The Meridional. (Abbeville, La.) 1856-1906, 1897-05-01
ST. MECHAEL's JUBILEE
AT Convent of tEae Sacred Heart
Sf. James Parish, Louisiana.

Orleans, stands large brick struc
turc. a typical Southern building,
| long. while and comparatively low
:, with wide, sunny galleries, supported
by massive pillars.
Surrounded by groves of moss,
bearded trees, shady avenues Of giani
oaks and gardens of lovely roses
now blooming IN this genial cline il
makes a picture beautiful from every
point OF view.
The bnilding. a we'll known edu
cational institution, is the Convent
st. James, conIuctei ! by the ladies
of the Sacred Heart. and this year
marks an important epoch 10 its an
.nals. the celebration of the fftierh
anniversary of its foundation. Fifty
years means history; and if the ven
erahle old walls could speak they
might tell many an unpublished story
Of early Louisiana, then, of later days
when war and cruel disease devasta.
ted the South, proving once more
what Gudaunted heroism, faith can
inspire in the souls at Apostolic
women, wlio, braying every danger,
faced death not only with courage,
but with joy, and counted all snfer-
ings gain for the cause of Christ.
As early as 1926, Mother Eug6nie
Aud6, worthy daughter Of the Ven
erable Sophie Barat, came with
litlIe colony Of nuns and jock pos
session of their first house in the
Parish Of ST. James. God blessed
their humble beginnings, aud soon.
children came in numbers to receive
that thorough intellectual and solid
moral training peculiar to the edu-
cation OF The Sacred Heart. Thus
the society commenced its great and
noble work in Louisiana, long be-
fore it gained a .oo,hold in the
North and East Founded before
charlottesville or Eden Hall, Older
than any house of the Order 'or
Canadian or Mexican soil. How
many generations will joyfuIly salute
st. MiehaelS golden jubilee!
1t was not until the eighth Of
January. ,84e, under the supervision
Of Madame Galway, that the reli-
gIons with two hundre pupils entered
The new convent, the structure occu-
pied at present. the wings aud outer
of Which are constructed |
Of The bricks of the older house,
which sheltered the foundresscs of |
The order in the United States, the
sanity Mother Ducl,esne and her
niece, Rev. Mother Jouve. 1t was
The scene of the novitiate and early |
religious life of Madame Aloysia
Hardey. Mother Barat's first Ameri-
;an daughter, who labored so sue
in the Interests of her order;
irst in her native land, afterwards
n France; also of the Jealous apos-
,olate Of Rev. Mothers CuIts and
shannon, while the precious remains
If the Russian princess Galitzin.
convert to Gatholieity and of Moth
'rs Pratz and Barbarin, the yellow
ever heroines, peacefully rest in the
title vault OF the cemetery.
True to the lessons taught and the
'xample given by their predecessors,
he Ladies of the Sacred Heart con-
iDue their mission aud extend their
alutary influenced far end wide.
Their works are multiplied, for it is
heir aim not only 10 educate the
figher class, but to instruct the poor
no teach them how 10 he useful and
Apply in their humble condition.
Besides the boarding school, they
ohduct two Other schools, one for
he white children Of the parish. BOYS
nd girls. tae other, entirety distinct,
aving separate building, play
rounds. etc, for colored children.
The year 1897 is 10 be glad ear
,r all who are interested in ST. ]
Iichael's, and their name is legion. t
resent pupils yet within the shelter t
their convent home will rejoice, I
,rmer pupils will turn lovingly to- q
leir alma mater to offer their trib- 9
Ie OF affection and gratitude. q
TO commemorate tbe jubilee year y
handsome memorial gothic altar Of /