Maria Monk
Maria Monk
Maria Monkwas a Canadian woman whose book Awful Disclosures of Maria Monk, or, The Hidden Secrets of a Nun’s Life in a Convent Exposedclaimed to expose systematic sexual abuse of nuns and infanticide of the resulting children by Catholic priests in her convent in Montreal. The book became a best-seller...
NationalityCanadian
ProfessionCelebrity
CountryCanada
baptized born excited feelings gave information less piece scarcely
She gave me another piece of information which excited other feelings in me, scarcely less dreadful. Infants were sometimes born in the convent; but they were always baptized and immediately strangled!
kept permitted related sat subjects
We were kept at work, and permitted to speak with each other only on such subjects as related to the Convent, and all in the hearing of the old nuns who sat by us.
lived
I was born at St. John's, where they lived for a short time.
The only recreation there allowed, however, is that of the mind, and of this there is but little.
The day on which I received confirmation was a distressing one to me.
except morning prayers recreation relieved
We had now and then a recreation day, when we were relieved from our customary labor, and from all prayers except those for morning and evening.
besides black bread feed large necessary poor quantities
Large quantities of bread are made in the Black Nunnery every week, for besides what is necessary to feed the nuns, many of the poor are supplied.
views numbers dresses
Before I took the veil, I was ornamented for the ceremony, and was clothed in a rich dress belonging to the Convent, which was used on such occasions; and placed not far from the altar in the chapel, in the view of a number of spectators who had assembled, perhaps about forty.
wise taken advice
Unfortunately, I was not wise enough to listen to her advice, and hastily married. In a few weeks, I had occasion to repent of the step I had taken, as the report proved true - a report which I thought justified, and indeed required, our separation.
girl school numbers
A number of girls of my acquaintance went to school to the nuns of the Congregational Nunnery, or Sisters of Charity, as they are sometimes called.
moments strikes priests
I really believed that the priests were acquainted with my thoughts; and often stood in great awe of them. They often told me they had power to strike me dead at any moment.
devil biting sin
I often remembered also that I had been told, that we shall have as many devils biting us, if we go to hell, as we have unconfessed sins on our consciences.
pain children taken
So far as I know, there were no pains taken to preserve secrecy on this subject; that is, I saw no attempt made to keep any of the inmates of the Convent in ignorance of the murder of children.
thinking opportunity judging
I have, I think, afforded every opportunity that could be reasonably expected, to judge of my credibility.