The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1873-03-23
Religious Reception.

We were present last Wednesday, March
10Th, Feast of st. Joseph, at the reception OF
three young ladies into tue Sisterhood of St.
Joseph, whose Motherhouse is at the cor
ner of Galvez aud St. Philip streets. The
ceremony very simple yet exceedingly
beautiful, and one which brought to the
| hearts of those who witnessed it, a sense of
peace and emotions of joy. The oficia-
| ting clerSymen were the Right Rev. Bsh-
op of Natchez, Rev. Father Gouyenot, Secreta-
airy of the Archbishop of New Orleans, Rev.
Father Hoste, Director of tho Convent of
St. Joseph, and one or two others who names
did not learn.
After tho singing of the Jcni Creator by the
Sisters choir, and the reverend clergy in the
Sanctuary, Bishop Elder addressed few elo-
quent remarks to the Novices DESTROYS of en-
tering the Sisterhood, and to those who had
come to witness this separation from the world
and it's amusements.
The Right Rev. speaker pointed out the two
opinions which are held by the greater part of
people in regard to a religious life-namely
that it is either a life Of great case and COM
fort, or else one of terrible sacrifice aud I'M
natural modification. That it was not an
easy life, they we'll knew who had been prac-
ticing its rules for many years-yet it was not
q terrible life, for they to whom G cd had Civ
en- the grace of a religious vocation, found the
burden not only light, but sweet to bear
Still it was q life of trial, is every life
here below-full of its peculiar cares and anx-
ieties fraught with temptations and difficult
ties, contrary in many respects to the inclna-
| tons of poor human nature; but notwith-
standing all these dark shades, full of a sweet
grace and enduring light, l:ttle understood by
the world at large but well known and appre-
ciated by tho chosen few.
| The three vows of poverty, chastity and
obedience, wero tho three great means for re-
moving all the obstacles that hinder tho soul
| in its upward fight to God. By tho VOW of
poverty, a real detachment from every created
| thing, we draw q way the heart from all affec-
| tion to anything less than God-ana here the
speaker touch tenderly upon the not easy task
of giving up all that is dear on earth, parents
home, kindred, even ones own name, every
every comfort once deemed necessary, every
| inclination that does not promote the honor
| of God or the service of souls.
! By the vow of chastity, we lift the heart
nearer and nearer to God, sacrificing ones own
| oouy W MS RiorS III every acIlon Oh lte-ln
heat or in cold, in health or in sickness, in
pleasure or in pain, listening not to the voice
! of the flesh calling for ease and relaxation and
indulgence, but hearkenng only to the call
whic bids us subjugate the inferior part OF
| "ul nature, and make it subservent to the
, higher part-the soul.
| By the VOW of obedience, tho will itself is
given up, lovingly and cheerfnlly, into the
keeping of another; and thus by these three
vows, the religious makes the entire sacrifice
of her being to her God, keeps nothing back
and enters upon the narrow way which leads
to Him.
| The religious vocation was compared to the
| incense which, wherever it is carried, diffuses
a sweet perfume; but which when burnt, as.
cends with all its fragrance in an Offering to
God alone so the life, which in the world,
would be winsome and beautiful, breathes
forth it's most perfect grace when laid upon the
sacriicial fire of Gods love, and is offered
once for all as holocaust to Him.
1t would take too long to repeat the many
excellent and beautiful thoughts enunciated
by the Right Rev. speaker; we will only say a
few words upon the concluding part of the
ceremony, which to US, was singplarly i'm
Pressive.
In front of the altar sat the three young
candidates who aspired to the privilege of en-
| tering the order of the poor Sisters of st. Jo-
seph They were dressed in bridal costumes,
with veil and wrcaths and ornaments of gold
We marked the luxuTiant hair, the sweeping
folds of lace and silk, aud thought that never
again would trinket, or graceful flowers, or