The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1874-05-10
DIOCESE OF NArcHrTocHEs.
RELIGI OUS RECEP ION.
THE SISTER OF MERCY.
NATcHIrocuEs, La, April %, 1874.

| NAICHlIoCliES, La, Aprll -, 1874.
On Sunday last, the feast of the Patronag,
of st. Joseph, the Cathedral in this town wa
the scene of a very interesting ceremony, viz
the religious reception of two young ladie,
into the Order Of Mercy. Right Rev. A. 81
Martin officiated, attended by Very Rev. F
Dicbary, Very Rev. F. Martin, and Rev. A
}Dupre.
The young ladies who this occasion ex
| changed the vain adornments of the world fol
the sombre garb of the Sisters of Mercy were
Miss Lucy Burke Gin religion Sister NJ. Angus
tin), and Miss Lizzie Gladstone (Sster Mary
Xavier), both natives of Ireland. The ceremony
commenced at o'clock p. NJ, but long before
that time the spacious Cathedral was thron Led
with spectators, anxious to witness the pro
cesson enter the church. After the novces
elect had entered the sanctuary aud received
from the Bishop the blessed candle, Rev. A
Dhpre, in impressive language addressed the
congregation in reference to the ceremony
about to take place.
At the conclusion of the sermon the novices
elect again advanced to The foot of the altar
and, having replied to the accustomed inter
rosatorics of the Bishop thay retired TO put
| oil the secular dress, Ee-entering the sanctuary
after a brief interval, clothed in the habit OF
the Order. Beams of serene happiness radi-
ated the countenances of the young religious
as tn y knelt to receive from the hands of the
venerable Bishop the rosary and white veil,
| emblematic of their reuunciation of the fash
ions of this world, to which they then babe
| farewell, to devote the remainder of their lives
to the faithful discharge of their laborious
duties Sisters of Mercy.
| OF such life of sacrifice and humble en-
Payments which, in the public estimation,
appear SO inconsistent with earthly happiness,
and arc so hidden and unknown" to the wise
ones of the world, it may not be out of place
to say a few words here.
The Sister of Mercy abandons her home
parents and friends. She bids farewell forever
to the world and its pleasures, to her jewels
riches and domestic Preside. Yes, more than
this she leaves beloved father and mother
who cling to her with fond affection, and en-
treat she will not CO. She receives her fathers
blessing, and is ready. The generous soul
leaves the paternal roof. Some few may praise
her, Others may censure her, some again may
pity her. but the majority will soon forget her
and think of her as dead and such she will he as
far as social ties are concerned. And why does
she thus sacrifice herself, thus break the ties of
natural affection, thus estrange herself from
all she loves on earthf She does it for God.
Charity dictates her thoughts, and in her
labors amongst the poor will she proclaim her
love for Him. The sacrifice she makes is I'M
mense; stranger to relig ious life can form no
real idea of what it is. Life in the world has
its changes, events mark its existence and con-
stantly vary it, but life in religion knows no
change, it is monotonous in the extreme. But
she knows the extent of the sacrifice, and yet,
trusting to divine strength, she earnestly en-
treats to be received and ranked member of
a community. Then comes tho parting mo-
ment. Her parents leave her at the Convent,
and she crosses the threshold which will for
ever separate her from them during life, ex-
ccpt she goes to visit them under obedience on
a mission of charity. Her noviciate COM
during which period she uudergoes
various trials, which are so many proofs as to |
the soundness of her vocation. Her daily |
routine of life is continual modification. |
Long before the inhabitants of the city rise |
she is PROSTATE in devotion at the foot of the |
altar. During the day she is to be NOV
ing along the streets, and only discovered by |
her coarse black habit and the slight rafting
of her rosary. She is bearing relief to some
destitute family, or entering the sick room to
comfort the dying poor, or in the hospital
ward, reviving the detected old man, or piously
nstructug the unhappy young girl. Thus
she moves amongst us, hidden and unknown.
Follow her home, and you will see her. during
several hours, in the midst of her school duties,
/ hard -working teacher. With what patience
loes she instruct her youthful class! What a
contrast is her present life with her former
ne Yet she perseveres. Her VOWS are made
nd those precious title deeds promise her
ternal rewards. Her hard life is now sweet
o her, nor would she exchange it for any
thcr this world could present to her. She
lesses the first moment she entered the Con-
cut and consecrated herself to God. Her
anne, she knows was then written in heaven
4 letters of gold, and none can efface that
'rting. Yes, the Sister of Mercy is happy!
MARY.