Foreword

“AS the Heavens are filled with stars, so does the land of Ireland abound in excellent men.” This saying, from the Froretti of St. Francis, though referring originally to the region of the Marches, could actually have been coined to express the merits of that Island of Faith among whose sons, so outstanding for their great goodness and lively intelligence, is numbered Columba Marmion, Abbot of Maredsous, native of Dublin. Abbot Marmion closed his work-filled earthly career on January 30, 1923, leaving behind a memory rich in holiness and doctrine. And the deep spirituality of his life still shines bright and vibrant in his writings.

The excellent education imparted by his Irish father and French mother laid the foundation for the thorough ecclesiastical formation he received, first in Dublin, then in Rome. After his ordination to the priesthood in June of 1881, he devoted himself for several years — and with distinction—to the care of souls and the instruction of future priests. But the combination of refined religious sensibilities and the attraction he felt for the unceasing round of adoring praise of God led him to the Benedictine life of the Abbey of Maredsous. Here in the silence of pure contemplation and deep prayer was formed the man wholly consumed by union with God and virile love of Christ, the unique Mediator; formed also the enlightened spiritual guide, the inspired preacher, the celebrated author of Christ, the Life of the Soul.

The profound Pauline concept of our divine sonship in the Person of Christ, who by His grace takes possession of the very essence and operation of our soul and becomes our life, willing and acting in us and through us, was expounded and recommended by Abbot Marmion to Christian souls of our day with that great profit of which all are aware.

With the praiseworthy intention of extending even more the circle vi, of those already acquainted with the writings of the Irish monk, the American Benedictine Academy offers to readers in the United States this collection of the English Letters of Dom Columba Marmion, O.S.B. These writings have all the simple directness and cordial confidence of the familiar letter, the while retaining the elevated wisdom of a doctrine that has been deeply meditated and contemplated.

“T see more and more that the great point is to sink our personality and let Christ act in us and through us,” he wrote to one correspondent. “The more I gaze at God, through the eyes of Jesus living in my heart, the more clearly I see that nothing can be so high, so divine, as as to remit oneself totally to God.” To a niece eager to achieve perfection he put it, “Place your heart in that of Jesus and let Him will for you.” — Clear expressions that are at the same time living and personal affirmations of the “For me to live is Christ” of St. Paul.

We are confident that this publication will prove most inspiring and fruitful, that it will assist the action of grace in clergy, religious, and lay people, thus directing souls to an ever more joyous and serene experience of that union with God which found its apostle and herald in Abbot Marmion.

Amleto G. Cardinal Cicognani Rome, 24 June 1961

Vi x IIT]

CONTENTS

Foreword

Introduction

To Abbot-Bishop Rudesin Salvado

To Bishop Kirby, Rector of the Irish College

To a Bishop Friend

To an Irish Nun

To an Irish Sister of Mercy To His Future Abbot

To His Sister Flora

To His Sister Rosie rogaey oun os Lrest

To Abbot-Primate Hildebrand de Hamptinne

To an Unknown Correspondent

To Dom Gerald van Caloen, Abbot of Olinda

To Dom Anschar Hoeckelmann,

Abbot of Erdington To Dom Bede Camm To a Priest Friend of Dublin

X XV

X XVI

X XVII

XXVIII

Dn Lee

X XX

To Dom Placid Wolter, Archabbot of Beuron To a Nun To a Superioress To an English Superioress To an English Benedictine Abbess To a Young Girl To a Teaching Sister To One of His Nieces, a Nun

To a Benedictine Nun of Tyburn Convent

To a Benedictine Nun of Ventnor To a Dominican Sister of Dublin To a Nun

To the Poor Clare Colettines of Cork To a Young Girl

To the Mother of a Family

To a Benedictine Nun

To an Irish Novice

Chronology

Bibliography

ILLUSTRATIONS facing page Abbot Marmion in 1913 112 Maredsous Abbey in 1961. View from the air 113 The Abbot’s Irish cross and ring 144 With Queen Elizabeth of the Belgians at Maredsous in 1920 145