The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1913-05-17

them; and If enlarged accommodations
were provided the number of Mag
dalens would be greatly augmented.
There are many in the Penitent Glass
who have been waiting patiently for
years to join the Magdalens, but, alas!
there is no room for even one more
until death invades the ranks and
leaves an opening which is speedily
filed.
Nor is the congestion found in the
Magdalen House any exception to the
prevailing condition throughout the in
stitution. Even the protested Sisters
are obliged to occupy quarters entirely
inadequate to their needs. They sleep
in uncomfortably crowded rooms.
They, too, need additional space in
order that they may enjoy even the
moderate conveniences and comforts
of life permitted by their rule and
which are so necessary for their health
in view of the life of unceasing toll
which they lead. Thirty-three pro-
fessed Sisters and twelve novices have
charge of the institution, manage and
superintend the work of the inmates
and do all the teaching-a number
entirely inadequate for the purpose.
In view of the difficulties under
which they have labored it is nothing
short of marvellous that the Sisters of
the Good Shepherd have accomplished
such wonderful results in the way of
reforming hayward girls, and have
been able to maintain so large and
wellequipped an institution, burdened
as they have been all these years with
an almost unbearable debt contracted
in it's erection and maintenance. In
the performance of their God-given
duties they have not been stimulated
by hope of earthly reward. Their eff
forts on behalf of social betterment
have not been permitted to shine be
yond their clustered enclosure, save
in so far as the results speak to a
favored few of the beauty of that
divine charity which seeketh not her
own, but finds it's sweetest and richest
expression in ministering, in silence
and solitude, to the most unfortunate
of Gods creatures.
The Book Of Benefactors.
These chosen few, whom the Sisters
name their benefactors, have helped
them during all these years to carry
on their noble work In every convent
of the Good Shepherd there is kept
''The Book of the Benefactors," in
which is inscribed, year after year
tributed in any way to the wellbeins
of the Community. This book il
guarded with jealous care as price
less memento of the kindness shown
by friends who appreciate their work
Each year it is read in public twice
and Masses, Communions and prayers
are offered up in behalf of those
whether they be living or dead, whose
names are inscribed on it's pages. 1
is interesting to glance over the pages
of the Book of Benefactors" kept b.
the Sisters of the Good Shepherd il
st. Paul. 1t contains the names o
the men and women whose contribu
tions have sustained the Communit.
in it's effort to reclaim the fallen
i These contributions come from al
classes; but the total amount il
so small that one cannot help closin,
the book with the impression that com
paratively few of the well-to-do eve
think of making a generous donation
for this worthy cause. Nevertheless
the Sisters are grateful to their bene
factors and daily petitions ascend t
the great white throne in their behalf
Apart from this small number o
benefactors who recognize the heroisn
involved in the life-work of the Goo
Shepherd nuns few are aware Of it
true character Whenever the result
J of their labors are seen beyond tn
cloister in the persons of those VIII
have been the recipients of thei
bounty it is scarcely recognized by
. world whose attention is attracted or
, ly by the glitter and outward shoy
of earthly pomp, too often the accom-
, paniment of less meritorious endeavol
Their work would be even more fruit
full in its rich harvest of temporal an
spiritual blessings for the waywar
and sinful were they in a position t
, evoke all the wealth of rich blossom
, ing of which it liz the fecund source
The Needs Of the Order.
But the Sisters are handicapped i
their work. They need recruits fror
the ranks of young women of III
blemished life and character who ar
animated with the spirit of heroine
inspired by religion to give up a
things for Christ and spend then
selves in ministering to the most hell
less of His children. Furthermor,
they need the financial aid whic
those who have been blessed with a
abundance of this worlds goods ca
give if they will only set apart a POI
ton of it for this noblest of charitabl
purposes. At best the Sisters receiv
but little support from outsid
sources. Few large donations come t
them; and fewer requests are LEI
them in wills. The reason for thisA i
because their lives are hidden an
they seek not the applause of men a
an incentive to pursue their chose
path of duty. Their mode of life /
far too supernatural to become tn
cynosure of worldly eyes, and tn
financial help that is so necessary 70
necessary for the carrying on of thei
projects goes, not infrequently, to les