The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1874-03-29
Blessing the Home of the Little Sisters.

| Last Sunday evening the quiet and lsvely
| Home which the Little Sisters have erected in
| the rear portion of the Third District, was the
scene of a most interesting ceremony. We
have, at different times, given full descriptions
of this establishment, as also accounts of the
origin and system of the admirable Order Of
devoted women who have assumed the great
burden of caring for the aged intirm, of both
| sexes and all creeds, who are to be found in
our large cities. Here will merely state
that, though the Order is of recent birth, hav-
ing been founded only thirty-four years ago,
it now numbers 135 houses and 1000 Sisters, and
cares for 90, 900 old people, Most of their houses
are in France, the birthplace of this as well as
of most of those other noble Orders which il
lustrate so we'll the charity of our Holy Church.
In the United States there already fifteen
houses, and this number, we understand, will
| be increased to seventeen before the end of
the year, as-it1is intended to found six
teenth next May, in Detroit, and the seven
teenth in September, in Richmond, Va. The
Sisters arrived in this city in 1868 and estab-
lished themselves in the old wooden buildings
OH Laharpe street, which had long been
used by society of ladies as a home for
old people. Finding these buildings in n
state of decay and utterly unfit for habi-
tation, the Sisters commenced the cree
ton of substantial three story brick
building the square opposite. One half of
this they have completed and now occupy with
the 1875 old people under their charge. The
building cost $50, 900, of which amount SIT, 600
is now due to various parties. AS soon as this
debt is paid off the Sisters intend to commence
the erection of the other wing of the building
which will cost about $4,000. They keenly
feel the necessity of pushing this work to an
early completion, as they are compelled to re-
fuse admission to many worthy persons simply
from want of accommodations for them.
That our generous citizens appreciate the
work of the Little Sisters was evidenced by
the very large attendance, last Sunday, at the
blessing of their Home and Chapel by His
Grace, the Most Rev. Archbishop. No less
than 600 visitors were present, including many
of our leading merchants.
At three o'clock, His Grace, preceded by
large procession of little girls dressed in white,
at whose head marched fine band of music,
and accompanied by number of clergy,
blessed the outer walls of the building. He
then proceeded to the Chapel where all the
visitors were oongregated. The Chapel, which
is large enough to hold 400 persons, is model
of chaste architecture. His Grace then ad-
dressed the congregation in a manner which
showed how deeply he was affected by the
sight of all the old people whom he had met
within the walls of this building, and how
much he was impressed with the devotion of
the Sisters. His address was in French and
was followed by one in English from the Rev.
D. McKiniry, s. j. Rev. J. Koergel, pastor of
the Church of st. Bonifsce, then gave an adj
dress in German, after which His Grace blessed
the Chapel and the inner walls of the building
Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament was then
given and the congregation dispersed through
out the building to chat with the old people
and inspect their quiet apartments. Besides
the clergy already mentioned, there were
present the Rev. Fathers Anstaedt, Jobert and
Massardier, the latter, in a voice of remarkable
strength and beauty, chanting the usual hymns
during the ceremonies of the evening.