The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1871-09-17
"Mummsry and Superstition"

| "Nummery and Superstition"
It was our pleasant duty, on Friday, Sep
tember sth. to present ourselves, with QUIZ in
vitation, at the doors of the chapel of st. Annes
Convent, corner of Galvez and st. Philip
streets, to witness religious ceremony toe
often qualified by our non-Catholic friends
with the above epithets: viz, the reception Of
four postulaats into the Society of the Sisters
of st. Joseph.
| The ceremony appeared to us so simple, ear
nest and holy that, just by force of contrast
We found ourselves repeating the same trite
phrase with kind of eager protest against
the blindness and ignorance of those who can
see in the things of God" only mummery
and superstition. @Fs
The four candidates for religious perfection
| were the Misses Lambert, Meulah, O'Neil and
Sheehan. They were attired in bridal cos
tune, each carrying lighted taper in her
hand.
And why this mummery of dress, orange
flowers, wells, etc. I" asks q croaking voice at
oLr elbow.
"Ah! we thought you would be at hand
Diogenes, and we answer, why do you call that
mummery which, when assum ed for mans sake,
is considered most proper and becomingf"
The bridal veil is typical of innocence !;
should she not wear it who presents herself to
God to be His alone, in poverty, obedience and
chastity, through all her earthly lifei
The taper is an emblem of faith. To believe
In the words of our Lord Jesus is surely not
superstition; and He babe the young man who
desired to live perfect life, "Go, sell all that
thou hast, and follow Me-" These young
novices were simply obeying the divine in
Junction and endeavoring to follow Him.
They mightbe of more service in the world
as good wives and mothersw growls Diogenes.
Who gave you this assurance, friendi Who
told yon that it were better to live in the
world and for the world than to lead q life
hidden in the Lord y"
The world does not miss them from it's
ranks. Each day new faces enter upon it's
arena of fashion, new forms are seen whirline
In the dance, new hearts are learning the love
OF luxury, vanity and dissipation. The the
aires are fu1f-the bathrooms are crowded; why
complain if a few earnest souls turn aside from
the beaten track, aud offer up to God lives of
self-sacrifce and prayera
My child, have you reflected seriously upon
the obligations you are about to assumed Are
you willing to leave parents, friends, the world
and Its pleasures in order to enter the order of
the Sisters of St. Josephf" These were a few
OF the questions proposed to each postulant,
and we have never yet heard from the lips of
bride answers more feryent or more eager than
those pronounced by the humble, yet noble
hearted Sisters wto renowned, on Friday, |
what we must oil renounce at the hour of our
death.
" But they are young! They do not know !
their own hearts! Let them try the world and
its pleasures first, and then, etc., ETC."
These objections, Dogenes, are 30 truly pa
gan that we almost refrain from answering;
besides We do not remember hearing any such |
objection raised when young, untried, inex-.
perienced girl promises to love honor and obey |
through life one of the lords of creation.
All! we could be almost eloquent inst here
on the far greater certainty of His service
proving ever gladstone; His burden ever sweet
and light!
20 fond, o fool, o blind,
To God we give with tears
Yet when q man like grace would find
We lay aside our fears
fond, 0 fool, o blind!
God guards in happier spheres