EXILED SISTERS OF CHARITY.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume II, Issue 111, 12 June 1875, Page 8

EXILED SISTERS OF CHARITY.

A CORUESpoitdfnt in Brownsville, Texas, describes as follows the passage of 22 exiled Sißters of Charity through that city to New Orleans and elsewhere : —

pn February 23rd, twenty-two Sisters of Charity, expelled from Mexico, arrived here en route to New Orleans and elsewhere. Nearly all were Mexicans. The Mexican ladies of this city and Mutamoros offered inducements to them to stay where they could hear the soft Castilian tongue, and the Sisters were willing. Ib was necessary to obtain the approbation of Bishop Mauncy, and -while he personally desired to accede to the wishes of the ladies, an imperative sense of duty compelled him to reject the proposals. On March 4th, the Sisters walked to the depot/and as theyjpassed through the streets the Mexicans from all quarters of the city gathered to prevent their going. The ladies were in the car, their baggage on board the baggage car, the engine gave its promonitory whistle, and the Mexicans made a rush upon the train, uncoupled the cars, and declared that their dear Sisters should not leave them. The mayor was sent for, who, with a force of police, restored order, and the ladies were permitted to depart. Upon this some one in the crowd cried out that the bishop had driven them off, and a rush was made to the house of the Oblate Fathers, where Bishop Mauncy is a guest. The commotion attracted attention, and although it was attempted to persuade the bishop not to appear before the excited multitude, he determined to interview them. On his appearance, cries of " Vive Mexico ! vive Mexicano ! " were shouted by the crowd ; but he waved his hand for silence, asking them what they desired. The multitude ' answered, " The Sisters ; you have driven them away ; bring them bach." The bishop then stated calmly that these ladies arrived hero on fcheir way to New Orleans, and that they had now proceeded ; that he, as bishop, had charge of this district, and must manage it in his own way ; that he had neither the ability nor the power to keep the Sisters, and that if the times became propitious, and the Sisters were needed, he would in good time endeavour to procure them. The bishop then asked the multitude : "Are you Catholics ? " to which they all cried out : "We are." " Well, then," said the bishop, "if you are Catholics, hear and obey my voice as that of your legitimate pastor, and I now cay to you, go home, and take with you my blessing." The crowd then dispersed. The demonstration was that of the clftes known as Peladoes.