Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1873-03-26
Religious Reception at st. Demands
Convent, Sisters Of Our Lady of
Mercy.


Religious Reception at st. Demands
Convent, Sisters Of Our Lady of
Mercy.
One of the most interesting ceremonies,
and one of the most edifying spsctacles, are
those c1nnecte with the reception of the
habit and white veil Of the sstsFhood, by
a young lady resolved, with the help Of
God, to devote her life to His service. We
are unable to conceive aI.y g more noble,
more self-sacrifciug, than that of lady in
the early budding of womanhoOd, with ex-
celieDt health, fine form and features, and
rare intellectual accomplishments, renounc-
ing the world with all its attractions, TO BE-
come the servant Of God, and in His service
to pass lifetime of poverty and chastity,
giving her time for the benefit Of others
asking no reward save that which is pre-.
pared for her in heaven.
Il Is natural for man, however rude in
manner, to have some reverence for house
of worship; whether that house be log
cabin or a massive and costly temple, we
look upon it as the house of God, and give
it our homsge; but whenever we enter the
"Convent Chapel, we cannot but think il
"thriee holy" The att. there dedicated
to The service OF the Twin. God seems more
grand than even the grand old Cathedral
affairs, and yet it is simply q beautiful little
altar of pu white, ornamented with flow
ers and vases, and illumined by almost
countless number Of wax tapers-all being
in perfect harmony, and possessing such a
powerful control over the heart that we
dare not speak above whisper while look
ing upon ii. And why this special rever-
euce? Because it is here the Sisters offer
up their prayers to Almighty God; it is here
they hold sweet communion with the
heavenly hosts; it is here they ind all their
consolation il this wCrld.
But we hear the convent bell, and few
moments aflerwArd the Sister choir CON-
mences the hymn, 30 Gioriosa Virginum,"
and the procession is moving, Miss Teresa
McKeon bearing the cross, aad followed by
fourteen lovely little crestdres dressed in
white, with WreAths, and each carrying q
boouet of natural flowers, They passed
into the chapel in the following order:
Miss Teresa McKeon, Cross-bearer,
Josie Leckey, Regina PrendeTgaSt,
Jennie Burge, Annie McKeoD,
Msggia Fealy, Rosie Dale,
Mary Mckeon, Julia HaDley,
Annie Kelly; Nellie Mogan,
Emma Dslton, Annie Long,
Mary LeCkey, Katie Donovan.
Sisters, with lighted tapers.
Postulart-Wlth Mother Superior on her
right aid Assistant on her left.
Very Rev. j. L. JSrbOe and Rev. E.
Doyle took their places TO the right and left
of the altar, the little girls TO the right and
left Of he chapel, the Sisters to the right
and left of the aisle, and the Postulan. kneel-
ing at the foot of the sltar-step.
On former occasion we gave q full de.
scription of the ceremony, and will there
fore only say here that the same order was
observed throughout. The young lady re-
Giving the habit and veil yesterday was
Miss Margaret Lyston; as a reItgeuse, she
takes the name Of Sister Mary Patricia.
The questions were answered clearly and
distinctly.
Rev. Z. Doyle was tho celebrant, assist
ed by the venerable and much loved Father
Jarboe.
On entering the chapel a. the commence
ment, the Postulant was dressed exquisiteiy
beautiful. We ara Lot sufficiently ac-
gusinted with the names Of rich material
and costly trimmings TO describe the dress
in detail, but we do know that any young
lady Of refined taste would have thought II
good enough and lovely enough for bridal
dress. Thess trsppings, however, we're
soon thrown aside and the garments OF
chastity and poverty substituted.
Notwithstanding the disagreea5le wealth
er. large number Of ladies were present
At the ceremony, which lasted about one
hour.