The People's vindicator. [volume] (Natchitoches, La.) 1874-1883, 1876-04-08
Convent Sacred Heart.

This magnificent and imposing
building, was erected in this place in
the years 1857 and 1858. 1t stands
on 4 beautiful cmincncc ut the South
ern end of the city, and has been for
years the particular pride and admi-
ration, Of not only the Catholics, but
the entire community. The ladies Of
the order have taken great pains to
improve and bcantify the trees, shrub
cry, flowers, walks and everything
belonging to them, or in any manner
appertaining thereto. For years, most
of the young ladies Of this, and the
surrounding parishes, found a pleas
ant and christian retreat to pcrsne
their studies, and learn all those en-
nobling traits, that tend s" much to
add fresh charms to matnrcr woman
hood. 1t was there they learned the
soul inspiring attributes of practical
religion, and formed pleasing and
mutual friendship. both, with pupils
and teachers, that have only grown
the warmer IA time advances. Few
would leave those hallowcd precincts
without tear to departing Joys, and
the severance Of those ties which had
been cngcndcred there, and as one
by one, they would approach their
teachers to receive their blessing, the
warm, young heart would overflow
with unrcstrained and understandable
tears; a sadness 'aking possessions of
them, little thought of, TIP to the mo-
ment of parting. Year Ivy year, this
pleasant meeting and painful parting,
would take place, until we had all
come to look upon the institution as
q fixed fact, and a joy forever.
So many of our young ladies had
participated in these delightful hours,
and rgretfal moments; so many Of
them had formed so cndearing friend.
ship there and time pressing on, and
they, like every one else, fulfilling
their peculiar destiny, had become
mothers, with daughters growing up
around them, it was peculiarly
interesting for them to contemplate
the day when they would he able to
accompany their daughters to thcir
former alma mater, and there en-.
trust them to the tender care and
loving kindness of those irreproaci,a-
ble beings who had renowned the
world with its vanitics and its dcceits,
and given themselves to God and his
holy work. In memory's fond rccol-
lections they could live over the hap
py hours spent there, and with that
trust and confidence, only known to
the christian mother. how nnrcscrv-
! eddy could they give their daughters
into the hands of those wl,nm thev
had known from childlood's earliest
and tenderest years, and of whom
naught could be said, but in praise.
For years the Convent had been the
rallying point, at which all the young
ladies Of the surrounding country
could meet, and renew those plishted
vows of early friendship, and tell Of
the wonderful things that had trans.
pired during their short sojourn ''in
the world" as the teachers were wont
to call those months Of vacation,
spent at home, OF with kind friends.
How was it possible for us to contem
plate the breaking up Of all these
pleasant associations, and the tearing
down, and utter destruction Of such
idols. Time had interviewer and in.
terlaced 80 many tendri!s Of affec.
tons, clustering in and around this
sacred cdifice, that it was too painful
to a great number to think Of any
think like its breaking up and disso.
luton. The cross had been planted
there, and oft the friends Of this In.
stitution, would say to the inmates,
'1n this sign shalt thou conquer"
but continually the cry would come
forth, "We must snccumb, our power.
ty is dragging us down to financial
ruin, and We must close" For years
this solemn warning was given out,
until finally, few thought of it seri-
ous|y, and those noble Ladies con-
tinued to Struggle on, hoping against
hope, when at last, every resource
falling them, the final and fatal order
was given, and the Convent of the
Sacred Heart lowered the emblem of
their authority, and began the dis
habi]iment Of the loved and honored
Institution one by one, the cherished
pictures were parted with, alters torn
down, statues and paintings removed
by some expressing an affection for
this or that memento beds, bedding,
chairs, pianos, philosophical, geogra.