THE CONVENT SCHOOL.

New Zealand Tablet, 23 October 1919, Page 45

THE CONVENT SCHOOL.

/, A writer in the Pittsburg . (U.S.A.) Observer has this timely observation on the convent school. IV; is equally applicable to all our educational institutions in charge of tho Sisters: • ; ;w - S-,-- ? .: . Recently as I looked over the advertisements of ; the various convent schools, I felt a regret that more people

do. not i send their daughters to convent schools >for;" the academic course as commonly; now 'as they did in the long ago. -■;,;.... v '• ..■■;, There is a training given in = the ' convent school that cannot be obtained elsewhere. Self-denial,, modesty, and meekness are taught, whileVthe: observant pupils are influenced by the self-sacrifice, piety, and humility .of -their teachers. Consequently; more or less of these virtues are unconsciously infused into the character' of the susceptible youth, who is thus better equipped to meet life's responsibilities and disappointments with grace and resignation. One can associate with a body of 500 women and can pick out the convent school girl. . ■; %. The Sisters in the parochial schools are handicapped in giving this training, because this influence is spoiled by indulgent parents at home. No parent, however good, can give this training, because paternal love is such a powerful factor that the fond parent! is only too anxious to gratify every reasonable whim of the child. This accounts for much of the selfishness and jealousies that spoil.the harmony of life. - '^ The Sisters in convent schools understand the art not only of making their pupils happy and studious, but they devise joyous entertainments that in the landmark of memory can only be recalled in connection with the sacred teaching of the convent school. I remember in my own convent school days when we were entertained once a month as guests of the superior, when our report justified a reward; and this was indeed a treasured honor. Such are the joys of the convent school that brand the memory and are sweetened by the span of the added years; and I thank God from the depth of my soul for those hallowed recollections. I owe much to tho dear Sisters of the Holy Humility of Mary.