The times., 1899-11-20

Viii Probably BE Placed i'm Posi-
tion with Appropriate Ceremonies
ia Dcccmber-Work of Members
of the Order Its Foundations.
The convent for the Sisters of Perpetual
Alteration, which is being blilt on the
ground adjoining the rectory OF St Paul's
Catholic Church has nearly reached its full
height The cornerstone will probably be
placed in position in December. The ser
vices may be conducted by Cardinal Glib
bons, assisted by prominent ecclesiastics
here, and the numerous Catholic societies
viii participate.
The establishment Of the convent is the
result of the labors Of the Tabernacle So
ciety, which was founded by Archbishop
Keane, April 4, 1876. It's officers are:
Mrs. Justice White, President Mrs. George
c. Reed, Vice President; Miss Fannie
Whelan, Secretary and Treasurer. The
board of managers is composed of Mrs.
Vance. Mrs Wallace. Mrs. p. Sands, Mrs
Ramsey, Mrs Rucker. Mrs w E Mont
gcmery. Mrs J. P Story Nine Rengifo,
vi a- JblAA -HgglE = Wis A. = GueSls MI =
Josiah Pierce, and Mrs Henry May.
The convent which viii be the mother
house in the United States. will be three
stories high, with hippei roof, and al
though Of no particular stye of aTchi &C.
ture. it viii have the appearance Of
Gothic structure. A chapel will be on the
left Of the first story where the sisters
can attend mass without being visible TO
worshipers not connected with the order,
Mrs. Thomas Ryan. of New York. the
founder of the Institution, recent y asked
the District Commissioners TO allow her to
erect a tomb within the altar. in which
she and her family could be buried. TIE
Health Department refused to grant the
request stating that On intermeHt in such
place would be contrary TO the city's
laws.
The second floor viii coutain work and
exhibition rooms and the apa tments of tie
mother superior. The third floor vi be
reserved for the cells of the sisters ard
rooms for the accommodation OF .ay mem
bers.
The arrival of the nuns viii not inter-
fere with the labOrs of the Tabernacle
Society. which has been incorporated under
the title. Association fer the Perpetual
Alteration and Work of Poor Churches.
This society Will have work rooms il the
convent
The special work of the sisters IS to
prepare children for their first communion;
they DO not nurse the sick but they pre-
pare the dying TO receive the last rites
of the Roman Catholic Church. Their
novitia.e lasts for two years. at the close
Cf which they make perpetual VOWS OF
poverty. obedience and chastity. Prayer.
reading and pi0us meditation succeed each
other in the course Of the day. A few of
the sisters are permitted to visit the outer
world
This order of women was founded by
Anna de Meeus. the daughter of noble
family in Belgium. While attending school
in the Convent oi the Sacred Heart, in
Paris, her attention was attracted to the
poverty OF the country churches and she
resolved to form an association among
friends in her native country to furnish
these poor religious ediices with vest
ments necessary 10 the proper celebration
OF the service.
Afjer many dfscoura gements ten rer-
sons became sufficiently interested to or
ganlze an association The first meeting
was conducted al the Convent Of the Sis
tiers Of Notre Dame. and the lirst dona-
lion was made in fS4S
In November OF the following year the
body was affiliated with the archfrat ernity
Of the Nocturnal Alteration in Rome and
The name CT The Association of Perpetual
Alteration of the Blessed Sacrament and
OF the Work of Poor Churches" was taken
The growth OF he society vas incredible,
and Mile. de Meeus perceived the neces-
siJy OF a religious institution TO make the
work permanent. in 1853 the religious
order was founded and has increased in
numerical strength and wealth since then.