Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1884-12-11
SEMI-CENTENNIAL.
81. JosEpRs ORPHAN ASYLUM.
Celebration or the Fiftleth Anuiverssrs Of
Its Foundation IN Rishmend-B Brief sketch
Of Its Progress and Grswth-fnteresting Ser
- ~

NeRDYnUou u tne Hithst" """''N'' -
It's Foundation In Richmond Brief sketch
Of It's Progress and ACCOMPLISHMENTS Ser.
vices To-Day.
WHITTIER upon the tented field, In hospI-
tails beside the wounded and dying, or In
the busy mats Of the world In times OF
peace. the Sisters OF Charity have been
celebrated for deeds Of loving kindness
aud tenderness--so much so that the mem
ton OF the name - Sister OF Charity " in-
SANITY recalls some act OF religious love,
faith, and attention.
One OF the monuments here to the pa
tieht work OF the Sisters In their Efforts 10
make the world better aud happier is ST.
Joseph's Orphan Asylum. now in the hfty-
first yearof Its existence.
ON the 25th Of November, 1894, three
Sisters Of Chsriiy-Sister Margaret. sister
Edpha. and Sister Ann Catherine-arrived
in fhis city and commenced their mission
no the old 81. Joseph's church, located near
the corner Of Fourth and Marshall streets.
The church was converted into residence,
and the Sisters had the warm support and
sound advice OF Father Timothy OBrfeD,
the beloved pastor OF st. Peters church.
There were other friends also who evi-
denced lively interest in the mission. and
very soon the number Of orphans had In
creased from the one brought by the Sisters
TO score or more, aud II was i0und neces-
sary TO increase the accommodations, and
Right Rev. Bishop McGill had erected the
eommodious brick building which faces
Marshall street. and which served 10 answer
all the purposes needed until the institution,
still keeping its steady pace along the road
OF prosperity. found itself in need OF more
money. In 1862 large lot facing on
Fourth street was purchased with view
OF putting up building, and IN 1868 the
institution was incorporated, with the fol-
lowing.named gentlemen as trustees !:
James Z. Purcell, John Purcell, James A.
Cowardin. William English, Celeste f..
PizZini, executriX OF Juan Pizzlni: Charles
NJ. Wallace, Thomas Boudar. Sarah Dooley,
executrix Of John Dooley; DR.. John Ma
honey. and John Ahern. From that time
on the good work knew no failure, and
still another addition was made to the
building, furnishing ample accommoda-
tions for school purposes. This building
the splendid structure on Fourth street
was finished In 1874, and dedicated by
Right Rev. Bishop James Gibbons, the pres
ent archbishop Of Baltimore.
There are now at the asylum fifteen Sis
tiers of Charity, with Sister Rose rs supe-
rioress, and this year there are tftv-two
orphans under their faithful care. Besides
! this duty there IL large academy for young
ladies and misses, and also parochial
| school.
The celebration OF the fiitieth anniversary
was postponed from the 25th OF November
until to-day. in order TO allow Right Rev.
! Bishop Janssens, a warm friend OF the
asylum, TO be present, il being impossible
for him to crafty the wishes Of the Sisters
in this respect earlier, owing to his presence
at the Penary Council in Baltimore.
The services to-day will be commenced
at O'Clock in the chapel Of the asylum
by the celebration Of Pontitical Mass, by
! Bishop JanSsens. at which Right Rev.
Bishop Keane will also be presen
During the day the Blessed Sacrament wi
be exposed for the alteration OF the faith.
| full, and at 5 O'Clock. p. VI. there will bt
benediction Of the Blessed Sacrament.
! Tomorrow afternoon the young ladies o
the Academy will present, for the benefit
Of the orphans, the operetta 4" Miracle oi
Moses" commencing at q o'clock.
The Sisters have issued the following:
ave ayail:ourselves OF this the fiftIett
! anniversary OF the foundation OF st. Joseph
Orphan Asylum to tender our deepest
gratitude to you, its benefactors, who FOL
many. many years have so libeTa!ly gtyer
your aid to the maintenance OF this institu
| tiOn. We trust that your zeal and interes
in the good work will not abate. and tina
your generous contributions will cyinc'
this year the same charity that has Away
animated your hearts towards the llttl'
ones Of Christ.
"The pound-party will take place oI
| Tuesday. Wednesday, and Thursday, DE
cember 18th, 18th, and 18th, from o'cocl
A. NJ. TO 3 L. NJ.
"A pleasant entertainment for visitor
and friends will be given each day by tn
orphans, from - to - O'Clock i. NJ"