Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1876-03-23

souls who Withdraw from the world so as to
serve Him more perfectly 10 the cloister. Toe
having been seated near the CRATE
he reverend father addressed them, as we'll as
he three nOvices, upon the act they about to
perform, and babe them consider we'll the i'm
portance Ut g. grave step as the attempt to
withdraw from home aud friends and all the
attractions Of the world to devote every thought,
word and deed to the entire service of God.
He pictured 10 glowing terms the love Of God
and the charity which must animate those souls
who seek to save the lost, lit up the fallen and
guide the penitent in the path of virtue, aud
assured bis hearers that the same God who |
had il spired this laudabe desire will also sup |
ply grace for its complete and perfect accom-
plishment. H. then iDtuped the "Veni Crea-
tor SpirlIus;" the choir contiuued the hymn
while the postulants approached the CRATE aud
knelt there, the Superioress aud her assistants
uear them, while the Oficiaut asked
of each what she ,qured. The reply was, i
solicit the habit of this holy house, the favor to
be tried 10 the practice Of the Christian virtues
aud the Observance of the holy constitutions.
O,e thing [ have asked Of the Lord, and will
never cease TO ask OF Him, is, that may dwell
in he house o! the L,rd all the days OF my
lile" The officiating priest blessed God for
naFlUp luSplleu IueW w tdhe luo i1Ho III az
iDI;eriauce. aud babe them hearkeu t, the
words Of the Holy Spirit, which says, "Forgst
thy people aud be house OF thy fathers, that
thou inayest draw up9'. thee tie taVorab
louks of thy heavenly Spouse" Being asked
if they preserved in this demand they replied
that they did, and hoped by the grace Of God
to be faitbfui to the end The ofhciaut offered
prayer, and the pos,ulauts retired to Exchange
their bridal dresses Of soft cashmere for the
white serge habit of tue religious, and the Il coy
illusion viii and orange wreath for the white
linen guimp and veil. The priest blessed the
habits, the sister sacrlstare carried them away,
and while the choir sung The Psalm, "How
lovely are thy taberDacles, y l. 'rd OF hosts,
the belts, scapuIars, wells aud fosarles were also
blessed, and the postuants, having returned
clothed 10 the habit ADD loose linen VEIL they
approached the altar singing II have despsed
the kingdom Of this world and all the vain
speGdors of the age, for the love OF the Lord
JeSuS Christ" The choir replied, Whom |
have known. whom have loved, 10 whom |
have believed and to whom have consccratcd
myself" The postuIants replied, Il have
chosen to be the last 10 the house OF our Lord
Jesus Christ"
The otficiant then prayed the Lord to keep their
coming in and going out and to keep them pu-
then given to each one as an mblem OF the
sweet ant a.niahle yoke Of Jesus Christ. VINO
has said Learn OF me to be meek and humble
Of heart and you shall find rest to your sous"
The veil was then given as the symbol OF that
modesty aid purity which characterize the
spouse who withdraws her eyes from The attrac-
tions of The world to tx them Oh God and wishes
to be hidden with Christ TIE rosary marks
devotion and conservation to the modet Virgin
Mother, who kept and treasured the cay ings of
her divine Son, and pc dered them IN her heart.
The long white choir mantle was then laid on
the shouder of each one rs type of her hav-
ing joi ed that innumerable throng Of virgins
whose happiness it is to follow the Lamb with
out spot whithersocver he gceth :" and, finally,
4 new name was given to each, because ChrIst
has promised that they who overcome the devil,
the wor d. sin and self shall receive from Him
new name as Il mark of victory. The recipients
OF this promise were Miss Msrgs ct Hannigan,
in rei zion sister Mary Of st. agnes Miss Il ate
Heay, Sister Mary of st Priscilla; Miss The
resa Hickey. Sister Mary Auxil;a; Miss Csths-
riae Keen, Sister Mary of st Aloyslus; Miss
Anne Baxter, sister Mary of st. Thomas Aqui-
mas Miss Ann Gilloofy, Sister 81. of ST. Em..-
d. and Mss Mary oil, Sister N. Of st. Lucie.
as soon MS the utf Giant had pronounced the
blessing upon these they retired to their places
in the choir, and the three novices who had
completed the full term of their novltate sp-
preached the altar to make their vows.
Tie oficiant beg N by asking what they de-
sired and they revlied that they wished the
!avcr OF dwelling in the house OF the Lord all
the days Of their lives, and to make their re-
ligious profession in the congregation of Our
Lady Of Charity of the GOOD Shepherd The
otfciant then carefully questioned them as "
their fitness for this life, their knowledge of the
rules and observances, the extent OF the vows
and Obligations they wished to assume, and their
courage TO practice the engagements Imposed
upon those who VOW poverty chastity and ODE
dience to the Lord. The answers being salts
factory, he then asked the Superioress If she,
with her sister religious, consented to receive
these cand ates tor profession. She replied IN
the affirmative. The Gficisnt then bade them
accomp lish what they had resolved upon, the
choir sung the anthem, Il will offer my vows TO
myself to Him at the entrance OF His temple"
During this time the novites knelt directly b.
fore the altar and 1T the close OF the anthem
each one read separately and distinctly her
written vow. Each novice then signed her
name to the vow which will lie preserved in the
hands at death. The choir then sung the psalm,
The Lord hear thee in the day of trouble"
The o6icisnt then otf.red prayer blessed
the wells and silver hearts, and giving The latter
babe the sisters initiate the example of that no
BILE Virgin who is the model of al virtues. The
the newly profossed while they sang the anthem,
his /: tn place OF my rest; here shall dwell,
for have chosen it." The ctfici4nl then gave
them suitable exhortation. When the pail
Was withdrawn AID the ctiiciant babe the pros
trate sisters arise from the shades of death and
cicthe themselves with the light of Jesus Christ,
giving t. each one rs she arose lighted ean-le,
to which they responded, 'ihe Lord is my
light AID my salvation; whom shall l fear?''
Inc ohciant then gave to each one crucifs,
bidding her glory in that alone, and they re-
piled, God forbid that l should glory in any
thing but the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by
which the world is cruciied to rue and to the
wcr.d. !" The ctti ciant tuen blessed them, bid
ding them 60 in peaaes and then ntoned the
. Te Drum," which Ee choir sang while the
Mistress of NovIces conducted her hoiv of ten 10
the Superorass, who gave them the kiss of
paace which they conveyed to the other rel-
glous. Those who were professed are: Sister
NJ Of the Sacred Heart, Miss kolb; Sister NJ. of
St. Dominic, Miss Kelley, AID Sister NJ of st.
Hyacinthe, Miss Ryan.-N p Herald
The Marsh Evidence.
Caleb F. Marsh was before a subcommittee
Of the judiciary Committee, consisting of
Mes.rs. HuutoD LyDde and Hoar, last night,