XIV. To Dom Bede Camm

As with several of Dom Marmion’s correspondents, Dom Bede Camm was a literary man as well as a leading character in at least two spiritual dramas—his own and that of the reconciliation of Caldey Abbey to the Holy See— in both of which Dom Marmion played a most providential role. According to a brief account of Dom Bede's life,

Dom Bede Camm was, like so many distinguished English Catholics, a convert to the Faith. He was born (in 1864) at Sudbury-on-Thames. ... After two years at Oxford ... he studied for the Anglican ministry for which he was ordained at Rochester (England), in 1888, at the age of twenty-four. ... Two years later, however, he was received into the Church at the Benedictine Abbey of Maredsous in Belgium}

In a lively narrative, Dom Bede himself retates the steps toward his conversion. It so happened that the decisive moment occurred at Maredsous, where he had come to allay the serious doubts that had been torturing him concerning his situation as an Anglican clergyman. Being unable to open his heart completely to the abbot, Dom Placid Wolter, he had decided to leave on June 6, 1890, when during high Mass he was struck by the words of the Credo: Et unam, sanctam, catholicam et apostolicam Ecclesiam. He suddenly understood that he had not believed until then that the word one meant one Church, and nothing else.” We shall now let him speak for himself:

It was possible, I thought, that this was a diabolical illusion; at least it might be so. I asked for a sign. I said, “If Father Abbot sends for me to speak to me before dinner, or if he sends someone else to speak to me about my soul, I will open all my heart to him —if not, I will go away

• Matthew Hoehn, O.S.B. (ed.), Catholic Authors (Newark, N.J., St. Mary’s Abbey, 1948), I (1930-47), 100.

• Memoirs of a Benedictine Monk, published in a collection of seven narratives of conversions entitled The City of Peace, by those who have entered it (Dublin, Catholic Truth Society of Ireland, 1903), p. 46. this evening and say nothing.” The Mass ended, the Blessed Sacrament was exposed, and I knelt there in the Church. No one came to me.I stayed there till just before dinner. Then I went upstairs to wash my hands, and felt almost relieved that it was all over; and I determined to go away that afternoon. On going into the Refectory, however, Dom Columba, an Irish monk, whose acquaintance I had made the evening before, touched me on the arm, and said —“Will you come with me for a walk after Vespers?”

I said, “Very gladly, if there will be time before I leave.” So after Vespers we went out; and we had not gone far before he began asking me about the Bishop of Lincoln’s case.“ Now,’ I thought, “I am in for it.” However, I answered; and he began to attack the Anglican position very hardily, I defending it as best I could. We went into a wood, and all of a sudden I turned round to him, and said, “Dom C—, tell me, did the Abbot send you to talk to me about this?” “Yes,” he replied, after a moment's hesitation. “And when did he tell you to speak to me — before dinner?” “Yes, after the High Mass, he sent for me and told me I must speak to you about your soul. I did not like to do it, but I have done it by obedience.”

I said no more, but it came upon me with overwhelming force that my sign had been granted me when I least expected it. ...1I1 think, that though I still continued feebly to defend myself, all was over. Before we returned to the Monastery I had promised to speak to the Abbot. Next morning I was with him from 9 to 11 in the forenoon. That afternoon, Dom Columba took me to see Mr. Edmund Bishop, an English Catholic gentleman, and a most learned man, who was staying in the Abbey.’ He was very kind, and helped me more than anyone, Of course he best understood my position and my difficulties.*

• Edmund Bishop (1846-1917), convert, civil servant, lay apostle, and the liturgical scholar and historian of whom David Knowles (foremost authority on English mo- Nasticism) states that ‘“‘among those most competent to speak he would be reckoned

. among the few English scholars of original genius at the turn of the last century.” Self-trained, self-effacing, and altogether unselfish, Bishop furnished basic research and priceless leads in the fin-de-siécle development of Catholic scholarship on pre- Reformation liturgical history, exploited spectacularly in the works of Cardinal Gasquet. See Nigel Abercrombie, The Life and Work of Edmund Bishop (London, Longmans, 1959), and Leslie, op. cit., Chap. IV and passim. Bishop spent five months at Maredsous as a lay pensionnaire in 1891. (MEE)

*Bede Camm, op. cit., pp. 46-48. Curiously, the thorough, objective Abercrombie manages to tell the same story without once adverting to Don Marmion or his role of catalyst in the Camm-Bishop encounter. (MEE)

This encounter with Dom Marmion had thus been for him a clear sign of Divine Providence. He was received into the Church by Abbot Placid Wolter, who had instructed him. Three months later he entered Maredsous Abbey as a postulant. He made his monastic profession in 1891; was ordained priest in Rome in 1895, “and then was stationed at Erdington Abbey, near Birmingham, until 1912” (the while remaining attached to Maredsous). “In 1913, he was appointed to prepare the Anglican Benedictine monks at Caldey, and the nuns of St. Bride’s, Milford Haven, for their reception into the Church as communities.’ ®

The letters published here show first of all the friendly relations uniting the two monks; then the problems one of them had to face after he became Abbot of Maredsous, when the other had reached a new turn in his life.

Besides these letters, the archives of Maredsous Abbey contain numerous unpublished documents relating to the history of Caldey, especially letters of the Bishop of Menevia, of Dom John Chapman, who had been named superior, and particularly of Dom Aelred Carlyle, almost all of them sent from Caldey itself to Dom Columba Marmion. Unfortunately, except for two letters written to Dom Bede Camm when he was at Caldey, all the letters of Dom Marmion himself have been lost.

Pax Abbaye Regina Coeli Louvain [1899] My dear Father Bede

Accept my best thanks for your new book.’ I am so glad you thought of sending it to me, not only because the stories of those “Brave days of old” are for me most delicious reading, but also as a proof that our friendship in J.C. is still as fresh & as true as of yore. Although we are separated by space, we remain united in affection & in prayer.

°Hoehn, loc. cit. Peter Anson gives a racy account of the Caldey episode in his memoir of Aelred Carlyle. Abbot Extraordinary (New York, Sheed & Ward, 1958). (MEE)

*In the Brave Days of Old. Historical Sketches of the Elizabethan Persecution (London, Art and Book Company, 1899).

I was delighted to read your beautiful letter in the Catholic Times. It is the real spirit of the S. Heart of Jesus, & of the Holy Father who says diligat fratres, oderit vitia.” Yes, let us hate heresy in all its forms, but let us love our brothers, even when in error.

Here, D.G., we are living in a real paradise. A wonderful spirit of union & charity reigns, & with it God’s joy in our hearts ubi amor 1bi Deus est.? May God long preserve us in this holy peace. We are getting on nicely. We are poor, but God provides for all necessities; & then it is so sweet to repose on Him & allow Him to carry us in His arms. We are entering little by little into the scholastic & university life which surrounds us here; for although our students are not to frequent the university classes, still they assist at the public theses; & the Recteur Magnifique * came to invite the professors to take part in the theological & philosophical discussions.® This is not much to my taste, but it cannot be avoided as we form with the Jesuits & Dominicans the third house of studies, & must accept the consequences of our situation. A report reached us from Maredsous that we are shortly to have a mitre here.® This report has as yet received no official confirmation, so that I give it for what it is worth.

What about Erdington? We heard some months ago that the Archabbot had promised you an Abbot, & in the course of this year.’ Since then we hear nothing. I hope God may soon arrange that matter, as it would add immensely to the importance, the prosperity & the utility of St. Thomas’s.®

I hope your dear Father is well & happy. Dom. Subprior told me, he is extremely generous to your abbey. May God bless him & recom-

? “He should love the brethren, and hate vice.” Rule of St. Benedict, chap. 64, The election of the abbot.

®“Where is love, God is there.” Ninth anthem for the Mandatum of Maundy Thursday.

“Official title of the rector of the university.

® At the end of the scholastic year when the candidates for University degrees in theology were required to defend their theses in public, Dom Marmion was often invited to perform the office of official objector.

®T.e., a mitred abbot.

"In effect, Anschar Hockelmann was elected abbot on July 16, 1899, and received the abbatial blessing on September 3. See above several letters written to him by Dom Marmion.

• St. Thomas of Canterbury was the patron saint of Erdington. oy, pense him for his charity here & hereafter. Please present him my very affectionate remembrances, as also to your Mother etc.

I hope D. Patrick ® is well, & doing great things for God, & his country by his prayers. Tell him I should be grateful to him, if he would tell me the meaning of the Irish phrase written on his ordination-card, as people ask me & I am ashamed to confess my utter ignorance of my native tongue. You may add that his brother Tomey S.J. is in the same Celtic darkness as myself. Talking of languages, I am pounding the Flemish, as it is necessary here. One of my penitents at the Carmelite Convent *® speaks only Flemish, & as I think it highly probable now that I am destined to live & die in this dear Country of my adoption, I must know its tongue.

Please present my respectful & affectionate greetings to the R. F. Prior, & S. Prior, & all my dear brothers, & believe me ever

Your truly devoted & affectionate brother in J. C. fr. Columba O.S.3.

II. =

Pax Mont César Louvain 30 March 1903 My dearest F. Bede

Please accept my sincere sympathy in your great sorrow.’ Christi amor nos conjunxit,” & | feel that your parents are in some sort mine, & their loss affects me as though it were one of my own. I know that this is a great blow for you, for you were so united with your dear parents in love & affection; but I feel most keenly for your poor father, for whom this loss will be a terrible sorrow which will scarcely quit him here below. However, it is an immense happiness that her death was so holy & so full of hope. I feel no doudt for the future. Surely what she did at that solemn moment, and after such terrific suffering,

*Dom Patrick Nolan, Dom Marmion’s fellow countryman, who knew him at Maredsous during his novitiate. An ardent nationalist, he devoted himself at that time to propaganda in favor of the Gaelic language. He was ordained priest February 25 of this same year, 1899.

*° The Louvain Carmel where Father Marmion was the devoted chaplain for ten years. ‘His mother’s death.

• “The love of Christ united us.” must have been the true expression of sincere conviction, & in that case sacramental grace was sure & efficacious. I have begged the prayers of the Community for her, & shall not forget her myself. It seems as though our dear Lord had chosen you to lead to Himself those souls so dear to His S. Heart. You were the first link in that chain of predestined souls, & it is so sweet to have been the instrument in His hands of the greatest blessings you could have obtained for your dear parents. As one by one the dear ones precede us, we ought to detach our hearts more & more from every human tie; give ourselves more resolutely to our dear Lord for the few years which remain ut ibi fixa sint corda ubi vera sunt gaudia.*

Here everything is going on as usual. The Rt. Rev. D. Gérard Ab. of Olinda * obtained permission to take our Dom Léon to his Abbey of S. Andrew at Bruges for a year.® This is a great sacrifice for us as we are very short of priests here, & D. Léon was our cellarer, instructor of the lay-brothers, & preached in Flemish, besides being a most charming confrére. However, we could scarcely refuse as the R. A. Primate wished it, & poor D. Gérard was in a most impossible position. He has at Bruges an abbey with a number of young clerics, & practically no one to look after them; as his prior & another priest had been so overworked that — well, they must change their monastery, & rest for a whole year at least. The prior is gone to Maria Laach & the other to Beuron. D. Gérard must leave for Brazil for important business in a few days. D. Simon is ordained, & quite a number will be turned out this year: frs. Pius, Bruno, Adelin, Autbert, Omer, Achaire, Barnabé, Gérard.® I am still at the same work, & find it hard to make ends meet. However, I find that our dear Lord helps most wonderfully, & that if we try to be just a little generous with Him, He takes most of the work on Himself. Please give my most affec-

*“There only may our hearts abide, where alone true joys are to be found.” From the Collect of the Fourth Sunday after Easter,

*Dom Gerald van Caloen. See above several letters addressed to him.

*In 1899 Father Gerald had restored the ancient Abbey of Saint André; he wished to make it a center of formation for the monks destined for Brazil.

• Young monks from Maredsous, living at Mont-César for their theological studies. The first named is Brother Pius de Hemptinne, the second is Brother Bruno Destrée, a minor poet, the fourth is Brother Bede Lebbe, a brother of Father Vincent Lebbe, the well-known Vincentian missionary to China. Dom Bede became the second prior of Glenstal (Ireland). tionate love to father, & enclosed card. Most respectful regards to F. Abbot,

Yours most affectionately in J. C. fr. Columba O.S.B.

Pax Maredsous 5. Jan. | 1912] My dear Dom. Bede *

You will find enclosed the papers you sent me to Laach. I shall be as short & as straight as possible.

1. Whatever be D. Archabbot’s decision, I don’t think it would be prudent to stir before our elections here in May, as a Libero-Socialist majority would surely begin by expelling all Foreign religious.

2. Our Seniorat* has decided that it would be wise for us to buy a property (landed-property) in England, Ireland, or Canada: rst. as an investment, which could not be come at by a confiscating government; 2) Asa place of possible refuge in case of. persecution (F. Archabbot is very keen on this); 3) As a probable nucleus of foundation.

I have received a number of offers from Ireland, properties just suiting, & in good condition. Yet, I am rather in favour of England, for many reasons, one being the hostility of Irish bishops & priests to all monastic foundations. Many here wish that we should buy rather in Canada, in order to be able to get into contact with the people at once as they speak French, & are a good honest race. Please show F. Abbot this letter & ask him to look out for a list of suitable properties in England. I should prefer the North, p.e. Northumberland, Durham. We would be prepared to buy say for £4000. Except for F. Abbot & D. Prior please keep this secret for present.

In great haste, Yours in J. C.

• Columba

• Since September of 1909, Dom Marmion, confrére and friend of Dom Bede, had become as Abbot of Maredsous his religious and spiritual father.

This letter shows the anxiety of the Belgian Catholics at this time: they were expecting a persecution similar to that in France. As it developed, these elections gave a slight majority to the Catholic party.

? Our Council.

Bra x Maredsous 28 March. [1912] My dear F. Bede

As you may see by the letter which I have just written to F. Prior the Primate, Archabbot & Assistants are of opinion that it’s best for you both * to come home to Maredsous for the present at least. When you arrive here, I will let you know what the future seems to reserve for us. I should like you to leave Erdington as soon as F. Abbot can spare you. As you require a rest, you might go from Erdington for a rest with your brother, or other friend, until your retreat at Tyburn.? It is my desire that during those few weeks you should speak as little as possible of the affairs of Erdington, or of an eventual foundation. Having ceased your connection with Erdington, it is best to allow them to do things in their own way. I shall let you know on your arrival, the views of the Congregation as regards our subsequent action.

Try & profit by your rest to get strong in body & soul, so as to be in a fit state to carry out God’s views whatever they be.

Ever Yours affectionately,

Columba Abb. v. Pax Maredsous. 2 Feb. 1913.

My dear F. Bede,

I received your letter and enclosure this morning, and I do feel very

*Dom Bede Camm and his fellow countryman Dom John Chapman had just decided to ask to leave Erdington. Canonically they remained professed monks of Maredsous Abbey.

*Tyburn, a convent of the Adorers of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, founded by Mother Mary of St. Peter Garnier, which was to be affiliated to the Benedictine Order in January, 1914. Abbot Marmion occupied himself a great deal with this house; he visited it frequently, and kept up a lively and regular correspondence with the foundress. (See Section XXIV for some of this correspondence.) Dom Bede Camm also preached there often, and wrote the life of Mother Garnier (published by Burns and Oates, London, first as a pamphlet in 1924, then as a book in 1934).

It is well-known that the forbidden gallows had formerly stood a few hundred yards from the site of the convent. The lively interest that Dom Bede took in the English martyrs of the Reformation drew him toward this privileged spot where so many Christian heroes gave their lives after terrible torture for their Catholic faith.

IOI strongly on the matter, but not in the way you imagine.’ I have prayed and reflected a good deal all to-day before writing... .

Our whole Monastic life is a supernatural undertaking. We promise obedience to an abbot X, because we believe he holds the place of J. C. There is always a certain risk in thus binding ourselves for life. For the abbot may not please us, or not act according to our views. (I knew something of it during ro years at Louvain.)” As long as we continue to look on the abbot im Faith as really holding His place, nothing can hinder us from attaining the one object for which we entered the Monastery, but when we commence to reason about his manner of governing his abbey, to blame him because he does not adopt our views, we lose the spirit of our vocation, and the monastic life becomes a burden. Once a monk has made his vow of stability for his Monastery, and for his Community, nothing but the greatest reasons can dispense him from being faithful to his vows. (These reasons do exist in your case), and I should look on it as a real crime to say a word which could unsettle a professed monk in his vocation, or in his allegiance to his abbot. .. . :

For what the monk promises at profession is not to make foundations, or to be successful before men, but to observe his vows. Ever in

1G.

P.S. I shall be delighted to see you on the 8th. I have written the above sub oculo Dei, and for the discharge of a duty of conscience.

• C.

4 Pax Maredsous 11 April [1913] Abbaye de Saint-Benoit de Maredsous

My dear F. Bede Many thanks for your very welcome letters. I had no doubt that

*To be properly understood, this letter should be placed in its historical context. Abbot Marmion gives here his first views concerning the change of stability desired by Dom Bede. Later he will in effect admit the validity of the reasons advanced by Dom Bede.

*The exemplary obedience practiced by Dom Marmion during his ten years as prior at Mont-César cost him dear; but the abbot himself paid him this eloquent compliment: “I never had a more obedient monk than he.” Cf. Thibaut, op. cit., pp. 116-21.

• “Beneath the eye of God.”

God would preserve the life of the dear R. Mother of Tyburn.' It was really our Holy Father who cured her. I hope they may tell you the circumstances.

It is impossible to be in charge” in a monastery without having care & anxiety at times. It is part of the debt we pay to God for His protection & grace. Novices are always tempted in one way or another, but especially by false suggestions of the devil sub specie boni.* The

• Mother Garnier. See Note 2 to Letter 4 above. Shortly before this she had very nearly died, but in a letter to his sister Rosie Dom Marmion attributed her cure to “the Infant Jesus’’ Himself, not the Holy Father (See Letter 4, Section VIII). (MEE)

• Father Bede had been appointed novice master of the Benedictine community of Caldey Island which had just made its submission to Rome. Abbot Marmion had been invited by Dom Bede, and he came in March to preach a retreat to the newly converted. He devoted himself to them with great zeal, and received from Pope Pius X himself a precious reward in the form of a letter of thanks, written entirely by the Pope’s own hand, in his fine and elegant writing. We give here the Latin text and translation of this hitherto unpublished letter.

Reverendissime et Dilecte Fili,

Ob eximiam caritatem erga recenter ab haeresi conversum dilectum Aelredum Carlyle exercitam, gratias tibi ago perquam plurimas et de opere feliciter adimpleto gratulor ex animo. Dum vero una tecum Deum Omnipotentem ad precor ut Monachi universi de Caldey ad fidem conversi pietate ceterisque virtutibus praeluceant in Dioecesi Menevensi non solum sed in Anglia tota, ut quae vere insula sanctorum fuit nuncupata, ad fidei unitatem redeat, tibi tuisque fratribus grati et benevolentis animi testem, Apostolicam Benedictionem peramanter impertio.

Ex Aedibus Vaticanis, die 16 Julii 1914.

Pus Pp..X.

Reverendissimo Domino

Domino Columbae Marmion

Abbati Maretiolensi — Maredsous (Namur).

Right Reverend and very dear Son,

I send you the most sincere thanks for the outstanding charity shown to our beloved Aelred Carlyle recently converted from heresy, and I congratulate you from the bottom of my heart for the task which you have carried out so diligently. Therefore, while praying along with you to Almighty God, that the piety and the other virtues of the monks of Caldey, converted to the Faith, may shine not only in the diocese of Menevia but in the whole of England, so that the land which was called ‘‘The Island of Saints” may return to the unity of the Faith, in token of my favor and benevolence, most lovingly I grant you and your brethren the Apostolic Blessing.

From the Vatican Palace, July 16, 1914.

Pius PP. X

To the Right Reverend

Dom Columba Marmion

Abbot of Maredsous-Maredsous (Namur) “Under a false appearance of good.” desire to become a Carthusian, Trappist, or worse, is quite classical as a novice’s temptation. Please tell them from me that it would be most unwise, after the miraculous way in which God has been leading them, to form plans etc. They should just pray “Lead, kindly light,” & wait till God manifests His Will. I feel convinced He wants them to keep together, & that those who leave will find themselves stranded, & no longer borne on the bosom of God’s grace. If you think it expedient, I could come for a few days on my return from Rome, & fell them what Rome wants, & what they ought to do.

Br. Aelred ® has as yet said nothing about B. Aidan accompanying him. I should have been absolutely opposed for many reasons. Yours add to mine.

I have given orders to have the block of the view of Maredsous sent on to you. You have a difficult task, but many are praying for you. Try & keep your eye fixed semper ad Dominum. Sicut oculi ancillae in manibus dominae suae.®

Give my love to D. Jean, & thank B. Paul, & Whitings for their letters. ’

I bless you, Tuissimus in Xto

Columba, Abb.

P.S. Please tell R. Mother at Tyburn that the abbess O.S.B. at Liege takes a great interest in her, & will visit her in September.

*In fact he came in June to be present at the canonical erection of the community into a Benedictine abbey.

• Father Aelred Carlyle was the superior of this community. He became its first abbot.

° “Always towards the Lord” (Ps. 24:15). “As the eyes of the handmaid are on the hands of her mistress” (Ps. 122:2).

Pax Maredsous 21 April [1913] Abbaye de Saint-Benoit de Maredsous My dear Fr. Bede

I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter & cheque. I am very grateful, as it enables me to pay for my journey to Rome without having recourse to the Cellarer. I have told F. Thomas you are saying the 72. Masses.

Your letters have not offended me. I like candid dealing, & that you should say just what you think; but it pained me intensely, as I have always had the profound conviction, which a rather long & large experience of our own & other abbeys has but confirmed, that the Constitutions of our Congregation of Beuron, are the most perfect adaptation of the rule & spirit of St. Benedict to the wants & aspirations of our time.’ There is not a word in the Constitutions which intensifies — were it possible — the power & prestige which St. Benedict assigns to the abbot.

However, I will not discuss the matter with you, you judge of the whole, & of the principle from one or two cases of bungling, which occurred from difficulties of nationality. I shall only make two remarks. 1) Putting aside certain exterior marks of deference, the abbot in the English Congr. is just as autocratic, & has a much better time of it than we have. 2) The R. Mother of Tyburn,? who is full of God’s light, & who has studied with greatest care the various constitutions at present in existence, wrote to me lately De toutes les Constitutions de Bénédictins, celles de Beuron sont celles dont nous sentons devoir nous inspirer davantage. Il nous semble que Dom Wolter a jeté a travers les pages de D. Guéranger comme un souffle plus puissant encore de largeur et d’esprit intérieur, et c'est cela dont nous avons besoin, une constitution expansive, dilatée, apostolique, et en méme temps solide

• During his whole monastic life, Dom Marmion always showed the greatest admiration for the Beuronese Constitutions, also a sincere love for the Alma Mater from which Maredsous had been founded.

? Mother Garnier, foundress of Tyburn, mentioned above. Abbot Marmion knew that Father Bede had great veneration for her, and great confidence in her judgment. et vigoureusement préservatrice de la vie contemplative.® She is a Frenchwoman writing of a German, but she is just & true. Of course I admit that changes should be made to suit climate & temperament, but the Constitutions are excellent. It appears that Br. Aelred is going to place Caldey under D. Gasquet & the E.B.C.* Be it so. In which case the best would be for you to pass at once to the E.B.C.; that Br. Aelred make his novitiate at Belmont; & D. John come back to us. I have not yet seen D. Aelred. He comes here on Thursday. I was not invited to the benediction of F. Augustin.° Evers inj.C: Columba, Abb.

° “Of all the Benedictine Constitutions, those of Beuron, we feel, should inspire us most. It seems to us that Dom Wolter has infused into the pages of Dom Guéranger a greater broadness of outlook and interior spirit; and that is what we need: Constitutions that are open-hearted, apostolic, and yet which are at the same time solid, and vigorously safeguard the contemplative life.’

“The English Benedictine Congregation.

• These words betray an uncertainty as to what would be the best orientation to give to the converts of Caldey. In fact, Father Aelred was to go to Maredsous for his novitiate. There he made his solemn profession, and received the priesthood in the course of the summer of 1914. A few days after writing this letter, Abbot Marmion had the great honor and joy of taking the Abbot of Caldey to Rome to present him to Pope St. Pius X. The audience took place on May 16. Dom Marmion has left an account of this audience among his private notes. The following lines have been taken from them.

I had the happiness of seeing the Holy Father this morning. The audience began at about 10%, and lasted about 20 minutes. After having given us his foot and hand to kiss, He began by speaking in latin of the great favour and grace received by the abbot and monks of Caldey. I remarked that this simultaneous conversion was due to their liturgical training. The H. Father said it was so, but added that it was miraculous. I then told the H. Father that Br. Aelred was coming to Maredsous for his novitiate, and that after his profession, we proposed having him ordained, when I should know and find him fit. The H. Father then added (repeating the same thing several times with emphasis): We accord the most ample faculties, and all, all dispensations, in order that he may be ordained immediately after his novitiate, and not only for him, but also for those of Caldey. “For they have no need to be very learned, in order to praise God.” He then blessed Br. Aelred, and his Community, and promised to pray for him; and all this with the greatest kindness and loving tenderness, and spontaneity. .. .

Then I told him I suffered greatly from drowsiness, which rendered prayer difficult. I added: ““Tu es Petrus, cure me.” He told me to kneel; He placed his hand on my head and said: “I beg God to cure you, and to give you strength and health to govern your Community for long years.” He then blessed all my objects of piety; gave me leave to give the apostolic blessing to Maredsous, Caldey and 3 other Communities (with plenary indulgence).

“nh lth Maredsous, 24 Sep. 1913 Abbaye de Saint-Benoit de Maredsous My dear Fr. Bede

Abbot Butler * wrote to me some days ago to say that you had been accepted with practical unanimity by the Chapter.” I am glad for your sake, as I do think it is best; but it is a great wrench for us, & particularly for me. It is particularly painful, as I know you are leaving to a great extent owing to your conviction that our Congregation of Beuron does not represent truly the spirit & rule of St. Benedict. I have no intention now of discussing that question, but I shall merely add, that did I share that opinion, nothing could induce me to remain an O.S.B.

The formalities required for joining another Congregation are 1) Leave of Primate. 2) Archabbot’s leave.* 3) Mine. 4) Acceptance by English Congr. I have given my permission, & I know that the Archabbot will give his if asked. I don’t think the Primate will make any difficulties. But they must be asked.

As regards the books & other objects, many which you have, or have received, since you left Maredsous, we most willingly allow you to take them all with you. So be quite at your ease. The librarian wishes just to know the names of the books you are keeping for our library-list.

As I said in the beginning, I feel your leaving more than I can say; but I feel it is for the best. I shall ever remain your faithful friend, & if ever you need my help or counsel you may count on me.

Br. Aelred & I shall be delighted if you can do anything for Caldey or Tyburn in America.

May God bless & protect you. Yrs in J.C.

| + Columba, Abb.

*Dom Cuthbert Butler, abbot of Downside.

? Chapter of the professed monks of Downside.

® The archabbot of Beuron, superior of the Benedictine Congregation of the same name. The Benedictine monasteries are largely autonomous, but grouped in different congregations. These are independent of each other, although united since the reign of Leo XIII in a confederation under the presidency of the abbot-primate. Dom Bede Camm, who wished to change from the Beuronese Congregation to the English, to which Downside belongs, had to receive these various permissions.

Abbaye de Maredsous 15 Nov. [1913] My dear Fr. Bede Thanks for your letter. Iam so glad you like Downside & are happy there.! I seek but one thing, your happiness & God’s Will. Under the circumstances, I think you would do well to remain on for the year, if the Abbot thinks well of it. Perhaps it might be well if you could get back for a few days at Xmas, & Holy Week; but I don’t insist if you can’t get it conveniently in. Everything is as usual here. D. Augustin is rather better, but still suffering a lot. Fraternal greetings to F. Abbot & all friends. Ever Yrs in J. C. Columba, Abb.

P.S. If F. Abbot thinks well of it, I don’t object to your going to Ireland, as I think it necessary for Oliver Plunket’s life. Cardinal Moran’s Spicilegium Ossoriense contains a lot.of original information.