Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1889-05-16
FROM rnn WORLD.

Miss Kate Drexei, the Richest single
Woman in America, necOmes n Sis
ter OF Mercy.
philadelphia Press Special.
PrrTsBuRo. May 8.-Miss Kate Drexel,
of Philadelphia, was admitted as postu-
late In the Mother House of the Order Of
the Sisters OF Mercy in this city yesterday
Bhe was Immediately placed under the
charge of Sister Eanes, mother of the
noyices, and assigned TO o narrow bed in
the dormitory, with other postulRnts
/, The bed which she slept in was far diff.
ferent from the one she occupied ct the
Injurious home she had Just lett. Her
couch at the convent ia but meek and
lowly cot. The bedstead is small, plain
one, utterly devoid Of any attempt to
beautify 1t. Upon 1t rests mattress filled
with coarse straw. The floor of the Sleep
ing apartment is covered with commo
rag carpet; altogether the chamber stands
out in bold contrast TO the magnificent
boudoir Miss Drexel called her own in
her Philadelphia home.
BEGINNING HKR CONVENT DUTIES.
This morning at 8 O'Clock Miss Drexel,
with the other candidates for the
novikiAte in the convent, was 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 q plain dress
nads Of cheap blsok material, q cloak or
lnsntle Of the same cloth, and tight
nfting black cap, which she must wear at
all times during the day.
!; At $50 Miss Drexel joined her postu-
ient.companions and descended the stair
way which led to the chapel, Here she
spent As minutes in prayer and medita-
ltion. At els the convent chaplain
ants9ed and celebrated mass. After the
services had been concluded the postu-
siants marched 70 the refectory, where
tfhsy'partook Of Q breakfast Of plain food
Then Miss, Drexsl aud the other young
ladies were put to work sweeping their
idornitory, arranging their beds and
attending 10 duties of similar nature all
1oyer the building. When they had
finished their tasks, all who aspired to be
ichoir sisters went TO the study hall, where
they spent couple Of hours in receiving
Instructions in the profession Of teach
ing, which they viii pursue on taking
heir final vows. The afternoon was
PASSED by Miss Drexel partly in work and
be resi- in study. At 8 O'Clock the pos
nlantsBere again formed in line and
went to the chapel, where they spent q
half hour In devotion and prayer. At
$50 they went 10 their dormitory, and is
minutes later the lights were extinguished.
]. Such is the record of Miss DreIeTs first
day In Mercy Convent. Her millions did
not gain for her the slightest release
trom the austere life Of The postulant.
& yhe seeks to enter the Order of Mercy as
II choir sister She will only be in
4 tructed in those branches necessary to
4 II her for the life Of an educator. On
making her final VOWS she will be as
rgned to some educational institution of
ihetordsr 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 OF in time OF
war. Under ordinary circumstances this
work u done by lay sisters, who are edu-
,uceted and trained especially for it.
\ Tho period Of Miss Drexels postulation
tor probation will extend about five
months. She will then, if youched for
by the mother Of novices, take the white
veil KnG be admitted the noyit....s Of lie
order She vii sDend two ysars as a
novice, and then receive the black vel
and viii be choir sister. During the
entire time of her postulation and noyi-
tiAte she is under the care OF the mother
OF novices, who must keep q strict record
Of oil infraetions of rules made by the
candidates, and on her report they are
admitted to the novitiate and cloisters.
The only possible favor Miss Drexel can
receive Is the overlooking OF breaches Of
discipline.
Her money is yet in her own control,
md it will remain go until she takes her
tnal VOWS. Before this occurs she can
liapose Of il in any way she may think
proper, but on entering the order as 0
shoir sister she is not allowed to have Q
penny at her command.
This will make the Sisters of Mercy
yeally the richest order in the United
States in available cash or help.
Miss Kate Drexel is the second daugh
ter Of the late Francis A. Drexel, O
Philadelphia, and is niece of L. j
prexel, the banker. She and her tS,
ieters, Miss Lizzie Drexel and Mrs
Edward De V. MorTell were the benefi
,iaries for life of a fortune Of abou
kl5, COO, 600, less certain specific legacie
eft by their late father. Each OF til
Toung ladies' has besides private forum
" about 5000, 600, over which they hay
absolute control. Their income is abou
k400, 600 year each. The estate of thei
late father goes, according TO his will, (
the children OF the benefciaries, and il
default of issue ii is to be divided anon
certain Roman Catholic charities to whic
q million and half Of dollars weY
given directly by will.
Although perhaps the wealthiest sister
in the United States they have Away
been noted for the extreme modesty Q
their life They entertained small partie
generously, both at their town house / 50
Walnut street, Philadelphia, and at thei
country place at Torresdale, but had littl
liking for fashionable diversions and wer
ont little into society. Their religion
bent has been marked, and their vast il
come has been largely devoted to q
lglous and charitable work. They bni
the industrial Home for Boys, at Eddin,
ton, near their country place, and di
charge the current expenses OF the inst
tuition. The cost of the grounds al
buildings was more than a third OF Iui
lien dollars. They have also taken
special interest in the work Of Ohrist,s,
jzing the Indians, and Miss Kate Drex
has given $3.50, 600 70 Indian mission
Lone. Their private charities were nj
nervous and ceaseless, and it is SAID tn
one winter recently they were practical
Importing over 800 poor families.
Their own everyday lives were qui
In harmony with these philanthroph
works. They rose early and attend,
early morning service daily, beth in Phi
adelphis and the country. They had
orstory tosn IN their town residence al
Bt g. Michel, their country place,
witch distinguished prsla.es frequent
celebrated mass. Withal they were brig
and vigacloGs. They are excellent bu