The Irish standard., 1911-01-07

blessed. The home was to ner
sanctuary, and though it's doors were
closed against all worldly din, they
were ever open to the poor and des-
olate, who found at her freside that
genuine old-world hospitality which
is now, alas, wellnigh unknown. No
hand was so often stretched forth to
help the needy; no lips spoke more
often to cheer and comfort Need we
wonder that to such household God
gave the priceless gift of religious
vocation to two daughters, who in
early youth consecrated themselves
to His service in the Benedictine Or
der, then recently established in
America. After % years of religious
life, Ven. Mother Scholastica, accom-
panied by Sister AleXia and several
other Sisters, came to Duluth to es-
tablish Benedictine foundations in
that diocese. 1t was due to the gen
erous financial aid of Mr.. and Mrs.
Kerst that land and buildings We're
obtained and that the various early
institutions of the Sisters were sue
cessfully set on foot The progress
Of the educational and charitable
work of the Benedictine Sisters If
Duluth was an object very near and
dear to the hearts of this pious PEG.
pie, who We're now growing ..old and
whose only surviving children We're
the two religious Sisters. About IL
years later Mr.. Kerst died truly edi-
flying death at st. Mary's hospital,
Duluth, after which Mrs. kerst then
came to live with her daughters,
devoting thenceforth her every
thought and effort to Gods honor and
glory through their good works. She
became well known to fervent church.
goers of Duluth, az it was her Gus
tom up to the last year Of her life
when old age rendered it impossible
for her to walk abroad to hear as
many Masses as possible at the parish
churches, after assisting at the six
o'clock Mass at the convent. But it
was the Sisters particularly who prof
tied by the editication or her beauti-
full life of faith. She possessed in an
abundant degree the virtues of pen
ance, prayer, confidence in God and
complete abandonment to. His holy
will With her, prayer was more than
a habit; it was part Of the very air
she breathed. She seemed to walk
constantly with God as one might
walk with dear friend. The oft-re-
peated maxim of her life was All for
Gods love-" A touching incident will
illustrate her apostolic spirit: When
the decree of His Holiness Plus X,
granting Holy Communion, was pub
lshed, her JOY knew no bounds. For
days she could speak and think Of
nothing else. ooh. the love of God"
she repeated over and over again,
"How much it will increase the love
of God!"
! In the death of Mrs. Kerst, her two
children have lost prudent and holy
counsellor; the community, visible
Guardian Angel Well may they
mourn the loss! Yet there will be
smiles through the tears, for it is be-
You'd doubt that she will be for them
a powerful advocate before the throne
of Him she served SO long and faith-
fully.
The funeral obsequies were cele-
brated at Villa Sancta Scholastica on
Friday, December Goth. Eight priests
were in the sanctuary. Rt Rev. Bish-
op McGolrick had signifled his inten-
ton Of being present but was pre-
vented by illness. Rev. d. Outlet, O..
M. l., pronounced a touching eulogy
upon the virtues Of the deceased, voic-
ing his conviction that Mrs. Kerst
was already enjoying the glory of
heaven, and reminding his brother
priests and especially the Benedictine
community Of the debt Of gratitude
they owe to their noble benefactrcss.
A number Of relatives from St. Paul
and friends from Duluth were pres
ent. The remains were inferred in
Gethsemane, the Convent cemetery,
according to the last wish Of the dc,
ceased. r. /. P.