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St. Scholastica’s Convent. The following is a short sketch and biography of this institution and its illustrious founders. As the Reverend Benedictine Fathers of St. Meinrad, Ind., undertook the founding of a mission at St. Benedict, Ark., in the spring of 1878, it was their most sincere wish and desire that the spiritual daughters of St. Benedict, the holy founder of the Benedictine Order, should share in their labor in the vineyard of the Lord. They therefore applied to the Convent of the “Immaculate Conception,” of Ferdinand, Dubois County, Ind., for Benedictine nuns. The Ven. Mother Superior being animated with the desire of propagating the kingdom of God, answered in their favor and sent four nuns to their aid. On September 20, 1878, the Ven. Sisters bade adieu to their dearly beloved mother-house, Superior and Sisters, with tearful eyes and heavy hearts, though with the consolation of thus doing the most holy will of God. On arriving in Arkansas they were shown to St. Scholastica, about twelve miles distant from St. Benedict. The land, ten acres, was donated by the Little Rock & Fort Smith Railroad Company. They found a small box house, destitute of all comforts, and a small church. Of course their hardships and trials were numerous and of a trying character, but were borne with great fortitude and patience. They labored faithfully, doing all in their power for the welfare of the congregation, until the year 1882, when Ven. Superior Meinrada Lex, the present Mother, was sent by her superiors, from the convent of the “Immaculate Conception,” of Ferdinand, Ind., to take charge of the convent of St. Scholastica and open a novitiate. The real founding, rapid growth and prosperity of this institution is marked from this date. Fulda, Spencer County, Ind., a neat and thrifty village, nestled in the midst of a rich farming region, is the birthplace of Ven. Mother Meinrada Lex. She was born in 1855, and is the daughter of George and Theresa Lex, her education being received in the academy of the “Immaculate Conception,” Dubois County, Ind., and at an early age graduated from this institution with merit and honor. In 1870 she entered this convent as postulant, was invested in 1872 and took the simple vows one year later. After having passed public examination and receiving a very recommendable certificate she was engaged in teaching the boys’ department in the public school of Ferdinand, Ind., a position she filled two years to the entire satisfaction of both the public and superintendents. At that time her superiors, to the deep regret of her pupils, as well as their parents, found it necessary to choose her among the first to bring the sacrifice of leaving the dear cloister to found a mission at St. Meinrad. Here she remained until 1876, when she was recalled to her convent, and was immediately elected novice mistress. However, it was not until commanded by virtue of holy obedience, one of the holy vows, that she could be induced to accept this difficult charge, being well aware of the great responsibility with which the duties of a novice mistress are burdened. With all the fervency of a truly Christian soul she now devoted herself to the discharge of her duties. The able and well skilled nuns of later years, who were in the novitate during her employment, are an ample proof of her wisdom and prudence. In 1879 it was deemed necessary by her superiors to order her again to St. Meinrad, there to act as principal of the public school. With ready and loving obedience, which she ever strove to practice, she followed the call of her Divine Master, who, through the medium of her superiors thus made manifest to her His most holy will. Here she remained until 1882, when she was again recalled to Ferdinand. Her loss was greatly bewailed by all, for through her removal they lost an able and a universally beloved teacher. But with what aim was she summoned home? Divine Providence had destined her for a greater and more important work, and she had scarcely arrived at her convent home and ventured to hope for the gratification of the long cherished desire of resting herself in the bosom of her beloved cloister in the midst of the dear Sisters, when it was announced to her that she was again to leave her home so dear to her, and go to the distant St. Scholastica in Arkansas. These unwelcome tidings smote her heart like a thunderbolt, but after hurrying to the foot of the altar, and there raising her heart to God in prayer and tears, begged for the grace and strength to carry out this great sacrifice. She arose comforted, and gave her consent for the love of Him who had, in His great love for her, chosen her for His bride.

Consequently in May, 1882, she took leave of all that was near and dear to her of earth, and departed in company with her Ven. Mother Superior for her distant field of labor in Arkansas. On her arrival she found nothing but poverty and privation awaiting her. Two of the Sisters who were sent in 1878 were occupying the box house, containing three small rooms, and the other two were at that time engaged in teaching school in St. Benedict mission. It would make one shudder to rehearse the many trials of these poor Sisters, for the members of the congregation, although willing to give assistance, were utterly destitute of means themselves, battling to keep the wolf from the door, as there had been a succession of failures in the crops, from drouths. The convent, if the term is appropriate, was surrounded by a garden made tillable by their own toil and labor, the remaining ground of the 101 acres being yet an unbroken piece of forest land. There was also a small school numbering from twenty to thirty children, conducted by the Sisters, but under, the supervision of Ven. Mother Meinrada Lex, it grew rapidly, and soon numbered fifty pupils. This school was the only source of support for the wants of the convent and its inmates, and as it proved very inefficient the Sisters saw themselves forced to lay their own hands to the ax and clear land whereupon to raise farm products. Their fund was necessarily too meager to defray the expenses of hiring the work done, and as soon as her school was dismissed the Ven. Superior was at their head, upon which they set energetically to work to clear their land. Their hands were often covered with blisters from their unaccustomed toil, but, nothing daunted, they continued their labors, and as a reward now have thirty acres under cultivation. The novitiate was immediately opened on Ven. Mother Meinrada’s arrival, and she soon had the joy of welcoming candidates from all sides, in spite of the utter poverty of the convent. Through the prudent and skillful management of the Superior she was enabled, from time to time, to add enlargements to their building, which was greatly needed, as the number of the community daily increased. The first addition was erected in 1883, it being 24x30 feet and was two stories in height. In 1885 a second story was added to the original building, and in 1890 an addition, 60x24 feet, forming an L, with the other buildings, making an area of 60x96 feet. It can easily be imagined that the Superior feels herself amply rewarded for the many sacrifices and privations she had to endure during the first years of her stay, and gladly forgets the many self abnegations and trials. Here it must also be noted that the German Catholics of Fort Smith won for themselves an undying and ever grateful remembrance in the heart of the good Mother and her community by their liberal contributions and by patronizing her school. She was thus enabled to accomplish the most of the improvements free of debt, which is, indeed, quite an exception and a visible sign of the blessing of Divine Providence. In 1886 a separate building, two stories high, and 24x40 feet, was erected and specially arranged for guests. It is scarcely ever unoccupied, for, almost daily, visitors from far and near, are welcomed by the genial and ever friendly inmates, and it must be added that all pronounce the place very attractive and interesting. The pure air, and delightful scenery which meets the eye from the convent is especially pleasing. New stables and numerous other buildings, as required by the institution, were erected from time to time. There is also a vineyard of from 2,000 to 3,000 vines and a fine orchard of four or five acres, containing a great variety of fruit, and in place of the former great scarcity of water there are now cisterns and wells, supplying an abundance of good water. The farm is well stocked with cattle, horses, swine, sheep and fowls. They also have good carriages, wagons, farming implements, etc., and the labor previously performed by the untiring Mother and her Sisters, is now given to men who are constantly employed about the grounds. The present routine of the convent is in marked contrast to what it was in former days, for, instead of discharging laborious and often over-burdening farm duties in days of snow and ice as well as intense heat and inclement weather, the inmates are permitted to devote their time to their appropriate duties. They are very skillful with their needles and their fancy work in fine silk, etc., has won universal admiration and is in great demand. In addition to the parish school conducted by the Sisters, the Ven. Mother Superior opened a higher school some years ago, known as St. Scholastica’s Academy, a boarding school for girls and young ladies. The course of instruction includes every useful and ornamental branch of female education, while the most untiring attention is paid, by these learned and devoted Sisters, to the moral and polite deportment of the pupils. Many of these Sisters received superior educations themselves, and afterward had experience as teachers in the then much-lauded and well-known Academy in Dubois County, Ind. Terms are moderate and in keeping with the times. Especial attention is given to both vocal and instrumental music, and instruction is given on the piano, organ, violin, guitar and mandolin. Difference of religion is not regarded in admission to the academy, and students of all denominations and creeds are alike welcome. This academy can boast of patronage ever since its opening, from pupils far and near, which is an ample proof of its merit and worth. Five missions have been instituted by the Ven. Mother Superior, where her Sisters are engaged in unceasing labor to the benefit of mankind. With the greatest zeal and fervor they teach and labor to the greater honor and glory of God. These missions are located at St. Scholastica, St. Benedict, Fort Smith, Paris and Dixie, and are patronized by American as well as German students. Many openings for missions cannot be supplied for there are too few Sisters to supply the call for teachers.

In 1887 the Mother Superior was unanimously elected prioress for the term of four years, and by this act the convent of St. Scholastica became an independent institution, whereas, up to this time it was under the direct control of the convent of the ‘‘Immaculate Conception,’’ being a branch house of the same. This step was found to be necessary, as nothing of any importance could take place without the permission of the Mother Superior of the mother-house. It is plain enough to perceive that communication between the two houses was very frequent, but as the distance was great, it caused much inconvenience, and often occasioned disadvantages to the convent. In the same year the newly elected prioress returned to the convent of “Immaculate Conception’’ and took the solemn vows, thus having the pleasure of enjoying the long-craved for happiness of once more seeing the home and its beloved inmates so dear to her heart. After a short but happy stay she returned to the home Divine Providence had destined for her future place of usefulness, and where she was received with rejoicing hearts by her spiritual daughters, who were only too well aware of the treasure they possessed in her. With renewed zeal and energy she now devoted herself to the spiritual and corporeal welfare of those entrusted to her care, as well as the prudent and skillful management of the affairs of the convent in general. Her community now numbers fifteen professed Sisters, all of whom entered there and have taken the simple vows. Nine of them are on missions, while the remainder are in the mother convent, and nearly all are natives of the United States, but some few were born in different countries of Europe. There are sixteen postulants in the convent, three being natives of Arkansas, one of Kentucky, and twelve from Europe. The majority of the latter are of high birth and station, show excellent talent, and give promise of future reliance and support to the convent. The Superior hopes to soon be enabled to found missions where they will have occasion to complete the utter sacrifice of all earthly ties and pleasures, and devote themselves to the sole cause of glorifying God, and laboring for the general welfare of mankind. They manifest great zeal and fervor in the divine service and worship of their heavenly Spouse, and often give utterance to their great desire of bringing any sacrifice which may be required of them in any future ordinance of Divine Providence, which will be made known to them through the medium of their Ven. Superior, to whom they are all warmly attached. How could it be otherwise, after bidding farewell to their native land, and tearing themselves from beloved ones, some of whom were far more dear to them than themselves, for the purpose of glorifying God in a foreign land! May Divine Providence ever bless and prosper all their work and undertakings with bounteous success! The Venerable Mother Prioress will soon enlarge the buildings to double their present size, the new building to be made on the west side of the last enlargement, which is 60x20 feet, is beautifully furnished and is used as a chapel. The intended addition will be built and arranged as an academy, no cost, time or trouble being spared to make the same all that skill in architecture can furnish. It will undoubtedly present a beautiful aspect, the steeple towering in the center. This is already erected, and from its heights there chimes a sweet-toned bell, sending its enticing call over the neighboring valleys and heights at frequent intervals during the day, to announce the recitation of the praises of God by the good Mother Superior and her community. It is hoped that Divine Providence will long spare the lives of the founders of this convent to the comfort and welfare of those trusted to her jurisdiction, and may the institute ever continue to exist and prosper to the greater honor and glory of God, and to the benefit of all mankind.