The morning star and Catholic messenger., 1871-07-16
A Grand and Imposing Ceremony.

A Grand and Imposing Ceremony.
RECEPTION AND PROFESSION OF THREE YOUNG
LADIES IN THE sIsTkRHooD OF ST. DOMINIC.
Lsst Sunday the Church Of st. John the
Baptist, Dryades street, was the scene OF one
of the most sublime and impressive ceremonies
of our Holy Religion. The old Churcn' as II
to make amends for the rather dingy appear
ance of its exterior, in contrast with the beau
tiful and grand proportions of it's successor,
which is now fast approaching completion, was
very tastefully arranged inside, the altars
being beautifully decorated with flowers and
brilliantly illuminated with hundreds of
lights. The nave of the Church and the gal
leries were crowded with tho faithful. and in
the sanctuary we noticed Rev. Father Murphy,
of the Jesuits, Father Foley, our distinguished
visitor from Ireland who has endeared himself
to the people of this city during his short
stay with us, Father Simon, of st. Francis
de Sales, Father Heslin, of St. Patrick's, Father
Mandine, of st. Stephens, Father Mignon, of
the Cathedral aud Father Cornelius Moynihan,
of st. Peters. The event which created 60
much interest was the reception and profes-
sion of three of the fair aud beautiful daugh-
ters of our city, in the order of Dominican
Nuns.
Immediately after High Mass the ringing of
a small bell announced that the ceremony was
about to commence.
In few moments the three postuiants ap.
peared, appareled as brides. crown carried
before each, which was laid at the foot of the
altar, emblematic of their renunciation of
| worldly honors and riches. Four angelic lit
tie girls headed the procession, each one scat
terinR flowers as she advanced, then followed
the postulants, carrying lighted tapers and
/ each having two bridesmaids, one on either
side. The celebrant, Rev. jeremiah Moynihan ;
assisted throughout by Father Kennedy, kneel-
ing at the foot of the altar, intoued that beau
tiful hymn the "Veni Creator" after which.
the postulants knelt on the lower steps of tho
altar aud he propounded the questions and re-
ceived the answers according to the formula.
The Rev. Father then delivered to the novices,
| first the Crucifix, then the Rosary, which each
received with the greatest reverence.
The ceremony of Reception having been
completed, the two nuns, who accompanied
the novices throughout, clothed them with
the habit, and each one advanced to the foot
of the altar and made her declaration, aftel
| which, Rev. Father Moynihan addressed them
! briefly upon tho vows, obligations and happi
ness of religious state. He reminded then
that these obligations consist chiefly in thu
three solemn vows they were about to make
Voluntary Poverty, Chastity and Obedience
and that, having once solemnly dedicated
themselves to the service of God by these vows
they could never be released from the observ
ance of them. These admirable virtues
derive their sanction, he continued, at ono
from the teaching and from the example o
Jesus Christ himself. "If thou wilt be per
fect,n says our Lord, ego sell what thou hast
, como and follow me; and thou shalt hav
treasures in heaven" (Mat. xix, 21.) An
, again, EVERY one that hath left house G
, brethren, or sisters, father, or mother, c
wife, or children, or lands, for Ny names SAX
shall receive an hundred fold and shall posses
life everlasting" (Mst xix, 29) In conclut
> ing, he called upon them to state wheths
they still persevered in petitioning for VIII.
- they had 80 fervently asked in their declar
a ton. Each one, in tones melodious and lo'
\. but yet firm, having answered in the affirm
- tive, several invocations and psalms We
a. chanted by the choir and the novices.
At the conclusion of these invocations, Il
~ novices, each in turn, laid her hand on t.
=. book of Constitutions, which the Prioress he
m open, and made her solemn profession in
70 clear and ineligible voice.
,e The novices were then invested with t
"a. scapular, veil and ring, and q crown was plac
y on the head of each a certain pledge
,,a the eternal one which our blessed Saviour
ira prepared for those who are faithful to hi
~ Thus passed from the world three of
sweetest flowers; Miss Euphemia Cover, NJ
Sister Mary Catharine de Ricci Miss Loui
-, Courtin, now Sister Mary Louis Bertrand, a
ed Miss Lucy Campbell, in religion Sister Ma
he Francis Borgia. These beautiful ceremon
he were closed with the Benediction of the M
90 Blessed Sacrament and the grand music of
Z, "Te Deum" which swelled through the d.
a old church, helping to repress the sobs Of sy
NV pathy and joy which rose in every heart.
la We had intended giving short history
;tv the many good works of the Dominican M
..d since their advent among us, in 1860, un
ba the kind auspices of Father jeremiah Moy
No. han, but the want of space compels us to dc
% | this to some future occasion.