Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1868-10-02
Taking the Veil in the Church OF Eng
land
From the Church News. Sept. 81


A correspondent sends us the following
Last week a very interesting ceremony took
place at this house. A Young novice took
the white veil and entered upon her duties
as clustered nun of the Benedictine or
der. The temporary chapel of the con-
vent was very full on the occasion, the ev-
emit exciting great interest among the mem
bers of the Third Order of the Congrega-
ton. At 1890 a procession entered the
choir, and the priest commenced the COM
mum on service of the Church of England,
which was performed with every adjunct of
imposing 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 thevei
was led into the outer chapel accompanied
by her bridesmaids.
The postulant 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, soap
ular, girdle and sandals, wimple and cloak,
having been solemnly blessed, the habit
was delivered to the bridesmaids. 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 pair of scis-
sors, wheleupon 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 her
self threw them also on the groundin token
/ ,f hn nf he
world. She was then led out by two Sis
| tiers to put aside her white dress, and soon
returned habited in the Benedicine frock.
| The whole habit was then placed upon her
| by the Superior, while appropriate prayers
and blessings We're used. Lastly, after the
binder and wimple 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 a
! lighted taper in her hand, until her COM
munion. Having taken the three vows
| for one year, the service concluded by the
choir singing the anthem, ''Wise virgin,
take your lampand come, the Bridegroom
cometh, He calleth for thee.
The novice then rose and went forward
to the altar steps holding her lighted taper,
and while she was receiving the sacra-
/ ment, the cnOlf cufGtln zen, anu HeltHeI
she nor the other sisters were seen any
| more.
The week before last, nun took the
| black veil in this house. The ceremonies
on that occasion were still more striking
and solemn. The Feltham nuns are en-
tirely inclosed; they never go out; they
only see visitors at grating in the convent
parlor, and then their faces are covered
| They observe the strict Benedictine rule,
and recite the ancient Benedictine office.
AS their numbers increase it is hoped to
establish the Perpetual Adoration;" at
| present only a few hours day are devoted
| to the purpose During the watch, each
nun wears large flowing crimson veil
over the veil OF her order. We also are in
! formed that the nuns hope to receive pu-
\ pills as soon as the requisite arrangements
can be made.
| This house is the only strictly clustered
convent in the Church of England, in which
the life of Mary, who chose the 'better
part" is altogether led May the perpetual
prayers and intercessions of those good
sisters be of great blessing to our English
Church! Their prayers are to be especially
and frequently offered for the approaching
council at Rome, that the Pope may have
the boldness TO make it indeed 9cumepical
| by inviting the Anglican and Eastern Bish-
ops to attend, and that so the outward di-
visions of Catholic Christendom may be
healed by him who is indeed the balm OF
Gilead All letters desiring information
respecting this house should be directed to
the Very Rev. Mother Prioress, o. S. B.,
Renedictine PFioFy, Feltham. Middlesex.