"LADIES OF THE WORLD."

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 90, 9 January 1908, Page 6

"LADIES OF THE WORLD."

RETREAT ,AT„ ISLAND BAY

Ill'its institution of annual retreats, during. which the Convent Sisters, having dismissed their,. pupils" for the holidays, can propare 'their trangiiU minds' for special spiritual reflection, Catholic .Church does not forget those other persons whom, for distinction's sake, it calls "the Ladies of tho World." Their minds, during 51 weeks of the year, eddy,among more currents, alike of pleasure and -its disappointments, than can ever touch i the .. quiet haven of tho Sister's' lives, but , for just one week .they are enabled'"to' leive them all, and .rest'in tho still .waters of "religious calm. That week will commence 'on 'Saturday. The Convent of the'. Sisters of the Sacred Heart at Island Bay'will then become" the temporary'home of such ladies as desiro to leave off thinking about their, dressos and receptions for a week,,and spend their, time in religious exercises' and- in - listening to the- Father Kelly, a Jesuit, preacher from Australia, who will give'them spiritual conferences. It is expected that a largo number o'f ladies will take advantage of the opportunity;'' A similar,, retreat ,which has just been held at Timaru, was attended by some eighty, ladies, including some who wont from Wellington. It is probable i that' some' South Canterbury ladies will attend tho Island Bay retreat, thus combining change and holiday with religious devotion. These retreats for-,-" ladies of the world," a. reporter learned, from the ' Vicar-General (the Very Rev. Father O'Shea), were started in New Zealand many years ago, with tho first arrival' of tho Sisters of tho Sacred Heart at Timaru.. The Sisters ha\;o only had tlioir house at Island Bay, howover, for about two years, so that tho retreat is almost a now thing in Wellington. Thcro are no other houses of this Sisterhood in tho Dominion.

The retreats of the Sisters themselves are conducted after, much- stricter rules than those enforced on "ladies of the world." Pzstreats aro being held just now by tho Sisters of Compassion, Sisters of the Sacred Heart at .Island Bay, and Brigidine Nuns at Mastorton. Father. Kollv is preaching to tho Island Bay Sisters, and Father Keogli, Rcctor of St. Patrick s CJollego, to tho nuns at Masrerton. The auriiial retreat of tho Sisters of Mercy has just concluded.