Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1868-09-16
Taking the Veil in the Church of England. Z.
From the Church News Sept 2I

a correspondent sends us the following
place at this house. A young novice took the
white veil, and entered upon her duties az
cloistered nun Of the Bepedictine order The
temporary chapel Of the convent was very full
ON the occasion, the event exciting gre IT inter.
est among the members OF the Third Order OF
the Congregation. At 1890 q procession en-.
tered the choir, and the priest com need the
communion 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 di vine mysteries
Alter the chanting OF the creed the young lady
VINO was 10 receive the veil was led into the
outer chapel, accompanied by her brides
maids
The postuiant was dressed as a bride. wit
bridal veil and wreath, entirely in white the
little girls who attended her wearing white
dresses over blue skirts. Having been public.
ly questioned Dy the Father Superior, certain
psalms and anthems were sung; the novice's
na9its, capSular, girdle, and sandals, wimple
and cloak, having been solemnly blessed, tue
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 kuees
delivered TO him pair of scissors, wherein pon
the young novice was brought forward and
while the novices' hymn, Farewell, thou
ters, her long black hair was ali cut off, the
black long tresses falling on the ground around
her.
Her ornaments being taken:of, she her sell
having renounced the vanIties of the world
She was then led ont by two sisters to put
aside her white dress, and soon returned habiued
In the Benedictine frock. The whole habit
was then placed upon her by the Superior,
while appropriate prayers and blessings Were
used. Lastly, after the binder and wlmpie
were placed on the head, the white veil was
soiemnly 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, "Wiss virgin, take your
calleth for thee"
the altar steps holding her lighted taper, and
while she was receiving the sacrament, the
choir-curtain fell, and neither she nor the 9th r
sisters were seen any more.
The week before last, a nun took the black
veil in this house. The ceremonies on that oc.
casion We're still more striking and solemn
The Feltnam nuns are en- tirely enclosed; they
never 60 out; they only see visitors at q grating
in the convent parlor, and then their faces are
covered. They observe the strict Benedictine
rule, and re cite the ancient Benedictiue office.
AS their numbers increase it is hoped to estab-
lish the perpetual Alteration" at present only
a few hours a day are de voted to this purposs.
During the watch, each nun wears a large
flowing crimson veil over the veil of her or
der We are also informed that the nuns hope
to receive pupils as soon as the requisite ar.
ranRements can be made.
The house Is the only strictly clostered con-
vent in the church OF England, in which the
life Of Mary, who chose the ssbetter part" Is
altogether led. May the perpetual prayers and
intercessions Of those coed sisters be of great
blessing to our English Church. Their prayers
are 10 be especially and frequently offered for
the approaching council at Rome. that the
Pope may have the boldness to m AXE it indeed
9cumenical by inviting the Anglican and
Eastern bishops to attend, and that so the out
ward divisions Of Catholic Christendom may
be healed by him who is indeed the balm of
Gilead. All letters desiring inform alton re-
specting this house should be directed to the
Very Rev. Mother Prioress, o. :. Il. Benedic-
tine PriOry, Feltham, Middl-seX.