The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1870-08-28
Morning Star and Catholic Messenger.
Order Of the Sacred Heart.
W ORLEANS, SUNDAY. AUGUST 20. 1870

Order of the Sacred Heart. e
The Chicago Tribune of the 10th inst, =
after describing the reception of a novice at q
the Convent of the Sacred Heart in that E
city on the Feast of the Assumption, gives
a detailed history of the Order, which i
would occupy four of our columns. We
make the following extract from it:
So much is said in these days of ours
about the rights, the powers, and the ca
pacities of woman IN the world, tnat we
have taken pains to present herewith some
of her rights, capacities, and powers put OF
this young lady of wealth, talent, and dis
tinction has just become an humble and
undistinguished member, can be- found
proof of the power of woman's mind, for
which secular history cannot furnish a
parallel.
founded in Paris, in the year 1900, by
Marie Louise Barrat, the only daughter OF
an eminent and wealthy French family.
The aim of the society was the education
and around its foundress focked ladies OF
the highest social rank, whose culture and
accomplishments were only equalled by
the spirit of contemplative piety and per-
sonal self-sacrifice. which the dogma and
discipline of the Infallible Church alone
can inspire. Madame Barrat herself had
been educated under Jesuit masters, her
mental training being directed by her only
brother, who was distinguished follower
of Ignatius. She read and wrote with
fuency seven languages, and was notably
skilled in the fine arts At the age OF
twenty-one she found herself Mother Cen
eral Of an association the most distinguished
the world has ever known, with a charter
from frothe relgnng tope and ITS Gdr res
Cardinal Protector. From Paris, the pres
tice of the society bore it's influence
throughout France, and its academies
sprung into prosperous existence in all the
leading cities. From France it spread over
the civilized world, and the converts and
schools of the order now flourish in all parts
of Europe, in Africa, the United States, the
Dominion of Canada, Cuha, and South
America. An idea of Mother Barrat's en-
iurance and perfection of physical form
NAV be we'll obtained by remembering that
scarcely six years have elapsed since her
death, So highly are her works esteemed
by her co-religiOnists that the process OF
her Qualification is already begun. The
documents bearing upon it were in the
hands of the proper Papal authorities when
Che death of the Cardinal Protector, a few
months ago, temporarily suspended their
examination, which will be resumed on the
appoiutment of his successor. The ladies
Of the order have been engaged for three
years in gathering the material for Mother
Barrat's life, which is now nearly complete
and ready for the press, the literary labor
being performed exclusively by the society
The flower of European maiden hood hat
always bloomed in the schools of the Sa
cred Heart, and Princesses and Countesses
have filled it's ranks and performed it
offices. A French Countess, with historic
blood in her veins, answers the door OF thu
convent in Paris; Madame Bonaparte,
niece Of the first Napoleon, was one of it
most edifying members; the Princess Eliza
beth (ialIitzin, whose cousin, Demetrlus
like herself a convert from the Greek t.
. the Roman side, still honored az IN
Orleans of yellow fever, not long after ne
profession, and one of the community VIII
assisted at her death bed, is now in tn
convent of this city. A daughter of tn
Count de MOntalembert is to-day nun @
the order, and the houses of De Charbo
nellie, De Boncour, Changarnier, and count
less Others, eminent in European courts
and leaders of the thrilling events no.
transpiring on the continent, have give
beauty, grace, and talent to it's cloisters.
Among the pupils of the Sacred Heal
was the Empress Eugene, who has Away
preserved her girlhoOd's affection for he
early home, and been its efficient an
faithful friend. She called, during tt
lifetime of Mother Barrat, at the CONVEX
of Paris, and, bidding her suite to renal
without, entered alone. Learning fro
the sister at the door that the ladi
were dining, she forbade their being di
turbed, ana WalteO Quletiy unlli ZIG Co
clusion of their repast She then reques
ed the company of Mother Barrat, who
surprise may we'll be imagined, and atte
ward gave audience, in pleasant, woman
manner, to all the ladies of the house.
The organization of the Order is an a
mirable display Of the power of woman
mind, directed 10y correct impulses. I
entire society, counting thousands III >
membership, and governing wealth upwa
of millions, is managed solely by wom'
no man having any control whatever OF
houses, it's resources, or its discipline.
Mother General resides in Paris. and
constantly assisted by Il council or cabin
each member of which. has its spec
duties, which she performs under the
peryision of the Mother Superior. In
are as many foreign secretaries, to oorr
q term, as there are provinces OUTSIDE
immediate supervision of the Paris hou
and each province communicates direc
with it's own cabinet officer, and throu
her, with the Mother General, who is n
Madame Goetz. We have on this cor
nent five Provinces, of which the Canad
is presided over by Madame Cornelies, Of
Superior of the convent in Detroit;
the South American, over which Mada
de Rousier is the Reverend Provincial
the United States, the Eastern, with II
dence at Manhattanville, is under MAZDA
Hardy, who also directs the order In Gu
the Southern has it's capital in New
1aopa xvhare Mother Shannon resides;