CATECHISM IN SCHOOLS Above Level of Other Lessons

SAYS MGR. JACKMAN AT WELWYN
The importance of raising catechism in schools from the level of other " hated lessons " was emphasised by Mgr. Canon Arthur Jackman, of Watford, on Sunday, at a service held at Welwyn Garden City, Hetes, to commemorate the Beatification of the Foundress of the Canossian Order, which took place in Rome on the same day, and which is reported on page 1, of this issue.
The Canossian nt,ns settled in Welwyn Garden City, where they conduct a school, ivhen they came to England some 20 years ago. A portrait of the Foundress, Blessed Magdalen of Canossa, painted by a Chinese artist, was displayed In the parish church on Sunday.
At the present time when daily papers were discussing the subject of religion in the schools, both Catholic and Protestant, Mgr. Jackman said it was interesting to recall a remark made by Blessed Magdalen; this was to the effect that religious instruction was even then taught like other lessons in the schools. This method was a great mistake, made, he Was afraid, too often, and it explained to a large extent the falling away of many children in after-life. Being taught in this way, and at times punished for not knowing their religion or for not attending church, tended to make them put religion on the same level as other " hated " lessons.
CANOSSIAN ORDER WIDESPREAD Mgr. Jackman presided at Benediction, assisted by the parish priest, Fr, Stewart. The Te Deum and a hymn to Blessed Magdalen of Canossa were sung during the service, which was attended by nuns of the Canossian convent, with their schoolchildren.
The Canossian Sisters, numbering 5,000, have 315 Houses, 268 in Italy and 47 in the Missions. Their work includes teaching (infant, elementary, and secondary), the care of institutes for dumb children, instructing domestic servants, Children of Mary, and similar work among women's confraternities.
The extent of the work of the Sisters in missionary territories, including China, Oceanlia, India, America and Africa, can be judged from the fact that according to 1937 figures the children in these places in their care in elementary and high schools total 11,668, with 549 boarders. They look after 2,000 orphans, and 323 invalid and blind
children. While their patients in certain large hospitals number 6,000, the Sisters have administered the Sacrament of Baptism to 30,000 pagan children.