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Our Catliolic Heritage in Texas
The transfer inaugurated a new era. Our Lady of the Lake Academy, later to develop into a senior college, was immediately opened as a girls' boarding school. Here, too, were built the Motherhouse for the Generalate, the Sisters, Novices, and Postulates. Bishop John Anthony Forest, who succeeded Bishop Neraz in October, 1895, appointed in 1903 Father Henry A. Constantineau, O.M.I., Superior of the Congregation, shortly after his arrival in San Antonio from Canada. He proved an invaluable adviser and friend of the Congregation. Anxious to secure formal approval of the Rule and Constitutions of the American Province of the Congregation, Mother General Florence, with the aid of her General Council and that of the Ecclesiastical Superior, the Very. Reverend H. A. Constantineau, had them arranged and translated into French for presentation to the Holy See. Through the good offices of the Very Reverend A. Antoine, O.M.I., temporary approval was given the Rule in 1907 and His Eminence, Cardinal Satolli, was named Cardinal Protector. Five years later, on December 12, 1912, His Holiness, Pope Pius X, gave his formal approval, and His Eminence, Raphael Cardinal Merry del Val was appointed Protector to succed Cardinal Satolli. 61 Before 1900, the part of the building erected in 1895 had become inade- quate for the fast growing school and novitiate. Two additional buildings were now added in accord with the architect's original plan. But the r..cademy continued to grow and the boarding students increased each year. It became necessary to add St. Ann's Hall, set aside for Novices and Postu- lates. In 1907 the new Motherhouse of Our Lady of Providence, better known as Our Lady of the Lake Convent, was begun and the following summer the Administration, the Novitiate and the Postulate were moved to the new quarters to make room for the enlarged enrollment. Development of tlie Academy into a College. During the first five years the staff of the Academy consisted of four teachers and the course of study was correspondingly limited. After 1900 its growth was rapid. It is necessary to remember, however, that as early as 1879, the Legisla- ture of Texas declared the Sisters of Divine Providence, with their school in Castroville, a corporate body with the privilege of awarding diplomas and conferring degrees. The original charter was amended in 1891 and again in 1900. In 19u, when a two-year college course was first offered for students, a charter was granted specifically to Our Lady of the Lake College. Teacher training and College courses had, in fact, been given for
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61 Brief HislOf',Y ..., No. :2, p. 8.
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