Washington sentinel. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1856, 1856-01-03
Correspondents OF the TreDson Statc Gazette.
Affecting Ceremony-Tvvo Young Ladies
taking the White Veil.

A novel and imposing ceremony took place
this week in one of the Roman Catholic
churches OF this city, on which occasion two
beautiful young ladies took the white veil, and
became Sisters of Mercy" new religious or
der In this country. The church was crowded
to overlooking long before the hour appointed
Tor the performances to commence. During a
hne voluntary on the organ, the procession en-
tered in the following order: first walked three
very beautiful young ladies', dressed in pure
white, the first one carrying a large guilt cross,
elevated on high pole. the other two holding
lighted candles in their hands. Next came
fourteen little girls, apparently about six years
old, likewise dressed in white, having wreaths
Of flowers on their heads, and bearing baskets
of flowers; then followed six nuns in their
usual black dresses and hoods, and immediate
ly after these came the two victims, each at
tended by nun, who is her chosen mother
superior = the two young ladies we're arrayed
as brides, in white satin dresses, and flowing
wells, with orange blossoms in their hair. All
carried lighted candles, and took their places
inside the chancel, where the priests were al
ready in their gorgeous robes of lace and silk.
The mass was then celebrated, and the music
was truly magnificent. A sermon was preached
from the text, whatsoever giveth up father and
fold, and in the world to come everlasting life"
From these words he attempted to show the
duty Of this sacrifice as well as the great bene-
fits arisings therefrom. The victims before him
were described to the congregation as having
by this act, laid up for themselves treasures in
heaven, which would procure for them eternal
happiness, and more than overbalance any
other discrepancies Of their lives.
At the close of the sermon, during the per-
formance of another voluntary, the two brides
Brides of Christ-were led out by their attend
ing nuns, and after short absence re-entered.
attired in the usual black serge dress of the
protested nuns, having wells Of thick white
muslin; they then knelt before the altar and
rose again, when they we're enveloped in their
grave clothes, and laid upon their faces for
about ten minutes, during which time the burial
services was performed over them, with the
usual springling of holy water and burning of
incense.
They we're then lifted up from their graves,
and the strange ceremony ended by their kiss.
ing all the sisters belonging to their company,
first on one cheek and then on the other, and
then the procession left the church in the same
order in which it entered.
These were two fair young girls, who might
have been useful members of society and the
light of their several home circles, sacrificed
through mistaken zeal, and given up to
lifelong imprisonment within the walls Of
convent, while the absurd mockings which
mark the sad occasion pass under the pervert-
ed name of religion. regard it as altogether
the most aacfilly absurd and saddening spec
tacle have ever witnessed; fortunately their
occurrence in our enlightened land is but few