A Retreat at La Trappe [pp. 862-883]

A RE TREAT AT LA TRAPPE.
routine. There are sixteen distinct offices during the day, each
of which begins with the words "Deus in adjutorium meum intende; Domine, ad adjuvandum me festina," and yet every time
these words are uttered very slowly, the monks standing, but
with their bodies bent down to a horizontal position- they convey a depth of heartfelt supplication which is touching and edifying in the extreme.
The "Gloria Patri" at the end of each psalm is said or sung
in the same manner, and with an air of humility and devotion
well befitting the sacred words, but unfortunately not always
found accompanying them in the world.
After the "Little Office" of Matins and Lauds and the halfhour of meditation, that is at three, two, or one o'clock, according to the day, the lamps are lighted and the canonical Matins
are said or sung, and are followed by the Lauds, the whole lasting until four, when the monks separate, those of them who are
priests to say Mass at the various altars, and the others to
serve or assist, or else to attend to some other duty of the
day. At half-past five all reassemble for the office of Primelasting about twenty minutes. At a quarter past seven Tierce
is said, and is followed by the conventual Mass, at which the
whole household assist. This is usually a low Mass; but in winter, when time will permit, grand High Mass is sung. During
'this Mass a custom prevails which struck me as very beautiful
and devotional, and which I think might be followed with great
profit in our parish churches. Immediately after the elevation
the whole community bursts forth simultaneously, and as if instinctively, into the hymn "0O salutaris Hostia," in joyous welcome of the Guest who has just descended upon the altar. At
Masses in honor of the Blessed Virgin the "Ave Verum," and
at Masses for the dead the "Pie Jesu Domine," are respectively
substituted for the "0 salutaris."
After Mass the manual labor of the day begins for the
choir monks. The lay monks, who are exempt from attendance at most of the offices, have already begun theirs at
three, after the morning meditation. During the summer
months they are also exempt from attendance at the conventual Mass, and attend instead a Mass said at three for
their especial benefit. All or most of the skilled labor about
the monastery, such as butter-making, cheese-making, etc., as
well as the exclusive care of the cattle and live stock, is entrusted to the lay monks, the choir monks reserving for themselves only the most ordinary labor. And this is shared in by
all from the highest to the lowest. A friend of mine once
876
[Mar.,