Selected Excerpt- Our Lady of the Valley
Transcribed from original
Among the many religious institutions established in the diocese of his lordship, Bishop Harkins, there is none, perhaps, as well known throughout the New England States as the Cistercian Monastery situated in St. Patrick's Parish, Valley Falls.
The Cistercian Order was founded in the beginning of the twelfth century. It's an off-shoot, a branch of the great family of religious which regards St. Benedict, the patriarch of the monks of the West, as its glorious father and originator.
The following is the reason of its severance from the parent stock. The monks of the Benedictine Abbey of Molesme in France had introduced exemptions from the strict observance of their rule which was framed, as St. Gregory the Great alleges, under the inspiration of the Holy Ghost. This conduct was very displeasing to their Abbot, St Robert, and as he could not do away with this lascity of discipline by earnest pleadings and exhortations, he resolved to quit the Abbey and sstart a new house where the ryke if St. Benedict should be carried out to the very letter. This new monastery was built at aplace called Citeaux- hence the followers of this strict observance were from that time called Cistercians.
The Blessed Virgin appeared to Saint Robert's immediate successor, St. Alberic, holding a white habit in her hands. She bade him clothe his choir religious with a dress similar to the one she held, so as to distinguish them forever from the black robed Benedictine monks.
The Cistercian religious take five vows at their profession: poverty, chastity, obedience, conversion of manners, and stability. By the vow of conversion of manners they have to stribe to advance every hour of every day in the way of perfection. By that of stability is meant that they have to remain until death in the monastery where they pronounced their vows unless some grave and urgent reasons may intervene which must be weighed and seriously considered by the local Superior.
It is most amusing to one acquainted with the Cistercian life to read the articles written by irresponsible men for many of our magazines and journals regarding the daily exercises of these religious. They are as a rule altogether misleading.
The book of usages which to the Cistercians is regarded almost as sacred as the Bible itself, indicates that they rise on Sundays and Festivals at 1 1/2 A.M., and on all other days 2 A.M. They, then, recite matins and lauds of the office of the Blessed Virgin, after which they devote a good half-hour to meditation. When this is concluded, teh Canonical Matins and Luds are immediately recited. At 4 o'clock the private low masses are begun on the several altars and are continued until 5 1/2, when the hour of Prime is sung. At its temination they repair to the Chapter Room where the presiding Superior explains a part of the rule or may call, if he chooses, for a chapter of faults.
They, next, partake of a slight collation consisting of a few ounces of dry bread with a cup of tea or coffee. Being thus fortified, they immediately begin manual labor, which lasts two hours and a half in the forenoon, and the same length of time in the afternoon. Those who are studying for the priesthood devote half of this time to the preparation of their lessons and attendance in class.
The salient characteristics of this order are three in number: 1st perpetual abstinence from flesh-meats, unless the members become debilitated when all kind attentions are payed them. 2: perpetual silence: the first Superior, guest master and those only in charge of important ofices are allowed to speak. In order to obviate all temptations of speaking, the religious learn a sign manual whereby they can communicate their ideas. It is astonishing how some become masters very soon of this intricate and puzzling method of conversing. 3rd: manual labor. The last and not the least. Even the sick, unless they are bedridden, are expected to perform their share of the common work.
Notwithstanding this severe and rigid code of discipline, it is a most delightful sight- one which thrills the soul and heart of its beholder with untold pleasure, to see these religious marshalled in Indian file on their way to the fields, carrying their implements in one hand whilst their other hand placed within thei scapular is engaged in counting on their beads ejaculatory acts of love and homage to God or offering Hail Marys to their Blessed Mother.
No frown, no signs of discontent or unhappiness mar their serene features; their down-cast eyes, their modest mien, their lively steps- all indicate peace and contentment with their hard life. They go to offerevery bead of sweat which their labor will extract as a sacrifice to the Divine Majesty not only for their own past offences but also, on behalf of all sinners, and particularly of this diocese.
([Illegible] in Providence "Visitor" in 1912.)