USA > Indiana > Franklin County > Oldenburg > Historical sketch of the Convent and Academy of the Sisters of St. Francis in Oldenburg, Indiana : and of the work of their community in the United States > Part 8
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CHAPTER VI.
Calm Prosperity .- Progress of the Academy .- Death of Several Sisters.
NoTO remarkable occurrences appear on the records of 1895. The Sisters devoted themselves calinly and faithfully to the pursuits, which holy obedience assigned to them at home and abroad. Aild God's blessing prospered their efforts.
The Academy continued to flourish, both as regards the results achieved and the number of pupils. The annual Commencement exercises con- vinced visitors of the excellence of the education im- parted, demonstrating that it is calculated both for the improvement of the mind and heart and for the development of the pupils' natural abilities. Instruc- tion in Christian Doctrine and the practices of re- ligion occupy a foremost place in the curriculum of studies. For, "What doth it profit a man if he gain the whole world, and suffer the loss of his own soul ? Or what exchange shall a man give for his soul?" ( Matt. XV1, 26). The academic, scientific and com- mercial courses, music, drawing, painting in oil and water colors, type-writing, the female handicrafts of plain and fancy sewing, embroidery, crocheting, etc., receive the most scruplous attention. The pupils' productions, ornamental as well as useful, are placed
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on exhibition at the end of the scholastic year in the Art Hall. But the annual closing exercises are not planned as a mere exhibition for vanity's sake ; they are not an empty show of well-drilled pretense. They are the well-merited recognition of the pupils' diligence and progress; they are an encouragment to persevere in those habits of application and endur- ance that were inculcated during the year, and alone insure. success in life.
The good example of the Sisters, their calm serenity, their unobtrusive piety, their modest de- meanor, their mild cheerfulness, yea, even the peace- ful atmosphere in which they move -- all these are so many incitements to their young charges to "mind the things that are above, not the things that are upon the earth." ( Coloss. III, 2.) This is conchisively demonstrated by the fact that of the number of their pupils fifty-four have, so far, chosen the religious state, and of these, thirty-six have joined the Order of St. Francis in the Oldenburg Community.
During 1895, the Community lost, by death, nine dear and deserving members. They have gone be- fore to receive, we hope and pray, the reward of eternal life.
Dear spouses of Christ, your days were soon o'er;
Peace to your spirit, and tears for your worth ! We'll meet you again on eternity's shore,
When done with the crosses and trials of earth.
CHAPTER VII.
A Newly Ordained Priest's First Mass in the Convent Church .- Silver Jubilee of a Number of Sisters .- The Community is Received, with Extraordinary Privileges, into the Archconfraternity of the Holy Rosary .- Villa Santa Clara.
A NEWLY ordained priest, Rev. F. Gaudentius Schuster, O. F. M., on July 26th, 1896, feast of St. Ann, celebrated his first Mass in the Convent church, with due solemnity. His sister is a member of the Community, and he selected this sanctuary to be the scene of his happiest day in life to enable her to be present, a favor for which she and the whole Community were duly thankful.
On the same day thirteen Sisters observed the twenty-fifth anniversary of their profession.
In this month, also, the whole Community was admitted into the Archconfraternity of the Holy Rosary. The regulations of this pious association do not permit the establishment of a branch confra- ternity in female religious communities. Therefore, the Sisters were individually enrolled in the lists of the Dominican Fathers in New York, with all the privileges, however. usually granted to the confra- ternities canonically erected, viz. : 1. On the feast of the Holy Rosary the same indulgences can be gained that are granted for Portiuncula. 2. The in-
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dulgences can be gained by the Sisters on missions, if they visit their parish church. 3. During his term of office, the Director of the Community has the faculty of blessing rosary beads according to the Dominican rite, and to apply to them the same in- dulgences as the Dominicans, as previously intimated.
These are, certainly, great privileges, fully equal to that obtained previously for them by Rev. P. Louis Haverbeck, O. F. M., viz .: of participating in all the indulgences of the three Orders of St. Francis.
A most happy one was, then, the year 1896, both in spiritual and temporal respects.
In this same year, the Right Rev. Bishop Mc- Closkey, of Louisville, Ky., wrote an autograph let- ter to Mother Superior, urgently requesting Sisters to take charge of a school in his diocese. But scarcity of teachers compelled her to decline, at least for the present, the flattering proposal.
About one mile from Oldenburg, where the broad acres of their well-tilled farms expand, the Sisters, this year, erected a handsome and spacious country house, which serves as a rural resort for such of the Academy pupils as wish to spend their vacation at the Convent. Here they enjoy country life with real zest. St. Clara Villa, as this wood- land home is called, is a favorite haunt of their weekly walks and outings. It was blessed, and the stations of the cross erected by Rev. P. Pius, Rector.
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FRONT VIEW OF THE ACADEMY. Donor: Mrs. H. Clasgen (née Olberding).
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CONCERT ROOM.
STUDY HALL. Donor: Miss H. Fitch.
REFERENCE ROOM.
MUSEUM. Donors: Misses Cleona and Cora Ilackmann.
CHAPTER VIII.
A New Convent and Academy Building .- The Church Frescoed .- A New Cemetery .- Laying of Corner- stones .- Awarding of Contracts.
A S the old Convent and Academy building had long since grown too small for the accommoda- tion of the numerous inmates, and besides, were in need of thorough repair, it was deemed both ex- pedient and more economical to erect new structures. With the approval and encouragement of the Right Rev. Bishop Chatard the Sisters therefore resolved to build' a large and well-appointed new Convent and Academy. In January, 1898, the plans were ready. In the course of years, new additions to the Con- vent had been built in accordance with the means and exigencies of the Community, but the erection of a Convent adequate in size and arrangements to the needs of the Community had always been de- ferred. in order to avoid the burden of indebtedness. This had always been scrupulously avoided in con- formity with the views of the sainted Founder. Now necessity was made a virtue.
The corner-stone of one wing of the new Academy building was laid in 1898, by Rev. Father
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Pius, O. F. M., and the foundation was completed before winter set in.
The Convent Church was this year beautifully frescoed by the eminent fresco painter, R. Bachman, of New York City. His work greatly enhanced the artistic effect of the architecture, and is declared by critical judges a masterpiece of mural painting. The oil paintings, consisting of eight groups, four full figures, and fourteen busts, were executed by the noted artist, W. Lamprecht, also of New York City. They represent respectively, St. Francis Re- ceiving the Bull of Approval of the Rules, St. Francis Giving the Rules to St. Clara, Jesus Bless- ing Little Children, Christ Among the Doctors at the Age of Twelve, then four groups of Angels. The full figures, Angels of the Sanctuary, then King David and St. Cecilia. The busts are: the four great Doctors of the Church; then St. Bonaventura, Francis de Sales, Thomas Aquinas, St. Louis, St. Peter Baptist, St. Margaret of Cortona, St. Catherine of Alexandria, St. Agatha, St. Elizabeth of Hun- gary, St. Angela Merici.
Hitherto, the Community's cemetery had been within the confines of the Convent grounds. The extension of the new building necessitated its re- moval. Hence the Community bought four acres of land adjoining the parish cemetery, to which the remains of the dear departed were reverently trans-
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NORTH VIEW OF ST. THERESA'S HALL. ASTRONOMICAL REVOLVING DOME ON WEST ROOF.
Donors: Miss E. and C. Burdick.
MATER ADMIRABILIS HALL.
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ST. LUKE'S STUDIO. Donor: Miss A. Huelfeld.
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ferred. A vault was built there, and a mortuary chapel erected over it.
The corner-stone of the main building, intended for the Convent, was laid by Rev. Father John C. Heitmann, Director of the Community, August 14, 1899. On November 21st, feast of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin, the contract was awarded to the firm of Harig & Brueggemann. Mr. Oscar Bohlen wrote out the specifications and calculations of the plans, designed with uncommon architectural ability, by Very Rev. P. Englert, a former esteemed Rector of the Community, with whose needs he was well acquainted.
During this year two new schools were accepted, viz .: St. Joseph's, in Cincinnati, at the request of Rev. William Scholl, who had become permanent rector of that parish, one of the oldest and most prominent of the city, and the school at Princeton, Indiana, at the request of Rev. Ledvina.
CHAPTER IX.
A New Christmas Crib .- Final Approbation of the Community's Constitutions .- Laying of the Cor- ner-stone. - New Schools. - Solemn Midnight Mass.
MONG the many forms. of Catholic devotion introduced by the Franciscan Order, one of the most popular is that to the Infant Jesus, with its inspiring representation of the Manger of Bethle- hem, or the so-called Christmas Crib.
St. Francis himself had a great devotion to the Nativity of our Divine Lord. "It is the feast of feasts," he said of Christmas. He was convinced that, if this divine mystery could be represented ac- cording to nature, it would have a strong religious effect upon all Christians. Would the Church ap- prove such an innovation? He laid the question before the Sovereign Pontiff, and received a favor- able answer. It was on the 10th of December, 1223. He lost no time. He sent a message to a nobleman at Grecio, a man of high birth and elevated mind, whom he knew to be a devoted friend. "I wish to keep Christmas night with you," he said, "and if you will agree, this is how we will celebrate it. You will
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CRIB. Donor: Miss Josie Becker.
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choose a place in your woods, a grotto, if there is one. You will put in it a manger with hay. There must be an ox and ass. It must be as much as pos- sible like the stable at Bethlehem. I want for once to see with my own eyes the birth and poverty of the Divine Infant." The nobleman entered warmly into the idea of his holy friend. All was prepared as he had proposed. The brethren in the neighboring convents were.informed of it, and the village people were invited. When the time came, an immense multitude, carrying torches and lighted tapers, went to the ceremony. The woods seemed as though on fire. The brethren sang hymns, which were taken up by the people and repeated by the echoes of the forest. Francis was at the head of the devout as- sembly, close to the crib. He seemed fascinated, enraptured and melted with tenderness.
At midnight, the Mass began in the middle of the woods, over the crib itself. The Saint wore the Levite's tunic as deacon of the Mass, and sang the gospel in a clear, sweet, sonorous voice. His whole soul seemed to pass into the tonching narrative of the evangelist. Then he preached on the birth of that King in poverty, the Saviour of the world. With loving tenderness, he called Him the Child of Bethle- hem. All who were present were in a sort of rap- ture. John of Grecio, who had prepared the festival, affirmed that at one moment he saw in the crib an
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infant of marvelous beauty, doubtless the Divine Infant, and that St. Francis embraced the Child. The people returned home after the celebration with hearts filled with joy, and preserved ever after an unfading memory of all they had beheld.
This is the origin of the Christmas Crib, which henceforward was introduced into Franciscan and other churches throughout the world.
It had long been the Sisters' desire to have a cril. in their church on Christmas to correspond with its beautiful architecture, and worthy, in some manner, of the event it commemorates. On Christmas, 1898, their wish was gratified. A most beautiful crib was erected, the work of one of their own members, Sister Anastasia. The figures are nearly life size, and executed in a manner true to nature. Com- pared with the most expensive imported statutary of the kind, they are works of art.
In January, the Sisters received the sad an- nouncement, that Right Rev. Bishop Chatard had suffered a paralytic stroke, and was in a critical con- dition. This information was a great shock to the Community, all the more so, as he had but recently been in their midst, seeming in perfect health. Community prayers were immediately ordered to be said for him.
As usual, whenever feasible, the vesting of novices and the profession of Sisters took place on
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MUSIC CORRIDOR. Donor: Miss C. Benzinger
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the feast of St. Ann, July 26th. This year, the retreat which always precedes these ceremonies was preached by Rev. Father Ubaldus Webersinke, O F. M.
On September 2d, the experimental quinquennial term having expired, the Constitutions of the Com- munity received the final approval of the Holy See.
The following decree of the S. Congregation of the Propaganda was issued with regard to this matter :
DECREE.
The Sisters of the Third Order Regular of St. Francis, whose Mother-house is situated at Oldenburg, in the diocese of Indianapolis, in the United States of North America, having urgently requested this Sacred Congregation of the Propaga- tion of the Faith, that their Institute be approved by the Holy See, and that its Constitutions, which, in the year 1801 were already given a probationary approval for five years, be confirmed for all future times, the Most Reverend Commission for the Examination of New Rules of Religious Institutes, to whom the matter was referred, under the presidency of His Eminence Camillus Mazzella, Cardinal of the Holy Roman Catholic Church, has deemed it expedient to issue the follow- ing resolutions.
As the aforementioned Institute is recommended in terms of the highest praise by the Rt. Rev. Ordinaries in whose dioceses there are houses of the Sisters, because of its useful- ness, and because the modifications. communicated to the Sisters by decree of August 5. 1891, have been faithfully
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carried out by them, therefore the Commission deems it advisable to grant the Decree of Approbation to the afore- named Institute of the Sisters of the Third Order Regular of St. Francis, of the Oldenburg Community, and to approve for all the future their Constitutions, provided the corrections made by the same Most Rev. Commission be incorporated in the text in accordance with the copy accompanying this Decree.
This resolution, which in an audience of August 1, 1899, was referred to Our Holy Father Pope Leo XIII. by the undersigned Secretary of the above named Sacred Congre- gation of the Propagation of the Faith. His Holiness fully ratifies and confirms and orders the present Decree bearing thercon to be issued.
Given in Rome, from the palace of the Sacred Congrega- tion of the Propagation of the Faith, August 7th, 1899.
For His Eminence the Cardinal Prefect, ALOYSIUS VECCIA, Secretary.
This year, the Sisters were invited to found an Academy and to take charge of parochial schools in Texas. On account of the scarcity of Sisters, the request had to be refused, two schools having been accepted shortly before, viz .: at Kansas City, Mis- souri, at the instance of Rev. Father Stephen Hoff- man, O. F. M., and at Bridgetown, Ohio, at the request of Rev. H. Ellerbrook. Moreover, a Kind- ergarten department had been opened in the parish school at Camp Washington, Cincinnati.
In December the Right Rev. Bishop returned from Rome, greatly improved in health. Hle soon
STAGE-AUDITORIUM. Donor: Miss C. Schroeder.
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visited the Sisters and remained at Oldenburg several days.
The new Christmas crib was set up for the feast of the Nativity, and the Sisters assisted at Midnight Mass. The close of the year, 1899, was also marked by the special privilege of the Holy Father, as in so many churches throughout the world, by a solemn midnight Mass in the Convent Church, and the new yea{ 1900 was ushered in by the celebration of the holy mysteries of the altar, an event which impressed itself indelibly on the memory of all present. The same privilege was accorded by His Holiness for the vigil of the New Century; to this was added the gracious permission for the exposition of the Blessed Sacrament from six A. M. till noon on New Year's day, to draw down upon the Community the special blessing of Him, who controls all human destinies.
The Te Deum, ascending to Heaven on these festive occasions from the grateful hearts of the Sisters, was an appropriate expression of thanks- giving for the many benefits and signal blessings received by the Community during the second half of the closing century.
CHAPTER X.
Commencement Exercises .- Elections .- Dedication of the Academy Oratory .- First Communion and Confirmation .- L'esting and Profession.
I'RE illness, and subsequent journey to Europe, of the Right Rev. Bishop Chatard, prevented his presence at the Commencement Exercises in 1899. The premiums were distributed by the Aux- iliary Bishop of Indianapolis, Right Rev. D. O'Donaghue.
He also presided at the elections, held in the Community. in July. Venerable Mother Olivia was re-elected to the office of Superior General. which she had so conscientiously, successfully and accept- ably filled for so many years. The Assistant, and the counsellors were also re-elected, with the excep- tion of Sister Stanislaus, who died AAugust 18th, 1893, when Sister Aquilina was chosen to fill her place.
The Right Rev. Denis O'Donaghue, Bishop of Pomario, and Auxiliary of Indianapolis, who pre- sided at the election, representing the Ordinary, was no stranger to the Sisters, for in his capacity of
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Chancellor of the diocese he had proved himself a kind and considerate friend. Hence they esteemed it a high privilege to be permitted to greet him when he came to them robed in the pontifical purple of the episcopal office.
On February 20, 1900, feast of the Purification of the Blessed Virgin, the oratory in the new Academy was blessed and the Stations of the Cross which had adorned the Sisters' former Chapel were. after a thorough renovation, placed therein by can- onical erection. A beautiful altar in white and gold, Romanesque in style, forms the principal ornament of the Oratory. It was the generous gift of Mrs. H. Dillhoff, whose daughter, Sister M. Clarissa, is among the teachers of the Academy. A lovely statue of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, to which the little chapel is dedicated, occupies the main niche, while angels with scrolls bearing the inscription, "Tota Pulchra Es, Maria," "Et Macula Non Est In Te," fill the niches on either side. The new pews are of quartered, golden oak, and correspond with the settings of the Stations. Tout ensemble, the Oratory is a gem of art and beauty. This Oratory is fifty-two feet long by thirty feet wide, spacious enough indeed, and appropriately furnished, to make a congregation proud to have a church like it. What a difference, too, between this large and beau- tiful Chapel, and the primitive little oratory, ten by
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ten feet, which, in its time, was furnished by two pupils, now ladies beloved and respected by a wide circle of friends.
On February 7th, one of the pupils, aged sixteen, died after a brief illness. A pure, white lily, her soul was recalled by its Creator in the springtime of life. With her mother's consent, she was received into the Church on her death-bed, the Rev. Father Director Capistran Heitmann administering con- ditional baptism to her.
The first of May, our heavenly Mother's month, is always observed as a grand fete in the Academy and Convent, as on that day the junior pupils pre- pared for the great event, are admitted to the recep- tion of their First Holy Communion in the Convent Church. A solemn High Mass marks the occasion every year.
On Ascension Day, the Right Rev. Bishop Chatard administered the Sacrament of Confirmation to a large class, and invested seven postulants with the religions habit.
The feast of Corpus Christi, this year June 14th, was observed with the usual solemn procession of the Blessed Sacrament.
The new Convent building was rapidly approach- ing completion. On June 26th, the Sisters were en- abled to take possession of several apartments, and
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when the Mission Sisters arrived for vacation, a number of additional rooms were ready.
We deem it expedient, for the gratification of the reader, to insert here a somewhat detailed descrip- tion of the
NEW CONVENT AND ACADEMY.
The foundation complete, Messrs. Harig and Brueggemann were selected as general contractors of the edifice, exclusive of the stone masonry, tiling and electricity. Their work has made this building foremost of its kind as to strength, solidity, fire- proof qualities and adaptability. All the walls, ex- terior and interior, built of hard-burned briek, are laid in Utica cement mortar. The outside arches are of Bedford stone. The ventilating flues are lined with the best quality of flue linings.
The floors, partitions, columns and beam cover- ings are made of hollow tile, set in Portland cement. All the floors from the first story to the attic are con- ereted in the best manner.
The iron and steel work is of the best grade. All beams, channels, angles, plates and shop-rivets are of the best steel. The stairways throughout the build- ing are of iron, the treads of Bangor slate. The rail- ings of wrought iron are artistically molded, and the newel posts are richly ornamented. Vitrified tile,
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consisting of tablets three-fourth inches square, cover the grand corridor floors. The field of these floors is very simple, yet beautiful, cream-colored and much enhanced by the far-famed fleur de lis, while the twelve-inch border is richly ornamented. The wainscotting, too, is of vitreous tile with an elegant border and neat capping. The tile was furnished by the Mosaic Tile Company, of 'Zanesville, Ohio.
The heating apparatus, plumbing and gas fix- tures, furnished by Prox and Brinkmann, of Terre Haute, Indiana, meet all demands satisfactorily. The former was under the supervision of Mr. Tap- penbeck and the latter of Mr. Tully.
The electric plant was furnished by Mr. Hatfield, of Indianapolis. Messrs. Borchelt and son, of Old- enburg, are the Convent engineers and electricians.
The carpenter work of the entire building is very elaborate, but simple. The wood material used throughout, is quartered oak. Messrs. Feldkamp and Weber superintended this department, and the work done is the witness as to the outcome.
The polishing of floors, painting and glazing, is the work of the Convent's old-time and staunch friend, Mr. Frank Peine, whose greatest delight it is to add his mite to the improvement and beauty of the structure.
This magnificent building is four stories high,
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exclusive of basement and attic. On the first floor, of St. Teresa's Hall, to the east, are situated the oratory, with its chaste and harmonious adorn- ments; on the west, the young ladies' reception parlor; south of this, the business department and a number of recitation rooms.
Then comes the library, the chosen Eden of every Academician. The floor is parquet in geometrical design, the main figure of which is quartered oak, with ornamentations of cherry, mahogany and white pine. An effective border of the same material en- hances and completes this most attractive piece of art, donated by Miss Frances Stomps. The cases, massive table, elegant settees, all of antique oak, are the gifts of one of the old girls and her generous hus- band, Mr. S. Leonard, of Pensacola, Florida. Dr. Leahy, Mrs. Nienaber, Miss Huelefeld, of Cincin- nati, Ohio, and Mrs. Mann, of Muncie, Ind., each also contributed generously to the furnishing of this favored spot.
Upon and above the cases are the busts and por- traits of some of the most noted literati of ancient and modern times. Prominent among these is a picture of Holy Father Leo XIII., the only surviv- ing member of the famous Trio of the Nineteenth Century. The fine cases are generously stocked with the very best works of English, German,
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French, Italian and Spanish authors, treating on religious, philosophical and scientific subjects, not excluding the most approved works of fiction and current topics.
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