The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1903-05-27
TRAINED NURSES
RECEIVE DIPLOMAS
St. Vincent's Presented Brilliant
Scene Last Night
BISHOP ALIENS REMARKS
First Class of Trained Nurses In Ala
bama to Graduate--Many Happy
Addresses and Beautiful Mu.
steal Numbers.

Last night in the amphitheatre OF st.
vincents hospital the first class of
trained nurses that Alabama has ever
known was graduated. The class con-
sisted Of three young ladies, Miss Lucy
Catherine Mcguire, Miss Mary Agnes
Thompson and Miss Annie Loretto Leany,
who had spent three years in the hospi-
tai in study and in attendance upon lee
lures, together with practical work in
the care of the stricken and the suffering,
and who came last night to the amphi-
theatre to receive their diplomas.
The clinic space where science Is ac-
customed to treat the victims of disease
or accident was well filled when the Rt.
Rev. f. P. Allen. bishop of Mobile wear
ing the dress of his rank; the Rev.
Father O'Reilly and DIR. e. P. Riggs
came in and took seats. DR.. Cunningham
Wilson acted as master of ceremonies.
Miss Catherine Moultes at the piano
and Miss Clifford Roberts with a violin
first rendered duet.
The Bishops Remarks.
DR.. Wilson then introduced the bishop,
who proceeded to address the gradual
ing class In a betting and eloquent
manner He spoke of the ceremony. that
custom demands at the end of study. and
he wished the class bright and happy
lives. He spoke OF their vocation as a
noble and useful one. He compared their
work with that OF the soldier-the one
filling the land with widows and orphans,
while YOU" he said, "aim to dry up the
tears of the afflicted and thus earn the
blessings Of a grateful people,"
The bishop then described the life de-
voted to the sacred cause OF suffering
humanity. He told them that the di-
plomas soon to be placed In their hands
are proof that they possess not only
moral worth, but also the intellectual
qualifications needful in their chosen
work. He urged, above all things, to
keep in mind the principles of moral
duty which the gentle and refined Sisters
of Charity had held up before them in
the training school. Their standard"
he said, lis high because the Sisters ac-
custom themselves to see Jesus Christ IN
every suffering member of the human
family"
Holy Calling.
Bishop Allen said the calling of the Sis
tiers was holy one because of the work
they are engaged in and because 1t en-
tails lifetime of self-immolation. The
best way he went on to say, to obtain
real happiness here and hereafter is to
forget ones self and labor constantly to
procure the happiness Of others. And then
he told the class the story of Tobias and
of his reward. AS the Lord blessed and
rewarded Tobias, he said In conclusion.
may He also bless and reward you'll
May your labors and sacrifices be APP
preciated and rewarded Wishing you a
bright and happy future, 1 cheerfully
give place to Others.
DR.. Riggs.
After Mr.. Oliver Chalifoux had pleased
all with a violin solo, DIR. Riggs, presi-
dent of the hospital medical STAFF came
forward and put the audience in excel
lent humor with themselves by "odd
quirks and remnants of wit" winding up
with an eloquent tribute to the value
and devotion Of a trained nurses calling.
At the end Of DR.. Riggs address Mrs.
Sinnige sang in her best manner a dra-
matte song, which so delighted the audi
ence that she was called back, when she
sang you" with fine effect.
Father o'ReiIIy.
DIR. Wilson then introduced "the man
that every other man." he said, 'in the
district loves-the man that has done so
much towards the establishment of the
hospital that every lone man In the hour
of disease or accident turns to-the home
of the slsters"-and this brought out
Father O'Reilly. 1t is well night impos-
sible to report Father O'Reilly without
reporting him verbatim, he is so full of
quaint wisdom and good sense and ex-
cellent wit, which as Shakespeare might
say, ambles well. All are glad to hear the
head of the greatest parish in the state,
and he talked in his best manner to
the class before him.
Then Miss Alice Fallon sang "Invoca-
tion." and when the audience demanded
more she sang a slumber song in the
most delightful manner
Bishop Allen then presented each men,
Der of the class with a medal, and DR..
Riggs called the class back to hand them
their diplomas AS he did so he told them
the story Of Griselda, and he indicated
that like patience and obedience and de-
votion in them would be rewarded by the
Good Father in heaven.
Miss Annie Loretto Leany, the valedic-
torean, delivered in the sweetest and
clearest Of tones the class farewell, and
she spoke in the most touching manner
of the Sisters of Charity, whose life and
lessons had been woven in their own
lives. She was warmly applauded at the
end of her paper. Mr.. oliver Chalifoux
touched all hearts by means of a violin
solo, and then all were invited to the
Sun Parlor, where refreshments were
served The sisters had decorated the
great hospital with ferns and other
things beautiful to look upon, until all
sense of a hospital was taken away. and
1t seemed what 1t really is, beautiful,
elegant and peaceful home N p Il. f,
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