TRAPPISTS. A branch of the Cistercian Order, following the reforms introduced in 1664 by Jean le Bouthillier de Rance (q.v.). They take their common name from the monastery of La Trappe in Normandy, of which Ranee was abbot when he began his reforms. They are classed among the most austere of Roman Catho lic religions Orders, and their very strictness and separation from the world has brought and still brings them many members who have held distinguished positions in secular life, but wish to leave it. The day in a Trappist monastery begins with matins in the church at 2 A. M., fol lowed by a half hour's meditation, and mass or study occupies the time until ten minutes to six. Then follows prime, and from 7.30 to 9 manual labor or instruction. At 9.45, terse, high mass, seat, and examination of conscience. Dinner is at 11, except ou fast-days, when it is an hour later. The hour after it is occupied by study in winter, but a nap is conceded in summer. Work or teaching come again from 2 to 4; vespers and meditation at 5, at compline, at 7 supper, and bed at 8. The dinner consists of a small quantity of soup and vegetables with a pound of bread and a little fruit and one glass of beer. The supper is of a similar nature, and those who need it are allowed a little milk, coffee, or broth on rising. The fasting season lasts from Holy Cross Day (September 14th) until Easter. The Trappist sleeps in his habit, removing only his shoes. Only the superiors have separate rooms; each of the others has simply a curtained alcove in a large dormitory. Perpetual silence is the most characteristic restriction imposed on the Trappist monk. It is absolute, unless he has the care of guests, or needs to speak to his superiors; any other necessary communications are made by signs. When sick, lie is nursed in
the infirmary; dying, lie is carried into the church that he may receive the last rites in the presence of his brethren. The dead are buried in their habits, without coffins. Novices are re ceived after two years' probation, and three years later may be professed. Besides the choir brothers, who are or mean to be priests, and the lay brothers, oblates are also received—persons who for some reason do not wish to take the vows, but conform strictly to the rule during their residence in the monastery.
The earlier houses of the Order were nearly all in France; their expulsion from that coun try at the time of the Revolution and under the Third Republic has caused them to plant nu merous monasteries in other countries. Accord ing to official statistics, in 1897 they had 3472 members, in 54 monasteries. They have one house in England, two in Ireland, two in Canada, and two in the United States—at Gethsemane, Ey., and near Dubuque, Iowa. They do not as a rule undertake the cure of souls, but conduct a few mission stations in South Africa, the Congo State, Japan, China, etc. Consult: Gaillardin, Les Trappistes (Paris, 1844) ; La Trappe par un Trappiste de Sept-Fons (ib., 1870) ; Pfannen schmidt, Geschichte der Trappisten (Paderborn, 1873). For the ordinary reader, the most vivid and accurate account of life in a Trappist mon astery is to be found in Huysmanes En Route (Eng. trans. by C. Began Paul, Loudon, 1890).