Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1870-05-19
Taking the Black Veil.
From the New York Sun, 9th.


The solemn ceremony of the last pro-
fession and taking the black veil by two
choir novices was witnessed iii the Ursuline
Convent in East Morisania. yesterday morn
ing, BY the relatives and friends of the
Youthful candidates. The names of those
who have thus separated themselves for
life from the outer world and its pomps and
vanities are Miss Harriet Leonard, now
Sister Mary Seraphine Josephine, of the
Fire Wounds, and Miss Fanny Hart, now
Sister Mary Bapristoe Josephine, of the
Holy Family. I:
The ceremony was begun by the entrance
of the procession at the hour appointed
The pupils of the school, in dark dresses
of brown or blue. and yelled with white
lace, came first; next the novices dres
in the black habits of the order, with white
wells over their hoods and capes, and car
rying q cruciix in the right hand, and q
burning taper in the left; then the protested
Sisters otthe community, leading the young
candidates, robed and yelled in black; and
lastly, the Mother Superior. The candi-
dates for profession then seated themselves
in front the altar.
The waxen candles which they had borne
in their hands were placed on a narrow Ia
BILE in front of them, covered with crimson
velvet The candles arranged IN triple
groups, on the altar, cleaning against the
white and gilded tracery OF the screen and
tabernacle the yelled figures of large
number of pupils and thirty or forty black
robed nuns and novices, the motionless
figures of the candidates in the aisle, and
1raco IF tlp nn0rpuaf1On
made most striking and beautiful tableau
The procession had scarcely been seated
when the acolytes and clergyman appeared.
They entered in full ecclesiastical dress, &c
/ the sound of music from the gallery and
the mass began with the "Venl creator
Spiritils, sung by female voices. The parts
were we'll sustained, and some OF the solos
were rendered with exquisite and touching
sweetness. During the High Mass, which
was said by the Rev. Father Hackspiel, OF
the order of Jesuits, the candidates receiy
Cd communion.
Immediately after the Mass the novices,
after kueeling in front of the altar III sllen,
prayer, made the demand to be admitted
to the Sisternood in this form;
| The officiant, the Ri Rev. Melchei
Greenaday OF Wisconsin, asked
What do you ask, my child
To which eac6 in turn replied
81 demand the mercy OF God, the Soci
ety of the religions of St. Ursula, and tC
taxa the VOWS OF Poverty, Chastity, anc
Obedience, according to the rules of 81
Augustine and its Constitution,
"Have YOU entire knowledge Of whatyot
intend to promlseF
,.Yes, Rev. Father; and with the grace o
God hope to perform it faithfully
They were then formally received and
sermon was delivered on the perfect liber
ty Of the religious life, aud upon the sla
very which tie customs Of the world en-
tailed upon females, particularly in pre-
scribine their dress, manners, and mode o
life, conforming them to false standards o
morality and aesthetics. This was con
trasted with the true freedom Of those whC
had chosen, rs the candidates had, 70 con
form only to the will of God and the rul'
of Master whose 'yoke was easy anC
whose burden was light
The sermon having been concluded an1
lbenedjotion pronounced, the assemblag'
retired while the Ie Delm was sung by th'
choir.