Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-09-28
BUILDING GOING UP
CONSTRUCTING NEW CONVENT
AT WEST FALLS CHURCH.

new convent is in course of construc-
! ton at West Falls Church, Va, to be pre-
| sided over by the Sisters of Perpetual ADO
| ration, who have recently located in this
| section of the country, branching from the
mother house at New Orleans. Marked
progress has been made, and the sisters
are hopeful Of being installed in their new
home before Christmas. The coming Of the
Sisters of Perpetual Alteration is said to be
a circumstance of more than ordinary mo-
| ment in the history of the Catholic Church
| in Virginia. One of their fundamental
principles is the education of children The
convent, which has not as yet been given
a name, is located south of st. James
Catholic Church, a site regarded as ideal
for such an institution. The acres about
it abound in Greenery. and the very atmos-
phere bespeaks a spirit of peace and quie-
tude
Mother Mary Augustin, the superior gen
eral Of the Sisters of Perpetual Alteration.
with headquarters at the mother house Of
the order. decided last spring to establish
house of perpetual prayer, in consonance
with the spirit of the ssterhood in Vir-
l.ginia, and selected Falls Church as the
site. Property was bought adjoining the
Catholic Church and a small frame struc-
ture erected. The house was ready for
occupancy April II last, when nine sisters
arrived from the novitiate at New Orleans.
Bishop Van de Nyver of the Richmond
diocese, with whose appreciation the founda-
ton was made, has taken a keen interest
in the work, likewise Rev. NJ. V. Tierney,
who for the past eleven years has success
fully administered the affairs of ST. James
parish at Falls Church.
Object of Institution.
The prime object of the institution is the
perpetual alteration of the blessed sacra-
ment, day and night. for the conversion
Of sinners, the salvation of souls, the eX-
tirpaton of heresies, and for the souls Of
the departed. In one of the rooms of the
present abode the sisters have erected an
altar. This is their chapel for the nonce,
and ranged about the altar are prae dius
where more sisters may be found
throughout the twenty-four hours of each
day, making appeals to the Savior in be-
half of mankind These supplications are
directed by religious individuals who give
up the world and it's pleasures to implore
the mercy of the Almighty for those in
need of prayer.
In the new building, which is 45x66 feet.
space has been provided for commodous
chapel distinctive feature of this will
be a number of stalls for the accommo-
dation of the sisters, is particularly the
case in more ascetic religious bodies in
this country and abroad. Elaborate plans
have been made for the decoration and
furnishing of that section of the property.
1t will be Of ample proportions, the dmen-
sions, including the sanctuary, being 50XG5
feet. The convent proper will consist of
two stories and basement. Eight cells will
be provided for the sisters in the south
wing on the second floor. On that floor,
also, is the sleeping apartment for scholars
of the boarding school. The first floor is
given up to reception and class rooms and
community and scholars dining rooms.
A kitchen. laundry and steam heating plant
are to be In the basement, with recrea
ton room for the children to be used dur
ing Indictment weather. The building now
in use will be remodeled for class room pur
poses.
Workmen are also rapidly completing the
new paroef1ial school al West Falls Church.
The building is of brick. 1t is a two-story
and basement structure and is designed
along modern lines. There are three COM
modious class rooms on the first floor, and
the second story, 3UX60 feet, makes a roomy
hall, which will also be used by the stu
dents. The basement will be fitted up for
parish uses.