The critic. (Washington, D.C.) 1890-1891, 1890-12-19
SISTER cArnAnlNns rLAys.
Miss DrexeI TO Devote Herself to Work
Among the NcgrOcs.


Among the Negroes.
Pnil,pEtrnA, Dec. l9.-7A Pittsburg
dispatch to the Tjncs says: Miss Kate
Drcxcl, now "sistcr C0tharinc," has just
returned from Washington, y. G., and is
at the Mercy Convent, on Webster street.
Her mission to the National Capital was
to bavc conference wlthSecretary Noblc
regarding the establishment Of schools FOR
the Indians. She also wished to make
some definite beginning for the work of
hcncfting the colorcd race. With that
object IN view u site was purchased near
Washington, ard the erection of Il convent
and school will be commenced immedi-
ately. ....... ..,........
This will be the foundation of the cx-
cnsiye work contemplated by Sister
Caiharinc, aud to this point shc with her
noviccs twelve in number. whip have
been with her III St Ninry's Convent, will
repair in the early spring, and taking
possession of the building actively COM
mcncc the enormous charitable enter
prize. Sister tatharino's VOWS of poverty.
chastity and obedience Will probably
be taken in February, and the profession
will b,---as was the reception last winter
n notable event, to he graccd by large
number of the church dignitarics from
this and other cities.
THE ORDER RICHLY ENDOWED
1t will take place in The chapel Of Mercy
Convent, and at that time Sister Catharinc
will resign her immense fortunc--csti-
mated at between S70W000 and 5000
00c--to the new order, becoming herself u
simple member. by this bequcst "The
Sisters Of the Most Holy Sacrament will
become the wrathiest religious order in
the world, with the exception, perhaps, of
one or two very old and long-cstablished
| ones. The mother house Is being built
near Philadelphia aud will be the
| novitintc for the followers oi Sister Catha-
rinc
The residence at Washington is only u
| temporary one and will be removed tu
| Philadelphia within two years. the idea of
sister 'Catharipe going there being to
closely ally herself and become intimately
| acoraintcd with the people OF the South
that She and her followers hope to benefit.
RULES TO GOVERN THE sIsrrRuoop.
Although she has been a novice of the
! Sisters of Mercy, Sister Catharinc's insti-
| tutc will not be governed ly the rules of
the Sisters of Mercy, but by laws better
suited to the peculiar work IN which she
is TO engage. The garb will also BE- some
what dircrcR, though composed of black
| and completed with II veil similar to that
worn hy The members of the Mercy order.
Tending the Tofessiou,, which in this
instance Is allowed a year earlier than is
usual after the reception, Sister Cathar-
| ines case being made an exception, the
lady is busying herself in becoming
familiar with all phases of convent and
sisterhood duties and is also formulating
n schedule of rules and regulations by
which the new order will be governed I
A council will he elected rs soon as the
order is formed, and Sister Catharine may
or may not he Mother Supcriorcss, though
in all probability she will sooner or later
assume that position e- -,-
When Father Stephan who has charge
ofthemissionary work among the Indians
| was shown the above dispatch this morn
ing he said:
''Thc telegram is in error when II state'
that Miss Droxel visited Washington t,
confer with Secretary Noble. She. cam'
| direct to our headquarters and held daily
conferences with me regarding the schoo
for negroes to be erected at Arundel Sta
lion, Md, where 22O acres haze been pur
chased for that obicctai q cost of 5000.
"The intention X to educate that elias
of colorcd people who, in the city, Us chill
drcn, lead an idle, shifllcss cxistance tha
later leads them into the paths of crime
IL they are taken to the country, beycnc
the reach Of evil influences, with proper
training these people may form deccn
law-abiding portion of the community.
''As yet the plan is only in embryo and
] cannot state positively when work vii
begin ON the erection of the schools.
II wish you would say one thing 70
me in your paper, that is, the idea %
some people in trying to bring the Indian
outside of the reservations to educate an'
civilizc them is grave mistake. llnde
their own vine and fig tree they will bene
fit themselves in agrcnter measure thai
life In the higher grades of civilization
could, for it is there vices are acquires
that ruin them in mind and body m,
destroys the missionary's patient work O
| vnure "