The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-09-29
TRIPLE RECEPTION AT THE CONVENT
OF MERCY.

The usual seclusion OF the Convent OF Mercy, at
No. 35 East Houston street. was broken yesterday
by the admission Of an immense cOncourse OF
people who had assembled to witness the reception
Of three young ladies of the ''white veiln-Miss
Leonard, Miss Lizzie McDevitt and her young sister
Miss Susie McDevitt These three young ladies
having passed the six months probation imposed
upon all aspirants for the habit" Of religion In the
order Of Mercy yesterday, bid adieu to the pomp
and pride OF the world for period Of two years.
further trial prior to prOnOuncing the ire
vocable vows that will, in the event OF their
final perseverance, bind them to the service Of
God IN His suffering members forever.
AS usual, on such OCCASIONS the several affairs
were decked with choice selection OF both artificial
and natural flowers the faint perfume of the latter
pervading the air like incense, and the brilliant
light OF the myriad wax tapers mingling with the
tinted radiance penetrating the richly stained
windows added unusual splendor to the solemn
scene. AS the hour appointed for the ceremony
drew near the s0wly-tolling bell announced
to the silent congregation the approach Of the pro-
cession; first the cross, borne by young novice
then the remaining probationers followed by the
novices, two and two, and the black-veiled nuns
in their white choir NANTES, with the
Superoress and assistants leading the can
did for the Wnite veil and lastly
tered the chapel the young ladies knet at the foot
OF the altar while the Archbishop, vested in cope
ing they each received lighted CANDLE and, re-
turning to the middle OF the choir remained seated
while Archbishop McCloskey addressed them upon
the step they contemplated, fOrcibly contrast
ing their life within the convent with that
they might have led had they chosen to
ing that the bonds of religion were not the bonds
OF slavery, but of the highest INSTRUMENTATION
the to Of yity
Christ, who came not to do HIS own will, but
the will OF Cod After bidding them ponder well
take, the Superioress led the young ladies to the
altar where EACH kneeling at the feet Of the Arch
bishop, was asked by him what she demanded, and
and the holy habit of religion" The Superoress
was then asked II she mad examined the candidates
such step. Her answer being in the Affirmative,
each candidate was then asked If 1t was of her own
OF life and also If she felt that she could persevere
IN 1t to the end and having answered to both ques-
lions III mat they hoped 50 40 to by the grace Of
the candidates retired to lay aside forever the shin
ing white silks, lowing gossamer wells and droop-
like "bride Of heaven" During their absence
nom the chapel the habits were blessed and carried
blessed and left near the altar. In a few minutes
the trio returned, the choir singing "Who Is she
that cometh up from the desert flowing with
deightsf" They were clad IN the sOmbre black
habit, the white Golf concealing the forehead and
the close white CAMP covering the throat. Kneel-
girdle and handed 1t to the SuperiOress who
placed 1t about her waist, the Archbishop saying,
"When thou vast young thou didst grid thyselr and
go where thou wOudst, but when thou art old
another shall grid thee. I" Again kneeling, white
veil was placed upon each bowed head to hide the
eyes from the gaze OF the world, and then the white
mantle was laid upon the young shoulders as an
emblem OF the charity that 1t shall be their earnest
endeavOr to extend to Christ in the poor, sick and
Borrowing that 1t shall hencef0rth be their mission
to visit and succor. Having received the blessing
they now retired to the centre Of the choir, and
PROSTATE upon their faces lay silent II the hand Of
death had struck them, while the choir sang the
'Veni Creator Spiritus." As the last notes died
away and the rays OF the setting sun left the chapel
in q flood Of radiant light the voice OF the Arch
bishop rang out In trumpet tones bidding them
arise; and as the drops OF holy water fell upon
their terminated forms the novice mistress as
where she knelt for blessing, and having received
the kiss OF peace" from her. they returned it with
sisterly affection to the other members of the
community, and then, in the same order as
on entering. the solemn procession wendell its
way from the chapel In an incredibly short
space of time the parlOrs filed
with the friends of the young n0vices, where Miss
Leonard was greeted as Sister Mary Genevieve,
Miss Lizzie McDevtt as Sister Mary de Chantal,
each receiving her congratulations with as many
bushes as the most diffldent bride, but bestOwng
in return such an afectionate welcome as the true
Sister OF Mercy ever shows to her kindred and
friends
Several clergymen were in attendance, among
whom were Rev. Fathers Farrelly and Kane.
The music, as usual, was OF the highest order and
the most delicate execution, and rendered excu-
svely by choir composed OF the Sisters of Mercy.