CAPG's Blog 

Mother Teresa, as the responsible leader of the group, answered, as far as she was allowed, the charges brought against her Community. Among the crowd of people, who invariably assisted at the trials during these last days of the reign of Terror, were some few unknown friends and well-wishers, who gave Sister Mary of the Incarnation a faithful account of the proceedings. With great calmness and dignity the Prioress disclaimed the charge of having meddled in politics and, on being accused of having concealed firearms in her monastery, "Here," she said, producing a crucifix, “is the only weapon we ever possessed." With no less courage she assumed the entire responsibility of whatever offences might be brought forward against her sisters, and she endeavored, failing all else, to screen the outside Sisters who, as "paid servants," were obliged to obey orders. "If," she added, "it is a crime to have corresponded with our chaplain on purely spiritual matters, I alone am guilty and should alone be condemned."

This brave protest availed nothing; the sixteen Carmelites were condemned to death as "fanatics," which meant, explained the president, "that they were devoted to silly practices of religion."—" My dear mother," exclaimed one of the nuns, Annette Pelras, "do you hear, we die for our holy faith! What happiness it is to die for God!"

The execution was to take place that same day, and the Carmelites had only a few hours left to prepare for the end. They were, said Pierre Blot, "radiantly" happy when they returned to the prison; but they had eaten nothing since the previous day, and, with motherly foresight, the Prioress sold a cloak to procure money enough to give each one a cup of chocolate. Then, kneeling down, they began to recite the Office for the Dead.

The executions since the previous month of June were appointed to take place at the "Place de la nation," which is situated at the extremity of the city, towards Vincennes. As the carts in which the Carmelites were seated, with their hands tightly bound, jolted over the rough pavement, a strange, sweet sound of singing echoed through the air. The "Te Deum," the "Salve Regina" floated above the feverish crowd that followed the procession, and, for once, no coarse jest or brutal insult was hurled at the prisoners. These calm, happy women, with their sweet voices and smiling eyes, exercised a unique power of fascination over the frenzied multitude. On arriving at the "Place," the Carmelites knelt down and quietly renewed their baptismal vows and their religious promises, while the executioner and the guards looked on in silence. Then the Prioress took up her station at the foot of the guillotine; the novice Sister Constance was the first to ascend its bloody stairs; her clear, young voice chanted the "Laudate," in which her Sisters joined; then, as one after another they followed on her footsteps, the singing grew fainter, till at last the Prioress was alone! Her task was fulfilled; her daughters were safe. With an eager step, Blessed Teresa of St. Augustin followed them, and, the last of the devoted band, laid her head beneath the knife.

St. Alexis of Rome

IMITATION OF THE SAVIOUR.-Alexis, born at Rome, in 350, of a family bearing senatorial rank, quite as illustrious by its Christian virtues as for its nobility and opulence, chose as his portion that part of our Saviour's life in which He has found fewest imitators, namely, in His humiliation. Having been urged by his family to turn his thoughts to marriage, he profited by this to carry out his design, and fled to Edessa; where, during seventeen years, he remained unknown, seeking for humiliations and the contempt of men with as much eagerness as others exhibit in pursuit of fortune and honours. But at length, becoming admired for his sanctity, he once more fled; and, the course of events leading him back to Rome, he went to his own father's house to crave an asylum as the veriest beggar. He there ended his days, after having been for seventeen years made the object of scorn to the entire household. His family at length discovered who he was by means of a paper found upon him containing his name and the main events of his life. The pope, the emperor, and sovereign princes came to render homage to him who had so profoundly humbled himself amongst men.

MORAL REFLECTION.-"Every one that hath left house or lands for my sake shall receive a hundredfold, and shall possess life everlasting."-(Matt. xix. 27.) Pictorial Half Hour with the Saint by Abbe Lecanu