The Martyrs of Compiegne: Episode One
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Where and when does the story of the Carmelite Martyrs begin?
Compiègne, France, 1789. On the eve of the French Revolution, a community of Carmelite women pursues a quiet life of prayer. King Louis XVI and Queen Marie Antoinette reign over Catholic France, but debt, poverty, and resentment threaten to overturn everything. This is the story of the Carmelite Martyrs of Compiègne.
The Saints, Adventures of Faith and Courage. The Martyrs of Compiègne. Episode 1, Revolution Knocks. Listen to all the episodes and discover new shows at thesaintspodcast.com.
Give us the Bastille! Free the prisoners! Climb the walls, fellow citizens! Cut the ropes of the drawbridge! Stay back! We don't want to shoot you! The drawbridge is down! Ah, seize the guards! Find the gunpowder! Free the prisoners! Don't give them an inch! Equality! Fraternity! The bridge is down! Stop! Stop! Glory to the nation!
Gloria Patria filio Amen.
May the Lord bless us, protect us from all evil, and bring us to everlasting life. Amen. That concludes our Vespers for another day, my daughters. Let's prepare for supper and recreation.
How was your afternoon of silent work and contemplation, Sister Charlotte?
Most rewarding, child. After fifty-three years here behind these walls in Compiègne, silence is never empty, but filled with his loving presence. And you, Sister Constance?
I'm still adjusting to the quiet. But I was tending the pear trees in our monastery's orchard today, and they felt very close to God.
The orchard is my favorite place to know Him. You're due to take your vows very soon.
Oh, yes. I can't wait for the wedding day. I'll dance and sing with joy, like our Holy Mother, St. Teresa of Avila.
How I loved to dance when I was your age. Unfortunately, now I'm 78 years old and forced to hobble around with this crotch.
When I wed the divine bridegroom, you and I shall dance. Crotch and all. Here, take my hand, Sister Charlotte. We're on kitchen duty together this evening.
Ah, yes. With Mother Prioris and Sister Euphrasia. That should be interesting.
Has Sister Euphrasia always been so, um... So?
Ahead strong, restless, exasperating.
Yes.
Don't worry, child. Our Holy Mother wanted all her sisters to know each other's eccentricities. The difference in personalities within our community teaches us patience and generosity. Of course.
What is daily life like inside the Carmelite monastery in Compiègne?
And I must say, we've all been greatly tested in that lesson since we elected our current mother, Prioris, instead of Sister Euphrasia.
I always look forward to your cabbage soup, Sister Charlotte. Thank you, Mother.
We don't eat much, but what we do eat, we prepare well. Oui.
We are French, after all. Sisters, I must speak. Then speak, Sister Euphrasia. I have an urgent letter from my cousin. There's been an uprising in Paris. The French guard has evacuated and left the city to be ransacked. by revolutionaries. What do these revolutionaries want? Blood. Sister Euphrasia! I'm sorry, but it's pointless to sugarcoat it, Mother. People are hungry. Yes, they are. Speaking of which, where's Sister Marie Henriette with the bread? She is usually like clockwork.
I'm here. I had to find an extra coin to pay the boy from the boulangerie. The price of bread has gone up to 15 soles.
15 soles? We'll need to bake those two baguettes. Last a fortnight.
I'll cut the slices thin.
But so many families are already in poverty. How are they buying bread for 15 souls? They aren't, Sister Constance.
That's why there's all this unrest. People are starving while the aristocracy stuff themselves with oysters and champagne and macaroons.
And with the winter frosts and the country on the verge of bankruptcy, I'm very worried for... Bankruptcy?
Yes, child. The wars King Louis has involved Francine have come with extreme costs. His support for the American Revolution has pushed us into financial ruin. Utter madness. Sister Euphrasia... Whilst we all love and cherish your uniquely passionate personality, you overstepped to speak of our king in such a way. I assure you, people are saying far worse, Mother. The Parisians seizing the Bastille prison was a violent act against the monarchy. But perhaps you're too young to understand the nuance.
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