Convent at Watrous, New Mexico
This is the convent of the Missionary Catechists in Watrous, New Mexico. On the left is a view of their students on the porch of their residence. The Catechists taught all ages. Although most of the people may have been baptized, many did not receive instruction on any of the other sacraments. The Catechists would instruct all ages to prepare them for their First Holy Communion, and later for their confirmation. On the right is a Catechist distributing a Christmas present to one her young students. Fr. Sigstein wanted to minister to the poorest of the poor, and this might have been the only gift the student received that Christmas. When the Catechists would ask their benefactors for assistance for their missions, one of the requests would be for gifts (toys, candy, or fruit) for their young charges. This is most likely a gift that was sent to the Catechists from a benefactor in the Midwest or East, where many of their early supporters resided. Notice the sign on the front of the convent states the official name of the Society of Missionary Catechists of Our Blessed Lady of Victory.