The Benedictines of Caldey Island," Six Thousand Copies Have Been Sold
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EX U2u fornia BV nal t South UialFS 'Ehf-3slP0f(ralDi?y-: T\nlC9 long,- ^be IfiSettcMcttnes of CONTAINING THE HISTORY, PURPOSE, METHOD, AND SUMMARY OF THE RULE OF THE BENEDICTINES OF THE ISLE OF CALDEY, S. WALES (jforincrlv of ipainstborpc, ^ov\\) ILLUSTRATED PUBI,ISHED AT THE ABBEY, ISLE OF CALDEY, S. WALES SECOND EDITION REVISED I9I2 Eightk Tliouiand 2 First Edition . March 1907 SIX THOUSAND. Second Edition . June 191 TWELVE THOUSAND. Stack Annex "IF YOU CAxN PRAY, IF YOU HAVE IN ANY DEGREE ACQUIRED THE HOLY ART, THEN FOR GOD'S SAKE AND FOR MAN'S SAKE DO NOT DO ANYTHING ELSE. GIVE YOURSELF TO IT: CONTINUE ON THE MOUNT WITH HANDS UPRAISED — THERE WILL BE NO LACK OF FIGHTERS DOWN BELOW, WHO WILL TRIUMPH BY THE HELP OF YOUR PRAYERS." 111 Contents PAGE List of Illustrations. ...... vii Preface to the Second Edition The Abbot of Caldey Preface to the First Edition . The Rev. W. R. Shepherd, Rectoy of Kirby Underdale, York XI Chronological Index ....... XV Synopsis ......... xvii Rhythm . Suggested by the design on the cover XX Introduction ........ History of the Community Edited by the Rev. E. Hermitage Day, D.D. .... 9 Caldey Abbey ........ 55 Our Purpose, ^Method, and Rule By Dom Aeh-ed Carlyle, O.S.B., Abbot of Caldey 67 S. Benedict the Abbot . S. Bernard of Tiron . S. Bride's Abbey, Milford Haven A Day at Caldey Horarium ..... " Pax," the Quarterly Paper of the Community The Guest House Contents PAGE The Confraternity of S. Benedict . .140 The Medal and Cross of S. Benedict . 142 Requirements for Postulants . -144 The Good Old Times of England Dr. J. M. Neale 145 Community Handicrafts ...... 14? General Information ...... 148 Publications, etc. ....... 149 VI Xi0t of 3llu0tration0 Map of Caldey Island .... Fronlispiece. P.\GB The Parish Church, Kirby Underdalf. xiii The Isle of Caldey from the Mainland II The Priory, Isle of Dogs . 19 Authorization of Solemn Profession 23 The Retreat, Milton Abbas 27 The Priory Gatehouse, Caldey 28 The Village and Church, Caldey 30 The Charter of the Community 32 Painsthorpe ..... 34 The Calvary, Painsthorpe 37 The Monastery Chapel, Painsthorpe. 39 " Amid the Winter Snow," Painsthorpe 40 The Priory Church, Caldey (West View) 43 Chancel of the Priory Church, Caldey 46 The Village Church, Caldey (exterior) 48 The Home-Coming, Isle of Caldey, S. Luke's Day , 1906 52 View of Monastery and Church, Caldey 54 Interior of Monastery Choir, Caldey . 56 Interior of Church from the East . 56 vii list of illustrations The High Altar with Key to Altar Stones 50 The High Altar of the Monastery . 59 View ok the Choir and Gallery 60 Statio and Chapter House 62 Interior of Cloister Garth, North Elevation of Caldey Abbey ..... 64 External view of Monastery Church, S.E 65 The Abbot of Caldey 66 Interior of Village Church 114 Drinkim Bay, Caldey 116 The Old Priory Buildings, Caldey . 118 The Guest House .... 139 The Medal of S. Benedict 142 VMI — preface to the Second i£Mtion SINCE the year 1907, when we first pubhshed our pamphlet, "The Benedictines of Caldey Island," six thousand copies have been sold. They have gone to all parts of the world and have served the purpose of giving some first-hand information about the History, Purpose, and Method of our Community Life at Caldey. The first edition was sold out nearly two years ago, and since then there has been such a steady and persistent call for more copies, that we have been obliged to reprint and publish a second edition of twelve thousand. The little book has been thoroughly revised, and a good deal of fresh matter added. Owing to the increased size and weight, it but has been necessarj' to change the quality of the paper ; the cover, as well as the general arrangement of the contents (but for the additions) remain the same. There is a new sketch map drawn by Mr. Coates Carter, our architect, which shows at a glance both what has been actually done since 1907, and in what ways our plans have been modified and changed as the work proceeded. There are in this new pamphlet many more illustrations, and the history of the Community has been brought up to date. Altogether, the book is much more complete and will, we think, be of interest even to those who possess copies of the first edition. As I look through these pages, I am filled with wonder and gratitude at the record of all that the good God has done for us. Our work has grown and strengthened beyond all human expectations since that February day in 1898- fourteen years ago—when I made my Solemn Vow to God under the Rule of Saint Benedict in the Chapel of Mailing Abbey. On that day I was practically alone, and conscious of little else but the desire to dedicate my life—if God willed —to the formation of a small community of men devoted to His service in the contemplative life ; and keeping strictly that holy Rule which had been for centuries the regeneration of our country, and in its cloistered homes the preserver of ix preface to tbe SeconD jeDition religion and the safeguard of the CathoHc Faith. There were no prospects, I had made no plans, and possessed only the gift of a clear ideal and a natural power of being able to live from day to day in the present, without anxiety as to the future. Since then we have passed through many vicissitudes and experiences, and it is marvellous to think how we have been guided and cared for and taught. Some of the facts of our history are recorded in this book, but there are many things, small perhaps in themselves, yet largely contributing to the development of the work, that can only be found written in our own consciousness; It is a history of interior conflict and struggle, a record of relative success and failure, of which the outward organization of the Community is the partial expression. And yet the sum of all this experience is to be gauged in some true measure by the strong and happy life of the Community to-day. It is the happiness of those who are realizing their heart's desire, and the strength of those who in their own weakness are learning to turn to Him Who alone " worketh in the faith- ful both to will and to do of His good pleasure." We hope this following account of a Contemplative Com- munity may help to draw some souls to serve God in the hidden life of the cloister, and clear away the false mystery of prejudice and of ignorance that surrounds a manner of living in itself quite simple and clear and easily understood by all who can accept those sayings of our Lord which have inspired so many monks and solitaries in their dedication, and peopled heaven with countless Saints. To him that overcometh ivill I give to eat of the Tree of Life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God. DoM Aelred Carlyle, O.S.B., Ahhot. £Mtor'0 preface to Jfirst lEMtion ^nC Y task as Editor of this Pamphlet, though not ^11^ onerous, has been eminently pleasurable. For it «^ ii^ was my privilege to have the Brothers as near neighbours and loyal parishioners during their residence at Painsthorpe (1902-6), and as I was more closely associated with them during that time than any one else outside the Community I was thus afforded an unrivalled opportunity of watching its development. During its earlier years, with no settled home, and suffering much privation, it is wonderful that the little band not only kept together, but quietly increased in numbers. It is a strong testimony to the courage and determination of the founder, and the attractive power of the movement. The Brothers came to Painsthorpe as to a haven of rest ; for, although they lived there as tenants, and not owners, they were assured that they could remain there until in the providence of God a permanent place of settlement should be found. The time spent at Painsthorpe was therefore a period of transition, and, as such, one of importance and anxiety. Under easier conditions unsuitable men might offer themselves, and so it was necessary to test Vocations very carefully. With increasing numbers the Rule must be more rigidly observed, so that no laxity or carelessness might creep in and be difficult to eradicate. The blending into one, with devotion to their common purpose of life as a Religious Family, of men of diverse antecedents, takes time and patience. There were some disappointments, of course : but the result, on looking back over the past four and a half years, and compar- ing the Community, not merely in numbers, but in tone and general condition (mental and spiritual), when it left with what it was when it came, is eminently gratifying. There has undoubtedly been real and solid progress. The relations of old between the Monastic Orders and the parochial clergy were always delicate, and the old difficulties xi Editor's preface to ^irst Hdition might easily recur. It is therefore pleasant to record how uniformly cordial my relations have been with the Abbot and all the Community. When they first came here, having neither priest nor chapel, they were obliged to come to the parish church for Holy Communion. But they did not content themselves with that. Though their many Offices took up much time, they yet came regularly to the Sunday morning and evening services, sang in the choir (one being organist for half the time tbey were here), and helped in the Sunday School.