Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1873-03-28
AMERICAN NEWS In ROME.
Three Southern Bellies Take the
White Veil I'm ROme-A Tour that
Ended In a Convent.

Ended I'm a Convent.
Correspondence of the New York Sun.
ROME, Feb %, 1871 have just learned
that three American ladies' were received
on the 10Th inst. at the Convent of the
Presentation. In cOnve 1tual phraseOlogy
receiving means taking the white veil. Dur
ing their life in the world these ladies were
Miss Clara Devine, a native Of Savannah,
Ca, and Miss Alice FurloDg and Miss Ma.
~ Fenelon, both of New Orleans. For
nearly two years these young women were
associated at the schools of the French
Sisters of the Sacred Heart, on Pincian Hill.
In these famous schools ladies represe ltiDg
almost every civilized nation congregate, and
orr own republic has several of her worthy
daughters imbibing culture and grace from
these fountains of learning and virtue.
Two of the newly received sisters, the
Misses Devine aud Fenelon, were wrapt in
the enjoyment of a continental tour when
they paid casual visit to the Convent of
the Sacred Heart, It was merely one of
the lions which absorbed their interest while
in the City of the Seven Hills. The visit
was made, the ligbt-hearted American girls
returned to their hotel to prepare for the
opera at the Argentine and plan the pro-
gramme of the morrow. During their visit
to the French Sisters Misses Devine and
Fenelon promised to call some other day,
and at an early hour, in order TO sSe the
schools in working order and be introduce
ed to several of their countrywomen who
were being educated there. It was this
second visit that probably shaped the desti-
ny of the young and buoyant tourists.
They were csptivated by the excellent dis
cipline of the institution, by the manners of
the putpils, and the benevolence of the
nuns in charge. The American girls thence
forth called often at the Convent Of the S2.
cred Heart. Miss Divine was accompanied
by her father, and Miss FenelOn by her
brother during their European travel, and
these gentlemen while preparing to leave
Rome were urgently pressed by the daugh-
ter and sister to consent to their becoming
pupils of the French Sisters for at least the
period Of six months. Mr.. Deviue calmly
succumbed to his daughters entreaties; but
Mr.. FeDelon, who is of the Presbyterian
Church, as strongly protested against his
sisters wish. Mr.. Fenelon's father and
brothers are Presbyterians, his mother and
sisters Roman Catholics. Through Mr..
DeEine's persuasion Miss Fenelon's brother
somewhat reluctantly consented 10 negoti-
ate with the French nuns for his sisters six
months tuition and board at their convent.
These six months were extended to year,
whea about the anniversary of their en-
trance into the schools of the French nuns
a scene was presented in the Convent Of
the Presentation which proved that three
young American ladies had closed their ac-
counts with the world that Clara Deviue,
Alice Furlong and Mary Fenelon had devo-
ted their young lives to the cold, solemn
cloister.
In describing the reception of the postu-
lants a Roman paper says: "The echoes
of sacred music might still be supposed to
liDger around the precincts ofthe little con-
veutunal sanctuary, for on the foregoing
| Sunday sweet voices were chanting the ap-
propriate hymns on the occasion of the pro-
| fession of five other foreign ladies', who, on
that suspicious day, sacred to the name of
Jesus, took the heroic vows of perpetual
poverty, chastity and Obedience pronounce
| by Him to be the shelter part" The nun
prolessed irrevocably dedicates herself TO
| God in the religious life. The nun receiv-
ed but enters on probationary term of
two years, at the expiration Of which she
either assumes the black veil, should she
feel assured of her vocation, or Withdraws
again into the world to serve God in that
state which best may please Him. The
Convent bell had just toled the "Angelus,"
which bade the small congregation PROSTATE
themselves in prayer to utter the response
| of the Blessed Virgin 10 the angelic saluta..
ton, and to beseech of her motherly love to
guard and pray for them now and at the
hour of death,' when a procession formed
by little girls bearing at its head rich and
massive cruciix began to wend its way
from the reception room 20 the chapel,
The brilliant hues Oh the little ones dresses
Of blue and white, over which flowed a
long white veil, crowned by wreaths of
flowers, contrasted not unpleasingly with
the grave and somber garbs of the Sisters
preceding the postulauts, whose rich ap.
parel far outshone even the fashion, gayety
and magnifcence of ballroom wardrobes.
They passed to the foot of the altar, and
knelt while the appropriate prayers we're
said By the Bishop, Monsignor Filippi.
Throughout the imposing ceremony the
choir, led by our iliusbrious Coppaloni, sang
appropriate pieces. After the necessary
,ites had been performed, the postulsnts