Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1912-10-03
HALF CENTURY
. SPENT AS nun
IGOLDEN JUBILEE OF SISTER
ONCE LOCATED HERE TAKES
PLACE TOMORROW
THE SILVER JUBILEE
Twenty-fifth Anniversary Was Oh
served in Pretty Manner In o.
tumwa In 1887; Told From
Old Courier Files.

Twenty-Five years ago tomorrow an
unusual ceremony was held In the
convent on Fourth street, then the
home of the Sisters of the Visitation,
when a silver jubilee was celebrated
for one of the religious, Sister Mary
Agnes Hickey, of Keokuk. Tomorrow
in the Visitation convent on Ridge
anniversary of the same sister will be
celebrated. The good sister, who will
be remembered by a few of the older
families in Ottumwa, will have COM
pleted fifty years in the religious life
as a sister of the Visitation order. She
is sixty-six years of age, having been
sixteen when admitted to the re-
ligious life in Keokuk, where she was
n Of a few that formed the nucleus
Of the order when it was established
there in 1864. The Courier files Of
1887 which tell of the jubilee %celebrat-
ing the quarter century in religious
life Of Sister Agnes, states that she
was crowned with a floral crown by
the late Father John Kreckel, who al
spiritual director of the order, and
then led to a throne where she was
made queen for the day in honor of
her jubilee, while hymns of praise
were sung. In closing the story of the
event. the Courier of that date ex-
pressed the wish that the sister would
live to round out her golden jubilee
and the wish has been granted.
Sister Gave Address.
The following address by one of the
sisters delivered at the silver jubilee
is reproduced from the files:
"In every life there are certain
turning points, like way-marks, where
we pause for a time mid u r and
distractions. We are like tired travel
ers, who, resting at times, cast a
glance over the way already traversed,
and learning wisdom from the past,
look forward to the uncertain future
with renewed strength and courage,
then take up again the burden of life,
trusting alone in him, who will never
forsake those who remain faithful
unto the end.
Such a turning point, dear sister,
have you now reached, bounded by
twenty-five years Of religious conse-
Grafton.
"Well indeed may you pause and
rest for a time. What memories are
at the thought, what rec
ords contained in that quarter of a
century?
CAS- you we're brought nearer and
to this day how busy must
memory have been in recalling the
of early years. Then innocent
and full of glee, you wandered care
less and free through childhood's
home. Loving parents, broth
ers and a dear sister, made life full
Of joy and sunshine. Some have passed
away from earth, others scattered far
and wide, perhaps never, again to be
on earth, yet we trust all to be
gathered together at last, in the
fathers home above. ..., ..E |
'"Then in the charming events that J
your ripper years, how well do
you remember when our Lord himself
to your heart, his message
Of love, that message which once
heard can never be misunderstanding,
Come, my child, leave the world with
its temptations and Illusions, enter
the chosen retreat Of my beloved
spouses.'
"Gladly did you respond to that d.
vine call. 1t is true, trials have not
been wanting, rough and thorny has
been the way at times, yet your path
has also led through green pas
lures, and by gently ripping waters.
Indeed, what manifold graces have
not been bestowed upon you during
these twenty-five years of c%onsecra-
lion to his service, who Is your Lord
and spouse. A conservation not mere
Ly of the lips, but of the heart and
life. |
"At such a time as this, hearts are
90 full, and words too few, to express
Ill we should say to prove our love
md esteem. But rest assured, dear
sister, our earnest prayers shall now
and over be that your silver Jubilee
nay be merged in the n eternal
jubilee, when our dear Lord
shall say, Come, my beloved ones, re-
,eive the crown and reward of my
servants and chosen spouses.'
Accept then, dear sister, the crown
which we now offer, as a type of that
immortal and far more beautiful dia-
lem. which we trust will be yours in
another and better life"
Five Others Nearing Jubilee. ;
Five other sisters who formerly
ived in Ottumwa and who will cele-
,rate their fiftieth jubilee within the
text few years are:
Sister Mary Aimee. Sister De
Sister Baptista, Sister
Anthony and Sister Boniface.
COSSON WILL SEND mn