The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1876-06-24
DEATH OF SISTER AGNES,
The Bridegroom Cometh. Go Forth to Meet
Him.

Inc bridegroom COmeth. Go Forth to Meet
| Him.
Two short months have not yet elapsed since
the Sisters of Mercy babe farewell to one of
their beloved members, and already 4e sum-
mons has come for another to ego forth and meet
the bridegroom
Sister Mary Agnes Hely died of paralysis of
the lungs on Tuesday the Goth inst, at three
o clock r. NJ.
Unlike her sister who had gone before, her i'll.
ness was short, she having been in apparently good
health about nine days before her death bu
she was not less fully prepared, for her prepare
ton had been lifelong. Those who knew and
loved her for years can testify to her innocence,
piety, and zeal for the glory of God and the
spiritual good of His children
Sister Mary Agnes became member of the
Order of Mercy, in Chicago, about twenty-six
years ago, when the interests Of Religion called
for all the energy and self-sacrifcing devotion
which the Jealous laborer in the Lords vine
yard could bestow She was one of those who
assisted In the establishment of hospital for
the sick poor of Chicago and its neighborhood.
The building employed for that purpose was first,
the old Lake House, afterwards the Tppecanoe
Hall. If any Of the old residents of Chicago
should recall those early days, they may remem-
Der the poverty and hardships through which
this devoted little band struggled in the service
OF the poor and suffering members of Christ
During Sister Agnes residence in Ottawa,
she has been especially employed in the in
strucllon OF young girls, preparing them for the
reception OF the sacraments and training them
to the practice Of virtue. 1t would be vain to
attempt description of her untiring self.sacri-
ficing labors in this duty which was at once a
duty and delight.
| The children time tro;poJ md ;nst,,,tol
are the living and truthful witnesses of her zeal
Whether in the hospital or in the schoolroom,
her life was one Of labor and of love for God
and Ills children; in a word, her life was that
of a sincere and fervent Sister of Mercy.
The funeral services took place on Thursday
morning, Mt st. Columbia Church. A solemn
office for the dead was chanted by the clergy.
men; afterwards n solemn requiem mass was
celebrated by Rev. Father Power, of Joliet
Fathers Gray and OConnor assisting as deacon
and sub-deacon. Rev. Father Terry preached
the funeral sermon, and none could better ties.
tify to the worth and virtues of the departed
than he who had been for many years her
guide In the path to Heaven. He touched
briefly on the virtues which had distinguished
the deceased, especially her devotion to the SER
vice of the poor and ignorant, and her exempla-
ry observance of her obligations as relig ious.
He acknowledged the severity of the loss suffer-
ed by the congregation, and particularly by the
little community so long edited and encouraged
by her example, and to whom she had endeared
herself by her amiable character and unaffected
piety but he babe them remember the blissful
home to which her happy soul had flown, where
she and dear Sister Mary Xavier are laying the
foundation of a community in Heaven.
After the services at the church the beloved
al x-,1 ,I,a Il
there deposited near the spot where, Just seven
weeks before, another such precious burden had
been laid.
Father Terry recited the last prayers over the
grave, the clergymen present uniting. The rev.
erend gentlemen who honored the funeral serv-
ices by their presence were: Rev. Father Ter
ry, Rev. Father Power, Rev. Father Heating,
Rev Father Byrne, Rev. Father O'Connor, Rev.
Father Gray, Rev. Father Eberhardt, Rev. Faith
er Healy, Rev. Father Hanley, and Rev. Father
kavanagh. Several of these gentlemen came
from distant parishes, and all manifested the ut
most kindness and sympathy, leaving nothing
undone that could show respect to the departed.
The members of the congregation were true to
| themselves on the occasion, acting the same
noble and respectful part which they have ever
sustained towards the sisters, especially in times
of trial.
As for Rev. p. Terry, his conduct was as al
ways, that of true father aud friend, giving
fresh proofs of his atieciOnae care for his chill
dren in joy and in sorrow, in life and in death.
Sister Mary Agnes was born in Kilkenny,
Ireland, in 1925 She entered the religious life
in 1850 and made her religious profession in
1853 She was one of the first seven who were
Appointed to establish a convent of Mercy in Of
tawa She has now gone TO the everlasting re
ward which her labors and virtues have meried
May her intcrcesson obtain for hsr many warm
friends especially her beloved and Borrowing
sisters, share in that eternal recompeuse.
Requeiscat in pace.