The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1909-05-05

Hearts celebrated the golden jubilee of
their arrival in these Islands.
1t was on the Goth of August, 1858,
that the Sisters, bidding adieu to all
that endears life to one, left ola Belle
France Their noble aim was to
work in the educational field, and to
offer to the young persons of these :,
Islands the benefits of good Christ |
ian and Catholic education. The cour-
age and fortitude of the voyagers was
the more to be admired because, ten
years previous, a first colony of ten
Sisters who had been sent out on the
Married. Joseph persisted at sea, some
where off Cape Horn. Exposed to the
same dangers, might they not meet
with the same mysterious fates And
really the poor travellers had their full
share of dangers and anguish. They
had not left the English Channel when
the ship sprung a leak. Happily, it
was discovered in time, and the ship
had prosperous voyage until the re-
doutable Cape Horn was reached. There,
however, they were tossed about for
| a couple of days by a most fearful
electrical storm. They thought their
| last hour had come, but He who on
Lake Genesareth commanded the winds
and the waves watched over them and
| brought them safely to Valparaiso,
| where they arrived on December IA.
On February 2 they weighed anchor for
San Francisco, The captain got on
bad terms with his crew; disputes and
even fights were OF daily occurrence.
| The sailors threatened to throw the
| Priests and Sisters overheard, to rob
them of the riches they were supposed
| to possess. For fear of the mutinOus
| spirit of his crew and also because his
provisions were running short, the cap
tain changed his course and steered
straight for Honolulu. When they
came almost in sight of Oahu, fire
broke out, and the vessel being loaded
with saltpeter was in eminent danger
of being blown up, even SO near its
destination. This danger, however,
was also overcome, and presently they
sighted Oahu. 1t was the 4th of May,
1859, when they cast anchor in Homo
lulu harbor. At the wharf all Homo
lulu came to meet them. Even the
, King and Queen came down the land
ing to welcome the missionary party.
They were professionally conducted to
the cathedral, where a solemn TIE Deum
was sung to thank the Almighty for
His Protection. A little cottage had
been erected for the Sisters next to the
cathedral. In one of the rooms they
found ten straw mattresses, with which
Mrs. Steward, an Irish lady, present
ed them. In the next room copious
dinner awaited them.
The following day hundreds of PEG.
pie came to visit the "Virikine," and
none came empty handed. One brought
a chicken, another eggs, a third bunch
of bananas, and when the evening came
the religious party had provisions fol
many a day. While they were taking
dinner the fve-year- fold daughter OF
Mr.. Steward entered and silently 60
l. ing around the table offered to eaci
t of the ten Sisters $40 gold piece.
On the Bird of July a society was or
7 ganized to help the Sisters to over
I come the first difficulties; it was call
ed the "Hawaiian Catholic Associa
tom The society was not much o
a success; the first year it contributes
, $50, and soon collapsed. But the goo
Sisters were not after earthly riches
] they had vowed poverty and delighte
y III Ieellng It's pangS.
. Mother Mary Joseph George was tn
II first Superioress of the new convent
and conducted it for ten years in tn
paths of abnegatiOn and holiness. Sh
. died after much suffering on the pot
\ of January, 1877. She was succeede
\ by Mother Judith, under whose abb
4 direction both the boarding school an
day schools have greatly prospere,
q The former will soon be transferre
to the beautiful convent at kaimuk
4 which is now nearing completion. Som
. of the good Sisters viii soon also tax
. care of the orphanage that viii
4 opened i'll Kalihi valley before long.
IL Of the ten Sisters who landed hel
4 i'll 1859, two only are alive. Motht
Q judith and Sister Odilia.
n On account of her advanced ag
A Mother Judith asked a few weeks az
Y to be discharged as Superior, al
Mother Mary Lawrence las succee
= ed her in the education of the Cathol
youth.
I The celebration was begun yesterd;
morning by religious services in Il
. Cathedral, His Lordship the Bishop
Ieugma saying mass, and. after t
4 singing of the TIE Deum, giving t
BE benedietion with the Most Blessed So
- rament
in the afternoon at two O'Clock
entertainment was given by the pupi
~ the program of which follows.
LIZ The music, singing and acting we