Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1872-05-02
A Royal Nun.

A short time ago tho world was sur
prised with the intelligence that mem
Der of the Imperial family had entered
nunncry under very peculiar circum-
stances
The lady in question is tho lnfanta
Maria BcatriS, the younger siator Of the
Duke of Mo1ena, who for some years
has been living in Vienna On the
morning of the 10Th inst, this lady en-
tered, under the name of Sister Marie,
the Ursuline convent establishment here,
as a novice, of course, at first, but the
gates Oh closing, for ever shut her out
from the world. She was born in 1924,
and in lS47 married the Inianta Johann
and had three children, two Of whom are
living at Frohsdorf. Within the last
three years she has repeatedly journeyed
to Rome to obtain from the Pope spe-
cial permission to enter convent but
on the ground that she was married,
that her husband was living, that she
had children and even grandchildren,
this was steadily refused her. But she
persevcred, notwithstanding the earnest
wishes Of her children, and at length
succeeded, through the assistance OF $
Jesuit Father living in Rome. The
Pope granted her permission to entel
any convent she chose. About three
weeks ago her son, who is an officer in
the Pope's household, arrived in Vienna
incognito to bid his mother farewell the
other children, among them the Infanta
Carl, and his wife, a daughter of the late
Duke of Parma, also came from Frohs
dorf, chiefly with the intention of dis
suading their mother from retiring fol
ever from the world and themselves
Many members of the Imperial Family
used their influence to the same end
It is even said the Archduchess Sophia
the Emperor's mother, personally en-
treated the Infanta Maria BeatIiX, tt
alter her resolution, but without effect
We are not told whether the pcrsol
chiefly interested, the husband, addct
his prayers to the implications of tn
remainder Of the family. Towards thu
end her resolution appears to have beer
rather shaken, and she shut herself III
for three days to pray and fast, and re
fused to see any one besides hel confessol
But she renamed firm, babe farewell t
her children and their children, passe
the night in prayer with her religion
adviser, and next morning left the pHlac
with her favorite servants, in two Coul
carriages sent for the purpose. 1t seem
, the Lady Abbess expressed great dis
satisfaction at the appearance OF til
Court carriages, emblems Of the wor'
pomps and vanities of this wicked worlC
and that the distinguished novice vi
actually requested to perform I'll
, Journey over again in a humble vehicle
, and to dispense with all but two Of hi
attendants. She complied with the T.
. quest, and returned in hired cab wit
8 two maids, for whom lodgings were take
4 in the neighborhood OF the convent,
: that they might be at hand in case Il
: Sister Maria should became i'll. II
: gate was opened, and the novice passt
I in never to come out again, or to 81
6 her children, her husband, or h
4 friends. Cases of married women O
s tanning permission to enter nunnorl
4 of the strict and secluded order are We
:, rare. The fact that this lady was ma
:, ried and had married children anG hu
d band living, added to the fact that 81
:. was closely connected with the So
e ereign's family, has caused the case
= be regarded and commented on here wi
n nm extraordinary degree of interest.
If Vienna Pupcr