The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1870-01-25
TIE BURIAL Or a NV.


Death In tho Cioistcr--scicran ma impress
eiVe sccne IN TT. Catha riuc's Convent Of
Our Lady of uorcv- Funeral Services Of
n Devoted Nuu- Meurnfui Cerom0nies-
Cbn otinG iii, dc Profuudis-Tbe Prayers
for the Dad.
few afternoons since, ss VIC were passing
along Houston sucot from Broadway to the Bowery,
We noticed an unusual number OF persons entering
tho door OF ST. Caharlne's Convent Of Our LADY Of
Mercy" fad tccn church festival or holiday,
VIC might have supposed tlcrc woro vospcr services
IN the chapel Bot II was not anil being OF the
visitors Of the house, aud enjoying the acquaintance
OF tho Mother Superior and several OF tho Sisters
we followed the dictltea Of curiosity, and entered
with the thrnr.
Death was IN the eloister. The nuns, In their
black habits and vcils and wearing the white iow-
ing nantes used on ceremonial occasions were
littng here and there uloug the dim eorridors and
through tue darkoned par.oss. The mortki re-
mains Of one OF tho worshlppnr toicrs we're re-
posing under the funeral pail In tho cn pol beyond
aud we were invltel TO enter with the friends.
just at that moment the Vicar-Gcneral, DR.. Stars,
and several clergy men and boys, passed into the
vcetry room, and we knew the burial service WIS
about TO commence. W. turned into the narrow
corridor leading " ard the chapel door, and were
mouonod onward by ono OF the Sisters who was
standing at the other eni. She was swinging a
silver censor 10 and no, and the clouds Of white
smoking incense flied tho air with heavy fra
GRANGE.
What contrast was tho scene within that con.
vent chanel to the glitter and glare and crasI and
roar OF Broadway. 1t was transformation sccno
shifting from panoramic view OF the ulneteenth
century 20 tableau OF the middle ages.
From the high pointed Gothic windows above, the
light streamed through the rlch stained glass over
tho black draDeriol MI ~ Jl,Iz
Even tho tall candostcks were draoed In Grape. The
eoniucd dead reposcd upon the bier the middle Of
tic aisle. The black pail did not co, or her face or
form, but MAS arranged to fall IN heavy folds over
TIE b!ne and amber Tiled floor Six tall eaDdlcstcks,
three each side OF the bier, draped IN black Also
threw the hight Of six waxon candles upon the meek
pale face and black robed 'orm OF the dead num-
Upon the bosom was beautiful bouquet, a cruciHx,
and the record of her vows sixty.-ix years OF age
at the time II her death. she had entered the con.
vent thirteen years ago, a ehildlcss widow. What
story was summed 10 IN those brol words.
~ the slas on each side OF he chapel tho sister
MOOD were oent 70 PRAYER They rose as We entered,
aud each taSlns from the desk In front OF her Gan.
die, ightd It those near the altar beginnlnt nrst
aud e,!cndins down the lines I'LL all were ilumia 1
ed, and each sad lace was lighted With flick ring
geam nom taper On many checks tie tear drops
stood, but not a 50, broke tho impressive silence
Hardly Nere all the candles lighted tore the pro-
ecsslon " the Clergy and acolytcs entered tie
chapel. DIR. stars rOoed IN lace and black velvet
v,s;meats, cape, stole, aud mantle ghtterinn witb
gold embroidery wed three slcnIer race nj aco.
yt,s, b, aring the procet sional and two tall
hghted candles. On each side OF him were two
otDer acoyte- carrying the silver vessel Of holy va.
ter and the csnscr Two o.Lcr cleIRymen IN ilIck
clerical robes followed. As tie solemn requiem
mr.s for the dead mad been LIBERATED ~ the morn.
Ing, what We witnessed and heard was simply tie
last burial service.
standlpg at the foot Of the bier DR.. Starrs began
the oGice by reading tlc usual antnau a, and then
walking around tie cIfl1, sjrink.cd IL with holy
water Then taking n c ccu>cy IN his hand, and at
tchded by the sub-1eaeon, be passed around again,
throwing clouds OF inctns" ON II over tltC forn ol
the dead. The " Ds IyQCmdis" followed, amer
which the comm lid wis closed. Tho palLbearers
advanced and the procession formed facing the
altar. lu the mean time "A email door at the upper
end OF tie 81 APPEL and IN ons sids o the altar lad
been opened, showing the Convent yard beyond
Through ihis clerical procession passed. followed
ny the pall-beIiers aud nuns, who III Il twn by two
out OF their stalls. Tie long hue OF igt ted t1yeis
ghmmcrcd thrOu ia thu aisle aad passed INTO the Com
the borrowing sst.thOod turned and rctrlccl their
steps 10 inc chapel They lad gone their self
imposed rnl" p,rnItted tn sm " follow their sfntrd
dead. Clustered, they never leave their convent
walls save TO visit the sick or dJiag. or prisoner
lanrui-hing H. his kney cell.
| Tho bled friends returned throuch the corr
rdor by the same way they had entcrc but pass
ing round The corner through Mulberry street, toll
lowed the procession to St Intncks Cathedral TO
sec the remains deposited In th" vault of the Sis
Irr+ OF Mercy. TINS done with the same
solemn ecrNmony of sprinkng with holy water and
ineenrng That hai been performed N the chapel,
accompanied with the last pTayeTs for tho deal.
The whole scene had transpirsd In less Than
thlrty minutes, and m fss than i've more W. were
agsIn amid the Vanity Far OF Droadvay. "Surh
Is HE " IA tie commercial metropolis vi tne Wet
orn World.