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FROM CONVENT TO CONFLICT
Or
A Nun’S Account of the Invasion of Belgium
by
SISTER M. ANTONIA
Convent des Filles de Marie, Willebroeck,
Province of Antwerp,
Belgium
[Illustration]
John Murphy Company
Publishers
200 W Lombard St. Baltimore, Md
Copyright 1916 by
John Murphy Company
Press of John Murphy Company, Baltimore
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Introduction
The publication of this little volume has for its object a better
understanding of actual conditions, immediately following the invasion
of a hostile army. The hope is indulged that the harrowing scenes
witnessed by the author in Belgium, after the German invasion in 1914,
may induce our own countrymen and women to more fully appreciate the
blessings of peace. The events narrated are set forth as actually
occurring, and—“with malice to none, with charity for all.”
Any profits derived from its favorable reception by the reading public
or the charitably inclined are to be devoted to the reconstruction and
repair of our school and convent, damaged during the engagement at the
Fortress of Willebroeck, or for the establishment of a sewing school,
with a lace-making department, for young women in America or England, as
our Reverend Superiors may decide.
Any assistance in this charitable work will be gratefully appreciated by
the author and her scattered community in Belgium, England and Holland.
SISTER M. ANTONIA.
Skaneateles, New York,
April 3rd, 1916.
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Letter of Introduction
La Supérieure du Couvent des Filles de Marie a Willebroeck, Province
d’Anvers, en Belgique déclare par la présente que ses soeurs Marie
Antoine et Marie Cecile sont envoyées aux Extats Unis, a fin d’examiner
s’il y aurait noyen d’y établir une colonie de Filles de Marie; elle
donne a Soeur M. Antoine le Pouvoir d’agir en son nom afin de prendre
les mesures nécessaires a cet effet.
SOEUR M. BERCHMANS.
Willebroeck, 29 September, 1914.
Apprové:
D. J. CARD. MERCIER, Arch. de Malines
TRANSLATION.
The Superior of the Convent of the Daughters of Mary, Willebroeck,
Province of Antwerp, Belgium, state by this present (letter) that the
Sisters Mary Antonia and Mary Cecilia are sent to the United States in
order to examine if there are means of establishing a colony (mission)
of the Daughters of Mary there; she gives to Sister M. Antonia the power
to act in her name as to taking the measures necessary to this effect.
SISTER M. BERCHMANS.
Willebroeck, 29 September, 1914.
Approved:
D. J. CARD. MERCIER, Arch. de Malines.
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Contents
_Page_
INTRODUCTION 3
LETTER OF INTRODUCTION 5
CHAP. I — The Boarding School 9
CHAP. II — Daily School Life 17
CHAP. III — The Parochial School, Convent and
Garden 26
CHAP. IV — The Cloister 38
CHAP. V — The Approaching Storm 46
CHAP. VI — Changes 51
CHAP. VII — War 59
CHAP. VIII — The Carnage of Battle 66
CHAP. IX — The Return of the Army 80
CHAP. X — Anxious Days 90
CHAP. XI — The Flight of the Refugees 98
CHAP. XII — The Results of War 109
CHAP. XIII — Our Departure 116
CHAP. XIV — Arrival in Antwerp 126
CHAP. XV — Extracts from Letters of Our Refugee
Sisters 134
CHAP. XVI — The Exodus to England 142
CHAP. XVII — London and Leeds 150
CHAP. XVIII — The Refugees in England 157
CHAP. XIX — Homeward Bound 174
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CHAPTER I.
BOARDING SCHOOL IN THE COUVENT DES
FILLES DE MARIE, WILLEBROECK,
PROV. D’ANVERS, BELGIQUE,
JULY, 1914.
A merry group of Convent girls, in charge of Sister guardian, was seated
in the shade of a huge old pear tree, discussing the joys and
expectations of the approaching summer vacation. High are the walls
enclosing this ancient cloister, and many are the gay young hearts
protected and developed within its shady precincts.
Bright are the faces and happy the hearts of more than one hundred young
girls on this midsummer day in the memorable year 1914. They are now
enjoying the morning air in the playground, having just returned from
their usual walk in the garden. The weather is somewhat oppressive; but
as time is precious in boarding school, every one has something to do.
One is crocheting; another is finishing a piece of Irish lace; still
another is reviewing an article in a certain newspaper, as it is her
task to make a summary for that evening’s meeting of the Study Circle.
Joy, unalloyed by the experience of care or sorrow, is written on the
face of every child. It is only one week before the annual distribution
of prizes, the subsequent close of the school year, and a speedy family
reunion.
It is eight o’clock. The sign is given, and instantly a hundred
busy-bodies become still and serious. Not another word is spoken as the
preceptress conducts the long line through the large playroom, over the
small yard, and into the various classrooms.
The young ladies, aged from fifteen to twenty, proceed at once to the
sewing department. This is to them the most important and interesting of
all the rooms; needlework being a predominant feature in the education
of all young Belgian women. After prayer, work begins. Some are cutting
patterns; others are putting pretty lace collars on those suits which
must serve for the reception of diplomas; and a few of the more
diligent, who have completed the term’s work, are now finishing some
lace or embroidery; while a cheery little canary is singing to the
doubtful harmony of twenty sewing machines.
At the desk sits the patient and zealous teacher, Sister M. Alphonse,
assisted in her work by two young novices. She is, perhaps, the most
widely known and respected seamstress in all the province. For years her
gold embroidery has sparkled on flags and banners; for years her
skillful fingers have adorned the vestments that beautified God’s altar
in many churches of the diocese. Sister M. Alphonse knows the secret of
winning the confidence of her pupils, and it is interesting to see how
they crowd around her to reveal their little joys and sorrows and obtain
advice in the various necessities of a long and busy school year.
On leaving the sewing-room, the visitor proceeds to the other
departments. On all sides order and discipline prevail. The
stone-floored halls are spotlessly clean. Pretty mosaic figures attract
the eye and give a quaint appearance to those ancient corridors. The
walls are very high, the rooms spacious, the windows long and broad,
thus capable of admitting an abundance of air, light and sunshine. The
wooden floors of the classrooms are often scrubbed and strewn with fine
white sand from the seashore.
Sad is the lot of any poor child who might have the misfortune to upset
an inkstand. You would find her on her knees rubbing the stain with soap
and scraping it with a piece of glass until every vestige of ink
disappears. If you tell her to be more careful in future, she will
laughingly reply: “Schuren is toch zoo aangenaam” (scrubbing is so
pleasant).
In passing from one room to another, one notices the zeal and energy of
both pupils and teachers. So busy are they, and so diligently are the
hours employed, that the long school day, from eight o’clock in the
morning until seven in the evening, fleets quickly away. The desks are
stiff, and hard, and heavy; but no one complains. The young Belgian
women are devoted to their country and its customs; and if one were told
that in another country more comfortable desks were provided, she would
answer candidly, “Wij blijven liever in ons vaderland” (We would rather
remain in our _own_ country.)
The climate of Belgium is temperate, though more inclined to be cool
than warm. The ground is very moist in some places. Never have we
experienced the extremes of heat and cold found in America. Very heavy
rains, accompanied by lightning and deafening peals of thunder, occur in
the summer. There is little snow in the winter. In some parts of the
country the grass is emerald green all year long. Rosebuds are seen on
the bushes in January, and sometimes the trees are budding in February.
The stoves in Belgium are far inferior to those in America. Kitchen
ranges are not used to bake bread. Those who do not possess stone or
steam ovens, are obliged to buy bread daily at the baker’s.
When accustomed to the cool, invigorating climate of Belgium, a great
contrast is experienced in visiting America, and one feels more or less
in danger of suffocation during a journey in an overheated railroad car,
or a few hours spent in the rooms of our American homes.
Most of the people in Belgium are early risers; and if, by chance, you
happen to visit any of her cities at dawn of day, you will find her
churches full to overflowing with zealous Christians, who, like their
time-honored forefathers, offer the first fruits of the day to God, the
giver of every good. The churches are numerous, large and beautiful, and
multitudes of worshipers are in daily attendance. Men and women of the
higher class attired in robes of broadcloth; poor peasant women, with
little shawls or kerchiefs covering their heads and shoulders;
blue-eyed, fair-faced children, and the aged; whose bent forms and
tottering steps show that they are nearing the end of life’s journey;
all assemble in the early morning seeking mercy, peace and comfort at
the Throne of Grace. We can imagine the effect of this morning’s
devotion, especially consoling to the poor, who, in their heavy
“blokken” (wooden shoes) toil, day in and day out, all year long, for a
small compensation, insufficient for the comfort of their families.
As are the parents, so are the children; particularly in the
boarding-school, where the rules and regulations necessitate strict
discipline. Shortly before or after five o’clock in the morning, every
child is up, unless some one is ill, who, for the time, is excused from
rising. After dressing, a sign is given and all descend in strict
silence to the chapel for morning prayer and the holy sacrifice of the
Mass. After morning devotions they go to the refectory, where a
bounteous supply of “botterham” (bread and butter) and strong coffee is
served. Breakfast is eaten in silence, except on special festivals.
Needless to say that a great amount of tact is necessary on the part of
the monitor to keep one hundred little tongues within their ivory walls
until the signal is given to go to the playground.
Here we found them at the beginning of our narrative; here we shall find
them again at half-past nine, at twelve, after four-o’clock lunch, and
after supper; in the summer evenings. In winter the time of recreation
is spent in the reception hall of the boarding-school. At eight o’clock
the school day ends, and all advance in strict silence to the
dormitories to enjoy the peaceful slumber which health and youth
affords.
The dormitories are four in number. Each child has a separate alcove.
Several Sisters are in attendance during the night. In case of illness,
a child is immediately removed to another apartment.
To these general rules and regulations there are exceptions on Sundays
and special festivals during the year. On those days special devotional
exercises take place in the morning, the afternoon being assigned to the
practicing of hymns and sacred music. When the weather is fine, the
recesses are longer, and pleasant walks may be enjoyed in the garden.
One Sunday in the month, called “Visiting Day,” is at the disposal of
parents and visitors, who are permitted to call upon the children.
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