AN IRISH MISSIONARY SCHOOL.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXIX, Issue 5, 31 January 1901, Page 29

AN IRISH MISSIONARY SCHOOL.

A writer in a Cork newspaper recently paid a visit to the Missionary school in connection with the Convent of the Sisters of Mercy, Callan, County Kilkenny, and thus describes the institution and its work :—: — For such noble work as falls to the lot of the missionary nuns in foreign climes— climes that differ as widely as the wilds of Africa and the prairies of America, the West Indies and Australia, Canada and China— it is obvious that special training is required at home. It would never do if aspirants went out, full of enthusiasm, perhaps, only to find that they had not a vocation or were for some reason unsmted to the work in the particular place they singled out as their destination. To provide a means against disappointment on the part of the young missionaries themselves, as well as on the part of those workers in foreign lands eager for helpers, the happy idea was conceived now more than 16 years ago of establishing a school exclusively for training nuns for the foreign mission. That school was established in connection with the Convent of Mercy, Callan, County Kilkenny, and is known as St. Brigid's Missionary School. It owes its origin to Cardinal Moran, Arohbishop of Sydney, who was the Bishop of Ossory at the time when the idea was first suggested The present Bishop of Ossory, the Most Rev. Dr. Brownrigg, is the nresent patron of the institution. It is not every layman who has had the privilege of seeing this great missionary school at work, and of seeing for himself how the future workers in foreign lands are trained for their saored missions That privilege was the writer's during his visit to Callan on a' recent occasion. The experience was an interesting one, not soon to be forgotten. Here, it was realised, is no ordinary school, but an institution that is the centre from which culture. Christian kindness charity, religious zeal, and fervor go forth to many lands, carrying with them sweet consolation and salvation ! The work is indeed noble that paves the way for noble deeds 1 Aspirants come from almost every county in Ireland to the miesionary school— from Cork even to Donegal, Life at St. Brigid's is pleasant in the extreme. The future nuns have for their accommodation the whole of what was the Mercy Convent before the present beautiful building was erected. It is a spacious establishment, and is situated amidst pretty surroundings at the Kilkenny side of Callan. Every care is taken of the physical health of the students, and while they get through a great deal of study they have ample time for recreation in the open air in the convent grounds. Cheerfulness and contentment reign supreme. The young ladies are at perfect liberty as to the Order they will select, and the country they will go to when their studies are finished here and they and the experienced nuns who have trained them are satisfied as to their vocation. It should be borne in mind that the aspirants in s»t. Brigid's hchool are trained for all Orders alike. No distinction whatsoever is made in respect to the Mercy Order The one objiol iq view is to train for the Missionary life. And accounts from all parts of the world from the 200 or so of the old pupils who are now Missionary nuns abroad, prove in the most conclusive manner how admirably the object is achieved. Truly, this is a noble work which is being carried out by the Sisters of Mercy at Callan, County Kilkenny 1 '