Kentucky Irish American. (Louisville, Ky.) 1898-1968, 1913-05-10
Requirements That Are Neces-
sary to Enter Into the
Community.
They Must BE of Stainless ,Repu-
tation, Likewise Their
Families.
THEIR WORK IS INTERESTING

Few people, not even Catholics
know about the daily life of the Sis.
ters Of the Good Shepherd. Through
the kindness of one of the Sisters
the Kentucky Irish American is able
to tell briefly in this issue of their
daily work and of the conditions
upon which girl or woman is re-
ceived into that order which has
spread all over the United States
the first house on this continent
having been established at Eighth
and Madison streets, this city, about
seventy years ago. The order itself
is 372 years old, having been found
ed in France by Venerable John
Eudes in 1641.
The mother house is at Anglers
France, and all of the Superiors are
appointed from that house. A
Superior can remain in office for
three years, but she may be reap
pointed for two more terms IL 1t is
desirable, but she can not serve
longer than nine years. She may be
appointed assistant for three years in
the same house. and at the expira-
tion of that term be reappointed.
Many not desiring executive position
retire to the ranks at the end of
three years. It may be stated here
that many of the Sisters of this or
der are of Irish birth and so are a
large number of the Superiors or
mothers in the various houses
throughout the world. They make
fine executive officers, but so do the
Scotch. who are proverbially busi-
ness-like and less canty than the
Irish.
The desirable age at which the
Sisters receive candidates is between
fifteen and twenty-five, but appli-
cants who are over twenty-five OF
thirty are received. The conditions
are briefly: Legitimate birth, stain
less reputation of self and family,
good health, free from notable de-
feet or bodily infirmity, no hered-
itary disease in their families. Con-
verts are not received until they
have been in the church three or
four years and are we'll instructed.
Postulants are received irrespective
of fortune, but it is desirable that
those who enter have something
enough to pay for the religious garh
which she wears.
Postulants must enter with the
understanding that they are Obliged
to labor, first for the honor and
glory of God, for their own sanctifi-
cation. for the sanctification of the
souls committed to their care. Their
mission is in reclaiming girls and
women who come to seek shelter and
peace of mind, after a period of long
or short wandering from the paths
of virtue. This class of penitents Is
known as reformatory.
Then there is a preservation class
for white and colored children, who
from the age of three years are re-
ceived and trained. They are given
a plain English education, taught
sewing, crocheting, needleworkr
painting and the different branches
of housework. Those who have
talent for music are given every ad-
vantage to improve. No distinction IL
made about race, color or religion IN
receiving inmates for reformation OF
training.
The Sisters Of the Good Shepherd
are eloistered. II you enter theiI
convent the Sister in charge speaks
to you through wicket grating. The
Sisters never go on the streets, ex
cept those who are detailed for bust
ness. They arise at a. m. In sum
mer. at $3.50 a. m. in winter, and
retire at 10 o'clock at night. They
hear mass at 6 a. m. say mathis
lauds and prime at morning, after
noon and night. They have recrea
tive hours between 6 and 8 p. m. OF
oftener. as the occasion permits
They are garbed in white. Some o.
the Sisters are fine writers, painters
sculptors and teachers OF EN-
broidery. Everything they do the!
try to do well.
Mother Mary of the Compassion
the Superioress of the convent OF
Eighth street, says the life OF tn
Sisters is a delightful and happ'
one.