Viking_Yearbook_68

I was raised a Catholic and was taught to think and say, (especially say), the proper things. Through the many years of training I said many things properly. I said that I wanted to be a priest. The indoctrination was powerful and I went through the process of being a servant to God . Towards the end of my stay at the seminary, I was introduced to the idea of further study and dedication. You may imagine by now that my method and facilities to communicate were well stunted, rather handicapped. Becoming a Trappist was easy. Be– cause I quickly said the right things, by not talking, the orders were promptly bestowed upon me. For about two years I meditated, mused, and prayed for something to pray about. During these years I wondered about my own life and the situations of others at the monastery. It was strange, how every– one could appear so happy, yet so quiet. How could we be pleased yet not show it? Despite many tries at mental telep– athy, covert sign language, etcetera; I knew talking was my only resort. How– ever there had to be something worth while to blurt out before breaking the code. 71