The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-05-15

fight and the women at home followed then1 with their prayers, will find a sym pathetic touch in the picture of phase of spiritual warfare which is given us in recent number of the Catholic News
 People sometimes talk as if they thought 4 that we had become so practical in these latter days that there was little time TOT prayer, even if there might be some pos sible good to be gotten out of it. But I doubt whether that is more than the chatter of people who like to attract at tention by saying something which they think sounds startling or original. The people of the United States are a. God fearing folk if mistake'n and the majority of them say their prayers some time during the day, and desire God blessings upon tEeir labors. But Il am getting away from my subject. l thought that something by way of introduction was needed to preface an account of the establishment of an order of women who are coming to this country to shut them selves up, away from all intercourse with the outer world. intending to devote pretty nearly all their time to intercessions and prayers for their friends in the world. A life of this description is of necessity so shut out from the public gaze that many of us can hardly realize that such state of affairs exists at all in this country, and yet there are hundreds of devoted and holy souls who have for many years been living here in our midst the clos- tered life of which l speak.
 The steamer Roma of the Fabre line brought to this country amongst it's other passengers five Passionist nuns, accom- ranled by. the Very Rev. Joseph Annheim, C. P, consuHor-general of the Passionst order. These five are on. their way to the diocese of Pittsburg, where they will found the first convent of the order in this country On their arrival they were met by several of the Passionist fathers of St. Michaels Passionst monastery, West Hoboken, N. J.
 They are to spend a few weeks with one of the communities of sisters in the latter place before starting for their flu lure home in Pittsburg. While at West Ioboken they celebrated the feast of St.. Paul of the Cross with the Passonist fathers. and the Passionist sisters, so that the celebration will be the solemnitv Of the holy founder of both branches of the Passonist. 2se eG
 It is singular coincidence that the Pas sionist sisters arrived on the eve of the feast of their holy founder, and will be permitted to celebrate the day with all the solemnty of the churchs ritual as carried out in the sanctuary of the far famed monastery. The celebration of the feast of St. Paul began with first vespers solemny chanted at 2:30 on Wednesday afternoon. Then early Thursday morning at o'clock, at which hour the fathers and students and brothers of the monas- tery rise every morning to chant Maths and Lauds, this office also solemnly chanted.
 Masses were celebrated on the morning of the feast at 5:30, 6, and o'clock. and D iol, at ~ rhar, a panegyric of the saint was delivered. In the afternoon at 8 o'clock the second vespers of the feast were sung. At these two latter services-the solemn mass and the vespers in the afternoon-the newly arrived sisters assisted. The coming of these holy religious people. attracts more than ordinary notice. Given to life of prayer and penance leading a strictly cloistered life, having no direct communi- cation with the outside world, their ,voca- tion is one of singular significance.
 Like their holy. founder these nuns are continually pleading with divine goodness on behalf Of sinners and spreading re- iEenlbrance of Christ ss Sacred Passion among snlen. yIhES, whilst the Passionsi Fathers are engaged in missionary labors ard preaching to large congregations ir parochial churches and making known Gods great love as revealed in His Sa- cred Passion, these holy souls, at home fin their convents, remain at the foot of the cross with the sorrowfu mother of Jesus and implore the divine assistance on the labors of the fathers, and thus Eelp spread remembrance of Christs passion among men, and cooperate in the salvation of souls. In writing of their purpose and work the holy founder, St. Paul of the Cross, says: We wish to establish a community of generous and devoted souls dead to the visible world and resembling in virtue and mortified ntr a6p pd IT, rowful mother.'
 Their rule of life is most austere. At the end of the novitate they make four vows-the three ordinary vows of relig- ious. poverty, chastity and obedence-to which vow of promoting devotion to the passion of Jesus Christ is added. These vows are perpetual Much time of the day and night is given to prayer.
 Like the Passionate Fathers, the Sis ters chant the divine office at the differ ent hours of the day and rise about mid right for the chanting of the Maths and Lauds. The habit of the Sisters is simi- lar to that worn by the Passionate mis- sionary, which is so well known in the Catholic church. This habit is made of rough, black cloth with a cloak of the same material.
 On, this habit and cloak is attached the Passionate emblem; that is, a white heart surmounted by a cross bearing the Inscription in Latin, Jesus Xpi Passio'- 'the Passion of Jesus Christ" Around the waist is leathern belt, to which is attached the rosary of the Blessed vir- gin. Sandals are worn on the feet. The order was founded in the year ITO. aboul 50 years after St. Paul of the Cross found ed the Passionist Fathers. The first con- vent was in Cuveto. Italy, and the first Fassionst Nun was Sister Mary of Jesus Crucified. The five nuns who are to make the first American foundation have been chosen from this same convent The chief benefit resulting from the pres ence of the Passonist Nuns in America will be the blessings which their life ot prayer and penance will merit from tIod for this. our country.
 They are, in the words of a holy soul victims offered to Almighty God in satis- faction for sin. And these victims sc pleasing to heaven will now increase ano multiply in our land and in our own day Here in the United States will be found many vacations to this holy, yet aus tero, state. Here the daughters of St Paul of the Cross will find fervent souls waiting to receive them and who, in turn will be received by them and thus be- come new, victims whose sacrifice will be an acceptable offering and one wholly pleasing to divine goodness.
 Here the daughters of St. Paul of tho Cross will supplement the work of his zealous and fervent sons to bring the memory of Christ's Passion to the at tention of a greater number of people and the work of mans salvation better advanced by the prayers and labors oi