St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1888-01-22
The Visitation Convent, of st.
Paul, It's Situation and
Advantages.
The Sisters of This Order
Came to st. Paul in
1873.
Course Of Studies--DiviSion
Of Scholastic Year--Gov-
eminent of Schools.
Foundation Of the Order by
st. Francis De SaleS--ItS
Constitution.

~-Wa TANDING upon a high ter
~ ace, thirty feet above the
q - rect level, ut the head of
- ~ ebert street, is an unpreten-
k Gus looking three story
rame structure. This is the
Convent o. the Visitation. 1t occupies
the site formerly known as the "Litch-
field property" which is one of the
most beautiful as well rs desirable loca-
tionS in the city, being elevated and
healthy. thus atfOrding many facilities
for the promotion of the health and hap
pineSS of its youthful occupants.
The Visitation Sisters came to st.
Paul in 1873, from st. Louis, at the in
stance of Bishop Grace and Father Gail
let. and established 4 convent on Som
erSet street. In 1881, their quarters in
lower town becoming inadequate to
meet the rapidly-increaSing patronage
of the institution, the sisters purchased
the grounds and building which they
are now occupying. Of course, many
changes and improvements were neceS-
Sary to fit this structure to the purposes
for which it was to be used, and the
same were accordingly made.
THE INTERIOR.
On the second floor to the left as you
enter is the reception parlOr. a small
visitors. The former remain in the
clOiSter while engaged in conversation
according to the rules of their order.
On this floor are the dancing room, reel
tation room for smaller girls, practice
rooms and the dOrmitOry for boarding
scholars, some twelve in number. The
chapel is also on this floor. A grating
or lattice work encloses the altar. A
statue of the Blessed Virgin stands on
the right, and one of st. Joseph on the
left of the altar. Either Father Caillet
or Father COnry celebrates mass in the
chapel every morning at I O'Clock. The
rest of this floor Is taken up with the
Sisters apartments. Passing up the
stairway TO the third floor one notices a
large statue of the Sacred Heart Occu-
pying a niche in the wall. The
devotion of the Sacred Heart was
first revealed to a visitation nun.
The class rooms of the older girls are
on the third floor, also the music rooms.
four in number, and intirmary. Each
music room contains piano. either
square or upright. There is also very
finely equipped laboratory and philo-
SOphical room on this floor.
On the first floor is the general assem-
bly, room, which the pupils occupy when
not engaged in Rotations. There is a
very large clOdh IOOul duJOlulHS. Liz
average daily attendance is about sixty.
The school hours are from 9 o'clock a.
IN. to II m. and from p. m. to p. N.
There is no distinction made in the
pupils on account of religious belief.
The Catholic pupils are thoroughly in
Structed in the doctrines of the church
and trained in its practices. Careful at
tention is given throughout the entire
course to reading, photography, penman-
ship. and composition. Young ladies
who, after completing the course of
study prescribed by the convent. are
deemed worthy of first honOrs for ex-
emplary conduct, receive gold medal.
The study of music and languages re-
ceive special attention from expert
enced and thoroughly competent
teachers.
Examinations take place from time to
time. and throughout the year reports
are transmitted to parents and guardians
of the pupils.