Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-05-09
RENoUNCING THE WORLD.
Miss Kate Drexel In a Sisters Of Mercy
Convent.

SOhNcnts
special from Pittsburg to the PHILADELPHIA
Press says: Miss Kate Drexel, Of Philadelphia,
was admitted az . postulate in the Mother
House of the Order Of the Sisters Of Mercy in
This city yesterday. She was Immediately
placed under the charge Of Sister Eanes. mo-
ther Of the novices, and assigned to a narrow
bed In the dormitory, with other pos.ulants.
This morning at o'clock Miss Drexel, with
other candidates for the novitiate in the con-
vent. vas awakened from her slumbers. She
then had half hour TO perform her additions
and don the coarse clothes which she was
given instead of the handsome travelling cos
tune she wore on the evening before. These
clothes consist Of plain dress made of cheap
black material. a cloak or mantle made OF the
same cloth. and tight-ftting black cap, which
she must wear at all times during the day.
At $50 Miss Drexel Joined her postulent COM
panions and descended the stairway which led
TO the chapel. Here she spent forty-tve minutes
In prayer and meditation At 6:15 the convent
chaplain entered and celebrated mass. After
the services had been concluded the postulants
marched to the refectory, where they partook
of a breakfast of plain food. Then Miss Drexel
and the other young ladies were put to work
sweeping their dormitory, arranging their beds
and attending to duties of a similar nature all
over the building. When they had finished
their tasks, all who aspired to be choir sisters
went to the study hail. where they spent a
couple of hours in receiving instructions in
the profession of teaching, which they will
pursue on taking their final vow. The after
noon was passed by Miss Drexel partly in work
and the rest in study. At So'clock the postulants
were again formed in line and went to the
chapel, where they spent a half hour in devotion
and prayer. At $50 they went to their dormi-
tory, and fifteen minutes later the lights were
extinguished.
Such is the record of Miss Drexers first day
in Mercy convent. Her millions did not gain
for her the slightest release from the austere
life of the postuIant. She seeks to enter the
Order of Mercy a choir sister. She will only
be instructed IN those branches necessary to
MT her for the life of an educator. On making
her hnal VOWS she will be assigned to some edu
cational institution of the order and will not
be required to do hospital duty or works of
mercy only on extraordinary occasions, such as
during the time Of an epidemic or in time of
war. Under ordinary circumstances this work is
done by lay sisters, who are educated and
trained especially for it.
THE PERIOD OF PROBATION.
The period Of Miss Drexers postulation or
probation will extend about five months. She
will then, if vouched for by the mother of
noylces, take the white veil and be admitted
to the novitiate Of the order. She will spend
two years as a novice. and then receive the
black veil and will be choir sister.
Her money Is yet in her own control and it
will remain so until she takes her final vows.
Before this occurs she can dispose of it in any
way she may think proper. but on entering the
order 4 choir sister she is not allowed to
have a penny at her command.
This will make the Sisters of Mercy really
the richest order in the United States in avail
able cash or help.
THE LIFE OF THE PosTrIATE.
Miss Kate Drexel is the second daughter of
the late Francis A. Drexel. of PHILADELPHIA
and is a niece of A. J. Drexel. the banker. She
and her two sisters Miss Lizzie Drexel and
Mrs. Edward De V. Morrell. were the benef-
Charles for life of fortune of about $4,000 0O0
less certain specific legacies left by their late
father. Each of the young ladies has besides
private fortune Of about 300. 900. over which
they have absolute control. Their income is
about 200. 900 n year each. The estate of their
late father goes. according to his will, to the
children of the benefciaries, and in default of
issue IL Is TO be divided among certain Roman
Catholic charities. to which a million and
half of dollars were given directly by will.
Although perhaps the most wealthy sisters in
the United States. they have always been noted
for the extreme modesty of their life. They en-
tertained small parties generously. both ct their
town house. 1903 Walnut street, Philadelphia,
and AZ their country place at Torresdale but
had little liking for fashionable diversions and
went out little into society. Their religious
bent has been marked and their vast income
has been largely devoted TO religious and char
liable work. They built the industrial home
at LuulDStOn. near Ine1r country
place. and discharge the current expenses of
the institution. The cost of the grounds and
buildings was more than third of million
dollars. They have also taken a special inter-
est IN the work Of Christianizing the Indians,
and Miss Kate Drexel has given $50. 900 to
Indian missions alone. Their private charities
were numerous and ceaseless and it is said that
one winter recently they we're practically sup
porting over 800 poor families.
FROM PARLoR To CLoIsTER.
As to the causes which led to this action on
the part of Miss Drexel. the Philadelphia Times
says: The sudden transition of the young lady
from the position of belle of society and the
mistress of millions to the place of poor pos
tulate and doing mental service in proof of her
earnestness has brought out many interesting
stories about her from those who know her
well As Is usual when young ladies go in con-
vents there are not wanting those who speak of
disappointed love as a possible motive As
set-o to this 1t is an open secret that the young
lady has had repeated offers, which she gently
but firmly repealed. There is in Philadelphia
very well-known bachelor. member of the
Philadelphia club, who is supposed to be
great lady-kiler. When he began to show
marked attention TO Miss Kate Drexel and
their names were associated there were people
who nodded their heads confidently and said
that Of course the matter was settled Ii was
not settled and she told him. as she had SO
often before told her intimate girl and women
friends, that she had no desire to marry, bu.
had another and fixed purpose with which
marriage would interfere. So there is nothing
In the disappointed love theory.
NOT SUDDEN INSPIRATION.
Miss Drexei has always been the most reiig-
ious member Of her family. Almost the only
books she read were religious works, and
lately she appeared to be somewhat influenced
by Count Tolstoi's writings intoxicating COM
plete self-sacrifice aud utter unselfishness. Al
most everything with her took a religious turn
aud she had an altar and many sacred relics in
her own room. before which she prayed several
times daily, Most of the fashionable people
she met casually knew little of this Her closest
friends We're religious people. and she was
great friend Of Archbishop Ryan. who took a
great interest in her il consequence OF her re-
hgious bent of min l. Indeed. it is now as
asserted on what is considered the best au-
thority that the young lady has been determined
for three or four years to take the step she has
taken. and all the persuasion of relatives and
friends TO move her from her purpose was una
vailing.
All the DreIel houses were closed Yesterday
and the two other sisters. Miss Lizzie Drexel
and Mrs. Morrell with Mr.. Morrell and A. j.
Drexel, sailed from New York yesterday.
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