Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1874-05-16
From the Baltimore Sun.
THE SISTERS OF CHARITY.

Ouintcnnial Convocston Of the Order--A A
Solemn and Impressive scene - the
orcning Services-List of members IN
attendance, etc, etc.
The fifth quintennial convocation
of the Sisters Of Charity of North
! America was solemnly inaugurated
yesterday at st. Joseph's Convent,
near Emmittsburg, Frederick county
MARYLAND, and proved a most memora:
| ble occurrence. As first announced
| in the Sun or Saturday, may 9, these
meetings are convened every five
years by the mother superior of the
community, who resides at the instl-
tuition mentioned, and they partake
somewhat of the character Of plenary
councils all the directresse: of re-
ligious houses governed by the Sisters
in this country being obliged person
ally to attend, CT if prevented by
illness or any similar weighty inpedi,,
ment to send a duly commissioned
representative. The first qulntenna|
retreat was held in 1884, the second
! in lS56, the third in 1864, which
owing to the civil war, was sparseIy
attended; the fourth in 1869. 'Ihe
beautiful spectacle Of three hundred
and fifty Sisters again entering the
convent cha,wl was witnessed yes
tordav morning, comprising superior
essas ct nearly all the asylums, hospi-
tails and female ec.demies ia tAe
United States.
EMMITTSBURG.
As is generally Known, Emmltt'-
burg lies within 30 miles from Baltl-
more, and can be readily reached by
,hc Western Maryland railroad,
tr.iny leaving FULTON depot, Fulton
and Patterson avenue, six tunes DAILY.
Vita the exception of those IN the
western States and Pennsylvania,
nearly ali the Sisters proceeded to
their destination Via this route, the
trains during the past week having
been crowded with members OF the
order
No locality in Maryland exhibits n
lcvelier aspect at the present hne
than this rnrtian c. 3redeI1ck
county. The scenery, lnvoi1ablv "t
surprising beauty, is partlcnlarIy
grand at this scissor o. the year;
when field and stream, when tree ana
tlowcr commence to smile agar, ana
the warmth O. another Noolh 10
animate tho bosom of the earth,
Situated in close pryoimlty to. the
Blue Ridge mountain, the "olhmlt OF
which, covered with eternal snow,
rises maje.tically to the clouds ana
casts its gigantic shadow "fAr on the
distant hills, surrounded h! all that
ean elicit admration, nnd"Iat'ne
fields teemihg with the nroducVlons
Of industry, murHurln8 brooks,
valleys bright with nature green
carpet and fragrant wlth precious
flowers, the 'nother hon'e OF Amerl-
can branch Of the daughters OF CHAR
ity stands, and has stood ior sixty years
a monument to its fcundress' EliZ'
Ann Seton. whose remains 9Inmher IN
the adjacent church yard, Anf It
was meet that in this h"IIowed SPOT
beside the tomb OF her wAo@e lndo-
tatlga5lc iabors brought forth such
glorious results, he members OF tne
Sisterhood should on ce more assemble
in solemn conclave. ......
THE OPENING EAEhClS.S.
Although the meeting dld not re-
ally commence until last evening
the inaugural exercises were celebra,
ted yesterday morning. 1T has ever
been a rigid rule of the order Tor
the members to arise hef"ra day
break, and, therefore, long before the
services began the venerable lnstltu-
ton presented an unusually animated
appearance, hundreds OF the inmates,
robed in their familiar habits, hast
ening through the spacious corridors
and making active preparation: tor
the opening ceremonies. At inter
walls the clear, sweet notes OF the
convent bell reverberated on the
passing breeze, announcing that the
honr of cn1.Jica was fast apDrOaChlne