The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1873-01-12
St. Alphonsus Convent Of Mercy.
RELIGIOUS PROFESSION AND RECEPTION.

S.. On Monday morning LAST, the Feast OF the
Epiphany of Our Lord, the beautiful chapel OF
st. Alphonsus Convent of Mercy, on st. An
drew street, Fourth District, was filed to re-
pletion by those anxious to witness the grand
and impressive ceremony of the reception Of
the black veil or profession of her vows by
Sister II. Philomena Gin the world Miss Ellen
Butler), after probation of two years and six
months and also the reception into the order
and investment of the holy habit of religion,
after o novitiate of six months, of Miss Julia
Fitzpatrick, Gin religion Sister Mary Clare).
At the appointed hour, the procession usual
ON these occasions entered the chapel in the
following order: Cross-bearer, angels, postu-
lants, protested religious, protested elect, nov
ice, Mother Superior, acolyteS, clergy. The
Sisters held in their hands lighted candles,
and occupied their respective sests on both
sides of the chapel, Mother Superior occupying |
the first seat on the right-hand side, her as |
sistant the first on the left, and 80 on. accord
ing to rank.
Rev. H. Giesen, CSSR., ofaciated, and was
assisted by Rev. Father Faivre, of the same
ORDER The celsbrant Gather Giesen), arriv-
ing ct the altar, blessed the candle prepared
| for the purpose. and lighting it presented it to
the novice. He also blessed the veil and dress
of tho new Sisters The celebrant then de-
liyered an instructive and eloquent sermon OF
half an hours duration. He spoke OF the feast
which the Church celebrated ON that day-that
of the Epiphany feast SO great as nearly TO
equal that of Christmas or Easter-celebrated
| in honor of the commemoration of the Magi,
of the obscure birth of the Saviour OF men, OF
the desire of the Gentiles to behold the new
born King of the city Of Sion, and of the
celestial Star conducting them to His birth
place, Whom they see q sucking Infant under
the care of His Incarnate Mother and foster
father In these humiliating circumstances,
with no apparent marks of His heavenly
mower, they hesitate not to offer Him alteration
and homage as we'll as treasures of gold, frank
incense and myrrh, and thus acknowledge Him
their King and Redeemer. "Like the Gem
tiles" the Rev. Father said, these Sisters are
Offering to their Lord treasures, but treasures
far more acceptable than gold or incense
their hearts, burning with humble and
oontrite love. Yes, and like the Magi they
b p" have sought Him whom their soul loveth,'
: who has said to them Arise, make haste, my
o love. NV doves my beautiful ones, and come
Q and having found him they have resolved Oh
making unto Him o halocaust of themselves
q This sublime union to which these Sisters as
is pire is to be contaminated. They have for
n saken the world, its temporary pleasures ant
], yanities-nay, more, afectionate and aget
10 parents loving brothers and sisters, fond ant
dear friends-all for their Eternal Spouse; bu
r to be returned with thousand rewards In
,e Rev. Father then spoke of the inconceivabi
a. grandeur of the religious state, ranking mex
es after martyrdom and priesthood and tina
those entering this state have been chosen froI
among Thousands" for many are called, bu
e few are chosen He concluded with an elt
it auent peroration, the whole being listened
g. with great attention by all.
40 The usual interrogations were then put
}" the postulaut and Mother Superior by the eel
brant. The holy sacrifice of the Mas WI
" then commenced by Father Giesen. Befo
~ receiving Holy Communion. Sister Philomer
>" read in an audible voice her solemn act OF pr
fession, consisting of her vows and promises
'" her Lord to continue in the state of Povert
~ Chastity and Obedience, and to remain in Il
service of the Poor, Sick and Ignorant, and
~ thus persevere in this condition of life in I'll
Institute of Our Lady Of Mercy. She then T
NO eeiyed the blessed veil and had the bless'
10 ring. bearing the usual inscription, placed {
ar her finger.
At the conclusion of the Mass the novice,
candidate for admission into the order, retire
roo accompanied by the Mother Superior, for Il
~ purpose of changing her bridal (secular) DIRE
for the religious habit, and soon after return
~. clothed in her religious dress. Tho subseque
~ suffrages and prayers were then recite
during which the celebrant prayed with
- hands extended eser-the novice, who so
after Frustrated herself with the newly P'
fessed at the altar, and remained in this p
ture during short PERIOD while certain prs
ers were being said. This done, the celebra
as sprinkied the new Sisters with holy wat
ing when they cordially embraced the other Sist'
ent and then assumed their respective pla'
m among the other members of the order @
ess tain PSALMS were then sung. during which
to procession again formed, and retired in
o;r order in which it first entered.
ave Thus ended this holy and sublime cerenaol
eI To witness which the writer has been OF