Ashtabula weekly telegraph. [volume] (Ashtabula, Ohio) 1853-1873, 1864-01-16


on this day Eve young ladies we're TO become
the "brides of Jesus" A black-veiled nun con-
Quoted us into the chapel, aud near the en-
trance were seated the few spectators. The
immaculate neatness everywhere visible was
the first thing TO strike our notice. Opposite
US was the altar with its white flowers wreatbs,
and boquets, and crosses. High above it was
an oval opening 10 the wall through which we
saw statue of the Virgin, her feet resting upon
a globe, aud all about her were peary clouds,
aud mis.iness OF atmosphere which gave the
effect OF distance and led you TO dream your
self gazing iuto the world above.
Ou each side Of the enclosure about the al
tar were large and beautiful paintings. The
nuns and the pupils of the Convent were ar
ragged in two lines on each side of the room,
sisters clud in long robes of black white lin
en band drawn. tightly over the forhead and
above this the black hood, called veil. Sew
era priests in richly embroidered robes, stood
ready to assist in the religious services which
were conducted by the Rt. Rev Bishop Rappe.
All the services were in Latin, except the ad
dress TO the Protesting Sisters. This address
was an eloquent setting forth of the beauty
and subimty OF q lie devoted entirely to
God, aud the consequent spiritual purity and
advancement. All duty to man was ignored,
and the trampling under foot of all the ties
of blood and affection. was set forth as a sure
passport iuto the Heavenly Kingdom. Two
young ladies, Miss Dune, now SISTER Mary
Of the Angels" aud Miss Moran now Sister
of tue immaculate Heart" took the black veil
aud were the first 70 pronounce their VOWS
Three more took the white veil, becoming isis.
ter Bern ard !" SISTER Of ths Holy Cross aud
Sister Monica" These three entered the
chapel elegantly dressed in slks, white, gauzy
wells upon their heads, and wreaths OF white
flowers above. Their hands were incased iu
white kid gloves, and without "a tremor they
carried during nearly all the ceremony, the long
lighted tupers placed there by the Lady Supe-
rior.
The organ under the mastery touch of Mr.
f. y. ByerIy, together with au excellent choir
of young ladies, filed the chapel with melody,
aud at intervals the low punLive chanting ol
the protesting MUS, was particularly touch
ing.
At certain point 10 the ceremony, the three
white veied sisters left the chapel aud during
their absence he two who remained received
from the Superior the black veil. Upon the re-
tuIn OF The three, they, too, wore tie long, black
conventuul robes, never more to wear the gar
ments of the outer, wicked world. They were
followed Wy four little girls clad in white, and
crowned with flowers. The white wells were
then arranged on the heads Of the brides, theu
the five prostrated themselves before the altar
baskets of flowers we're given the little girls a
these they sprinkcd over the unmovibg forms
which were there symbolically buried TO the
world and their past lives. Then, TO saddeat
m isic, they arose, a moment more, aud with
faces flushed and smiling, they made circui
/ OF the room, kissing all the ssterhood on bott
cheeks, and looking SO radIauty happy We mus
! believe it real.
The gorgeous, melancholy pageant was over
and as we pussed out of the chapel the aromi
of coffee ascended from the basement; hug,
covered dishes we're conveyed past US to thu
/ dining-room. and the priesthood and the invited
guests were being usherel in by the holy sis
ters. Adieu, NJ. C. P.