The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1902-09-08

forms of baths. In this part of the
building are also located the trunk
room, fire proof vaults. where the
archives Of the order will be preserved; !;
the store rooms and the steam heating
plant.
| The plan of the building is such that
| there is not dark room in the build
! ing nor even a dark corner of a room.
Every room has the benefit of sunlight
at some time during the day. The sys-
tenn of heating and ventilating is the
best that modern engineering has de-
vised.
Throughout the building the floors
are of maple and the other woodwork
of oak. Fire doors separate the main
building from the wings at each floor
and in the event of fire it can be con-
fined to the wing in which it origin
ates. A fire hose attached to a large
stand pipe is on each floor. The
building is almost of fire-proof char
acter but no precaution has been over
looked that would add to the safety
of those who will live in it.
The building is not, as many sup
posed, to be entirely devoted to higher
education of young women, nor is
it to be exclusively board
ing school. All of the grades from
the kindergarten up will be taught and
day pupils as well as boarders will be
received. The building is the property
of the community of the diocese, and
was erected through its efforts.
AS outlined by the sisters in charge,
the purpose of the seminary is to make
it a home for the young women who
will be educated within its walls and
with this idea in mind it was planned
throughout. Nowhere is there any
cramping or crowding. Everything is
on broad and libreal scale and the
education that will be impaired will be
in every sense practical, one that will fit
women for the broad activities of life,
no less than for an honored position in
social life. The seminary will be un-
der the direct supervision of Mother
Cyril. who willshave the assistance of
a large corps of trained teachers, all
members of the order.
HISTORY OF THE ORDER.
The following history of the order
and the efforts which eliminated in
the erection of the seminary, which
will be opened to-day, is taken from
the prospectus of the seminary:
The Sister-servants of the Immaculate
Heart of Mary began their educational
work in Pennsylvania in 1858. when the
great founder of Catholic education i'm
Northeastern Pennsylvania, Very Rev. j.
V. OReilly. Y. G., with the permission
and cooperation of Bishop Neumann, &.
S. S. r., called from their home in Mon
roe, Mich, Il colony of Sisters To take
charge of the Young Ladies' academy in
Saint Joseph's, Susquehanna county,
Amid discouraging and trying circum
stances, these early laborers in the vine
yard began their work. Bravely did they
sustain their many disheartening trials,
and when fire destroyed the college in
Saint Joseph's-the academy being left
intact-the Sisters alone We're undis-
mayed, and viewing the situation with
fortitude, made strenuous efforts to con
tinue the great work begun.
For some years determined struggle
was kept up; but in 1866 1t was decided
to abandon the Academy in Saint Jo-
seph's and to transfer the resident stu
dents to the Academy of the Immaculate
Heart In Reading, opened in 1853. by
Right Rev. j. N, Neumann. q. S. s. r.
Those not desiring to so so far from
home We're received at Laurel Hin acad-
emy, Susquehanna, opened in 1861 as y
day academy by the Very Rev. J. V.
O'Reilly; or at Saint Johns academy,
Pittston, opened in 1864, by the late Very
Rev John Finnen, V. G,
When in 1872, at the request of the
Right Rev. Bishop O'lIara, the Sisters
came to Scranton, II was his desire that
the boarding-school and motherhouse
should be one; and I'm compliance with
his desire. on Sept 30 of that year, Saint
Cecilia's academy was formally opened
as boarding school and day-school for