The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1857-06-16
CEREMONY OF TAKING THE VEIL

|
the solemn ceremony of religious reception
took place, in the presence of an audience
filling the chapel to its utmost capacity,
anxious to witness the imposing ceremonies.
The American furnishes the particulars as
follows:
The candidates for the religions state
were Miss Jane B. Edwards. of ofPhiladelphia,
daughter of the late Thomas A. Edwards,
and Miss Elizabeth Murray. of Brooklyn,
daughter of Purser Charles Murray. II. S.
n. Miss Edwards. now in religious Sister
Agnes of the Immaculate Conception, was
attended by Miss Mary Carroll. daughter
of Charles Carroll, Esq. and Miss Murray.
now Sister Julana of the blessed Sacra-
ment, by Mrs. c. Oliver O'Donnell.
Archbishop-Is it with your own free
will you demand the holy habit of religion!
Postulants-Yes, my lord.
Archbishep-Reverend Mother, haveyou
made the necessary inquiries, and are you
| satisfied
| Superioress-Yes, my lord.
Archbshop-My children have you
firm intention to presevere in religion to
the end of your life-and do you hope to
have sufficient strength to carry constantly
the sweet yoke of our Lord Jesus Christ,
solely for the love and fear of God
Postulants-Relying on the mercy of G. cd,
we hope tc be able to do so.
The choir then sang several psalms and
| appropriate anthems, while the Archbishop
proceeded to bless the habits and the wells
| The Superioress then invested the novices
with the cloaks and viels, while the choir
| sang the anthem:
''The empire Of the world, and all the
grandeur of the earth have despised, for
the love of our Lord Jesus Christ, whom l
have seen, whom have loved, in whom |
| have believed, and towards whom my heart
| inclineth.''
The altar was simply and elegantly deco
rated with wax-lghts. The novices. who
were young good looking, and said TO be
highly accomplished, were the cynosure of
all eyes. They received the bridal veil of
cclibacy" from the hands of the Most Rev.
Archbishop Alemany, vested in cape and
mitre, who was assisted on :he occasion by
the Rev. Father Pacciarini, and the Revs.
DIR. Dumphoux, Souvin and Lyman. The
Archbishop delivered most impressive
discourse. in which he adverted to the suf-
ferings and privations which poor humanity
oftentimes endures, particularly in this
country, and the necessity there was for
some ministering angels to devote themselvs
to deeds of charity and mercy. At tie
time when the postulants received the veil
at the hands of the Archbishop, and resign
ed their worldly names, and renounced the
world and all its vanities; and while the
other nuns, each of whom held lighted
! candle in her hand, embraced and received
them into the sisterhood, many of their
personal friends i'm the audience were affect
ed to tears. When the Superioress and
assistant conducted the postulants to the
foot of the altar, the Archbishop interrogat-
ed them separately as follows:
Archbishop-My children, what do you
demand!
Postulants-The mercy of God and the
holy haoit of religion.
Two years after this, should the young
ladies continue in the same mind they are at
present, and their conduct be approved by
the Superioress, the ceremony of profession
will take place. The ladies just admitted
make the number of members in this insti-
tuition twcnty-two. One Sister is over 96
years of age and another is over 81 years
of age. One Sister now in good health. has
been a member of the community for So
years. and majority of the whole number
can count a membership of from 90 to 40
years. 1t is the only Carmelite house III
the United States.
On the morning of the 18th of May, in
the Chapel of the Convent of Visitation in
this city, Sisters Mary Cephas Sullivan.
Mary Perionne Adam. and Mary of the
Cross McElhill, were admitted to the holy
profession. The Most Rev. Archbishop
Kenrick preached and presided at the cere
mony. assisted by the Rev. Father Sehmedt.
Of the Society of Holy Redeemer, and Rev.
Edward McColgan.