Page:Every Woman's Encyclopedia Volume 1.djvu/147

 127 RELIQION , , MA. ^ . j i,^,^^^^ ^, X^*>^ A S >-^^^- VJL A A A-TT TME DOMIMICABJ COHVEHT &T. MAWLY'^o CABRAo BUELIH By BRIDEY M. O'REILLY The Work Done by the Nuns Educating and Training Deaf and Dumb Girls — the Life of Deaf Mutes in the Convent — How They are Taught Dressmaking, Spinning, Lacemaking, and Laundry Work ST. Mary's Dominican Convent, Cabra, Dublin, is one of the largest Catholic institutions in the world, and visitors from all parts of the world state that it is not only one of the most beautiful, but one of the most up-to-date of Catholic institutions. The convent is situated in the county of Dublin, on a hill overlooking the city. On one side is the well-known Phoenix Park, backed by the Dublin mountains, on the other are the hills and dales of the counties of Dublin and Meath. In the grounds, which are very beautiful and filled with forest trees and flowers, are tennis- courts and croquet-lawns for the recreation of the children. There are also swings and a covered gymnasium. THE ESTABLISHMENT The community consists of over one hundred professed nuns of the Order of St. Dominic, and about the same number of lay sisters, who do the domestic work of the community. In addition there is a noviciate, where those who are preparing themselves for a religious life are trained. The head of the establishment is called the Prioress, and is elected by the community every sixty years ago by a number of Catholics, who formed a committee, collected funds, and placed the children under the care of the nuns. EDUCATION OF THE DEAF AND DUMB The children vary in age from three years to eighteen years. At eighteen they are supposed to be educated, and the small sum (^15 per year) paid for their education is reduced. The nuns, how- ever, frequently keep some of the children under their care for a much longer period, because a deaf mute of sixteen to eighteen years of age is still unfit to engage in the battle of life ; her mental, moral, and physical development are necessarily stunted, and perhaps she may be partly blind and crippled. The institution has develoj^ed greatly, and, in addition to the children who are paid for by charity, there are the deaf and dumb children of gentlefolk, who are taught with the others, but who have their own residential quarters. In addition are received deaf and dumb children whose parents are able to pay, at any rate partially, for their education. Moreover, the nuns receive and educate, for charity when possible, adults — deaf and dumb women ignorant of all things, and without recommenda- tion from anyone. St. Mary's Dominican Convent, Cabra, Dublin three years. The present Prioress was a Miss Maher, and in religion is called Mother Mary Bertrand. She is a niece of the late Cardinal Cullen, Archbishop of Dublin. The establishment comprises five distinct and separate works: a ladies' college, where students are prepared for university ; a ladies' high school ; a school for the sons of gentlefolk, the age limits being from two to nine ; an elementary school; and, last of all, the Catholic institution for the female deaf and dumb. This last institution was established about WORK DONE BY DEAF MUTES The education of the deaf and dumb is a matter of great difficulty. First they are taught the names of the objects surrounding them, and how to indicate them first by signs, and afterwards in writing. Then, when they are sufficiently educated in general knowledge, they are taught the kind of work for which they are best suited. Some make Limerick lace of such beauty that it has been awarded the silver medal at many exhibitions ; others make crochet lace ; others do embroidery of all kinds, including church embroidery and - vestments ;