Indiana American. [volume] (Brookville, Ind.) 1833-1861, 1856-05-16
an Gatsrrstina storu.
Fsom Miss BunkI~,' e Hook.
CONVENT l8PB.

~ VIII DC TecOilrcteu tnat men
toned the three VOWS required TO b
observed by the Sisters of Charity. J.
common with the nuns attached to al
Catholic convents-Poverty, Charity
and Obedience. The interprelaiiol
Of the first of these issuiliciently plain
the intention being to enrich the rcli
gious establishment with The property
Il they should possess any. OF lh
members of the community, as il i
more likely that they would donate
TO the institution to which they are mt
tached, than dispose OF il any olhe
way--being prevented by their vos
from retaining il themselves. even If I
was not as is the case. placed at III,
disposal Of Fathers uperivr, when the,
assume the habit.
OF the other two obligations som'
explanation is necessary. and the pc
culiar ideas inculcatcd by the priest
in regard to their breach and obser
vance, will. perhaps. prove novel nm,
startling to the unsophisticated deni
zcns Of the world without, TO whom
Jesuitical casuistry and doctrine ar,
unknown studies.
A religuese. or sister. Is bound b,
her "ruIe" not TO touch The hand o
man. not even OF her father. brother
coniessor, or any priest; but--marl
the disiinction-should one Of the las
mentioned class. especially priest o
St. Lazare. take her hand. with what
ever intention. she must not Withdraw
il. Her vow OF obedience has suprem
acy over all others.
Again: q sister Is required by hel
vow of chastity not to look man il
the face; not to raise her eyes wher
speaking to. or addressed by the Faith
er Superior. her Confessor. or m,
Other priest. not to permit her thoughu
TO dwell upon any OF the other sex
Ii she break this ruIe---for though
will sometimes break over the prescli.
bed bounds-especiaIlg with regard le
a priest. she is commanded by th,
rules to acquaint him and the Superior
with her fault. and request q chung,
of place. But-mark the distinction
again--if her Confe' sor. the Superior
or any other Lazirist, orders her tc
think nsyorably OF them. she is com
pelled in so doing, for she proves her.
self ohedient.
would here solicit the earnest at
tention OF the candid and honest rca
der To the diabolcal craft and cunning
displayed. liza young girl is thought.
lessly betrayed into an infrucIion ol
the rules just mentioned, and discloses
her errors required. the priest so in
formed. can either take advantage ol
her confession or not, as he may feel
inclined. or as his judgement OF the
character of the Offending sister may
determine. Sometimes policy may in
duce him to express holy horror OF
the otiense, for the sake OF exslting hiS
own saucuy; especially il he entertain
m aversion to the penilent. or may
deem her an unsuitable subject for hi
schemes. On the other hand, should
their own evil desires induce them to
plan the moral destruction OF u sister.
how great an advantage they possess
for It's accomplishment by this doctrine
of passive and meritvrious obedience
To be plain, the whole matter amoonl>
to this: the sisters are taught lhatl their
VOW Of obedience is supremc-that the
expressed viii of the Superior must b.
regarded as the voice I, [ God; and that
ifthe vow of charity is violated ny the
will OF those exercising authority ov' :
them, no sin can be imputed to them.
because, they are doing right by pre-
serving Inyioiate the vow OF obedi-
ence.
As the result Of these pernicious
and demoraIizing doctrines. n lament
able state OF things | grieve to say ex
isIed among portion Of the comInu
niiy. Ii was some time, 50 little sus-
picion OF the truth was entertained,
before | understood or appreciated the
symptoms Of the malady raging
ar und me. When the hight dawned
upon my mind. IL was accompanied
with shock as il OF electricity, which
paralyzed me for the moment-I sl'
most doubted the evidence OF my sen
ses--but with the reaction was formed
the resolution to escape at all hazards,
only hastened to its execution by sub
sequent events. And here let me add
again, for | would not be misunder
stood, that | do not mecn to include
the whole sisterhoCd in one sweeping
charge Of immortality. Far from il
Many are pure in their feelings and
sincere in their desire to serve God. er-
roneous and ill-iounded they may be
many would be glad to be fre from
their bonds. and, like a liberated bird
sing carols at their release. Rut others
as l have said before, are infatuated
with their LOT. and no inducemcrl
would be sufficient for their yoluntaf,
departure. lnfractions OF moral dut,
and departures from right are the CON
sequences Of the system, and the error
OF the sisterhood ARE justly chargeabl'
to the reverend guides and directors
who inculcate such mischievous tenets
As might naturally be expected
an extensive system OF fevorilism pre-
walls within the walls Of the institution
not only as ,egards the Mother Sspe.
rior who dispenses indulgencss anC
pargialities among those on whom she
can rely. or whom she wishes To nj,
tach to herself. but in respect to III,
priests and certain members of ia,
community. Jealousy also exercise,
potent Influence among the sister
hood. II is no rare sight to witness
the features af a beautiful girl convul
sed and distorted with passion when
she passes rival who exults for a sen.
son in the triumph she has achieved
but who--poor deluded victim-soou
has IS experience the same sensation
Of snger and revenge at her deserlion
for me re attractive objects Of priessIy
desire and favor.