The times., 1899-06-01
A TRIBUTE TO THEIR
FAMOUS ALMA MATER
Closing Scenes in Georgetown
Convent Centenary.
Presentation of an Allegorical
Drama by the Pupils.
The Reunion of the AIumnne Il Fea-
ture of the Dny-Many
Visitors Present.

of Georgetown Convent yesterday a fitting
tribute to their alma mater. 1t was the
greatest event in the history of the famous
cloister and the alumnae will return to
their homes in a score of States with a
dims and fades away.
The programme included a solemn mass
Of requiem for the repose of the souls OF
deceased sisters and alumnae; a general
reunion of the alumnae. an eloquent ad-
dress by Rev. DR.. Stafford, a business
meeting of the Alumnae Association, which
resulted in the election of Mrs. A. G..
Roebling as president, and the presenta-
tion of closing allegorical drama, Alma
Mater" which was happy success.
1t was also decoration day at the con-
vent During the afternoon a long pro-
cession of fair graduates visited the clois
ter cemetery and covered the graves of
the deceased sisters with flowers. 1t
was a sweet tribute from former pupils to
their former instructors. and beautiful
precedent was established for observation
in years to come.
The great halls of the old institution
were thronged all day long by those who
had spent years beneath its shelter. There
were those who had attained position and
fame since saying good-by to the kindly
mother superior and the gentle instructors,
and all were radiantly happy. The solemn
mass of requiem at Holy Trinity Church
during the morning brought back sad
memories of former classmates. and the
house of mourning was place of sigh
ing and tears.
The aluminae reunion, however, brought
back smiles and joyous greetings. for
classmates and instructors who had not
hppp for The rnnSip hall nf
the convent presented a wondrous specta-
Gle of beauty. Hundreds of handsome
women in dazzling costumes were mingled
with the girl pupils in their purity of
white and the sombre garb OF the sisters.
Pleasure was unconfined for over an hour,
and a fine programme of musical num-
bers was rendered.
In the evening came the great event of
the whole celebration, the presentation of
the allegorical play, Alma Mater" which
had been anticipated with eagerness for
many months. The music hall was tasteful
ly decorated with white and gold and palms
and the stage setting represented wood
land grove. Before Z o'clock the big hall
was filled with the fair alumnae. and
standing room was only obtained by dint
of crowding. The seats of honor were
occupied by Mgr. Martinelii, Mgr. Conaty
Rev. Papi, S. j., Rev. J. Daugherty. S. j..
Rev. Father Scanlon, and the priests from
Georgetown College.
The play was written by Sister Paulina,
and depicts the trials and expressions and
final triumph of the convent during its
existence from 1893 to 1899. The pre-
sentation was elaborately costumed and
the tableaux were exceedingly pretty.
During the progress of the play several
musical numbers were rendered and ap-
plause was frequent
The scheme OF the drama as outlined is
as follows:
Act I-17o9.-Liberty is discovered alone. En-
ter thirteen original States, with District of Co
luinbia Enter Unity leading Kentucky, Yer.
mont, and Tennessee admitted into the Union
before the foundation of the convent in 1199).
Enter Right, Alma Mater with train OF Virtues;
Liberty and States welcome her with song. Enter
little children Enter Church, who blesses the
mission OF Alma Mater. Tableau.
Act H-Council Of Vices. Ignorance discovered
alone. Enter Folly, Vanity and others; they con-
spre against Alma Mater, who approaches from
right. accompanied by Fear, Temptation and
Discouragement. She refuses TO give up her pro-
unite in prosecuting her. Enter Angel of jus
ticc who disperses them. Enter Church and
Virtues. Magnifcat. Taheau
Act III-lsg9-Alma Mater is discovered on
throne. Enter Liberty and Columbia who greet
her the occasion Of her Centenary The
Houses OF the Visitation, accompanied by their
respective States, appear bearing offerings to
Alma Mater. -Four generations present congratu-
lations in the name OF the alumnae and pupils.
Enter Church, who crowns Alma Mater. Corona
tion cho-us Tableau.
The cast of characters was as follows:
Alma Mater, Miss Cecilia A. Delihant;
Church. Miss Mary O'Brien; Faith. Miss
Rose Shea; Hope, Miss May Sullivan;
Charity, Miss Stella Flynn; Chastity, Miss
Beatrice Brady; Prayer, Miss Edith Demp-
sey; Humility, Miss Gertrude Reynolds;
Learning. Miss Nanette Paschall; Song.
Miss Gertrude Hurley; Angel of Justice,
Miss Claire Kirby; Ignorance, Miss Viola
Palms; Folly. Miss Anne Booker; Vanity.
Miss Helen Lavell; Prejudice, Miss Har-
riett Mannen; Envy, Miss Florence Turtle;
Calumny, Miss Agnes Romadka; Persecu-
ton. Miss Susan Sullivan; Fear, Miss Mary
Graham; Temptation, Miss Edith Marmion;
Discouragement Miss Valerie Etheridge
Moran; Liberty, Miss Agnes Hamlin;
Unity, Miss Ethel Mcmahon; District of
Columbia, Miss Josephine Walsh: Mary
land. Miss Susan Sullivan Virginia, Miss
Anne Booker; Massachusetts. Miss May
johnson; New York, Miss Harriet Manner
Pennsylvania, Miss Mary Graham; Call
fornia, Miss Edith Marmion: other States.
Visitation Houses eight little children, and
four generations of pupils: Great grand
mother Miss Susan Sullivan; Grandmoth-
er. Miss Helen Heinz; Mother Miss Va
lerie Moran; Child. Miss Antoinette Ray;
Senior Pupil. Miss A. Estelle Story.
The young ladies having speaking parts
were well versed in their lines and ac-
quilted themselves admirably, and the
play though rather lengthy was thorough
ly enjoyed by those present
The last day OF the celebration was be-
gun by solemn high mass of requiem
for the repose of the souls of the de-
ceased sisters and alumnae, in the Holy
Trinity Church. The edifice. which was
resplendent with decorations betokening
joy and gladness on the day previous. was
transformed by sombre drapings betoken-
ing death, into chapel of mourning The
services were in keeping with the occasion.
and the large number OF former students
in attendance, all of whom were mourn
ers, mingled their tears for the dear de-
parted. The celebrant Of the mass was
Most Rev. Sebastian Martinelli. Apostolic
Delegate.
The reunion of the alumnae at II 80 in
the convent concluded with an elonuent
address by the Rev. DIR. Stafford. on Con
vent Education" The present occasion.
he said. marked an epoch in the history
OF woman. 1t was a lasting and substan-
tial proof and tribute to the convent plan
OF education for women. Ideal education
was aimed at and attained in such insti-
tutions to greater degree than was the
case in all other Institutions for the same
end.
meeting was then called for the Iur-
pose of reviving the Alumnae Association
After some discussion Mrs. Fannie Casey
Melbrum was called to act as chairman,
and Miss Ella Lorraine Dorsey consented
to act as temporary secretary. a tempo
rary executive committee was appointed,
and after a short deliberation made a
formal request that allipresant enroll them
selves as members. This was done and
the executive committee was authorized
to make the selection of officers and the