The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1898-12-28
The Opening of the Hospital
OF ST. Vincent de Paul


Sister Benedicta. the sister superior, Sis
ter Placida, Sister Plantonia, Sister Patricia
lit was these four who went about the
hospital so quietly. their black-robed
figures and white guimpes and headdress
telling the story of a sisterhood founded
hundreds of years ago underneath other
skies than those of yesterday.
The sisters who have charge of the hos
pital which was opened yesterday to visi-
tors are as the name of the hospital indi-
Gates, of the Order of ST. Vincent de Paul,
the famous priest ordained to the priest
hood In 1900, and founder of the Congrega-
tion of Priests of the Mission. He accepted
the curacy of chatillon-les-Dombes, and 1t
was there that he received from the
Countess of Jorgny the means by which he
was enabled to found his first "confrerie."
The first orphanages founded in Paris were
through his efforts, and he also established
hospital for galley slaves at Marseilles,
and organized numerous other charities.
This briefly tells of the work began by
this priest, and Sister Benedicta, standing
yesterday at the Threshold of the hospital.
seemed the embodiment of that which we
are taught to believe is the greatest-chari-
ty.
Some one inquiring for Sister Benedicta
was told that she was little square sis
ter, not very tall, with pretty, dark eyes"
She stood talking quietly to group of peo-
pie, locating the wards and explaining the
workings of the hospital.
All through the tropical summer she has
nursed the sick and dying. At Chicka-
manga and other tented cities has her
sweet presence and tender care cheered the
men in camp. There were one hundred and
fifty sisters who volunteered to go as
nurses at the outbreak of the war.
Sister Benedicta, the Sister Superior, and
Sister Patricia, of the hospital of st Vim
cent de Paul, can tell you story of hos
ptal life in the army in the summer days
just past.
1t is Sister Patricia who will see that
the invalids are nourished properly. The
kitchen in the hospital was quite an at
traction for visitors yesterday. 1t is per-
fectly fitted out, and the exquisite cleanli-
ness that was apparent everywhere was
emphas sized in this department. On the
lower floor the furnishings of the wards are
elegant in every detail and every piece of
furniture apparently germ proof. The sec
ond story, which includes the operating
room and also the wards, is beautifully fur
nished with all modern appliances for the
care of the sick The pharmacy, over which
presides Sister Placida-she of the soft
brown eyes = was an interesting
part of the hospital. The operating room
which Sister Placida claims as hers, is re-
plete with every convenience In the wards
on the third floor, there is every comfort
possible, from the little white beds, to the
portable bath-tubs that will probably be
undreamed of luxurries to many.
The walls are painted light tints, the
changing blues of the skies, and the white
and gold furnishings of the apartments give
every appearance of a perfectly and ele-
gantly appointed private hospital.
SISTER Benedicta,' said a young gentle
man, with the utmost seriousness, Il am
i'll. Will you nurse me?"
Sister Benedicta smiled. Across her face
came an expression of appreciation blended
with 1 know not what.
Sister Benedcta has many things said
to her.
o. she replied, II hope 1t will be like
the children say, just a little bit sick
fathomless eyes, 'if you get sick / will
nurse you"
The patients who are in the hospital at
present are so thoroughly comfortable;
fortunately, there were serious cases
yes terday so that the hospital atmosphere
was not the least apparent to the visitor.
Later in the afternoon a little group
in the lower hallway moved aside for a
poor sick fellow to be carried above A
she climbed the stairway, the rosary by
her side.
In the chapel below, where the sisters
go to mass every morning, the winter sun
light shed a golden glory. The door opened
softly, and at a prie-deu knelt a sister,
the sunlight leaving a shadow on her face
face.