The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1871-08-16
RENoUNCIsa TIE WORLD.
The Ceremony OF Taking the Veil st

The Ceremony Of T.kinE the vsii at
The motives which can induce a per
con to withdraw totally from the
world" to renounce what people call
the pleasures of life-the willingness to
take solemn vows OF poverty, chastity
and obedience, and the voluntary con-
secration Of the remainder of ones days
to sacrificing the flesh" toiling for the
good Of others, and continual prepara-
ton for death-invest the ceremony OF
taking the black veil with a peculiar
and extraordinary interest The priv
ilere of witnessing such a formal leave
taxing of the world is accorded 10 but
comparatively few, 2and to them the
occasion is one long to be remembered.
Such an occasion was presented yes
terday afternoon at the Catholic Cathe-
dral in this city, and was witnessed 6y
an unusually large congregation, the
great majority being women, drawn out
to witness what was to the majority
of those present, novel, solemn and
impressive scene, when three young
women, Just entering on the stage oil
womanhood. after learning from a
wears experience, the duties, the rlgor'
and the austerity OF convent lite, a lite
devoted entirely to the welfare OF others,
came forward and voluntarily sundered
the ties that bound them to family,
friends and the world, and became as
dead to all oflife's pleasures and Its at
fractions. 49,,
At about a quarter before three
o'clock, the three candidates entered
the church. They were clad, as II Tor
a bridal, in white, with white veil and
wreath OF orange blossoms on the
head Of each. Their trails were carried
by Young girls clad in white and wear
ING wreaths OF white roses. Proceed
ipS to the front of the altar they knelt
in prayer Their names are Miss An
ME Griffin, who will hereafter be known
as Sister Mary Augustine; Miss Mary
f. Hughes, who takes the name OF
Sister Mary Bonaventura, and MISS
Julia Devine, who assumes that OF Sis,
ter Mary Angela. A carpet was spread
and chairs placed in front OF the affair."
for the use of the candidates.
After vespers were nearly ended the
ceremony of receiving the candidates
was proceeded with by Bishop Wheeian'
who made brief address on the cere'
monial about to take place, saving that
il was a spectacle calculated to eddy
and enlighten the whole Christian
community. Many suppose that when
a religious life is embraced, it Is because
of disappointment, aud because the
candidates are weary OF the pleasures
and trials of this life. Those who are
about to take their vows upon them to-
dav, it can be seen, are but just entering
upon the ears when it is said life's pleas
ures are most attractive. They are not
weary or worn out in lie OF sinful
ness. They take their VOWS upon them
because OF their love for their Redeemer.
They do not enter upon lie OF ease
either, but on lite OF toll, a life where,
il need be, they will be called upon to
face disease in every form, TO see
suffering OF all kinds, and az
far as possible to assuage 1t; to
educate your children and fit them to
adorn the stations in lie to which they
may be called, and this without the
shadow of a hope OF reward. He spoke
earnestly and elcquently for twenty
minutes, pointing out the duties OF those
about to take the veil, telling OF the
rewards awaiting the faithful unto
death. In conclusion he urged them,
before taking the VOWS, 10 look up to
the celestial kingdom. and then to take
the vows with cheerful, loving hearts,
knowing they did so for their own sal
walton and Tor Immortality. The adj
dress was very instructive and gave a
clear idea of the duties Of those who
join their religious communities:
The mitre was placed upon the head
OF the Bishop at the conclusion oil his
address and he proceeded to ask the
candidates questions touching their
willingness 10 take upon themselves
the obligations and duties OF the order
of the Sisters OF ST. Joseph, to all oil
which they gave affirmative and salts
factory answers in a clear and distinct
tone.
The black habit of the sisterhool, one
suit for each Of the candidates, were in
basket. This basket was placed be,
fore the Bishop, who blessed the habits
and sprinkled them with holy water.
The Mother Superior was then di,
rected to retire with the candidates and
deprive them of their tresses and all
signs of worldly adornment and clothe
them in the garments Of the holy sister
hood.
In about half an hour the Mother
Superior returned with the new Sisters,
who were asked by the Bishop il Trey
were still satisfied with their changed
condition. Their answer being in the
affirmative, he announced them mem
bers ofthe holy Order of the Sisters OF
St. Joseph. You have now" be said,
"St. Joseph for your father, the Blessed
Virgin for your mother, and the great
Redeemer for your spouse. He also
announced the names by which they
would hereafter be known, as given
above.
The above brief mention can give but
vague idea of these very interesting
ceremonies. We would gladly have
made our report fuller, but were unable
to obtain the manual of the ceremony.
A., Var S,cr n. N ~ ;o,oJ -, opv ,ra sc