The Nezperce herald. (Nezperce, Idaho) 1900-1957, 1924-07-24
TO DEDICATE ST. GERTRUDE, s
CONVENT JULY 27


day, July 81. This magnificent strnc
ture is located on an eminence west
OF our neighbor city, Cottonwood. auf
besides the church dignataries who
come from distance to take part ;r
the ceremonie1 thousands of people
from the surrounding country viii un.
doubtedly attend.
The following excerps from a eircu.
lar relative to the event win be of
interest to all who may or may not
attend the dedication:
Time and again since the buildings
at st. Gertrude's appeared to be com
pleted, and after it became known that
the Community of Sisters had taken
possession of the new quarters. the
questions have been asked inside and
outside of town: Will there be pub
lie dedication of the Convents and
shall outsiders be admitted to inspect
the interior of the Converts We sus-
pect that many of the inquirers are of
the number of those, who, four years
ago, have either taken an active part
in or at least have witnessed the i'm
posing rites of the laying of the cor
ner-stone of the Convent and enjoyed
the pleasures of brotherly gathering
that accompanied that family feast.
The fifth of July, 1920, spent on the
Convent grounds, has left happy mem
ories in the minds of both Sisters ana
their friends: no wonder then that all
are now looking forward to renewal
or rather, the complement of the fes-
tivities.
The work taken up by the enter
prising Community four years ago has
passed through its ups and downs like
every other human enterprise; but
constancy, and above all, trust in
God, has won the day; and it is with a
sentiment of supreme gratitude to the
Bestower of all gifts that the Bene
dictine Sisters of st. Gertrude's invite
their friends to come and rejoice with
them at the results achieved, on Sun
day, July 81, that is, this month the
date set aside for the solemn dedica-
ton of the New Chapel and Convent
nesting among the verdant hills west
of Cottonwood, but practically visible
from all over the fertile Camas Prai
rie. M
The program will consist of two
main parts, the religious and the civic
part. This division in. two parts, how
ever, is only for the sake of order
since every one, irrespective of creed
or politics, will be cordially welcome
to take in the whole feast.
A feature of the day will be the
inspection of the Convent. This means
that for few hours in the afternoon
the doors will be thrown open and ev-
eryone who wishes may feel free to
inspect the whole interior of the Con
vent building. Oft times casual Wis
TORS have expressed wish to view
the inside of the magnificent struc-
ture. For the last few weeks at least
It has not been possible any more
fully to grant their wish, for, since
the Sisters began to occupy the new
1uarters, the Convent became auto
closed to the public. Since
chance remarks are sometimes made
regarding the enclosure Of Convents-
and these remarks, if at all made in
GOOD faith, can but originate from
yross ignorance or mathematician
night not be out of place to say here
. few words to the fair-minded. The
enclosure which goes with our religious
is not meant as though
here existed things that have to be
Sept secret, or mysteries that should
lot transpire beyond the convent
walls. The reason for the seclusion of
he inmates of Convent is simply
his: the convent, like everybody 8
rome is private property. Converts,
ike all private or public institutions.
md like your own home are closed
o those who have no business there:
hey are opened, when necessary, to
ny one duly authorized by law.
A more weighty reason, however, ls
hat the church has set aside the Sis
erhood for her official work Of pray
r and worship, and she is intent in
its members for their as
igned task of social and charitable
uties, and she watches jealousy over
he peace and tranquility of their Sc
fusion in order to make them fully
fficient for the works Of their call
ng.
A very rare exception will be made
o that otherwise inviolable law OF
nonastic enclosure on July 27th, the
ay of the dedication. AS was said
bove, all will have an opportunity to
inspect the interior of convent, to
ralk in Its halls and corridors and to
ct a good glimpse of the apartments
rom basement to roof. After that
ay the wise law of the church will
lain its rights again, and admission
f outsiders to the convent will be
estricted to the grounds, the parlors