The herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1835-1837, 1836-01-20
NUMBER le3.
From Awful Disclosure. by MARI Monk..i


The first time | went 10 confession after taking ths
ve found abundant evidence that the priests did not
treat even that ceremony, which is called solemn
sacrament with respect enough 10 lay aside these de-
testabe and shameless character they eten showed
on other occasions The confessor sometimes sat in
the room for the examination of conscience and some
timts IN the Superiors room and always clone except
the nun who confessng. He had common chair
placed IN The middle OF the floor and instead of being
placed behind CRATE, lattice, in the chapel had
nothing before around him. There were no specta-
tors to observe him. and of course any such thing would
have been unnecessary. nrt sl7a--f
number of nuns usually confessed on the same day.
but only one could be admitted into the room at time
They took their places just without the door, on their
knees and went through the preparation prescribed by
the rules OF confession repeating certain prayer which
always occupy considerable time. When one was
ready she rose from her knees entered and closed the
door behind her; and other even dare touch the
latch until she came ONT.
shall not tell what was transacted al such times
under the pretence of confessng and receiving absolu
ton from SIN far guilt was often incurred than
pardened; and crimes of u deep die committed,
while triding Irregularities, in childish ceremonies were
treated as serious offences. cannot persuade myself
10 speak plainly such subject, must offend the
virtuous ear can only say that suspicion cannot do
any injustice TO the priests, because their sins be
exaggerated. si., 9iarsE tlsaf z.
Some idea may be formed of the manner in which
even such women many of nv sister nuns were re-
garded the cOnfessors when state that there was often
contest among u.s. to avoid entering the apartment
hrst' as that was what most Of US dreaded.
One of the most disgusting penHsces we ever had to
submit TO- that Of drinking the water in which the
Superior had washed her feet. Nobody could ever
laugh at this penance except Jane Ray. She would
pretend to comfort us by saying, she was sure II was
better than mere plain clear waller.
Some of the tricks which remember were played
by Jane with nuns clothes Ii rule that the
Oldest aprons in should 60 the youngest received
and that the old nuns were to wear all the new
On four different OCCASIONS Jane stole int the sleeping
room at night, and unobservsd by the watch changed
great part OF the aprons placing them by the beds Of
suns to whom they did not belong. The consequence
was that in the morning they dressed themselves in
such haste as never to discover the mistakes they made
until they all ranged prs yers and then the ridi-
eulous appearance which many Of them cut disturbed
the long deyotions laugh easy, that on sach &C.
casions, usually incurred full share of penances |
generally however, got apron when Jane PLAYED
this trick for was part of her object give the best
aprons her favoures and put OFF the ragged ones on
some OF the old nuns whom she most hated.
was passing day through part of the cellar,
where had not sften occasion CO. when the toe Of
nay shoe hit something. Tipped and fell down. L
rose again. and holding my lamp to what had caused
my fall, found ring fastened to small square
trapdoor. This hsd the curiosity TO raisr and saw
four or five steps leading down. but there not light
enough TO more and feared be noticed by some
body and reported TO the SUPERIOR closing the door
again, lett the spot. At rsl could Imagine the
use for such passage; but it afterwards occurred to
Inc, that this might open the suberranean passage
to.he Seminary, for never before could account for
the appearance OF many of the priests, who often ap-
peared and disappeared among particularly night
when knew the gates were closed. They could as
now saw, come up TO the door Of the Superors room
at any hour, then up the stairs into sleeping room
or where they chose And often they in our beds
before M g., gs-t, E., 70 i.-- ,. .s,e,-,ss
aferward ascerained that my conjeciures were cor
rect, and that secret commune alton kept up in
this manner between the two institutions, at the end
fnr ride la.,n L. Il
under ground. often, afterward, met priests in the
cellar when there for COAL and other articles as
they had TO pass up and down the common ocllarstas
on their way
- = Gio.
have been converted to the Roman Catholic faith were
sometimes spoken OF, and always If they were con-
sidered highly Important.
The Bishop, as we were told, was on the public
square, on the day of execution, when he said
stranger looked at him in some peculiar manner which
made him confidently believe God intended to have him
converted by his means When he went home he wrote
letter for him, and the day found him again In
the place. and gave him the letter which led TO
his becoming a Roman Catholic. This man. il was
added, proved to be citizen of the States.
The Bishop, have remarked was not verv digni-
fed oil all occasions, and sometimes acted in such
manner as would not have appeared well in public
One day saw him preparing for mass and because
ne had some dlhculty IN getting his robe, showed
evident signs OF anger One ofibe remarked The
Bishop IS going TO perform passionate mass" Some
of the others exclaimed: Are YOU not ashamed to
speak 50 OF my lord ~ And she rewarded with
penance.
But it might be hoped tina, the Bishop would be free
from the crimes Of which have declared SO MANY
priests to have been guilty. a far from entertaining
such charitable opinions of him and had good rea-
sons, after time.
r..