Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1867-04-07
THE TAKING OF THE VEIL
An Interesting Ceremony.
Religious Reception at the
Convent Of st. Agnes.

On Monday last it was our favored
privilege 10 witness the imposing rite of
isladies taking the veil.'r The scene in
the neat little chapel OF the convent was
imposing. Three young ladies 10 the
bloom Of youth were presented by the
! Superioress to the Rev. Director Of the
convent for the reception Of the habit.
The rite Of habiting young ladies who
choose to devote the remainder Of the
I life allotted them on earth exclusively
10 the service OF their Redeemer, is not
| often Witnessed in this section Of country.
Some months ago we had the honor Of
witnessing, perhaps, the first reception
Of the kind in this city, to the same
habit Of the order Of St Dominic, three
other young ladies by the afable Rt.
Rev. Bishop Feehan, of Nashville, as
sisted by the Very Rev. Father Prov. Of
the order. It is certainly cheering in
this age OF mammon worship, this age
Of dollars and cents and Unbridled
license, to find persons who say
with Peter: Lord, we have left all
things to follow Thee " left not
only the present, but every tenn
poral prospect in the future and
this without fear, or favor, or
restraint. The prejudiced idea that
such persons are constrained to this
course is fast dying out in u enlight-
ened community. These young ladies
who have entered on their probation
have exercised the highest and freest
act of liberty and If before their term
Of probation expires and they make their
VOWS, they choose another state, they
will be 30 less free to leave than they
were constrained to enter. II they per-
severe in their desire, and no obstacle be
found to their admission into the order,
their principal calling, after their
sanetiication, viii be the education Of
the y0ath of their wi sex, or it may be
that Of attending to the wants Of the
orphan whom misfortune may have left
frieudless in our midst, or it may be
tbst charity or obedience may call them
to minister in the pestilentisl wards Of
our hospital. Their duties are various,
and as religion ssnctiies the elegance
and rehnements Of life, so also does it
propagate and encourage the divine viz
tue Of charity. st. Paul develops this
doctrine Of the Savior when he gays that
the virgin thinks OF the things Of the
Lord that she may be holy in bedy and
in spirit, but she who is married thinks
of the things Of the world, and
how she may please her husband.
The religious life has always the same
beneficial influence on the mind. In
youth, in health and prosperity, it
awakens feelings Of gratitude and sub
lime love, and purifes at the same time
that it exaIts but it is in sickness, in
sge, in misfortune, Is We have witnessed
the recent national throes, that its
effects and the m-inistratiOUs Of those
who have given up the world, are most
truly and benefcialIy felt. Those heroes
who wrought many a deed 20 merit
earthly glory, have laid aside their
swords and banners, to receive con-
FROM those heroines who
nought Of state, no esteem
Of themselves, no desire Of honor.
reminds one Of the Prophet Fzechial
/" Remove the diadeuSg take of the
: is it not this that hath exalted
lie low one, and brought down him that
was high g" The proud and the gay
may meet with anguish and d~isappOint-
uents-they may disdain to suffer while
those devoted ladies, whose happiness is
pot on earth, desire only an humble and
spirit. The world has lost for
hem its charms.
"sfou~ walls DO not a prison make,