The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-09-05
IMPOSING SCENE
 AT SACRED HEART
Convent and Academy Dedi-
 cated by Bishop Allen
MANY WITNESS THE RITES
Academy Will Open Doors for Recep- ton of Pupils on September IA With the Rev. Mother
 ottilla in Charge.
BY REV. FATHER GILES, 0. S. 3.

BY REV. FATHER GILES, o. S. 3.
 In the quiet solitude just outside the limits of Cullman an imposing ceremony took place yesterday.
 Sacred Heart convent and academy for the education of girls and young ladies was the scene, the Rt. Rev. E. P. Allen, D. D., bishop of Mobile, officiating.
 For the past five years the Benedictine Sisters of Alabama have cherished the ] desire to have motherhouse that would be adeouate to their ever increasing numbers and at the same time give them the opportunity of materiallzing the long felt want of northern Alabama-an aead- emy and boarding school for the eduea- tion of girls and young ladies.
 Higher Education.
 Higher education is no longer a luxury as it was many yeas ago but is today considered a necessity for both men and women. Many a mother and guardian realizing this have often wished and 1 sighed for Just such seclusion, as only a convent can offer. in which they might place their children, knowing that no harm could reach them, and that under the gentle touch and watchful care or the good sisters their girls would grow up free from temptation; grow up to be ladies not in name only, but In educatlon' | department and character as we'll To all | such mothers anG guardians the cere- mony of yesterday will be welcome news On the first of October last ground was broken for the new convent and the work under w. A. Sehlosser steadily progress | ed until today the building stands com | plete in every detail, credit to the ar chitect William Weston of Birmingham
 The Ceremonies.
 ! The dedication ceremonies were set for | g o'clock a. m but long before the ap- ! pointed hour the citizens of Cullman and | the surrounding country began to arrive and seek places of vantage from which to witness the rites. Promptly at 5 o'clock the Rt Rev. Bishop vested in full episcopals entered, accompanied by the | Rt Rev Bernard Menges, o. s. B., ab- 1 bot-elect of St. Bernard Abbey and presl- dent of St Bernard college; Very Rev. r. Boniface. o. S. B., Rev. P. Gregory, o. s. B.. and many of the ether fathers from the monastery. As they were entering the beautifully decorated chapel the mon- | astery choir sang the hymn, "Come Holy | Ghost" In the meantime the bishop and | clergy had gathered around the man altar. At the conclusion of the hymn the | bishop recited the Scripture verse: Sui fer little children to come to me- for of l such Is the kingdom of Heaven ana then the following prayer:
 | "Omnipotent and eternal God, we hum | bly, beseech Thee that Thou wouldst delgn to look down up Thy children; infuse into their hearts Thy gracious holy spirit. that through Him the. may be illumined and learn what will be acceptable to Thee through all times and that they | may progress in wiSdom, in age and Tn grace. Through Christ our Lord, Amen. Let us go in peace. In the name of ! Christ, Amen."
 Solemn Procession. | Immediately the convent bells pealed | forth their first silvery notes, the choT | intoned and chanted a hymn to the Sacred Heart, the cross-bearer took up | his position and the solemn procession wended it's way to the large portals or the accademy. After sprinkling all the outside walls with holy water and reeit- ing the prayers in Latin the procession entered the house and the bishop. plac- | ing a crucifix between two candles on | table, said the following prayer Hear us, o Holy Lord, Father Almighty and God Eternal, and deign to send Thy holy I angel from heaven who will guard ana | foster and protect and visit and defend all the lnnaDlIdntS IedcnlllB dilu SludyihB in this building; through Christ our Lord. Amen" Invoking the final blessing he said: May the blessings of Almighty God the Father and the Son and the Holy | Ghost descend upon this house. upon all inhabitants teaching and studying in the same and upon us and remain forever | Amen" At the conclusion of the above the bells again began to ring and the procession returned to the chapel where the bishop celebrated mass, assisted by fathers from St. Bernard.
 The Te Deum.
 | The solemn services were closed with Te Deum in which the venerable sisters and visitors joined. After the services the sisters tendered a banquet to the bishop and visiting clergy.
 The academy will open it's doors for the reception of pupils Wednesday, Septem- Der IA. All parents and guardians desir ous of entering their children should ap- ply at once and send them Tuesday, Sep tember 13 Only A limited number will be accommodated the first year.
 Rev. Mother Ottilia, who for thirteen years had charge of Holy Angels acade- my at St. Pauls church of Birmingham | will be the superior of this new academy. |
 All forms of scrofua salt rheum. and eczema are cured by Hoods Sarsaparilla, the blood purifier.