The times., 1899-05-31
The SECOND DAY OF
THE CENTENNIAL
Features Of the Visitation
Convent Celebration.
Impressive Services Held in Holy
Trinity Church.
ifonsignor Connty's Glowing Tribute
sionsignor Conat,'s Glowing Tribute
TO The Old Georgetown CIoister-
The AIumnae Luncheon.

\ programme embracing spirituality,
mentality. and feasting marked the second
days celebration OF the hundredth ami
versary of the Georgetown Convent of the
Visitation yesterday. the opening services
being held in Holy Trinity Church, and the
festivities in the grounds and halls of the
convent.
The day will long be remembered by
those of the alumnae who attended. 1t
inspired in old and young alike a new
born love for the alma mater, and cement
ed a union of forces that will in the future
operate as shield and strength to the
name of the revered institution.
One of the features OF the day which
brought a touch of sacred joy to the hearts
OF all, was the receipt of a message of con-
graduation from the Pope, transmitted by
the Papal Secretary of State, Rampola-
The message read: THE Holy Father
heartily congratulates the Convent of the
Visitation upon the occasion of its jubi-
lee. and affectionately blesses it
The days exercises were begun at 9
o'clock By the assembling of the alumnae
which has grown in attendance from the
expected number. 500. to fully 760-in the
corridors OF the convent, to receive badges
sion which afterward marched TO the
Church of the Holy Trinity to attend the
pontiical mass at 1890.
The procession was led by q score of
altar boys, headed by a cross bearer, all
clad in white cassocks and surplices. Next
in line were the pupils of the school, fol-
lowed by the visiting alumnae. Walking
last and entering the church after the
ladies had been seated. was Cardinal Glib
t.-if
of the Catholic University; Mgr. Stephan,
Mgr. Sbaretti. of the papal delegation, and
Archbishop Martinelli. Papal Delegate.
The church and altar were beautiful in
decorations. The royal purple Of the eccle-
siRstical dress, the varied tints and zephyr
like fabrics of the ladies gowns. the ami
nation of the magnificent music. and the
solemnity of the service. all combined to
make the scene one that will long live in
the memory OF the alumnae.
At the conclusion OF the mass most in
spring sermon was deli cred by the Rt.
Rev. Mgr. Coaaty. wiz told in words of
reverence and eioquenee the lives of the
founders of the institution. At the close
of the services the procession wended its
way back to the convent. where lunch was
served in a mammoth pavilion erected in
the quadrangle. Toasts were proposed
and heartily responded 10 by the ladies,
and a pleasant two hours was passed, when
the party adjourned TO the halls and class
rooms which they formerly frequented, and
mingled in unrestricted social converse
during the remainder of the afternoon.
The scenes in the pavilion and afterward
in the spacious halls and large rooms OF
the old institution were varied. The emo
lions were appealed to in both joyous
greetings and affecting meetings which
brought tears and bestirred old memories.
In the lunch pavilion six long tables had
been arranged with the table for the speak
ers in the centre. The first two tables
were occupied by the alumnae of the past
ten years, and the four other tables each
represented decade. All, however, were
girls again. No birthdays were recognized
in the celebration. and the young and old
were alike once more in the home of their
childhood. Many pleasant railleries were
INDUCED in and the younger generation of
the fraternity were made to feel that they
were but children, and were talked to in
tones of mock severity by their elders.
From the balcony of the cloister. which
gave a view through the gable of the
pavilion, the proceedings were watched
by the undergraduate classes and the sis
tiers, with much interest. The elaborate
menu served by Rauscher was commented
on by the nuns, who are accustomed TO the
simple fare OF their order, with quizzical
expressions of wonderment
Mrs. Mornn's Address of welcome.
After an elaborate menu had been par
taken of Mrs. Emma Ethridge Moran,
toastmistress, arose in her place in the
centre of the pavilion and bid the fair
guests assemble around her and welcomed
them in the name of the alma mater. Il
deeply regret" said Mrs. Moran, that the
MANY, hearts heating within this sacred
closure might not each express in its own
/ eloquence the love and devotion and abid-
ing interest that has summoned you from
! afar.
We all have our ideals, but achieve
! them rarely in life. You behold at this
I time woman who was never more proud
nor happy than now, for she is now realiz-
4 ing far more than she has ever dreamed
/ of or dared to hope for. but has undeser-
4 yedly achieved, in occupying this place.
Il bid you welcome then with all my
heart welcome that rings with the
music of a long ago, but whose sweet
strains are unforgotten. A welcome whose
! fullness is replete with the sparkling elixir
of pure thoughts and perfect confidence
/ in your high destiny. The dear old con-
! vent halls your coming with the sym
| pathy of natures May day smiles With
| glad songs Of birds. the soft whisper of
| the lazy wind, and the perfect surround
! ings of yirdure-clad beauty.
To-day the reverend and faithful mother
opens her portals TO receive her daughters
/ of a century. Her widespread arms long
TO embrace the children whom she has
watched over and whom she has never
/ ceased TO love. On this venerable birth
/ day let US rejoice together in this our
| alma matters first century of noble work
/ and triumphant achievement
ITO be called her well-beloved; to greet
from all quarters the women whom she
/ has guided 10 virtue and to strength, is
enough to I'LL the hardest heart with glad
ness, and certainly no convent girl OF the
| past or present is here whose heart is not
| filled with joyous enthusiasm on this
scene forms a fitting presentment of an
! other reunion where youth and joy know
not the blight of age"
Mrs. Moran referred touchingly to the
departed ones who sleep on the little
HILL" and soon had her auditors in tears
| by her tender tributes 10 the memory OF
beloved teachers who were at rest. She
| concluded with an eloquent greeting to
| the daughters OF the twentieth century.
1 Mrs. Mary Mcguire Carr, of St Louis
responded to the toast The Visitation -
She said In part: When the Most Rev
Leonard Neele. Archbishop of Baltimore
. gave his sanction to the three pious ' o.
men who founded this convent in June
1899. he wrote. I sanction the beginning
OF this work whence the inestimable ad-
vantage OF a correct education may be
given TO the female youth not only IF the
present day. but of future generations
Here are now assembled after one hundred
years a worthy representation, the hope
of part of that future generation referred
to by Bishop Neale. In this convent cul
special instructors have labored to give