The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1870-07-31

of Christianity with females,
who to speak the language of our ancestors
by VOW brides of Christ. The
of the sacrifice was con-
Quoted with the most imposing solemnity,
and the conservation of q virgin was con-
sidered of SO great Importance that it was
exclusively reserved to the ministry OF
bishop, and attached to the principal festi-
walls Of the year; and at Easter, the Epiph-
any, and on the feasts of the Apostles, in
the presence of the people, before the altar,
and at the feet of the chief pastor, was
made the voluntary renunciation OF the
pleasures of the world, to obtain future
but immortal crown.
To check, however, the eagerness and in
discretion Of youth, the I" the votary was
commanded to wait till the stability of her
determination had been proved by expe-
rience, and that she might not afterwards
accuse her caprice or temerity, her solemn
VOW was retarded till she had reached her |
25th year. On the appointed day her habit |
was blessed by the bishop. When he COM |
menced the office Of Mass she dressed her |
self in private room, and at some period
the church and was led to the front of the
altar. Turning towards her, In . short adj
dress he explained the nature of the sacri-
fee which it was her Intention to make,
and admonished her Of the obligations
which it imposed"
IL quo sti4 PoIsiSCeO, ne lnquHeo WueCnoI
her determination had been sanctioned
with the consent of her parents, and, hav-
ing received q satisfactory answer, placed
his hands upon her head, and pronounced
the prayer of conservation -" Be thou
blessed by the Creator Of heaven and
has chosen thee like holy Mary, Mother of
our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, to pre-
serve pure and immaculate thy virginity,
which thou hast promised before God and
His holy angels. Persevere, therefore, in
thy resolution; preserve thy chastity with
ceive the crown of virginity. Be thou
blessed with every spiritual blessing by
God the Father, the Son, and the Holy
Ghost, that thou mayest remain pure,
chaste and Immaculate. May the spirit of
wisdom and understanding, the spirit of
counsel and fortitude, the spirit of knowl-
edge and piety, the spirit of the fear of the
Lord rest upon thee. Have always before
thy eyes Him whom one day thou wilt
: have for thy judge. Make it thy care that
, when thou shalt enter the chamber of thy
Spouse He may meet thee with Joy and
, kindness, and that when the dreadful day
shall come which is to reward the just aud
/ punish the wicked, the avenging fame may
find nothing in thee to burn; but the di-
vine mercy may find much to reward.
. mayest hereafter be associated with the one
:, hundred and forty thousand virgins who
a follow the Lamb and sing new canticle,
and may Ka bless thee in heaven who
: vouchsafed to descend upon earth and re-
deem mankind by dying on a cross, Christ
. Jesus our Lord" The bishop then placed
y the consecrated veil on her head with these
j. words, " Receive, daughter, this covering
a which thou mayest carry without stain be.
Il fore the tribunal of Christ, to whom bows
n every knee of things in heaven, on earth
a and under the EARTH" AS he finished, the
q church rang with the acclamations of the
10 people who cried " Amen" The Mass con
r. tinued; she received the Holy Communion
= and at the conclusion the bishop once
IS more gave her his benediction.
o In the AngloSaxon records we Otter
a meet with mention of females who had il
If this way bound themselves to a life of vir
:, ginity, and who generally appear to belong
% % spouse to whom they had been affiance'
" could not die, the engagement which the.
had contracted was deemed irrevOcable b.
~ the laws both of the Church and the State