Letter from the Sisters in the Novitiate of the Holy Cross Convent and school to the Superior

and Sisters at Saint Catherine’s Baggot Street.

They had arrived for a very short time and were anxious to share their experience with the
Sisters in Dublin. 1849
(Srs. M Francis Goold, M Magadalen, and Catherine)
Transcribed by Joan Smith rsm from the Archived Letters at Baggot Street, 1981. Holy Cross
was the first building erected by the Sisters for their living and ministry. It remained as
classrooms and in the 1900’s was a boarding house for very young children.. The Sisters moved
to the new Convent built in 1871. Bricks for the 1848/49 Convent were baked on the land owned
by Mr. Bernard Smith in Adelaide Terrace. Now the site of the Fenian’s Pub and Langley
apartments. (House was demolished in 1957.)
The Convent/school was attached to the St John’s Church and after the completion of the 1853
School Building. It was separated at the time of the first “renovation of the St John’s
Cathedral. “ Eventually an enclosed verandah was added to the Holy Cross Building. This was
demolished early 1966.
The original entrance was through a door opposite the St Joseph’s Building.
 7th July 1849
In the lecture the other morning, the subject of which was “Union and
Charity”, there was a part of it where St Ignatius ordains that we should
entertain ourselves with pious letters, and these should be full of
edification, whereby one understanding what the other does, we may
animate each other to similarity of conduct, as far as the diversity of the
nations will permit.
Wishing to follow his advice, we intend to try and entertain our dear
Mothers and Sisters at Saint Catherine’s, first with a description of the
Convent of the Holy Cross and then of the various daily occupations of
each dear Mother and Sister in it.
So, to begin with the reception room which is about 40 feet long and 20
feet broad.1 (Not very good at guessing this and have no ruler). There are
two windows, one looking out into the Grant2 and from the other we have a
view of the Swan River: and the third into the centre room.
Between the school room door and the one leading to the Grant is placed
the piano; over it is hung the picture of St Philomena, a head of Our
Blessed Lord and one of Our Blessed Lady. At one side of the window from
which we have a view of the Swan River is hung the picture of St Vincent;
at the other side, St Cecilia. At one side of the window looking into the
Grant is a large print of our Lord represented as the Sower; to correspond
with this one, at the other side is the Annunciation.
Over the Chimney piece is a print of the Last Supper with Magdalen at the
feet of Our Blessed Lord. Over it is a painting of the Sacred Heart. On the
chimney piece is the prayer for the Sisters, nicely framed in sandalwood —-
the Memorare to correspond to it.
Also, a small head of Our Redeemer and a statue of the Blessed Virgin.
To the left-hand side of the fireplace is a large bookcase filled with books;
under it is Mother M. Anne’s press3 in which are kept sundry articles of
1
On the area original letter these figures are difficult to read.)
2
Generally used as a term for a garden area. Land made available to the Catholic Church

3
Press- a cabinet, usually of woods such as oak, walnut, or mahogany, and designed for
storing sheets, table-napkins, clothing, and other textiles. ... Analogous terms are
clothing, etc. Close to it is the door leading to the schoolroom, so please
follow us into it and we will there see a long narrow room with about sixty
children.
To be more exact in giving a description of the schoolroom, we shall
commence with telling you what it contains, and then we shall give a short
detail of the horarium4. Well, from the wall on the right-hand side are
suspended the five maps that the new Sisters brought with them. Opposite
are the lesson cards over which are hung small pointers; behind the
superintending desk is hung the distribution of time, framed; an alphabet
printed by one of the Sisters, framed; also the explanation of the Signs and
Flags; these three frames are placed in rotation. Under them is a small
frame with the directions to be observed by the children at writing.
Opposite the Sister’s desk is a small press which contains the work
baskets, copies, books etc. There is close to this a glass door which leads
into the church; this is opened on Sundays at second Mass and Vespers5
with the young children kneeling opposite to it in the schoolroom.
Now comes the gallery but let us see what it is composed of. Oh! Yes! The
top seat is a plank of deal board6, not wider than a shelf and indeed not
unlike one. The next seat is mahogany, somewhat wider; the rest of the
gallery is composed of forms. This opposite to a window which looks into
the Grant; a little on one side is a pole from which is suspended either a
map or blackboard.
At the lower end of the schoolroom are six rows of racks for the children’s
bonnets, and another pole which is pierced here and there with large
nails, which holds the children’s tin dinner plates. There is a row of
numbers placed over these so that each child knows her own. At one
corner of this little place are hung the bellows7; at one side of the window
(or should we say the place for one) is hung the blue bag. To correspond
laundry cupboard or linen cupboard.
4
Horarium (Latin for "of / related to the hours") is the name given to the daily schedule
of those living in a religious community or seminary.
5
Vespers, evening prayer of thanksgiving and praise in Roman Catholic and certain
other Christian liturgies
6
Deal board – fir or pine board
7
Bellows - a device with an air bag that emits a stream of air when squeezed together with two
handles, used for blowing air into a fire.
with this at the other side is a little bell, the tongue of which is a brass fancy
button, the handle an old brass seal. This is rung at mealtime to collect the
little tribe; it is well they are quick at hearing, for this little bell has very weak
lungs, and cannot call loudly.
The refectory8 is built of paling stuck together; the roof is composed of felt
and over this some straw. It is not the most comfortable place in winter for
the rain very kindly penetrated through, and the little children are
sometimes obliged to go under the table for shelter; and we believe that Sr
Mary Evangelista on one occasion put her head into a tub.
Between this refectory and the dormitory is a space as you will perceive in
the little sketch - on the railing are hung the covers of the saucepans, etc.
On every Friday you will see two (2) of the children with their little blue
frocks tucked up, and they are brightening their tin pannikins9, etc.
We are now at the dormitory; this is a little thatched cottage, the door of
which is so low, you must stoop before you can enter; it is about the width
of the Boudoir10, and about twice as long. There are eight children sleeping
in the place every night. The roof is thatch11, but the rain penetrates in the
winter; a few weeks ago one side of the plaster fell in and Sr Mary
Evangelista was obliged to put a rug against the fence until it could be
mended. It is expected that some fine day the whole building will fall.
(thatched cottage)
There are five or six iron bedsteads12 in this dormitory, each having all the
requisites for a good bed; whenever visitors are taken to see it, they are
astonished to see how comfortable the children are kept. From the wall in
the centre of this room hangs a frame in which is a list of the different
charges these dear children have. There are also two or three trunks for
their clothes, each child has his or her own towel, comb, brush and bag.
There is, at one end of this room, a shelf on which are boots, shoes and
books and on another side is another shelf - this is an apology for an
oratory13’ and a shelf on which are a row of basins. We have now dear

8
Refectory – a room used for communal meals in a religious institution
9
Pannikins – small metal drinking cups
10
Boudoir – a bedroom or small private room
11
Thatch - a roof covering of straw, reeds, palm leaves, or a similar material
12
Bedstead - the framework of a bed on which the mattress and bedclothes are placed.
13
Oratory – a small place for prayer, a small chapel, especially for private worship.
Mothers and Sisters, endeavoured to give you a faint description of our
dear little Convent of the Holy Cross, and all we ask in return is a fervent
prayer that it be the Holy Will of our good God, we may daily advance in
virtue and become humble and zealous Missionary Sisters of Mercy. We
will continue with next episode and send on the next ship.
With every kind wish and love to our dear, Mothers and sisters at St
Catherine’s we remain,
Your ever attached Sisters in JC +
The Novices of the Holy Cross Convent. July 1849

Transcribed with the assistance of Ruth Marchant who had been visiting the
Presentation Sisters to research their story in preparation for publication.

Second Letter
Continuation of the description of the Convent of the Holy Cross. Written
November 1849.
As there is an opportunity of sending letters to England, we shall endeavor
to finish the 2nd volume of our description of the Holy Cross. The last
place we described was our little choir14. We then take you up to the
terrace which we ascend by five or six brick steps; a little to your left is the
Cemetery where rest(s) the remains of dear Mother Catherine (Gogarty).
There are a few flowers planted round her grave, and a cross at her head.
We then take you to St Ursula’s bower; the following is a sketch of it.
Next to this is the children’s playground, in the centre of which is a fine
swing; here the little pets recreate15 themselves after school hours. As we
walk on, we come to a square wooden building with a square brick top; this
is the shower, bath, but if you will follow us to the Grant, you will see the

14
Choir – part of a convent /chapel where the Divine Office is chanted the stalls accommodating
nuns and separated from the sanctuary by carved low partitions;
15
Recreation time, play
front of it. It has a door made of a piece of coarse wrapping cloth that came
around a case directed to Dr16 Brady. This direction forms a kind of pattern
on the door; and it is quite a picturesque screen.
We are now on the Grant at the rear of the Convent; the first place we shall
describe is the kitchen; it is about the size of the storeroom at St
Catherine’s. As you enter, on your right, is a long deal17 table, and then the
fireplace; next to this is the oven, and opposite the door are a few
mahogany shelves on which are placed various bright things. There is a
tall, narrow staircase which leads up to a room over the kitchen; this is
MM18 Anne’s storeroom. Oh! If you were to see the kitchen on a washing
and baking day in winter, you would see a sight. There would be two
immense tubs and various small ones and Sisters Mary and Catherine and
perhaps a woman and two children engaged in washing. Almost on top of
them would be Sr Mary Aloysius cooking the dinner. In another corner
would be Sister M Magdalen with about ten or twelve tins of bread ready to
pitch into the oven.
All these little businesses going on at the same time; there was one of
these days, Rev Mother wanted to go into it for something, but there were
so many things here and there, such as washing, cooking and baking
utensils, that she had to walk out again. On your left as you enter the
kitchen, is a door leading into the refectory; we need not mention the duty
that is performed here at the hours of 8, 12.30, 4 and 6.30 o’clock every
day, as we are aware that you are acquainted with it!
There is one thing that we must not omit telling - it is, that Sr M Aloysius
who is refectorian charges any Sister a penny who does not eat her meat
every day. But now for a list of the things in the refectory; the table which is
in the centre of this apartment is exactly like the one at St. Anne’s
Booterstown.
There are four long forms and two small stools; the latter are for Rev
Mother and Mother M Anne. Opposite the door leading out to the Grant is
a large bin the top of which serves as a press to hold the cups, saucers,
mugs and plates for the use of the refectory. The under parts contain, we
believe sugar, rice etc. etc. On the same side of the refectory as this bin
there is a square deal table in which is placed a tin box for holding the
bread, plates and tin covers, knives, trays etc. Over the bin is printed in
16
Dr – a title used in Ireland for Catholic bishops
17
Deal table – pinewood table
18
MM – Mother Mary Anne’s
green letters the word “Recreation”; this is turned on days when we speak
during meals. On silence days the card which is over the door opposite the
kitchen is turned. There are five pieces of matting on the floor.
We shall now go over to the children’s refectory; please walk in. You will
perceive, as you enter, a long deal table, no forms, for the little pets stand
at their meals. Opposite the floor is a sort of a long seat on which are the
washing tubs; over this is another shelf, at the side, which is next to the
flour store, are two shelves. On one are various things which are used in
the kitchen; under this is a row of pannikans; under them a shelf to hold the
children’s shawls etc. There are five desks and one table which are
numbered with the children’s numbers.

More information about school.

The horarium is not unlike dear St Catherine’s, School19; opens at 9.30 and
the fourth, third and second children place themselves on the gallery 20, and
the Sister gives them a simultaneous lesson - one day on Geography,
another on Grammar. The rest of the children are at work until 10.15. When
the children on the gallery go to work, and those at work go to the gallery,
that is, those in 1s‘ division of 2nd and the children in books. The little
children who are in their Alphabet are taught their letters until a quarter past
eleven, when those that were at work write and the little Catholic children
are taught their prayers. At a quarter to 12 is the Examen 21, 12 Acts and
Litany22. 12.30 the 1st Class Gallery children are taught sums - the rest are
at their reading lessons; at 1.00 general lessons. Dear Rev. Mother 23 who
has charge of the school sits at the desk during this hour; at the time for
changing lessons she strikes the signal and changes her desk during this
19
Baggott Street, Dublin
20
Gallery- a balcony or upper floor projecting from an interior back or side wall of a hall or
church
21
Examen - a technique of prayerful reflection on the events of the day in order to detect God's
presence and discern his direction for us.
22
Litany- a series of petitions for use in church services or processions, usually recited by the
clergy and responded to in a recurring formula by the people.
23
Mother Mary Ursula Frayne
hour; at the time for changing lessons she strikes the signal and changes
her flag etc. at 2.00 Catechism24, half past two Litany of the Blessed Virgin
and dismissed; this ends the school.
Now please walk into the reception room again and follow us into the
centre room. Oh! This is the room of all rooms, for in it is comprised
several rooms. For in it is kept 1st the infirmary press which should be in
the infirmary if there was one! 2nd a large flour bin which is the furniture of a
bake house; on top is kept the scales and weights and about twice or three
times a week you might see on the top of it ten or twelve loaves. Thirdly, a
long deal table with mahogany legs; this is the laundry table - so you see it
is also a laundry room. Under the stairs is a closet which generally goes
by the name “shoe closet”; various duties are performed here. 1. The lamps
are cleaned; accordingly, all utensils for this business are kept here; 2. The
sisters clean their shoes in this little cubby hole - therefore, the shoe
brushes have their corner.
On Fridays you might see, perhaps two or three Sisters trying to squeeze
themselves into a corner to clean their pewter basin, jug, mug and plate.
(We should have mentioned that in this said shoe room, one Sister only
can remain at a time - and it requires the greatest caution how she moves
in it, for she is in danger of breaking her head against the foundation of the
staircase which forms the roof of the little hovel 25, or being pierced by the
nails which are over her head, behind her back and on each side of her.)
Standing in front of one of the windows is a clothes horse26 - the furniture of
the laundry; there are four small mats made out of a piece of Indian matting
bound round with old black stuff.
One is placed at the entrance of the front door, another before the
reception room door, third at the community room and a fourth at the foot of
the stairs.
Between the infirmary press and staircase is a tall narrow press, in this are
kept sundry27 articles such as cups and saucers etc. for the priest’s
breakfast, glassware, cheaper ware - in fine, wares of all kinds. It is what
we would call a Mother M de Pazzi press - Sister M Francis (Goold) has
24
Catechism - a manual of religious instruction usually arranged in the form of questions and
answers used to instruct the young
25
Hovel – a small and simply constructed dwelling
26
Clothes horse- a frame on which washed clothes are hung to air indoors.
27
Sundry - various kinds
charge of this said centre room and we believe her patience is sometimes
tried. Perhaps when she is ready to give its weekly cleaning on Saturdays,
there will be Mother Anne with a large saucepan of hops, etc. to make
yeast; a brown crock28 to put the yeast in when boiled, and about dozen
black bottles to bottle the yeast when ready. All this is done in the centre
room and Sr Francis must wait until all is finished before she can begin her
work. We believe there are various other things which give her an
opportunity of practicing this great virtue of patience with which we are not
familiarly acquainted.
Now the next place we will take you to is the cells29, so please follow us
upstairs which consists of 17 steps. The first thing that will attract your
notice is a table in the middle of the corridor on which are placed two or
three desks; hanging over it is shelf on which are a few religious books, Sr
Francis’ paint box, a small crucifix and a picture of St Francis of Assisi and
one of the Blessed Virgin in a gilt frame. Above all these is the Motto: “He
hath no-where to lay his head”.
Under the table is a form on which are placed a few work boxes,; there are
two mahogany stools and a chair - this is the Novitiate of the Holy Cross.
Well at our backs you will see two screens - these are cells; they have
doors, but, alas! What are they composed of? Examine them and you will -
why, they are no less than calico, the same as the quilts. These are most
tastefully fastened up on the daytime and let down at night.
In giving you a description of the furniture of one cell, we include all the
rest, except that in three of the cells there are small mahogany presses for
the Sisters’ clothes; in the others are trunks. Well. In each cell there is an
iron bedstead and all the requisites for the Sister to rest herself for a few
hours after the toil and labour of the day; a chair and a small table on which
are placed a pewter basin, jug, mug etc. In the screen are pierced small
darts which we call nails; from these are suspended a cloak - out and
indoor, perhaps a habit, clothes and comb bag made out of the same
material as the doors, and a check duster. At the head of the bed is hung a
picture and Vows of the Sister if she is professed30. This ends the cells.
28
Crock - an earthenware pot or jar.
29
Cell – a small room in which a sister slept.
30
In the Catholic Church, a religious profession is the solemn admission of men or women into
consecrated life by means of the pronouncement of religious vows . Usually – poverty, chastity
and obedience.
There are two wooden doors, one leading to St Joseph’s Corridor in which
are four cells, the other to St. Anne’s in which are three cells. The corridor
in which the Noviceship is we call St Mary’s. Sr M Ignatia has charge of the
cells. The linen press is, what do you think? No less than the chest the last
Sisters brought out with them, which we believe belonged to Sr Caroline
(?). This is placed just at the top of the stairs, next to it is another chest
which contains various things belonging to the novices.
Now we shall go down to the community room31 which is opposite the
reception room32, and about the same size. At the right-hand side of the
room is a window from which we a most beautiful view of one end of the
refectory etc. On a line with it is Sr M Aloysius’ piano - a fine-tuned
instrument. When played upon, the notes send forth their sounds so clearly
that a stranger unacquainted with its qualities would be tempted to say that
its exterior was rather deceitful, for, certainly its interior must be in a sad
state of dilapidation; for one half of its musical powers are in a sad state of
dumbness. You might certainly produce a sound from some of the notes by
giving them a very good thumping or pounding.
Next to this delightful musical instrument is a square deal chest which
contains books, pens, copies etc. belonging to the school. It is covered with
green calico of a rather dull ‘duckety’33 mud colour. In the middle of the
room is a mahogany table on which are placed the work boxes and desks
belonging to the Community Sisters. (there we must stop for a minute to tell
you what occurred to the writer of this when she had written the word
‘Sister’.) She stopped for a minute to reflect on what she had to say next,
and, instead of keeping her thoughts on her present subject, she thought
proper to fall into a sound sleep which lasted for nearly a quarter of an
hour, during which she dreamed that she was standing by the bedside of a
dead person and making a sort of meditation of how she would be like that
person one day.
She awoke and, to her great amazement, found herself seated at her desk
with her pencil in one hand and her head leaning on the other. This is the
first Sunday of the month, and we suppose her thoughts were wandering
on her meditation which was the cause of this delightful dream, or as the
Sisters say, ‘vision’. But, to continue our subject - on the left side of the
31
Community Room - was a space where the Sisters gathered at the end of each day.
32
Reception Room – place where guests were greeted
33
Duckety - a drab nondescript colour, especially a dull brown resembling the colour of mud;
community room in a door leading into the Grant — also a small sofa
made of deal, on itis a black cushion and pillow stuffed with clean old rags.
On this dear Revd. Mother sometimes sits at recreation. At the right-hand
side of the fireplace is Revd Mother’s press in which are kept sundry
articles, such as materials for habits, linen for the altar etc. etc.
On top of this is a row of religious books, on the chimney piece is a crucifix,
a picture of the Good Shepherd and Blessed Virgin, hanging over the
crucifix is a painting of the Sacred Heart. Sr M Ignatia has charge of this
room and she charges a penny to any Sister who leaves anything about.
You would be greatly amused if you could only witness the various charges
that are brought against the Sisters. We shall just mention a few. After
supper we are all assembled about half past seven. Then begins Sr M
Ignatia, “S M Francis, you owe me a penny for leaving a piece of calico last
night”. Sr Francis then says, “Oh But sister, you owe me two pence for
leaving your basin and jug in the shoe closet all day.” Sr M Ignatia makes
an appeal to Rev Mother saying, “I left one basin and jug in the closet
yesterday to clean. I had to go and perform an important duty before I could
clean it. Accordingly, when | went for it, it was gone; Sr M Francis had it.”.
A mock jury followed — the verdict was this: Sr Francis had not only to
pay for leaving the calico about but had to spend a whole hour the next day
(which was Saturday) endeavouring to make a pewter basin and jug bright
as silver. (Several other sentences are included in the original letter)
So now we will proceed to the choir34. It is about the size of the boudoir?,
in it are eight stalls - four each side. At Rev. Mother’s side sit Sr. Ignatia,
Baptist and Francis and at Mother Anne’s side, Sister Aloysius,
Evangelista and Magdalen. Sr Catherine kneels beside Sr M. Francis.
From the ceiling hangs a lamp made from the top of an old thurible35, hung
with the chain attached to it. The weight is composed of the following
materials: old pieces of iron, lead, sand and brick and the top of an old tin
blacking pot. These are covered with the greatest neatness and precision
with a piece of crimson cloth ornamented with fringe to correspond.

34
Choir - part of a convent /chapel where the Divine Office is chanted the stalls accommodating
nuns and separated from the sanctuary by carved low partitions;
35
Thurible - is a metal censer suspended from chains, in which incense is burned during
worship services.
In this little choir is said evening prayers after Matins36 the Memorare37 for
our dear Mothers and Sisters at St Kitty’s38. Dear Rev. Mother has asked
us for our letter - so we must make another volume of our history. It will
contain a description of the out-offices and Grants with a few illustrations
which we shall endeavor to have ready by the next opportunity.
With love to all the dear Mothers and Sisters at St Catherine’s and hoping
they will pray for their missionary sisters. We remain your truly grateful
and sincerely attached children and Sisters in JC+
The Novices of Holy Cross. November 1849

36
Matins - mainly RC Church the first of the seven canonical hours of prayer, originally
observed at night but now often recited with lauds at daybreak

37
Memorare - a Catholic prayer seeking the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

38
St Catherine’s Baggott Street, Dublin