New Mellary Monastery

CISTERCIAN

Posted By: Ken Wright (email)
Date: 12/4/2007 at 07:54:42

Jackson Sentinel,
Maquoketa, Iowa
January 26, 1871

A correspondent of the Chicago Times, writes from Dubuque a very interesting description of that city and its surroundings. Among other places enumerated is the celebrated Cistercian Monastery near Cascade, more familiarly known to
our readers as "The Brothers." This description is so interesting and throws so much light
on a matter but little known to most of our readers, that we copy it entire.

"Among the really notable curiosities in the vicinity of Dubuque is the Cistercian monastery at New Mellary, about tweve miles southwest of the city, one of the most perfectly organized
conventual institutions in the United States. Monastic life in the United States has been
inspired with a more active and independent spirit than is displayed in those parts of
Europe where monasteries most abound. The Cistercians of New Mellary form a community whose farming operations are conducted with consumate skill and success. Their fields, covering some thousands of acres blossom with the richest harvests; their stock of all varieties is of the most valuable breeds and in
horticulture they have a reputation only limited by the bounds of the state. Extensive vinyards embellished with the richest color of the grape,
great peach and apple orchards bear witness to their thrift and industry. This beautiful
monastic estate is one of the lions of Dubuque, as the sons of the cloister are exceedingly
hospitable, there is a constant succession of
pleasure parties, who take this charming drive on the mellow summer afternoons. The venerable abbot, who prior to his late attendances on the
Ecumenical council, where it said he was among the dissentients, had not been out of the monastic walls for five years, though he has governed all the complicated business as well as spiritual affairs with rare executive ability.
The holy father seems to belong to the type which Carlyle so graphically painted in that grand old Abbot Sampson of St. Edmonsbury; spiritual and aspiring, mortiying the lusts of the flesh with the most rigid privations, yet
having a heart beating with warm human sympathies, and an intellect of a strong practical force to grapple with and master the affairs of this life. The new monastery, now being built, when completed will be one of the finest if not superior to all of the specimens of beautiful ecclesiastical architecture in America. Its design is cruciform gothic of the decorated fifteenth century style, and will cost more than $500,000. The cloisters and dormitory portion is now nearly completed, and the foundations of the cathedral already laid. The plan was sent first to Melleray, Ireland, the
parent tree, and also to the original institution in France, from which both are sprung, for confirmation and approval, before it is finally settled on. The institution is well worth a visit from any who are ambitious to spend a leisure day profitably.