The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1877-01-28
MornIng Star and Catholic Messenger.
MKw ORLEANS SUNDAY, JANUARY % lC7

The President of the English branch of
tho Society of st. Vincent do Paul, Mr.
Biount, has just Issued q circular describing
= very excellent work of that brotherhood,
which has done excellent service in France.
This is what is called the "Work of the
Patronage of Boys" aud it's object is to
apprentice boys and to exercise q supervi-
9ton over them during their apprentice
ship. Mr.. Blount explains the work as fol-
lows:
A committee hasjust been formed having
Cor it's object the patronage of boys in Eng
land, similar to system which has been
eate blisbed for many years in France,
Whe nee SO many works of charity have
1pruD g. At no period of their lives are
poor boys exposed to greater danger than
dVrin the few years which elapse between
Sheir exit from school and the age of man
hood: 1t is frequently then that the eeeds
are first sown of a career OF infamy and
shame. How often could such melancholy
cate be averted if some fostering care bai
been extended to them during that time of
4riail
Hence the establishment of this work,
which proposes to deal with the immense diff
Heulties that present themselves to the car
rying out of almost every useful enterprise.
But let us not be discouraged when we con-
slider the very humble origin of the (Eurre
Sg Patronage dies Apprentis in France. A
priest, who was deeply impressed with the
necessity OF making serious attempts to save
4oye, began with one who had just made
his hrst communion. He apprenticed him
% trade, making the necessary contract
with the master, stimulating that the boy
should be allowed the free exercise of his
religious duties. Farther, he took care to
ace him frequently, and, in short. watched
over his spiritual and temporal welfare
until he was of an age to make his own way
In the world.
The success of this attempt led to others
of q similar nature. The work was event |
naliy taken up by the Society of St. Vim
cent de Paul, aud developed in q truly |
wonderful manner. In Paris alone there |
arc number of institutions called "Patron- |
ages" which generally consist of q chapel, |
leeture and recreation rooms, dining hall,
extensive Fairgrounds, with gymnasium,
etc. Each establishmenthasa chaplin and |
one or more superintendent, who belong |!
TO the Society of st. Vincent de Paul, and |
who have devoted their lives to this special |
work.
The boys who have been placed by the |
Patronage Committee in various workshops |
and situations in the neighborhood assem-
/ BILE every Sunday and holiday and spend |
HfGhe entire day there. Brothers from the |
4surrounding conferences assist the super |
.rintendents in teaching and amusing the
YoOys between the hours of religious exer-
9cises, meals, ETC., which are provided for
chem in the institution. On ordinary days
itshey can also come after their work for re- |
creation and to attend lectures delived from
Seims to time. Such great works as these
sare not contemplated at present by US in
ssEn gland, but only what is called in France
sthe first degree of patronage patronage
indiyiduaD, namely, to seek out and obtain
employment for poor Catholic boys, and to
Increase their scsnty earnings by supple
menting their wages during the years of
their service. We also propose to find
them suitable lodgings, where Catholic
= homes do not exist, and to watch over
: their spiris1al and temporal welfare, until
the hahEa al practice of religion aud years
- greater maturity may enable them to-
raaist the temptations of the world,