composed of forty religious, sixteen choir fathers and
twenty-four lay-brothers. The time of departure wa. fixed for the 26th
of October, so that when I received the order charging me with the
expedition, I had only eight or ten days to make the necessary prepara-
tion. There was, however, little delay, for poverty has few preparations
to make. Thanks to the activity and zeal of the religious who remained,
as well as of those about to depart, all were ready for the appointed day.
Two days before, namely, the 24th, the baggage was conveyed to Nantes
to be placed on board the steamer from Tours, which should take up the
religious at Ancenis, where, by agreement, we were to go on foot.
Father Emmanuel, procurator of the New Community, departed eight
days before for Havre, to arrange for the passage and to purchase the
necessary provisions for the voyage.
  The evening before the departure, the Rev. Father Abbot, calling the
emigrants into the large hall of the library, gave them his last exhorta-
tion, which was most paternal and touching. At the end of the instruc-
tion, he gave me the act for the erection of the foundation, together with
my title of Prior of the New Community. Each religious was provided
with a passport, which the prefect of the lower Loire had granted us
gratuitously. The ceremony of leave-taking was arranged for the morn-
ing of the next day. For that day, no change was made regarding the
rising at night, or the office. The night office being performed, the re-
ligious went to bid adieu to all those places, the scenes so dear to them,
then ascended to the dormitory, where each one found, at his couch,
secular clothes, with a small package containing two blankets, which he
was to attach to a regular cincture, and which would serve him for a
bed during the journey.
  After putting on their secular dress, the fathers placed their cowls
over them and the lay-brothers their cloaks, so that they appeared again
in community, without rendering their new dress visible. Thus were
prime and chapter celebrated as usual. All the community assisted at
chapter, when the Reverend Father pronounced a few words regarding



1 2

 

                        Gethsemani Abbey.                       3

the voyage. The chapter being terminated, all repaired to the church,
where the bells in loudest tone called us. The remaining religious took
their accustomed places, while those departing, having each under his
arm, his bed for the voyage, placed themselves kneeling, in two lines from
the presbytery to the middle of the choir. Under the sanctuary lamp, I
was at the head between both lines, then the Rev. Father Abbot, having
put on the cope, solemnly blessed the wooden cross, under the auspices
of which we should go on our mission to the New World, and which
should accompany us to Gethsemani.
  I had this cross made after the model of that found at Melleray on
entering the door of the church, which is looked on with the greatest
veneration and for a very good reason ; because this was the very same
cross that our brothers carried with them to the holy valley in Switzer-
land, when the revolution of 1793 drove them from France. It was their
companion in Germany, Poland, Russia and England, when the tempestu-
ous revolutions, becoming almost universal, drove them to all these
points. It is without ornament and of the plainest kind of work. Its
height is one metre and sixty centimetres. Both crosses were placed
together. The Reverend Father, on arriving at a certain distance from
the presbytery, gave them to me. Kneeling, I received them with re-
spect. While he sprinkled with holy water the one destined for me, I
watered it with my tears ; for it is impossible for me to express the feel-
ings of my soul at that most solemn moment.
  So great was my emotion that I could scarcely support the cross, whose
weight seemed to me as a mountain. But I felt my courage and strength
return at the thought that it was far less heavy than the cross of my
Saviour, which I had so often weighed down by the weight of my mis-
erable sins.
  I renewed at that moment an entire offering of myself to God, and
only considered myself in a greater degree a victim of the cross. I
felt resigned to carry, in union with my Divine Master, whatever He
should be pleased to send me, and what I foresaw would be manifold,
in the accomplishment of that mission which he had confided to me.
After the benediction, I entrusted to a religious, P. Cyril, a deacon, the
two crosses, which he was to carry to the place of separation. Then,
every one arising, the chanter solemnly intoned the Canticle, Benedictus
and the Itinerary, which were sung by both choirs. After the versicles
and prayers, the procession marched out the central door of the church,
the religious of the colony being in advance, preceded by the twvo

 

Gethsemani Abbey.



wooden crosses. Outside of the ranks, I marched at the side of the
Rev. Father Abbot, between the religious who were departing and
those remaining at Melleray.
  On departing from the church, the chanter intoned the Litany of the
Blessed Virgin, which was continued to the place of separation. The
passage from the church is into the large court yard, then through the
farm yard; but, on departing from the cloister, one passes the garden of
the Blessed Virgin at the east. The rain which fell at that moment, and
to which no one paid attention, seemed to add something to the gran-
deur of the scene, so replete with so much solemnity for the Abbey of
Mlelleray. For my part, I recognized in the rain a symbol of the grace
which flowed into our souls to sustain us in the trials reserved for us, and
of which this little inclemency of the weather was but a prelude. The
procession halted at the edge of a small wvood, near a cross, situated
about one kilometre from the Abbey. Then took place a most touching
scene, which had no other witness than the angels of heaven and the
birds of the forest. It was to see children departing, never again to see
their most tender father-it was to behold brothers giving for the last
time the kiss of peacc, which they were wont so often to give at the foot
of the holy altar, before receiving in Holy Communion the God of peace
-it was to witness those wvho, for ten, fifteen and twenty years having
lived most intimately, were now about to depart, never again to behold
one another in this world.
  One consoling thought, meanwhile, dominated all hearts and soothed
the bitterness of separation-it was the thought of being again reunited
and finding a rendezvous in the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary, while
awaiting the happiness to find themselves, in reality, never again sepa-
rated in the Kingdom of God, promised to those who shall have aban-
doned everything for His service.
  There, by a little wood, at the foot of the cross, whose vision upheld
their courage, the religious of the new colony took off their regular
habits, which covered the secular ones, to entrust them to their well-be-
loved brothers and fathers about to take them back to the Abbey, like
those returning with sorrowful hearts after having conducted a friend to
the tomb, bringing back in silence the mortuary robe that enshrouded
the remains of their departed friend.
  This unrobing, which metamorphosed the new colony of religious into
seculars, produced a magical effect on the minds of all. This costume
was so new to the greater part of the good religious, several of whom



14


 

Gethsemani Abbes.



15



had not worn it for nineteen or twenty years, that they could scarcely
recognize themselves in it. Before leaving our fathers and brothers, we
passed along the ranks, giving to all the kiss of farewell, which was
done with that silence, so religiously observed by the Trappists, that it
was only broken by the moaning and sobbing of a large number, not-
withstanding their abnegation and perfect submission to the will of God.
  The Rev. Father Abbot separated the two wooden crosses, giving me
the new one. We greeted the community in silence and departed on



AVENUE ..EADING... ... TO MON..  ASEY
AVENUE LEADING TO MONASTERY.



our journey to Ancenis. I ranged my new family in two lines, placing
myself at the head, while bearing on my shoulders my precious wooden
cross, of which I did not wish to be deprived till arriving at Ancenis, al-
though the distance was eight leagues, and the weight of the cross for
such a distance was oppressive. But the thought of the true cross, that
which was the instrument of my salvation, and which was reddened with
the blood of my Saviour, always fortified my courage and sustained my
strength.
  Our journey from Melleray to Ancenis was a mystery to all who saw
us pass by. And, indeed, what could one think, on seeing forty men

 

Gethsemani Abbey.



walking in two lines, with the greatest recollection, the greater part with
beads in hand and walking stick, and preceded by a priest (for I wore the
ecclesiastical dress),who bore on his shoulders a large plain wooden cross !
This sight was a surprise to every one. In the towns and villages, groups
were formed, asking with concern (especially the women), who are these 
But none could satisfy these questions. The good country people, who
worked in the field, ran to the procession to satisfy their curiosity. See-
ing our wooden cross, and the beads in our hands, they fell on their
knees and, without knowing who we were, recommended themselves to
our prayers. They saw the object of piety ; that was sufficient for the
faithful men of Vendee, who have always retained the greatest venera-
tion for everything bearing a religious character. We had placed our
packages and some necessaries in a wagon, that preceded us about one
hundred steps.
  After having marched two leagues, we stopped in a little valley, to take
some nourishment. Spreading a cloth upon the grass, we placed upon
it some bread and cheese, all the religious placed themselves in a semi-
circle, and I said grace over this rustic table. Two brothers were charged
to distribute, the one bread and the other cheese; while one of the re-
ligious, sitting on the grass, gave the spiritual reading, appropriate for
the occasion. It treated of our Saviour taking supper with His disciples,
and afterwards going to the garden of Gethsemani. there to commence
His sorrowful passion. We are also on our way to Gethsemani, where
much has to be suffered. The two leagues that we had walked fasting
gave all a vigorous appetite. The rural breakfast was delicious. No
fragments were left to gather up. Fortified by this double viaticum of
body and soul, we proceeded on our journey with new ardor, after hav-
ing thanked God for the first instalment of His liberality, during our
voyage.
  In passing the little town of Leille, tour leagues from Melleray, we
entered for a moment the church, to refresh ourselves before the Blessed
Sacrament, when each one made to God an offering of the little fatigue
he commenced to feel. After a quarter of an hour's visit to the Good
Master, whom we were fortunate to meet on the way, we continued our
journey forAncenis, where we arrived atsix in the evening, totally exhausted
with fatigue. Nor could it be otherwise, since we were not accustomed to
such marches. We went directly to the Castle of Ecochire, situated
about one kilometre from the village, and on the top of a magnificent
hillock, covered with vines and green trees. There we met our Rev.



i6

 

                        Gethsemani Abbey.                          17

Father Abbot, who, wishing to accompany us to the steamer, went in
advance, taking in his carriage two or three of the most feeble religious,
who scarcely could have made the journey on foot.
  By a very singular coincidence, the Most Rev. Abbot of Grande
Trappe, Vicar-General of the Congregation, who came from the Abbey
of Bellefontaine to that of Melleray, to make his religious visit, was then
at the castle. Madame d'Ecochire invited us to await at her castle, the
arrival of the steamer from Nantes to Ancenis, due in about eight hours.
This excellent family, having the greatest interest in the Trappists, pre-
pared for us a rich and copious supper, where nothing was wanting ex-
cept meat, the use of which is not allowed by our holy rule, even outside
the monastery, except in case of sickness. After supper our Rev. Father
Abbot conducted us to the Church of Ancenis, where the parish priest
invited us to sing the Salve of La Trappe. Here I cannot omit some
expressions of Madame d'Ecochire, which show the liveliness of her faith
and her devotion to religion, while at the same time it reveals the Ven-
dean character. Seeing me take my cross, to place myself at the head
of my little colony, IIAh, my Father," she said to me with energy and
enthusiasm, "1 what a beautiful mission is yours; were I a man you would
have an additional soldier. I would ask a place in your ranks; I would
march, following your cross, to go and show your labors and your merits
in that Gethsemani of the United States." We went from the castle to
the church in the midst of darkness, and under a rain that had continued
to pour. The Sunday preceding, the parish priest had announced our
coming, and the ceremony that would take place before embarking. His
church, brilliantly illuminated, was decorated as on the greatest festival.
It was already so full of people that the guards, who awaited us at the
central door, could scarcely succeed in conducting us through the nave
into the sanctuary. The emotion was great, both among the religious
and faithful, when they saw me advancing with my wooden cross, which
I bore on my shoulder. People were so anxious to see us, that those
farthest away climbed on the chairs, and some even on the shoulders of
their neighbors, so that both sides of the church formed a kind of amphi-
theatre. Having arrived in the sanctuary, the religious placed them-
selves in a semi-circle at the gospel side. The Most Rev. Vicar-General
the Rev. Father Maxime and myselfall clothed in cowl,placed themselves
on a small elevation at the epistle side. The Vicar-General commenced
Complin, which was sung in a grave and solemn tone. After Complin,
the chanter intoned the Salve, which everyone was anxious to hear, and

 

Gethsemani Abbey.



which, happily, we sung so as to edify the faithful. The enthusiasm
caused among the religious, by the circumstances of the time and place,
doubled the volume of voice, and the harmony was perfect. .
  The Salve was followed by b