THE TRAPPIST.

Bruce Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 97, 16 December 1902, Page 7

THE TRAPPIST.

The Trappist must be read/ for whatever work may be assigned to him by the abbot or by the cellarer, by which name the steward is known. He may have to tear himself away from the library, where he is copying btautiful hymn books, and go to sprinkle a clump of trees or whittle shavings. He must never refuse a task, but always perform his work ivith eagerness by virtue of the eternal law whioh demands that we toil, but, by virtue of the law of obedience, he haß not the right to select his work, says the 'Catholic World Magazine.' A light repast, even poorer than the morning meal, ends the day'B work. Then the Trappißt, towards 6.30, reads and meditates; fiaally, at 7 o'clock, thia long file of silent shadows i wends its way to tho dormitory, it ia an immense room, entirely bare ; small partitions not high enough to reach to : the ceiling indicate the inclosure of the cells. There are no doors in front of these cells, a curtain of gray serge being thi only protection. A camp b.d is the entire furniture, and on the bed a straw mattress, a straw pillow, and some blankets - Even when ill the Trappigt is compelled to sleep with his clothea on. He Bpendß Beven hours on this hard bed, and when, in the mid&ie of t c night, the beil rings for the service, the Trappist, up u,t once, begins a new day rigorously similar to the preceding one.