X. To Abbot-Primate Hildebrand de Hemptinne

The abbot of Maredsous to whom the following letters are addressed is Dom Hildebrand de Hemptinne, a Belgian, who after serving with the Papal Zouaves, went to Beuron in Germany to ask for the monastic habit. He was to play a most active part in the foundation

° “The Practice of Humility.” ‘“Tn the name of the Church.” of Maredsous, and was elected its abbot on August 9, 1890. But scarcely three years later he was also appointed, by Leo XIII, first Primate of the Benedictine Order. This entailed residence for at least eight months each year on the Aventine in Rome, in the Abbey of Sant’ Anselmo which he had built. In spite of his remarkable gifts of personality, such a situation could not last indefinitely. In 1909, therefore, he resigned the abbacy of Maredsous, and Dom Marmion was elected to succeed him. In 1913 the Primate returned to Beuron, the monastery of his profession, there to die.

The letters here published make clear the attitude of the young monk toward his abbot, who holds for him the place of Christ. They also show his own conception of the abbatial function according to Benedictine tradition. The simplicity with which he opens his soul to his spiritual father is especially noteworthy.

Until the death of the Abbot-Primate, Dom Marmion continued a regular and abundant correspondence with him, particularly after he succeeded him in the abbacy of Maredsous. These letters are full of interest, but often too private to be published. Moreover, being written in French, they have no place here.

Benedicite Maredsous. 9.1.90. [1891]? Very Rev. and dear F. Abbot,

You told us on the day of your election,® that the abbot receives, as a special grace of heaven, a very tender and paternal love for his childen, a kind of reflection of the Divine Paternity. I will not listen therefore to the thought which suggests itself to my mind, viz. that knowing as you do my past, & how unworthy* I am to be numbered

‘In the Beuron Congregation the custom was to greet superiors with this word, Benedicite (Bless me), at the beginning of a conversation or a letter.

? From the contents of this letter it may be conjectured that the date 1890 should be 1891 —an error not too surprising at the beginning of the year.

• August 9, 1890.

“Concerning this humble deprecation of his past, read Note 4 to his Letter 7 to

Father (Bishop) Dwyer (Section II), with its reference to Thibaut, 4bbot Columba Marmion, p. 32. amongst your children, words of congratulation from me could not add to your joy. No, dear Father, I will act towards you, as I try to do towards my Father who is in heaven. I will cast myself in spirit at your feet, & while acknowledging my unworthiness, will tell you that I feel you love me, & that in return I shall try to love you with that true affection of which our H. Father speaks. During these days I offer all my actions to God, that He may bestow every grace & spiritual light on you; & that, if it be for His glory, & your spiritual advancement, He may restore your strength, & establish you in robust health.

I commenced the course of Philosophy today.° The young clerks were very attentive & seemed to follow intelligently my lecture & explanations, which were all in latin. I will begin the class of Theology this evening with Br. Joseph; but I am doubtful, whether, with my classes at the school ® & other occupations there, I could continue to give the two courses of Theology & Philosophy in a satisfactory manner. However, I will make the trial.

I shall be counting every day now till you come back to us again. The house is not the same when the father is absent.

Asking your blessing, & a little remembrance in your prayer at the tomb of our H. Father,’ I remain your unworthy, but affectionate child in J.C. fr. Columba O.S.B.

4 Benedicite. Maredsous. | 1894? | Very Rev. and dear F. Abbot,

During our exile here below, we cannot see our Heavenly Father, nor hear His voice; our greatest consolation is to speak to Him and assure Him of our love; so also, during your absence, as I cannot see you or hear your words of encouragement, it is a great consolation to write a few lines to assure you of my unchanging affection. Many times each day, I pray our Heavenly Father to console and strengthen

° To the young student-monks of Maredsous.

° To the abbey’s secondary school. "St. Benedict’s tomb at Monte Cassino. you, and to give you all the light and grace necessary to carry out the great designs He wishes to accomplish through your means.

I am, thank God, well and happy, and living in great peace. F. Prior has given me permission to read the works of St. John of the Cross. This lecture} is a perfect flood of light for my soul, and I am beginning to understand what it is to live by faith, to pray the prayer of faith, and to make no account of the changes of time and temperament. At the same time, I see now more clearly than ever before, what danger those run who trust to their own judgement, and allow themselves to be guided by any light except that of the teaching of the Church, and the revealed word of God.

I have nothing to add about the novices. F. Master® and I are living in the greatest union; and a most beautiful spirit of charity and holy joy reigns in the novitiate. ...

I was at Louvain ® some days ago. It is a real consolation to go there now. They are very much in earnest, and take a great interest in philosophy. Philosophical discussions are their ordinary subject of conversation. Felix was the best; but the others did very well indeed, except the two of the 2nd year [. . .| who had not worked as well as they might.

Asking your blessing, I remain with profound respect your loving child in J.C. f. Columba, O.S.B.

• Benedicite. Maredsous. 8 Dec. 1898. Right Rev. and very dear Father Abbot,

Having finished my retreat at St. Scholastica’s' to-day, I wish to render account of my two retreats, and of my occupations.

• This reading.

*Dom Benoit d’Hondt, who had been a special trial to him during his novitiate. Dom Marmion was then zélateur des novices — that is, assistant to the novice master.

*Dom Marmion was responsible during this period for preparing graduates of Maredsous Abbey’s School for their examination. These students lived at the hall the abbey had recently established in the university city.

• The future Dom Jean de Hemptinne.

• To the Benedictine nuns of Maredret, near Maredsous. ga

At Louvain? Our Lord protected and aided me in a very special manner. When I commenced and saw the members of the various faculties present, I was really afraid; but I said to myself: I am here through obedience, and God must aid me. Like St. Placid vidi abbatis melotem supra caput meum.* | found a great facility to express myself, and I received the most encouraging assurances of the entire satisfaction of the hearers from Mgr. Lami, Mgr. Moulard, etc.; and several of the young priests asked me to become their director when I should be at Mont-César. The vice-president having been obliged to leave during one of the conferences, came to ask me to supply what he lost as he did not wish to lose anything. I tell you this in all simplicity, as I wish you to know exactly how things were. In one of the conferences, I spoke very strongly against the spirit of extreme criticism and naturalism, taking for my text the words sapientia hujus mundi stultitia est apud Deum,* and although several professors, who are known for their advanced ideas, were present, no one was hurt... . The foundation at Mont-César is well received, and they are anxious for us to come.” ;

At. St. Scholastica’s, I was extremely edified. In fact the retreat has done me almost as much good as the Religious. They seek God so simply and so generously. I felt really quite confounded that I, so impure and so unworthy, should be employed by God to communicate His light and grace to such pure souls. I felt like a hawk amongst doves; but it shows the grandeur of the christian priesthood which is ever a channel for God’s graces despite the unworthiness of the instrument.

I am happy to say the clerics® are giving me satisfaction. Unfortunately they are all more or less weak, and are not able for as much work as I should like; but still it is very satisfactory, and in my

?Dom Marmion had preached the retreat at the University College of the Holy Spirit, where young priests, theological students, and several professors were in residence.

°“T saw Father Abbot’s mantle over my head’’ — an allusion to St. Benedict’s miracle, as related by St. Gregory the Great in his Dialogues, Bk. II, chap. 7. The young Placid, saved from drowning by the monk Maurus, who had been sent to his helo by St. Benedict, declared that he had been saved by the saint in person.

**For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God” (I Cor. 3:19).

• See Note 1 to letter 12 in Section III. ° The young student-monks (or “‘clerks”’). branch I am really pleased... . We have the most delightful summer weather at present; but of course that may change.

As regards my person, I am well and very happy, though almost astonished at times to see how full I am of vanity and of desire to please men.

With profound respect and sincere affection, your Paternity’s most unworthy child. f. Columba, O.8.B. IV.

Benedicite. | Mont-César, January, 1900| * Right Rd. & dear Father Abbot, }

Please accept my best & most sincere wishes for a holy, happy & peaceful New Year. My most fervent prayers shall be offered to God that He may bless all your undertaking for His glory. All here goes well. I am satisfied with the studies of our clerks & also with their spirit which is excellent. Brother Athanasius is preparing with fervour for his solemn profession which he hopes to make on the 15th January. .

There is a young Irish-man at our house at Louvain at present. He is son of |... .|, a very nice, pious young fellow. I am praying that God may give him a vocation. He spent some days here at Christmas, & made a very good impression on all who came in contact with him. God is giving a great blessing to our monastery at present. There is great fervour & a most flourishing novitiate. It is God’s way of recompensing us for the sacrifice we make in living separated from our beloved father. I feel more & more that God is the source of all real good; & that we are capable of doing good in the measure of our submission to Him, & union with His will.

I am glad our entry into Louvain has been put off, as it would be a very great happiness to have your Paternity present at the new foundation & receive your blessing on our work.

Humbly begging your blessing & prayers, I remain your unworthy but affectionate child in J.C. f. Columba O.S.B.

"Dom Marmion had been appointed prior of Mont-César in September.

4 Benedicite. Mont-César, Louvain. 2 June 1902. Right Rev. and very dear Father Abbot-Primate,

Allow me to wish you from my heart a joyous, holy feast. As I have frequently told your Paternity, I very often pray for you; but on this feast-day, I shall do so more fervently, in order that God may bless and prosper you, and your undertakings for His glory. I take this opportunity of thanking you for your paternal letter; and I shall certainly study to avoid in future every thing which could cause you pain.

I have been explaining in class the treatise on original sin; and I have been extremely struck by the relation which St. Paul reveals between the disobedience of the first Adam, and the obedience of the Second Adam, Jesus Xt. I have felt drawn almost continually for the last few weeks to meditate this truth; and I have understood, as I never did before, that the beauty and strength of our monastic life consists in our association, as His members, to the obedience of Jesus Christ. I see more and more that the more completely and perfectly we embrace with J.C., and after His example, every manifestation of the divine will by a most perfect submission to Superiors, the more perfectly we become His members and partake of the effects of His redemption. I had always been persuaded of this truth; but lately God has given me the grace to see it so clearly, that it seems as though I had never known it before. And I find now a great suavity and docility of heart in accepting even what is most humiliating and repugnant to nature.

I tell you this, most reverend father, because you were good enough to tell me that what concerns my soul interests you; and also in order that you may know that by God’s grace you will find me entirely disposed to acquiesce, not only externally, but also with entire docility of heart and judgement in whatever you may see fit to impose in future. In fact, for some time past, I feel a very great detachment in my heart from all persons and things in this world, and have but one desire: that of belonging without reserve to God, occupying myself solely with Him, and with these persons and occupations which He may wish to confide to me; ready to quit them and take up others just as He may make known to me by obedience. This is my real disposition of heart at present; and I regard it as one of the most precious graces God has ever given me.

According to your instructions, I was at St. Scholastica’s for the quarter term. I found that dear Community in great peace, serving God in gaudio et simplicitate cordis.\ Here all doing well... .

I humbly ask your paternal benediction, and beg you to believe me most respectfully and affectionately in J.C. your unworthy son,

£. Columba, O.S.B.

F Benedicite. Louvain. May 23rd 1903. Right Rev. and very dear F. Abbot-Primate,

St. Francis de Sales says that the most agreeable gift a child can make to his father is that of his affection. On the occasion of your feast, I wish to assure you once more of my respectful and filial affection. A few weeks ago, you asked me to fix my stability? at Louvain. I did so without hesitation, because I am persuaded that it is God’s will and yours; but it was one of the greatest sacrifices I have ever made for God’s love. Still, as Primate, I am sure you will still allow me to look on you as my father, and continue as heretofore to take an interest in my life.

Thank God, all is in perfect peace here.” Dom [. . .] is very quiet, and much more recollected and pious than formerly. I found in his case that also in general kindness is that great power of a superior; still, in certain cases a certain firmness is necessary. At the first séance* of the professors, he was arrogant and selfish, wishing to arrange everything his own way. I immediately spoke with authority, and acted with firmness; and ever since then he is meek and docile as a lamb. He had a long chat with me yesterday about his future, and I am quite persuaded that a few years of quiet in Italy (p.e.* at

*«With gladness and simplicity of heart” (Acts 2:46).

• At the time of his profession at Maredsous, Dom Marmion took the vow that all monks take — of perpetual “stability” in his monastery.

?Dom Marmion was director of the student-monks, as well as professor of dogma on the theology faculty.

° Meeting. “Par exemple, the French equivalent of “e.g.”

Cava,° as he seems to desire it so much, and they are willing to receive him) would do him an amount of good.

Dom |. . .] is still fluctuating. He is an excellent professor, and most agreeable confrére; but I feel he will never be at rest till “he has had his folly out,” until he has seen for himself that a solitary life is not made for him. He is now confessor to the Little Sisters of the Poor. Perhaps the interest he takes in them, and their prayers, may attach him to our foundation.

The clerics are very good....

I was invited lately to preach an English sermon at Brussels. All the English colony was there. I preached in the Church of the Servites, rue Washington. The congregation was greatly pleased, and I was introduced to quite a number of English, Irish and Americans. The next morning I said Mass in a convent. The Superioress has a great reputation for sanctity. She sent for me after the Mass. She told me she felt impelled to consult me about her soul. She is favoured by God with the highest gifts of contemplation and intimacy with Our Lord; yet a most simple, joyous soul, just like a child, and yet, despite great suffering, governing her Community with a most remarkable prudence and success for long years. She is 4o years of age. I told her I had no personal experience of such things; but I had no difficulty in seeing that she is led by the Holy Spirit; and so I told her to be in peace, and to follow the Spirit which is guiding her. I have had no further relation with her; for I understand very clearly now, what I did not before, that although real love of Our Lord must fill us with a most ardent love and zeal for all His members, yet we may not devote ourselves in particular to any soul unless He Himself puts us in relation with her by the ordinary way of ecclesiastical or religious obedience. This of course is strictly for your Paternity alone. |

I am to go to Maredret in the beginning of June. After that I shall write again to your Paternity.

I remain with profound respect and sincere affection your unworthy child in J.C. f. Columba, O.S.B.

° A Benedictine monastery in southern Italy.

' Benedicite. Mont-César. 27 May 1904. Right Rev. and very dear F. Abbot-Primate,

As I am giving a retreat to a number of young religious, belonging to one of the Congregations expelled from France, who are to be raised to holy orders at Malines to-morrow, I have but a moment to wish you from my heart a most holy and joyous feast. It is needless for me to assure you of my prayers; but I take this opportunity of expressing once more my filial affection, and to tell you that I am more and more intimately united with you in the bonds of holy and sincere charity.

I was at Jupille, and also at Lede, lately. F. Abbot * made no diffculty. Both these Communities are, I am sure, very pleasing to the S. Heart of Our Divine Master. They certainly have all the marks of His most abundant benediction. The Superioress of Lede is really a superior person; and I find her greatly improved in every way. In order to understand and be compassionate with others, a Superior must pass through trial; and so it has been with her. The Superioress of Jupille Jooks much better; but I feel she is getting ripe for Heaven.

I am off to Woolhampton on the 23 July; and at Jupille I shall be from 30 August to the 8 September, on which date I hope to meet your Paternity for the Profession of D. Laurent’s niece, and of many others.

Here all are well. Dom |. . .| is quite unhinged, and gives no more class. I think he requires a change. A monk must find all his consolation in God; or otherwise he will often be unhappy... .

With profound respect and filial affection, I remain ever your unworthy son in J.C. f. Columba, O.S.B.

• Benedicite. Louvain. 15 August [probably 1907] Right Rev. and dear F. Abbot-Primate,

The letter I sent yesterday was written while waiting for the return of the Cardinal. It may interest you to know that, in an inti-

*Dom Robert de Kerckhove, abbot of Mont-César. hd. mate conversation which I had with His Eminence, I asked him: “What would be your Eminence’s attitude in the event of the Abbot- Primate’s being proposed for the Cardinalate?”

“J’y serais tout a fait favorable. Je ne pense pas devoir faire une démarche positive dans ce but; mais si l’on demande mon avis, je serais tout a fait favorable.”+ He told me he has no fear of his prestige, etc., being diminished by the nomination of a second Belgian Cardinal.

Ever your dutiful and affectionate son in J.C. f. Columba, O.S.B.

Benedicite. Mont-César, Louvain. g Jan. [1908] Right Rev. and dear F. Abbot-Primate,

Please accept my very sincere and affectionate wishes for this New Year.

I had the happiness last March to receive into the Church a young Jewess; and, with your permission, I received her as an Oblate of St. Benedict. Her novitiate should end the 16th April, but she is dying, and I don’t think she can live more than a few weeks now. I should be very grateful if you would authorize me to anticipate her profession if necessary. She is a most beautiful soul; pure as an angel; and in continual suffering so as not to have more than about half an hour’s sleep in 24. The light and union to which God has admitted her are surprising.

You will be glad to know that Br |. . .|] is on the good road, and making real progress; I have no hesitation in recommending him for profession. Perhaps it might be better to wait still a couple of months. May I present Br |. . .] for the subdiaconate in Lent?

I add, very confidentially, that my impression at ... was sad; in fact I was delighted to get away, and return to Mont-César. There seems little cordial union between the Abbot and his Community.

I have not been to St. Scholastica since May, and so have no news from that quarter as no one ever writes to me now.

*“T would be altogether in favor of it. I do not think I should take any steps to this end; but if my advice were asked, I would be altogether favorable.”

I have been named a member of the “Commission of Vigilance” by His Eminence. I must acknowledge that to be selected to watch over the purity of the Faith in this diocese is a very great joy and consolation for me. As your Paternity is probably aware, I shall be associated with very distinguished men in this capacity.

With profound respect and affection, I remain your very devoted son in J.C. f. Columba, O.S.B.

P.S. The name of the Jewess is Violet Agnes Susman.