Convent Boarding School

by Virginia Arville Kenny

"To Catholics, and to all others who believe in the theory of Christian Education, this little apologia for the convent school will be read with delight. It is a book made by a college senior from her sixth grade compositions. It has a felicity of phrasing, a tenderness for remembered plety, and common sense and safety which are a lovely tribute to those many nuns who have too often been depicted in unlovely caricature." -Kirkus Reviews

Genres: Memoir, Catholic

209 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1944

Reviews

[Audrey · Rating 3 out of 5]

I first read this a long time ago, when I was closer to the age of the author (she wrote this when she was eleven, which is rather hard to believe!). At times the tone is a bit saccharine, although considering her age I find this easier to accept. I most enjoyed the first 2/3 or so of the book where she tells about her family, what it is like to live at the convent boarding school, her daily routine, stories, etc. The later chapters seem to sort of merge into essays about things like patriotism. While these are probably true and great, they just weren’t as interesting to me (or maybe I just wasn’t in the mood to read that sort of thing). There were some genuinely sweet and beautiful stories in this, but also some things that I'm not sure I completely agree with. There is no nihil obstat/imprimatur so I cannot really be sure if everything is in-line theologically, but it’s obvious that she has an incredibly deep and beautiful faith—so much so that it almost made me feel like a heathen in comparison! I loved the part where she shares the advice that old people have given her, and when she tells about her aunt’s faith, etc.

At times, this book seems so far removed from what life is like today that it almost sounded like a fantasy story. Maybe that is because it is written from a child’s perspective, and maybe it’s because this kind of life was never really the norm. I love how good and kind the nuns were, but, with few exceptions, I don't really like the idea of kids being away from their families in their formative years.

Some parts of this reminded me of my own time going to boarding school (still unloading all the emotional baggage from that! *shudder*), such as when she describes how they clapped at everything. While we didn’t do it as much as they did, we probably clapped more than most people. I think this was because we liked to make noise when we could to make up for all the times of silence we had to keep. In any case, I don’t doubt that our teachers and guest speakers thought themselves terribly witty after our enthusiastic reactions. But back to the book. Other parts of it reminded me of the film The Trouble with Angels (a movie I love)—specifically, the parts about the sister that dies, the girl who faints, and the other girl who always wins contests.

I was curious about what happened to her father. There is only one mention made of him, if memory serves, and that was near the beginning of the book when she writes that he had died a long time ago.

This story also made me think about growing up. Being an adult definitely has its perks, but there is something to be said for the innocence of childhood.

I wonder what kind of person Virginia grew to be. Did she write other books? Did she ever “marry a tall blond man who can sing in a nice baritone voice”? I also wonder what happened to this school. Is it still operating (I highly doubt it)? What state is it in? What happened to the nuns who used to teach there? I did some quick searching on Google and was unable to find anything out about either Virginia or the school. I did stumble across a site that has the full book online, though, if anyone wishes to read this but has trouble finding it. The site looks legitimate and you can either read the book on the site or download it in a free PDF.

[Holly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was simply precious! Wish I would have had it as a child, really a lot. What a pure wonderful little heart this girl had. The book is written in a diary/essay form in which she processes the events around her in her writing. She is surprisingly adept at analyzing complicated feelings and is perhaps the result of being surrounded by so many who loved God and wanted to teach others to love God as well. A favorite excerpt and example..

"I told the Mother Counselor that I am sensitive and that I cry easily. I told her that, when I'm hurt, it feels like a knife when I breathe and I try to swallow a lump that stays in my throat. She told me that instead of feeling sorry for myself, I ought to feel sorry for others who are just as sensitive as I am, because I know what they go through. She said that when I'm hurt I should go to Our Blessed Mother and put my head on her lap. She said I should never try to overcome being sensitive because it can't be done. I should offer up each hurt to God and thank Him for the good it does my soul, and try not to hurt anyone else. She said that sensitive natures were the glory of the world, and that the earth would be a wicked place if the ony people on it were the ones you can't ever insult except by hitting them over the head with a frying pan. She said that if everybody was sweetly sensitive, life would be precious. She said Our Lord and Our Lady and Saint Joseph were the most sensitive persons who ever lived. Mother Counselor makes me feel strong and brave. I love all the mothers I have (at the school). And I keep thinking of all those poor little girls who have no mothers at all to watch over them."

Perhaps this will console antother and allow another to embrace their nature as a gift from God!
The education this girl receives during the year she writes this is an enviable one.

Another beautiful observation from her education...

"I think the reason Sister Mary Edna loves George Washington so much is because he was a soldier..a true soldier who fought in the lines. Sister says that every soldier who has been in battle has grown more santified. The wounded and the suffering soldier shares the Passion of Our Savior who also died for His people. In battle a soldier has been many times all alone in the world with only danger and death and God."

Sweetly exquisite.

[Colleen]

And my childhood boarding school obsession begins...