Catholic Review of: The Song at the Scaffold

"The Song At the Scaffold" is a book that takes more than one reading to fully understand.  Gertrud Von Le Fort put so much into such a small space that it boggles the mind.  The book is set in France during the horrible violence and anarchy of the French Revolution. 

The book begins with a letter from one man to another that appears to be an argument for "Christian culture" against the idea of reason and natural humanity in the absence of God.  The man writing the letter was familiar with the characters in the story as well as the family of Blanche Le Force.  He writes with the perspective of one who witnessed the events he writes about, to a friend who most likely viewed the events from the papers and from outside the turmoil.

The gentleman wrote of two very different women.  Blanche La Force, a young woman who, even from birth was gripped by an unnatural fear of everything.  She was born to a Marquis who was more liberal minded and didn't approve of religion.  In spite of his feelings, he hired a governess who was a devout Catholic who taught young Blanche to adore the "Infant King", an image of Jesus we recognize as the "Infant of Prague".  The wise Governess told the small child that as long as the Infant King wore his crown he would protect her from harm.  This consoled Blanche.  When she was sixteen she decided to enter the convent and desired to become a Carmelite.

The second woman, Sister Marie of the Incarnation was the polar opposite of Blanche.  Sister Marie was a fiery woman who was strong willed, though kind.  She burned with zeal for Sacrifices offered for Christ.  As the book unfolds Sister Marie finds her ideals challenged in Blanche and her Prioress's decision to fully accept her as a novice into their order.  We learn later that the martyrdom of her fellow sisters was not hers to taste. In this, she  learns true sacrifice.

I was moved by Sister Marie's character.   I identified with sister Marie and her viewing Blanche as weak and ill equiped to handle things.  I also felt moved by Sister Marie's acceptance of God's will for her, especially because it did not agree with her own. 

This book works on several levels.  It is placed in a period of history many of us are familiar with.  The characters embody both virtues and vices that enable us to relate to them in any time.  Courage and fear are clearly defined as part of spirituality and each given their place in the context of our relationship with God.  In Blanche's case her fear was a gift she learned to embrace.  Her vulnerability allowed her the throw herself on the mercy of God and find courage even when faced with death.  Sister Marie seemed to learn that her bravery could hinder her relationship with God. She found her true courage when accepting that God willed something very different for her than what she thought.  This book also briefly addresses the fact that suffering and crucifixion are a part of our journey to God.  It also describes the arguments that drive the dangerous ideals of socialism and communism.  This was made most clear by the cry "Vive la Nation!" by a girl forced to drink a cup filled with the blood of murdered victims to save her father's life, after the mob raided a prison and killed the guards and many of the prisoners. 

This book was an emotional and thought-provoking read  I highly recommend it.  The lesson in true sacrifice is one that I took from it.  I will be reading it over again.