Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1868-09-22
Taking the Veil in the Church Of England

Taking the Veil in the Church Of England.
From tho London Church News. Sept. 81
A correspondent sends us the follow
ing: Last week very interesting cere-
mony took place at this house. AyouDg
novice took the white veil and entered
upon her duties as cloistered nun ol
the Beuedictine order. The temporary
chapel of the convent was very full on
the occasion, the event exciting great in
terest among the members of the Third
Order Of the Congregation. At 1890 a
procession entered the choir, and the
priest commenced the communion SER
vice of the Church Of England, which
was performed with every adjunct Of i'm.
posing beauty which primitive ritual
could lend to the celebration Of the divine
mysteries. After the chanting of the
creed, the young lady who was TO receive
the veil was led into the outer chapel,
accompanied by her bridesmaids.
The postulaut was dressed as bride,
With bridal veil and wreath, entirely in
white the little girls who attended her
wearing white dresses over blue skirts.
Having been publicly questioned by the
Father Superior, certain psalms and an
thems were sung; the novice's habit,
scapular, girdle and sandals, wimple and
cloak, having been solemnly blessed,
the habit was delivered to the brides
maids. The Superior, then sitting on his
seat before the altar, in full robes, as
Father of the order, the acolytes having
spread a towel over his knees, delivered
to him a pair of scissors, whereupon the
young novice was brought forward, and
while the novices' hymn, Farewell, Thou
World of Sorrow" was being sung by the
sisters, her long black hair was all cut of,
the black long tresses falling on the
ground around her.
Her ornaments being taken off, she
herself threw them also on the ground in
token of having renounced the vanities
Of the world. She was then led out by
two sisters to put aside her white dress,
and soon returned habited in the Bene-
dictine frock. The whole habit was then
placed upon her by the Superior, while
appropriate prayers and blessings were
used. Lastly. after the binder and vim
pie were placed on the head, the white
veil was solemnly blessed and incensed,
and then placed over her head. She was
Immediately led by the Mother Prioress
to her stall in the choir, holding lighted
taper in her hand, until her communion.
Having taken the three VOWS for one
year, the service concluded by the choir
singing the anthem, "Wise virgin, take
your lamp and come, the Bridegroom
cometh, He calleth for thee"
The novice then rose and went forward
to the altar steps holding her lighted ta
per, and while she was receiving the
sacrament, the choir curtain fell, and
neither she nor the other sisters were
seen any more.
The week before last nun took the
black veil in this house. The ceremonies
on the occasion were still more striking
and solemn. The Feltham nuns are en-,
tirely inclosed; they never go out; they
only see visitors at a grating in the con-
vent parlor, and then their faces are COW
cred. They observe the strict Benedic-
tine rule, and recte the ancient Bene-
dictine Office. As their numbers increase
il is hoped to establish the Perpetual
at present only a few hours
a day are devoted to this purpose. Du-
ring the watch, each nun wears large
flowing crimson veil over the veil of her
order. We also are informed that the
nuns hope to receive pupils as soon as
The requisite arrangements can be made.
This house is the only strictly clois-
,ered convent in the Church Of England,
N which the life of Mary, who chose the
= better par" is altogether led. May the
prayers and intercessions of
hose good sisters be Of great blessing to
,ur English Church. Their prayers are
o be especially and frequently offered
or the approaching council at Rome,
hat the Pope may have the boldness to
make it indeed ecumenical by inviting
he Anglican and Eastern bishops to at
end, and that so the outward divisions
# Catholic Christendom may be
lealed by him who is indeed the
,alm Of Gilead. All letters desiring in
respecting this house should
10 directed to the Very Rev. Mother Pri-
,ress, o. S. B., Benedictine Priory, Felt
IAN, Middlesex.