The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1911-10-07
CONVENT EDUCATION.

CONVENT EDUCATION.
The value Of the intellectual and
moral training given in convent
and academy is clearly shown by
the support they receive not only
from Catholics but from non-Cath-
olics. Few non-C Catholics are so an
tagonistic to the Church as to close
their eyes to the advantage Of hav-
ing their daughters educated in
Catholic schools. The majority Of
Catholic parents are not slow to
show their appreciation of the edu-
cational training given by the
teaching sisterhoods, as is evil
dence by the demands made on the
accommodations Of their institu-
tions. A few Catholics, however
their number is small, fortunately,
and their influence in the commlln-
ity Acknowledgements in ignor-
ing convent schools. They are ami
mated by a desire to break into
what they call society" and to
satisfy their worldly ambitions at
any cost. For these reasons they
consider it necessary to send their
daughters to supposedly fashion
able institutions Of learning, pri-
vate or public, where they are
freer from wholesome restraint
and moral supervision than they
are under the care of the Sisters.
It is interesting to note that the
views Of such Catholics regarding
the inability Of convent schools to
graduate young women as cultured
and refined as the finished product
Of the non-Catholic institutions
which they patronize are not con-
Cured in by non-Catholics who are
capable Of judging of the relative
merits of these institutions. The
following paragraphs from the
Chicago Inter-Ocean are deserving
Of consideration by our snobbish
Catholic parents who relegate
their Catholicity to the back
ground when there is a possibility
of adding to their mess of pottage.
"Despite the novelties of co-edu-
cation and the attractions Of public
institutions Of learning, convent
education still has charm and
power which all are free to admit.
Thorough instruction in religious
truth, correct moral teaching, and
a high sense Of duty are known to
be fully in accord with the most
profound knowledge and the wild
est range Of truth in every field of
study. Hence the convent bred
girl can have every intellectual adj
vantage afforded by a secular col
lege.; and in addition, moral, artis-
tic, and social associations Of a
superior order. It is not surpris-
ing, therefore, that men and WON
en- Of every shade of belief very
considerably have chosen for their
daughters a convent education.
g In our country, pioneer condi-
lions have passed away, and with
them the educational limitations
they imposed. Privation and mar
rowness in the education Of many
were not of choice, and the alb
sence Of culture was unavoidable
The future points to wider and
more varied obligations, which de.
mand a. higher and broader edu,
cation for all. Opportunity fol
learning and culture is now open
to young ladies whose mothers
knew such blessings only as q
dream. In the field of science and
letters, convent instruction is not
excelled. In the realm of art and
music, convent training stands
pre- eminent while in the forma
ton Of character it's standard oil
true womanhood is the loftiest
conception the world has ever
| known. -
This splendid appreciation Of
convent education from non
Catholic source should bring the
.. blush Of shame to Catholic parents
who rob their daughters Of Their
birthright by sending them tt
schools where religious training il
J, considered Of less imnnrtanca thar