A FRENCH DOMINICAN.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume IV, Issue 181, 15 September 1876, Page 7

A FRENCH DOMINICAN.

The 'Catholic Eeview' translates from the French the following graphic sketch of the eloquent Father MonsabrS of the Friar Preachers : — In an article that is characteristic of it, the Paris ' Figaro' lately distinguished two very different personalities in. the Pere Monsabre : that of the interior and that of the exterior. If we are to believe it, the great orator wears a mask behind which the true man is very careful to conceal himself, so as not to scare away certain eyes that watch him in the shade. The phantoms of the exPere Hyacinthe and of Lamennais haunt his preaching; in short, the reverend Father is not sincere in his exposition of Catholic dogma. The article, which must have come under the notice of thousands of readers, astonished several of them; the orator's friends were indignant at it. To Bay of the Pere Monsabre that he is two-faced is, moreover, to commit one of those]! extravagances which language refuses to qualify. No man of our day is less deserving of such an appreciation, Let us, therefore, take away this mask with which the ' Figaro' is pleased to cover him, and show to the eyes of all this frank and sympathetic figure. He has the gift of winning the affection of those who approach him, even of the natural enemies of the truth which he announces with such glowing eloquence. A most natural simplicity is the distinctive characteristic of the great preacher. There are no affected gestures, no mental reservations, no pompous phraseology. He is just exactly what he appears, his private life is a charming reflex of his public career. From the floor of the cell in which he works with indefatigable ardor, he dispenses his favors to the souls who come to consult him. He is all to all without distinction of social rank ; for his sole desire is to save souls and to complete in all of them the apostolate of his conferences. Others, pleading the necessity of repose or solitude, might be inaccessible, especially during the Lenten station at Notre Dame. The Pere Monsabre never changes his habits. He receives visitors and fears not to repeat to a single iudividual what he has just taught to 10,000, his sole reward being the pleasure he feels at being able, by additional fatigue, to remove from the mind the faintest shadow of doubt or indifference. In him the apostle absorbs the entire man, and this daily, or rather hourly, preaching is accompanied by a goodness, simplicity and condescension that are truly admirable. What man has been more regardless of trouble, more unreserved, more forgetful of his fame and of the consideration he enjoyed ? A short time ago one of his many friends paid him a visit. He chose the time for recreation that he might not intrude on the Father's precious moments. Having arrived at the cloister door he perceived that the Pere Monsabre had on his black cloak and was preparing to go out. Approaching the visitor who was coming towards him he immediately extended his hand with that smile, at once full of playfulness and kindness, which is peculiar to him. " I regret, my dear child," he said, "my inability to entertain you here ; lam obliged to spend my recreation in visiting my patients, but do not stop on that account, come with me and we will talk over our affairs on the way and I am already certain that we will agree very well." A few moments after the great orator was in conversation with his humble interlocutor and entertained him for more than two hours, answering all his questions with that frank gaiety which in him has an incomparable power of attraction. This is the apostle and the man. He is kindness and simplicity united to the rarest talents. His imposing and good-natured physiognomy is illumined by the rays of intelligence, which, however, he studiously avoids to parade. What he says has always the power of creating interest; theology flows in abundance from his lips. Bis animated conversation abounds with the happiest flashes of wit ; it plays ingeniously with the profoundest subjects. We at once perceive a man who is at large in a world of his own, and if sometimes his conversation descends to the natural domain to make bis ideas more easily understood, it immediately resumes its former character by a certain ingenious turn which strike* U3 and which we are apt not soon to forget. This characteristic of the private individual is more striking, though losing some of its set-off, in his conferences of Notre Dame. If it is true to say that the style is the man, his eloquence clearly shows that he is what we have described him. What is most conspicuous in it is not the phraseology, which, however, enhances the imagery but an unchangeable conviction which overflows his mind and heart. The profound questions of Catholic dogma which he treats in so masterly a manner, fill his thoughts. He is full of his subject. His delivery is vehement and earnest j his arguments rise, accumulate, and end by triumphantly proclaiming the truth. During these moments of theological poetry in Avhich the soul is filled with light, a profound emotion comes over the entire assembly, which is enchanted by the voice of the sacred orator, their eyes are turned upon each other, less to applaud the movements of a superior eloquence than to acknowledge that Catholic dogma has emerged from the clouds victorious and resplendent. _ We repeat that there is no studied use of brilliant figures or sonorous words, no love of sensational language in his conferences. His discourse is a sober and at the same time a luminous tissue. For we are not to forget that the Pere Monsabre is as much of an artist as a theologian. Both poetry and music are quite familiar to him. He is as well acquainted with Beethoven as with St. Thomas. The same mind which penetrates so deeply into metaphysics is passionately fond of nature and its wonders. His predilection for the grandeur of the sea, its numerous and its mighty billows, is well known. The depth and extent of the ocean and its waves have furnished him with some exquisitely beautiful comparisons in his conferences on the Trinity. At the approach of bleak December he leaves Paris in company with his illustrious Father and companion, St. Thomas. He ascends the slopes of

Sainte Adresse which look down on Havre and goes to the convent which stands there to find that recollection and that extended horizon of which he has need, to explore that other ocean of Christian dogma through which so many vessels are sailing in search of the longed-for shores of eternity. There, in presence of this double abyss, he becomes inspired, meditates on, searches into, and finally composes his magnificent discourses which he brings to the crowded audiences that await him at Notre Dame, and which, remind us by their number and enthusiasm of the memorable days of the Pere Lacordaire. When asked one day how it was that his memory stood him in such good stead through questions that are so difficnlt and obscure. "My friend,"he replied, " I literally saturate myself with my subject, and when I am in the pulpit I talk without thinking of my manuscript, giving myself up entirely to the audience." The Pere Monsabre' talks ; this is the last trait of his character as an orator, j He is a solemn talker, who interests, interrogates, and makes a I plaything of bis silent though not mute interlocutor who is the audience. He gives his heart along with his knowledge and the hearts of all respond to him. Each, one pays as much attention to his words as if he wore the only one listening to them. Whilst passing over their heads they leave an impression in their souls. A varied gesture which is in beautiful and imposing harmony with his meaning, wonderfully increases the effect. It is the cap-stone of his eloquence. Such is and such appears to be the man who has received the important and difficult mission of explaining to a diseased generation the Catholic dogma in its full extent and lofty sublimity. It is undoubtedly a colossal work, but yet one in which he has been marvellously successful to the great advantage of our convictions and our faith.