ADVENTURE AT MARTILLAC

That morning Mother Trinity called her companions.

- We have decided to have another adventure, but this time, it won’t be a night outing like the one we had at Loreto.  We are going to Martillac.  It seems that there are some very interesting things happening there.  Mother Bonnat will accompany us; she longs to see again those places that were once so dear to her.  So does Mother Trimoulet who was the first superior of that house.  So I have prepared a surprise for you.  

The sisters are astonished by what they see… hard hats lined up on a table in an adjoining room…

- What! Is there a war on at Martillac? asks one of them in surprise.  If that is the case, it is dangerous and I prefer to stay at home.

-No, don’t be afraid!  There are works being carried out at Martillac and you cannot go on the site without protection.  These are the rules of security. 

- Security, we have not had that before.  In our time we didn’t make such a fuss.  Do you remember the work on the island which lasted more than two years?  What a work that was!  Only someone as enterprising as our Good Father could have carried out such work.  I hope our sisters today have had good advice. 

- Enough chatter.  Let’s hurry.  We are going on the new modern means of transport.  I have heard Marie Paule say that the tram is best.  And then we will take the bus as far as the Cave and then continue on foot. 

- As far as the Cave? says one of the Sisters.  What cave are you talking about?  This seems very strange to me.  We used to stop at the Bouscaut in order to let the horses rest. 

- You need to be updated.  La Cave is the name of the bus stop.  It is a strange name but they say it adds a little local colour to this place where there are vineyards

The Sisters don the hard hats and set out…

Several hours later…

We find them sitting under a big cedar.  They are rather tired after such a journey but they are quite excited by their discoveries. 

- Have you seen that new building between the two houses that have been completely rebuilt...I heard a worker say that they are going to put up solar panels.  Do you know what they are?

- I think that they capture the sun’s energy but I am not sure how it works.  We need to continue following the classes at the Holy Family School on sustainable development and new energy.  Mother Bonnat says that it is extremely interesting.  

-  They are also going to link up the house to the chapel so we will be able to avoid the winds and cold winter weather

- Imagine!  What a change !  When I think of when we arrived, says Mother Trimoulet.  It was 14 November 1831; we left in the morning and we arrived at 5 o’clock in the afternoon.  It was already dark and when we lit the candle, we discovered spiders’ webs everywhere.  The house was dilapidated and to stand up to the hardships of winter, we used our recreation time to gather up pine cones and twigs to burn in the fire to warm ourselves.  Immediately we planted beans and potatoes.  Nowadays people need many more comforts.  They are saying that we have to submit to the norms of today. 

  - Still, Mother Saint Bernard says, the property is gaining and becoming more beautiful and I notice that the sisters have not forgotten the Good Father’s wish: “Courage” he used to say, “plant, maintain and embellish our dear Solitude for my future daughters and in this way you will please your Good Father”.

- They have also not forgotten the project of the house which is to be a resource centre.  It is good that they are carrying out this project in a way that is suitable for today.  And I think that the Good Father would be pleased to see his wishes being fulfilled: “Offer to everyone a “home” where there is a door that opens onto a sacred garden in which flows forth a spring that is a source of the spirit of God Alone.  Everyone will quench their thirst at this fountain and find new energy to spread everywhere”   

- Look, the kitchen garden is flourishing again – salads, radishes, cucumbers, beans, tomatoes…earth gives in abundance…but where is Mother Bonnat?  It is time for us to go.  Buses are on time here...not as it was in our day. 

The Sisters go off in search of Mother Bonnat and they find her at the Hermitage.  In the library she is looking at her herb book and is in the process of completing it with an entry on flowers that she found in the fallow land near the vegetable garden. 

- Time has been too short but we will come back.  I have heard that we are in for more surprises...I have heard of a new vine stock...however I will say no more...