The New Orleans crescent. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1866-1869, 1868-10-01

From the Church News. septsmber2.

From the Church News. September 81
correspondent sends rs the following: Last
week Q very interesting ceremony took place at
this house. young novice took the white veil.
and entered upon her duties as q clustered nun Of
the Benedictine order. The temporary chapel of
the convent was very full on the occasion, the
event exciting great interest among the members
of the Third Order Of the CONGREGATION. At 1890
menced the communion service Of the Church Of
England, which was performed with every ad-
iunct of imposing beauty which primitive ritual
could lend TO the celebration of the divine mys-
teries After the chanting of the creed the young.
lady who was to receive the veil was lead into the
outer chapel. accompanied by her bridesmaids.
The postulsnt was dressed as bride, with bridal
vel 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 anthems were
sung the novice's habit, scspulsr, girde and
sandals, wimple and cloak. having been soemnly
blessed, the habit was delivered to the brides
maids. The superior then sitting on his seat be.
fore the altar in full robes father of the order
the acolytes having spread towel over his knees,
delivered to him pair of scissors whereupon the
young novice Was brought forward, and while the
novice's by mn, Farewell, thou world Of sorrow"
wan being sung by the sisters, her long black hair
E SIs Az SM sr6dba JRlack long trssses falling on
Der ornaments being taken of. she herself
threw them ALEC on the ground in token of having
renounced the vauities Of the world. She was
drens, and soon returned hsbited ia the Benedic-
tine frock. The whole habit was then placed upon
her by the superior, while appropriate prayers
and blessings were used. Lastly, after the binder
and wimple were placed on the head, the white
vel was spIemnly 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 CON-
murion. 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 eometh, He calleth for
thee"
The novice then rose and went forward to the
altar steps holding her lighted taper, and while
che was receiving the sacrament the choir curtain
fell, and neither she nor the other sisters were
any more.
EThe week before last nun took the black veil
In this house. The ceremonies on that occasion
were still more striking and solemn. The Felt
ham nuns are entirely inclosed; they never 60
out they only see visitors at grating In the
convent parlor and then their faces are covered.
They observe the strict Benedictine rule, aud
numbers increase il IL hoped to establish the
Perpetual Alteration ~ at present only few
hours day are devoted to this purpose. During
the watch. each nun wears large flowing Grim
son veil over the veil of her order. We also are
informed that the nuns hope 10 receive pupils as
ss seon as the requisite arrangements can be
made.
This house is the only strictly clustered con.
vent In the church Of England in which the life Of
Mary, who chose the 1" better part" is altogether
led. May the perpetual prayers and interoessions
OF those good sisters be of great blessing to our
English Church Their prayers are to be specially
and frequently offered for the approaching council
of Rome that the pope may have the boldnsfs
to make IL ecumenicsl by inviting the Anglican
and Eastern bishops to attend, and that so the
outward divisions of Catholic christendom may
be healed by him who 10 indeed the balm Of Gilead.
All letters desiring information respecting this
house should be directed to the Very Rev. Mother
Prioress. G. S. B., Benedictine Priory, Felthsm,
Middlesex.