The New York herald., 1875-07-15
PERPETUAL vows.


THREE NovIcEs MAKE THEIR SOLEMN PRoFEs-
sIoNs IN THE CONVENT OF THE GOOD sHEP-
HERD.
Yesterday was another memorable day in the
annals OF the Good Shepherd convent. The cool
recosses OF the chapel were early filled with in
vited guests, and as the toling bell broke the
silence Of the morning the organ pooled forth It's
melody, the sweet voices OF the choir intoned the
''Ave Maria Stella" ana the whlte-robed process
sion entered tue chapel. The three novlces paused
at the grating before the main altar, and at the
close OF the hymn the Rev. Father Duthaler, clad
Ia vestments OF white and gold, began the cere-
mony by presenting TO each novice lighted can
die, as a SYMBOL OF the celestial light TO which
Jesus Christ calls the devout souls who seek
closer union with Him In the coister. The rev.
erend father then addressed them 10 reference to
this solemn obligation that they assume by the
act OF profession, aud likened 1t TO the acts OF the
MARTYRS WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES FOR CHRIST.
The act OF profession 49, II anything, superior TO
the acts OF rhe martyrs, for the true religious must
die daily to live perfectly TO God. The
ciation OF sell must be universal constant, gener.
GUS and voluntary. The reverend father felt as
sured that the novices who presented themselves
before him fulfilled all these conditions, as he had
examined them before entering the chapel; but
to still further prove their sincerity, he again
asked them In she presence OF the whole assembly
II they still desired to accomplish their vows
Each one replied that she persevered in her de-
mand, and the Prloress having signifed the will
OF the community TO receive the novlces among
them; 20 live and die together In union with the
Lord. the priest invited them to accomplish what
they had resolved upon. The CHOIR then sang,
"I wlll oreT my VOWS to the Lord before ali His
WILL eoNsBcRATE MYSELF TO HIN
at the entrance Of the temple" The novices
themselves for all The days oil their lives TO the
service oil God In tne care and instruction OF the
penltents who retire TO their sacred enclosure TO
be converted to God and to do penance. The
vows were signed as soon as read the choir sang
an anthem and the reverend father blessed the
wells and silver hearts, giving the latter 10 the
novices TO be worn as a mark OF conservation 70
the mother q Jesus Christ. The newly prolessed
THE PLACE OF MY REST;
here shall / dwell Tor | have chosen It," The
to the world and to yourselves; TO live no longer,
but In Coo; In solitude as In tomb" The choir
Lordn rhe newly proessed prostratsd the msslyes, M
the other religious gathered around and held the
black pail over them while the celebrant sang, in
grave tone, portion OF tho "Offlce Tor the
Dead" and then intoned the 'Llbera Me-" which the
choir chanted TO It's close. The reverend lather
OF death and OF this wicked world, coths yourself
with the gnt OF life. which Is Jesus CHRIST. and
OF perfection all the days OF the new life you have
entered upon" the pail was then Withdrawn,
buc uSHbcu ChuuIc IestOISo W cdCH VI tuo oUly
protested they singing "Tne Lord is my light and
nv salvation whom shall | lear 2' The priest
then prayed God TO give them all grace 10 be ever
faithful 70 their vows, and presented to each one
q crucl1X, telling them TO remain fastened TO IL,
according TO the example OF Jesus CArist, until
death, and to glory In IL alone. Receiving the
crucitX they replied 'God forbid that should
glory In anything bus the cross OF our Lore Jesus
Christ, by wnica
THE WORLD Is cRucTFIED TO NE
and to tae world" The choir responded, "For
1t Is no longer that live, but Christ that nveth in
me; Jesus Christ,by whom the worlo ID cruci1ed
to me ana to theworlan Father Duthaler then
gave them the shecal blessing and Dade them
"Go in peace, my dear sisters; COG has accepted
your sacrlnce; let "a now render Him thanks Tor
the favor lie has done ~ ana, kneeling down,
he intoned the "Ie Deum Laudamus," which the
choir continued TO the end, while the Mistress OF
Novices conducted the newly proiessed nuns 10
the Prloress, who gave them each tAe "klss of
peace,n which they bestowed, in turn upon their
companions. This ended the ceremony OF the
profession, and all knelt III proiound alteration
before the altar during the benedlcion OF the
Blessed Sacrament the choir singing with fine
effect the "Iantum Ergo" The procession then
lett the chapel singing 'Prase God.n
Tne guests repaired TO the parlors and were
soon iolned by the newly prolessed sisters, each
one wearing crown OF white flowers over her
veil. sincere congratulations were showered
upon them, their happy LOOKS indicating perfect
contentment III their chosen state or life.
Miss Mary Reard0n now bears the name OF SIS
ter NJ. st. Melam1e; Miss Ellen WALSH that of SIS
ter NJ. st. Bertha, and MISS Mary Keen that OF SIS
ter NJ. st. Rose.
rhe altars in the chapel were tasteully deco.
rated with nowers culled from the garden Of the
community and the choice music was executed by
the members OF tue same.