The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1855-08-11
Obseq uies OF a Lady Superior.

FUNERAL CEREMONIES OF MOTHER MARY PAULA
RUTH, SUPERIOR or THE SISTERS OF MERCY.
From the Chicago Tribune Aug. Al
The city papers yesterday announced the sudden
death Of the Lady Superior Of the Sisters Of Mercy
of this city Mother Mary Pauia Ruth, aged twenty
six years, and her obseques took place at st. Marys
Cathedral, corner Of Wabash avenue and Madison
street, at ID o'clock the same morning
The ceremonies were marked with that show and
pageantry Characteristic Of the Roman church.
The coffin containing the remains of the deceased
sister, covered with black canopy completely con-
cealing it from view placed in the centre aisle
Of the Cathedral, with lighted tapers at its head
and feet. The principal altar OF the church was
draped in mourning, aud the glare OF twenty wax
talers shed strange and funeral gloom over the
church.
There were eleven officiating priests, among whom
was the Bishop and the same number OF acolyths
assistants. The priest who said mass attred
| in surplice and black stole, with large white
cross embroidered upon the back of his sGrplice;
| his two attendants were dressed in surpices and
stoles with large yellow crosses: the other priests
in white garn ents, with the exception Of the
Bishop, who sat upon his post of dignity. clothed in
the purple vestnres Of his high Office. The acoyths
were dressed in white gowns, with red scarfs Their
duty was pass the various utensils needed to the
priests, to ring the bell denoting Che elevations of
the host and 30 forth.
The priest, standing at the feet of the deceased
sprinkled the corpse With holy water, and then re-
peated tie antiphon:-
If thou, Lord, shall mark iniquties, Lord, who
shall abide it," &c.
The nsnn responses were then sang by the choir,
and the mathis for the dead were said, with three
nccinrns and lands ard at the end Of the Office the
antiphon. am the resurrection and the life" was
repeated.
Then the priest prayed Us follows, the choir an
swering:-
"Abselye, we beseech thee, oh Lord, the sonl Of
thy servant from all the bond of her SINS that rising
again in the glory Of the resurrection she may enjoy
repose among thy saints and elect"
high mass was then celebrated with much
entire
sistans, at the conclusion of which the bishop ad
vanced to the front of the railing before the altar
and covering himself with his purple three-cornered
cap, delivered eulogy on the deceased Lady Sa-
perior. He spoke Of her youth, her accomplish.
ments the sing!eheartcdress with which she gave
up all icr the glory of God the self denial which abe
constantly practised, the unceasing good works
which she performed for the sick and the afflicted
the care and assiduty with which she instilled re-
ligion and virtue into the hearts Of the children over
whose education she presided and Of the sudden and
unexpected death which overlook her.
The funeral Grafton being finished, the officiating
prics! placed him elf before the crucx held ut the
head OF the coffin. and proceeded to pray, and the
choir to sing responsary. The priest then, taking
from his assistant the asrerge Of holy water and
making an inclination to the crucifx went round the
bier and sprinked the body of the deceased thrice
each SIDE at the feet in the middle and the head
then returning to his place he received the thurible
/ from the assistant and in the same manner went
! again around the bier and incensed the corpse.
Seine other prayers and ceremonies were then
g,ne through with. and then the body was taken by
the priests to the hearse, and conveyed 70 its final
! sepniche
For the lady thus suddenly taken away from earth
we have sentiment but admiration and pity. She
possessed Of unusual charms. both Of person and
manner, and was lady of remarkable sweetness and
amiabisy o. disposition. She lost her own life in
attempts TO serve her heavenly Father and we have
no other thought but that she will reap great re-
ward.
But for the system Of which she was victim
which took her from her family and native land
which shut her out from all those womanly joys and
affections for which she preeminently adapt
cd, and which made her in the horrible language Of
her own books, walking corpse We have feel
ing but unmitigated horror and aversion.