The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-04-18
: SACRED EsPOUsALS.

The Black Veil Taken by Three NOvices
In the Convent OF Mercy, East Houston
Strect-Impressive Address OF Arch
bishop McCloskey and Touching Cere-
monies.
The Lenten season having expired and Easter
rejocings taken the place OF penitental litanies
and mournful misereres, the devout nuns OF st.
Catherine's Convent Of Mercy, In East Houston
street. have fastened, it seems, to improve the
opportunity OF the return OF Spring by the cele-
bration of one OF those impressive ceremonies that
are said to leave lasting impression
Of peace and contentment upon the minds
Of devout Catholics. To the three special
participants in yesterdays solemn service the
day win ever be one of joyful remembrance, for
although they received each new name on the
occasion OF their reception OF the white veil
more than two years ago. the "act OF profession"
made yesterday Is final ratification OF their pre-
vlous dedication to the service of God in minister
ing to the poor the sick and the afflicted. Not
withstanding
THE PIERCING WIND AND DRIVING RAIN,
every recipient Of the card of invitation was early
at the Convent doors and eager to witness the
bridal ceremony. Promptly at the stroke OF nine the
choir intoned the hymn OF entrance and the black
yelled crossbearer. followed by the acolytes. pos
tulants protested Sisters and the Superioressl cad
ing by the hand the oldest Of the three novces, the
other two following with the novice mistress and an
assistant and lastly Archbishop McCloskey, vested
in cope and mitre. and preceded by some twenty
clergymen, entered the chapel. When all mad taken
their places the reverend Archbishop addressed
the candidates upon the grave Importance OF that
VOW. which, once made, is irrevocaDle. he referred
to those
SPIRITUAL aRAcEs, JOYS, BLESSINGS AND coNsoLA-
TIONs
the contemplation OF Gods projections while
pirng to initiate the virtues from which they flew,
having SO probably spent the two and half years
OF the postuate and noytiate as to be able yester
ny n Gst He 70 xe be
vows or poverty, chastity and obedience, he tod
them that in the first they renowned all share IN
enjoyment in soft raiment and iine linen,
ali display in those jewels that adorn
In the practice OF charity their souls would con-
tinue to become brighter and more hitting that per-
feet union with the Lord Jesus Christ In that king
little children" In the practice Of obedience they
could always feel secure in Obeying the orders of
tried experience they attained more nearly the
likeness OF children, VINO rely implicitly upon the
guidance Of those whom God has appointed TO direct
Them, ENCOURAGING them to stu. perseyeie in
their high and sacred calling the venerable prelate
babe them '.come to be espoused."
The Rev. Father McKenna then began the cele-
bration OF the mass OF the Holy Ghost and pro-
ceeded as far as the communion, when the supe-
rioresS invited her pupils 20 "Ofier to God
TIE SACRIFICE or PRAIsE,n
and they responded the novices saying, ~ will pay
S Se@ Courts . Of the house Of Inc Eord
After the "Confteor" the Archbishop held the
Blessed sacrament, elevated between his thumb
and finger, before the eyes OF the novice while she
read her VOWS, and lie then administered the sacred
emblem to her as the holy communion, after she
had in his presence and that OF the Superioress and
in full sight OF the assembly, signed her name tothe
act OF profession.
emn vow they knelt In silent prayer until the con-
cusion OF the mass, when the Archbishop pro-
ceeded with the prayers and responses the candi-
dates kneeling ut the loot OF the altar until the
choir sang "Come, Spouse of Christ, Receive the
Crown which the Lord hath Prepared Tor Thee
Forever.n Responding to this the newly protested
arose and knelt at the feet OF the Archbishop while
he placed upon the honored head OF each in turn
to hide her ewes that she shall hencefort see no
other lover but her Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ,
ana they each replied, 'He has placed His seal
upon my forehead that should admit no other
! lover but HIM.
The chsir then intoned the cant!cle, "Come, my
the voice of the turtle is heard, and the towering
vines yield their sweet perfume" and the Arch
finger OF the left hand OF the newly-professed, es-
pousng them each Ito Jesus Christ, the Son OF the
Father Most High who win preserve them invio-
clear, sweet tones 81 am espoused to Him whom
the angels serve, whose beauty the sun and moon
admre.v AT the conclusion OF this and other ver-
scles OF Scripture the newly protested sisters pros
trated themselves prone before the altar ana re.
manned in death-like silence, while the choir sang
the
CITE DEUM,n .s..ss-lt.-
when the Archbishop sprinklcd the PROSTATE forms
with holy water, and they rose with the seal OF
their spouse upon their ioreheadS ana His ring
upon their hands, their hearts full or the happiness
that their glowing faces and glistenng eyes so
fully expressed. AS the bride OF the world turns
IRON the altar to the mothers loving heart for
more embrace, so turned those newly cspoused
virgins to their mother. the Superioress, and,
kneeng at her feet, received the blessing that ali
her children crave, and with 1t the kiss oil peace"
which they conveyed to the other nuns and
novlces there assembled, and then the procession
| slowly wendell its way from the chapel, observing
the same order as when entering.
The young ladies who yesterday renounced the
world are Miss Maggie Rooney Sister Mary
Dolores, Miss Kate McDevltt Sister Mary De
Sales,, and Miss Kate Kavanaugh SISTER Mary
Bonayenture) Among the distinguished guests
present were Bishop Loughlin, of Brooklyn, the
liam Quinn, V. c., the Rev. Fathers Daubresse and
Thebaud, j. j., with the Rev. Father Kean, Master OF
Ceremonies, ana the Rev. Fathers Clowry, Curran,
Dent. Farley, Farrelly, Flynn, Hickey, Lynch,
McSherry, O'Farrell and Tafie There were several
Others whose names could not be learned, as they
ceremony. All the other clergymen, as well as
the Archbishop, Father MeKenna and the Hon.
Thomas j. Dreamer, remained. however, for short
tiMe, ana mingled with the many other friends OF
the brides to whom they rendered their warm
congratulations. The chapel was exquisltelv dec
Grated with both natural and artificial flowers. A
star OF light shone above the main altar and
warm radiance that mingled with the faint light
OF the richly stained windows. The music was
finely and effectively rendered by the choir, and
added another TO the many sweet associations OF
the day.