The Irish standard., 1904-03-19

The rigorous silence has begun which
will not be broken until after Mass
the next day. AS each cell is reached
the occupant detaches herself from
the procession and, entering, leaves
the others to pass on.
These cells are each called after
some saint, with an appropriate in
scription. There is Saint Ignatius of
Loyola, "Observance of the Rule;'
st. Dominic, Purity of Heart" and
son on for the others. These cells are
very small and their furniture very
simple. Beside the bed with its white
coverlet is a wooden chair and a lit
tie table. On the wall is crucifix
ana small picture of Our Lady of
Consolation. That is ALL In this
order, the full name of which is LES
SOeurs Aveugles de Saint Paul." it is
laid down in the rules that everything
shall have relation to the blind The
whole house is arranged for their SER
| vice and their happiness.
At this convent they take in as
boarders young women who are blind
| and who have not an assured position
in the world. Little blind girls are
also received from the age of four
years, of whom some remain all their
lives in the house. They also give
Christian education to a limited num-
Der of poor young girls. They also
provide a home for blind women.
These women are served in their own
rooms and the Sisters endeavor to
enliven their lot by reading to them,
by conversing with them, and by a
thousand little attentions and delicate
cases inspired by Christian charity.
This convent, unknown though it
be for the most part, is like a little
enclosed world. In all, about two
hundred dwell in it. Peace and order
reign there, and all work with hap
piness that is very real, for all work
for the love of the good God. In the
world one is accustomed. and with
reason, to pity the blind. They are
shut out by their intirmity from the
enjoyment of pleasures of many kinds
The consolation of the sacraments that
our loving Saviour is so DESTROYS of
bestowing on them they can only rare
ly obtain.
is in
Il poor blind woman to receive often
Holy Communion? Those with whom
she lives have not the time, even if
they have the will. to accompany her
| frequently to the nearest church.
which may yet be at some distance
But the state of the blind at st. Pauls
| is one that does not leave much for
which they are to be pitied. The con-
ditions of their lives are almost en-
tirely reversed. The Soeurs Voyantes
are consecratrd to their service.
At the ceremony of their reception
they are asked what it is they desire
and on their replying, "The holy
habit of the congregation" they are
asked, "Do you promise to conse-
crate yourself to the service of the
blind and to be faithful in fulfilling all
your obligations toward them? They
promise it and from that moment it
, is their privilege to care for and help
is. for what sweeter vocation can be
found on earth then that of Il Soeur
NOyant of st. Paul's? They live al
ways under the same roof as their
divine Master. and in serving their be-
loved Sisters they always hear His
words, "lnasmuch as you have done
it to the least of these my brotheren,
We have done it unto Me-"
At st. Pauls the blind have home.
At any moment they can go to the
room Of the Superioress for direction,
guidance and help as naturally as
they would to mother, for them she
is Il true mother striving to guide
them safely toward the haven where
they would be. There is for these
happy blind at st. Paul's all the con-
solutions that religion affords. They
can visit the Blessed Sacrament every
day, and even when not actually in
the Divine Presence they have the
happy conscience that at such little
distance there is the quiet chapel done
also in other converts, but where it
Is possible for them to obtain the in
estimable blessing of the religious life.