Grahamstown's assumption convent.
Abstract
• Opsomming:
Die Assumption Convent in Grahamstad was die eerste instelling van die aard wat in Suidelike Afrika opgerig is. Dit is geopen in Januarie 1850 toe Moeder Marie Eugenie, die stigter van die Orde in Parys, op 'n versoek van Biskop Aidan Devereux van die Oos-Kaap gereageer het deur suster Gertrude en haar gevolg na die Kaap te stuur. Die pionierswerk is deur eenvoud gekenmerk: die susters het in 'n klein grasdakhuisie gewoon, terwyl 'n skool vir gratis onderrig, St Joseph's, in twee omgeskepte stalle begin is. 'n Skool waar skoolgelde betaalbaar was, St Catherine's, is ook opgerig. Die susters was nie slegs by die opvoeding betrokke nie, maar weldra ook by alle aspekte van gemeenskapswerk. Hulle bydrae op verskeie terreine was van onskatbare waarde en hoewel die klooster in Grahamstad aan die einde van 1982 gesluit is, het die susters met werk onder die jeug en hulpbehoewendes in Grahamstad en ander sentra voortgegaan. • Summary:
Grahamstown's Assumption Convent was the first such institution to be established in Southern Africa. It was opened in January 1850 when in response to a request from Bishop Aidan Devereux, of the Eastern Cape, Mother Marie Eugenie, the founder of the Assumption Order in Paris, sent out a party under Sister Gertrude. The beginnings were simple: a small thatched cottage accommodated the sisters while a free school, St Joseph's, was started in two convened stables. A fee-paying school, St Catherine's, was also established. Gradually the sisters involved themselves not only in education but also in all facets of communal work. Their contribution in many ways has been of inestimable value and although the Assumption Convent in Grahamstown closed down at the end of 1982 the Sisters continue to work in Grahamstown and in other centres among the young, the needy, the aged, and the infirm.