RAFAEL ARNAIZ Y BARON writing

Publication: To Know How to Wait Outside End Cover. RAFAEL ARNAIZ Y BARON was born in Burgos on 9th April, 1911. After taking his degree in Oviedo he entered the School of Architecture in Madrid. On 15th January, 1934 he was admitted into the Trappist Monastery of San Isidro de Duefias, Venta de Baiios (Palencia), which owing to ill-health, he several times left and re-entered, dying therein the spring of 1938. His writing presents something unique in piety and in mysticism, bringing a beneficial disquiet to every kind of soul, Those who read this selection of Brother Rafael's thoughts compiled by a Cistercian, cannot fail to doubt the truth of these words. Today when the trend of religious thought among enquiring laymen is towards the Contemplative Orders, and is becoming increasingly influenced by the Cistercians, this book, with its emphasis on self-abnegation as an anti­dote to the prevalent world unrest, and "waiting on God" as necessary for the attainment of peace of soul, will bring a salutary feeling of divine discontent. Here is revealed, and with the utmost humility and simplicity, the intimate meditations of a young Spanish Trappist. By those who know nothing of the Spanish soul, the todo o nada of its mystics, To Know How to Wait may not be understood fully. Cynical critics may dismiss as masochistic the author's insistence on suffering for the love of God, or may describe his writing as indicative of some other pathological condition. But by the reader who humbles himself as Brother Rafael did, this little book will be recognized for what it is, the work of an enlightened man whose one desire is ultimate union with Christ. His sanctity was such that the Cause for his Beatification is proceeding. TO KNOW HOW TO WAIT by FRAY MA. RAFAEL ARNAIZ BARON Translated by MAIRIN MITCHELL SANDS & CO (PUBLISHERS) LTD LONDON 1964 TO KNOW HOW TO WAIT Selected thoughts some unpublished, of Fray Ma. Rafael Arnaiz Baron, Trappist Monk, chosen by a Cistercian Religious of the Abbey of San Isidro de Duefias, Venta de Bafios (Palencia). The cover design, and also the drawings in the book are the original work of Brother Rafael. CUM PERMISSU SUPERIORUM San Isidro de Duefias June 14, 1962. NIHIL OBSTAT: Joannes M. T. Barton, S.T.D., L.S.S. Censor deputatus. IMPRIMATUR: Patrieius Carey, Vie. Gen. Westmonasterii, die 11 Maii 1964 The Nihil obstat and Imprimatur are a declaration that a book or pamphlet is considered to be tree from doctrinal or moral error. It is not implied that those who have granted the Nihil obstat and Imprimatur agree with the contents, opinions or statements expressed. © Copyright by EDITORIAL EL PERPETUO SOCORRO Covarrubias '9. MADRID. FIRST ENGLISH EDITION PUBLISHED 1964 By SANDS & co (PUBLISHERS) LTD 15 KING ST., LONDON, W.C.2. 76 CAMBRIDGE ST., GLASGOW MADE AND PRINTED IN GREAT BRlTAIN BY NORTHUMBERLAND PRESS LIMITED GATESHEAD ON TYNE ACKNOWLEDGMENTS On various points concerning life in the Cistercian Order I have consulted the Rev. Fr. Adrian, O.C.R., Mount Saint Bernard Abbey, Coalville, Leicester, to whom my grateful acknowledgments are made. For his kindness in reading the proofs of this book I am much indebted to Rvdo. P. Mafia Patricio Cuerin, O.C.S.O., Abadia Cisterciense de Viaceli, Cobreces, Prov. Santander. Translator. CONTENTS Page Prologue IX Note XVI Translator's Note xvii I.God: Only God Suffices Il. Love of God Ill. Holy Abandonment IV. The Will of God V. Longing for the Beloved VI. Love of Jesus VII. The Eucharistic Life VIII. The Cross IX. To Partake of the Cross X. Mary XI. Apostleship XII. Virtues XIII. Sanctity XIV. Peace XV. The World XVI. Freedom XVII.Renunciation XVIII. Sickness XIX. Death xx Temptation XXI.Solitude XXII. Silence XXIII. Hope For Nothing From Men XXIV. Mortification XXV. Asceticism XXVI. Difficulties XXVII. Eternal Life XXVIII. The Brevity of All Things XXIX. Spain at War XXX. Intentions XXXI. La Trapa XXXII. Matins XXXIII. Vespers XXXIV. Christmas XXXV. New Year XXXVI. Epiphany XXXVII. Palm Sunday XXXVIII. Holy ThurSday XXXIX. Forgive Us, Lord Index PROLOGUE Rafael Arnaiz Baron was born in Burgos, on Palm Sunday, April 9th, 1911. His parents were devoutly catholic, and his early spiritual life was nurtured by his mother, later by the Jesuit Fathers. He reached adolescence without loss of virtue, and in his expres­sion reflected the purity of his life. On starting to study for his degree, a dangerous illness obliged him to keep to his bed for a long time. Soon after his recovery his parents took him to Zaragoza to give thanks to the Virgin del Pilar. "The Virgin". His mother writes, "engraved herself on his innocent soul with singular predilection, for, if it were so before, now, from the time of that visit to the Pilar, he showed himself ardently devoted to Mary:' Having taken his baccalaureate in I929, he com­menced his studies at the School of Architecture in Madrid, but neither the rather free life in the capital nor the frequent journeys to distant parts of the Peninsula, nor the meetings with students little given to reticence, affected his moral virtue. Nor did his life in . . .