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

A RETREAT AT LA TRAPPE.
their powerful example being the indirect in which they give
spiritual succor to the outer world; and one of the first questions you are asked on arriving is whether you intend to make
a retreat. On answering in the affirmative the abbot assigns
you a spiritual director, who will thenceforth do all in his power
to aid you in reaping abundant benefits from your visit. One
of his first pieces of advice will doubtless be that you are not
to attempt to follow the fasts of the monks, or indeed to fast at
all; but that you are to eat three good meals a day, in order
that you may not be distracted or disturbed in:
your devotions by the endeavor to practise severities to which you are not
,accustomed. He will then
lay down a little rule ofns
life for your guidance,
yonforming more or less P
to t he general rule of the
house. In the matter of the
getting up in the mor ning b t
you may largely consult
your own inclinat ions. If wud
you do not propose to attend the various office s a u t
in the chapel you need
not get up till five; but I
would strongly advise any
,one with any knowledge
,of Latin to f ollow all the
offices wit h the monks,
and your director will lend THE TRAPPIST IS THE VERY PICTURE OF
PEACEFUL HAPPINESS..
yo u a breviary for that
purpose. The prayers laid down by the church for the daily use
of her priests can hardly be improved on; and the beauty of the
words is, as I have already said, immeasurably enhanced by the
touching pathos of those pious voices. It would, however, be
useless to attend the little office of Matins and Lauds at two,
as the chapel is in total darkness, and you could not therefore
follow the text. I was told I might have my own lamp lighted
during this office, but my little light down at the foot of the
chapel seemed such a desecration of the holy darkness that I
put it out and never brought it again. The best hour to get
up at is half-past two. This gives one half an hour to dress,
I 894.]
88I