Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1891-01-24
DEATH OFASUPERI0R
MOTHER MARY BApTIsTA PASSES
AWAY AFTER A LONG ILLNESS.
p,,.s sketch of Her Life of seif-Dcniai
and Duty-Aecompiishcd as
Teacher-Funerai.

Tho su.ferincs Of Mother Mary Bnptista,
superior of the Monte Maria Convent
which she bore patiently throughout long
and painful illness. were ended at 2 O'Clock
yesterday morning. when she quietly
brcathed her last, like On infant falling
asleep in the arms of its mother.
The Superior, whose worldly name WIS
Miss Amelia Rachel Hitselberger, was in
tho sixty-eighth year Of her age. her
health. always delicate, gave way entirely
last November; hut her friends. so often
deceived by her energy in rallylng after q
severe spell little dreamed or the SAD
finale so near at hand.
She was confined to her bed throughout
the entire month Of Decem Der, and on the
Ist of the wear was considered so III that
The last sacrnments of the Church were i'd
ministered 10 her. From that day she
communicated daily, looking forward with
hope and expectation to the reward OF
life spent in the service OF God and her
neighbor. She retained her mental facui-
ties to the end.
HEE LITE's WORK.
Mother Baptista was daughter OF John
Hitselberger and Mary Forsyth. OF Baltl-
more. and entered the Visitation Convent
of that city in 1915, filling the most impor-
tant charges in this monastery. In 1861
she came to the Monte Maria Convent TO
fill the vacancy made by the death OF
Mother NJ. Juliana, and was elected supe-
rior for term of three years. and since
that time she has alternated with sister Nj.
Provost as mother superior.
FAMILY CONNECTIONS.
The deceased was sister of Rev. A. l..
Hitselberger, who in his day was one OF
the most eloquent and prominent priests
of Virginia. He was for number OF years
pastor of the Catholic church IN Norfolk
and afterwards transferred TO Petersburg,
where he rendered great service, but SUP
seuuently resigned and became jesuit;
Sister Mary Inez, who died in the hospital
of Philadelphia, q victim of her duty, was
also sister of the deceased.
HIGHLY ACCOMPLISHED.
Mother Baptista was highly accom-
plished lady, and besides being q skiltul
teacher in oil the branches of English edu-
cation. she performed excellently upon the
harp. piano, and guitar. In vocal music
she excelled, and had her career been In
the world instead Of in the seclusion OF q
convent. she would perhaps have equalled
the most eminent artists. She bad few
equals in drawing andpainting, and during
her career as q teacher instructed many
VINO aiGerWdruS DeclDe luOIouEHis pIO-
fcient in this beautiful art.
The deceased was ever kind and amiable
and possessed many noble qualities which
endeared her to all who knew her. Even
in her sickness she was thoughtful con-
corning all the members of the community,
and on Christmas-day she sent for the nuns
and gave them each a little present.
She possessed fine administrative abili-
ties, and besides being the superior of the
~ Y -. Il. % 90
of Monte Maria Academy.
TIE FUNERAL.
The funeral will take place this morning
at 8 o'clock in the chapel nt the convent,
end the services will be conducted by
Bishop Van de Vyver, assisted by the
clergy of st. Peters and St. Patrick's
parishes.
The remains will be inferred in the con-
yent-grounds.