Waterbury Democrat., 1901-06-25
1901 COMMENCEMENT
Twelve Young Ladies Graduate from
 Convent de Notre Dame.

hhElNt 4<shniCo oAoodoeC
 Convent de Notre Dame.
 It was a scene of radiant beauty that greeted the eyes of person who entered, or rather attempted to enter. the grand hall of the Convent de Notre Dame, at last evenings graduating eA- ercises Seated on the stage, clad Ill pure white dresses, which were mar vicious creations of the dressmakng art, were the twelve graduates. A picture of Ioyeliness they presented which was enhanced by the presence of forty or fifty undergraduates, who occupied raised seats in the rear. From the ceiling above the graduates was suspended curtain, as it were, on which was inscribed the class motto, "Vale ct Ave-" while on either side of the motto was the number 70, which was mute reference to the sill yer jubilee of Rev Father Slocum: On the stage and in front of the hall were jars of handsome flowers. while pots of shrubbery, vines and flowers intermingled were suspended from the ceiling throughout the hall. Banners lined the side walls. In word, the decorations were splendid.
 Occupying a seat in the front row. directly in front of the stage and the fair young graduates, sat the Right Rev Bishop Tierney. On his right side were seated the following priests: Rev Fathers Slocum, Curtin, Crowley, Senesac, FitZsimmons, Broder1ck, Saurusaitis and the Rev Father Dono- van. chancellor. On either side were seated the sisters of Notre Dame con vent On the right side of the hall, occupying two rows of seats along the length of the hall were the members of the alumnae. As to the audience, little need to be said. Those who ar : rived at the hall after 7:30 had to con- tent themselves with standing, as every seat was occupied. Many Yis- itors were present from out of town.
 Too much praise cannot be bestowed upon the annual commencement exer- cises of the class of 1901 of the con- vent. With a charm and gracefulness the young ladies did their different parts. In a soft yet distinct voice, with an air of complacency and com posture, of dignity and confidence, the various essays were read by the young ladies' As to the manner in which they were composed, there are not suf- ficient superlative adjectives of a ia yorable nature to describe them. The musical selections were gems of the evening. They were brilliant. AS to the enacting of the play, "The Dream of Gerontius," the young ladies' acting was marked by a gracefulness and fa- cility of motion. Their mannerisms and various poses were charming.
 When it was time to bestow gradu- ating honors, each young lady was es- corted by a page, when her name was announced by the mother superior of the convent to the seat of the Right Rev Bishop Tierney, who placed upon her head a garland of lilies of the val ley and gave to each one their pre- miums.
 Near the close of the exercises few remarks of an interesting nature were made by the bishop. He con- gratulated the young ladies upon the success which had attended their ex- ercises. He expressed the wish that the noble example which had been set them during their school days at the convent would be followed by them. He hoped that each one would set her self to do whatever mission comes to her: not to wait for extraordinary things. Every mission cannot be a great one Little things lead to larger ones. Looking at the figures t'2J' on the banlier before him. the bishop said he would like to know what 1t meant To the left of the vale was ''225'' and to the right was s25." Perhaps
 
 should say a word to us" Rev Father Slocum said he had not expected to be called upon to make an address, nor did he intend to now. He had been unwilling that even the slight refer enee which had been made to the oc- casion of his jubilee last night should be made. The celebration of the jub,- lee was a private one, in which he him self was the only participant. He thanked God for whatever he had sent him. Concluding, he thanked all the graduates and expressed the wish that they would live to see the fftieth an niversary of their graduation.
 Miss Anna Bannon in her paper re ferred to the Rev Father Slocum in the following verses:
 'Vale" to thee, kind pastor of our
 souls,
 Thy name is traced upon sweet mem
 ory's scrolls
 In shaded characters of light-"Yale to
 thee.
 sEt Ave- to thy silver jubilee
 Farewell to all trials and turmoil, That waited on thy past of care and
 toll.
 Haili to the hallow'd day we celebrate In honor of thy sacerdotal state, The twenty-ffth recurrence of the
 feast
 That saw thee sealed Gods consc-
 crated priest.
 Long may He spare thee, father, pas
 tor, friend,
 And give to us before lifeis blessed end Grace to behold thee by the Lord con
 soled, @ Keeping thy past'ral jubilee of gold.
 The program was as follows:
 Overture Mozart Greeting Song ....... Convent choir Salutatory-"W are Heirs to All
 Past Ages ..... Miss M. McCarthy Fantaisie-Harp and piano ......
 ... Misses !. Brennan, c. Heringer Essay--"A Plea for Art. ''........
 .......... Miss A. O'Brien Piano Concerto ........ MendelSSoha
 Misses F. Lawlor, J. Brennan, c.
 Heringer, D. Madden, A. Blaneh-
 cite.
 Essay-Newman @The Ideal schol-
 arr ........-.... Miss L. Bowes Serenade ............
 ----.-Notre Dame string orchestra