The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1880-02-20

The Austeritics Tracticed by sisters Of the
Order In New Orleans.

To Join the ordcrof the MUS of Mount
Carmel il considered one Of the greatest
sacrifices which a Catholic young lady
can make. The order il divided into
the c~alceated, or "shod," and discal-
ceated, or "unshod,'f branches. The
latter is by far the most rigorous, and
It's members are but few. There are but
three converts Of the latter in the United
States-one at Baltimore, one at ST.
Louis, and one nj New Orleans. The
one nj Baltimore was established as far
back as 1890. The St. Louis institution
was founded in 1868. Shortly after its
opening Miss Roman, a niece Of ex-Cioy.
Roman Of this city, entered the order.
This young lady was M Of the bellies Of
the Crescent City. Her beauty, her
wealth, and her brilliant conversational
powers rendered her an to So
ciety. The love Of God, however, was
stronger within her than that Of either
pleasure or social position, and She re-
nounced all the charms Of society for the
austcre life and solitude Of the convent.
In 1877 she returned 10 her native city,
together with Sisters Marguerite, Dolo-
rosa, and Gertrude, with the intention Of
founding a convent here. The first es-
tablished themselves in a private resi-
dence on Ursuline Street. Finding it
inadequate to their purposes, they re-
moved TO the present building, on Bar
racks, between Rampant and Burgundy
Streets. In buying il they incurred 4
heavy debt, which has been a burden
eve since.
A low flight Of steps leads to the en-
trance One Of the .out'' or mendi-
..s ... ~ sl.. l.o11 Tln tt~t
object that strikes the eye Of the visitor
Is an etagere, on which are exhibited
beautiful specimens Of the fancy work
of the sisters. These are sold 10 visitors
and help 70 support the institution.
Two facts attract the attention immedi-
atcly. These are the perfect cleanliness
Of every thing and the complete silence
that reigns. The furniture i rough and
very plain, but the neatness of arrange
ment prevents one from noticing its
simplicity at first. In the hall there are
two doors opposite each other. One Of
these opens into the chapel. the largest
visible room. The hangingS Of the altar
are the only things in the whole build
ing which approach in any way 70 rich
ness. On one side Of the altar i a
child's crib. artistically adorned, on
which lie the figure Of a babe, wrought
i'm wax 10y one " the nuns. On the
other side Of the altar there j. a grated
window, which is covered BY a per-
forated screen. II Is behind these that
the sisters listen TO the services which
are read every morning by their chap
lain, Father Roydhaus, Of the Society Of
Jesus. Near this is another window
through which the sisters receive the
holy On that occasion the
parts Of their faces above the mouth are
closely veilcd
The other door in the hall leads into
a small rcception-room which opens
into several other rooms " similar d.
mensions. The principal feature Of the
first room spoken Of i a large window.
barred and covered with the same sort
Of perforated screen as that in the
chapel. Taking a seat in front Of this
window. one will hear the tones OF a
voice coming from behind the screen.
No form can he observed. The voice
belongs 70 Mother Theresa, formerly
Miss Roman. No member OF the ont
side world has seen her face since her
stay in the convent. Those who
saw her on her arrival in New Or
leans, describe her as a lady Of com
manding presence, tall, and inclining to
oorpulency.
Neither she nor any Of her compan-
ions, with the exception Of the mendi-
cant nuns, ever step across the bound
airy Of this alcove. and therefore no
idea can be formed Of the inner sur
roundings. There is "A garden which the
sisters cultivate in connection with the
building. II i raised several feet from
the ground, and presents q very pretty
appearance.
The mode of life prescribed by the
order Is very severe and self-denying.
They take but six hours sleep, and de-
vote over eight hours to penance and
PRAYER. These eight hours are taken up
by the regularly prescribed prayers,
but besides these private prayers are
said. The latter are often accompanied
by self-imposed hardships. The dress
Of the nuns Is very simple. The cloth
ing il Of coarse wool. The hood i
composed Of linen. a sandal Of coarse
sack-cloth Is on the feet. The food
Is very simple, as 10 meat or any thing
prepared with fat Il tasted. There are
but two meals taken a day-one called
dinner, al III a.. m, aud a collation. at }
D.. m. These rules do not apply to the
mendicant sisters, who are allowed 70
partake 81 meat and wear shoes. The
hours not given to sleep and prayer they
devote 10 manual labor.
No wonder that m order that imposes
so many hardships can find but few
members. Since It's establishment here
but four have joined. making the total
number Of occupants eight. These are
Sisters Sophie, Navier, Francois, and
Claire. The latter three are the :" out