XV. To a priest friend of Dublin

4 Pax Mont César, Louvain. 10 July 1904 My dear Jem? I was delighted to get your letter. It proves that true friendship

• This is a letter bidding good-bye, and without any shadow of resentment. Moreover, Dom Bede Camm did not leave Maredsous for Downside through loss of affection, for this same year he wrote an enthusiastic account of Maredsous in which we find this sentence: “To him [himself] Maredsous is full of holy and happy memories; it was here that he received the priceless gift of Faith, and here, too, that he was clothed with the holy habit of St. Benedict, in the year 1890.” This description ends with seven stanzas of lyric poetry on Maredsous. In 1923, when Father Bede published his Pilgrim Paths in Latin Lands (London, MacDonald and Evans), he included this description of the Belgian abbey (pp. 245-52).

James Dunne, who later became vicar general of Dublin, was a very close friend of Joseph Marmion when they were together at Clonliffe. See references to him in Section III. founded on God’s love never changes, but becomes deeper and truer as years roll on. I was so very busy with the theological Theses * here at the University, that I could only find time for a card, but I have been now five times objecting; that is enough as it fatigues me very much. As you say, I am very, very happy & enjoy profound peace. It was my real vocation. I could never have been happy, nor in safety, elsewhere. I have a deal to do as prin. director of several religious communities. I have also a number of priests who come to me,® and then I must look after the studies here. I say this to show you that I can’t spend all my time in contemplation; though I see more and more that it is optima pars.°

I am sure you will do much for our Lord’s glory as president of dear old Clonliffe. When Our Lord asked St. Peter if he loved Him more than all the others, & received his assurance that it was so, He confided to him what was dearest to His S. Heart; and so it is with you. He confides to you what is dearest to Him: His priests. You may be sure I shall not forget you in my daily prayers. I spoke of you yesterday to our community, of our early friendship, which for over thirty years has never been for a moment clouded, & I asked them to pray for you & obtain for you God’s benediction.

I am starting for Woolhampton in Berkshire on the 23rd. The English Benedictines expelled from Douai® have an abbey & college there at present & I am going over to give them their annual retreat. I shall be back by the 2nd. August. If you pass by this way, I should be delighted to put you up; & as Diest is quite near, we could go together (with permission of my Abbot) & visit the house where St. John Berchmans was born. Montaigu, the great pilgrimage of Brabant, which St. John went to visit every Saturday is only 3 miles — a beautiful walk from Diest. I hope some day His Lordship of Maitland,’ you & I may be able to spend a day together & make that pilgrimage. I had a very nice letter from him lately. He is a most zealous bishop; but up to his neck in financial difficulties.

• See Note 5 of the first letter to Dom Bede Camm (Section XIV).

*For confession and to ask advice.

*Dom Marmion was prefect of studies for the young monks studying theology.

° “The better part” (Luke 10:42).

®In 1903. * Bishop Vincent Patrick Dwyer. See Section III.

I hope your dear sisters are well & happy. Tell them I was asking for them, & don’t forget them before God. As ever, your affectionate brother in J.C. Dom. Columba Marmion, O.S.B.

4 Pax Mont César, Louvain. 23 Nov. 1904 My dear Jem

I am most grateful to you for the intentions, may God bless you, & give you all I desire & pray Him to give you, in return.

Nothing is eternal but God, & all that is founded on Him; & as our friendship had Him as its sole link & foundation, it is as fresh now, though we do not often write, as when we tried side by side in dear old Clonliffe, to prepare ourselves for the great grace of the priesthood. The vocation to which God has called you, that of forming young hearts for the grace of the priesthood, is perhaps that which is dearest to our Lord’s heart. I am proud of Clonliffe, & each new success is a new joy for me. This year God’s blessing has been evident & abundant.

As for me, I am very very happy in my vocation. I have no doubt that I am where God wills me to be, & he has so arranged things that besides the choir, which I love & value more & more daily, I have much congenial work. Many of the professors, presidents of colleges & young priests come to me; & I try to make them supernatural in their work, & careful in their studies, so as not to be drawn too far by modern rashness. Besides that I have the direction of many convents; & the formation of our young scholastics, so that I get an opportunity of practising what our Lord recommended to His Apostles. Quod dico vobis in tenebris, predicate super tecta.’ I feel, my dear Jem, more & more that the predicate super tecta is almost sterile, if it be not preceded by union with our Lord in the tenebrae or silence of prayer.

*“That which I tell you in the dark . . . , preach ye upon the housetops” (Matt. 10:27).

IIo

I hope we may meet again. In any case let us remain closely united in our Lord’s love, & in the union of prayer. Ever yrs most fraternally in J.C. Dom Columba Marmion