Happy Feast of Blessed Teresa of St. Augustine and Companions, the Martyrs of Compiègne. Carmelites.
In 1794, the Place de la Nation on the east side of Paris was called the Place du Trône-Renversé… Toppled Throne Square.
In 1792 a guillotine was set up here and the killing began.
Robespierre and Barère made terror an instrument of governance:
“Terror is nothing more than speedy, severe and inflexible justice; it is thus an emanation of virtue”, quoth Robespierre.
Plus ça change. Could have been uttered in Texas… or the CDW… ooops… DDW.
On 17 July of this same year, 1794, 11 Discalced Carmelite nuns of the Carmel of Compiègne, together with three lay sisters and two tertiaries were guillotined and buried in a mass grave in the nearby Picpus Cemetery. They had for a while been living with English Benedictine nuns, who were forbidden their native England. The Carmelites dedicated themselves to prayer for the restoration of peace in France and for the Church. Hence, they were arrested, shifted to Paris, and publicly murdered for the encouragement of the mob.
As the Carmelite nuns, aged 30 to 78, went to the razor, they renewed their vows and sang the either the Salve Regina or the Veni Creator Spiritus, accounts vary.
One by one they knelt before the prioress and asked permission to die.
“Permission to die, Mother?”
“Go, my daughter!”
Here is the dramatized scene.
Again, in close proximity, Carmelites and oppression.
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Didn’t the Terror cease almost immediately after these nuns were martyred?
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Looks a lot like what is to come.
It’s funny. When I struggle with the faith, which is my current state, this video always moves me interiorly. I both run from and run to this type of intense faith. Is possible to love God this intensely but still be frustrated with him?
Gertrude Von le Fort wrote a short novel on this crime called Song at the Scaffold. My older two children had to read it for one of their classes at Seton Home Study school. So I read it as well. I think one sister was not murdered according to this novel. The opera Dialogues of the Carmelites was inspired by Von le Fort’s novel, I believe.
There seems no limit to the brutality human beings inflict on one another. Even to the most innocent. Anita I think the terror did stop not long after.
After their execution as the singing ended, the crowd was reduced to silence; there were none of the usual cheering from the crowd. The Terror ended shortly afterwards. Many have attributed the beginning of the end to this martyrdom.
I have heard excerpts from the opera; they were powerful and moving. Someday I hope to see the full opera.
I wonder sometimes if I would be as brave and resolute as those nuns if I faced a similar fate.
God, please grant me the grace.
@ Anita Moore, O.P. (lay) & jhogan:
Yes, the Reign of Terror ended ten days later with the arrest of Robespierre and Saint-Just in the Convention Nationale. They were executed by order of the Convention the next day (28 July 1794).
Similarities for each human heart persist throughout human existence. We are blessed to have the Saints and Martyrs for a guide. Pray to them for interventional assistance in your seeking to and adoration of the Trinity. Laudate Dominum omnes gentes.
Recommend: “To Quell the Terror, the True Story of the Carmelite Martyrs of Compiegne,” William Bush. icspublications.org
Be discerning too regarding your selection of particular presentations of Poulenc’s great opera.