The New York herald., 1876-09-26
TAKING THE WHITE VEIL

INTERESTING CIREMoNY AT THE CONVENT OF
THE SACRED HEART, MANHATTAEvlLLE.
The solemn and impressive ceremony OF receiving tho
whte veil performed the Convent OF the Sacred
Heart. Manhattanviile, yesterday morning The novice
was Miss Kate Macarthur. youngest daughter OF Mr.
William Macarthur, OF New York city The officiating
clergy man Cardinal McCloskey. assisted by Vicar
General Quinn. Fathers Doney, spalding, Doucey and
the three Paulis Fathers Hill, Brown and Augustine
Brady.
About scvcnty-hve guests wero present and were
visiby affected by the touching ceremony The altar
iastsiully decorated with orange blossoms Di-
rectly In front the prie-deu, covered with white
tar.etan and trimmed with orange blossoms vics aui
harp, wrought In these same sweet bios
SONS, and decorated with a white dove.
adorned the top OF the prie-dieu smaller
prie-dieu, similarly decorated, stood in front in
readiness for tho tiny communican little Daisy Burns,
nieco ot Miss Macarthur, who received the holy COM
munion yesterday tor the first time. Tho altar
illuminated with thirty.two lighted tapers The
vices opened about haf-past nnc. Alter the guests
anu spectators were seated the chapel tho nuns en-
tered quietly and took their seats in their stalls, To-
Gated Oh each sido OF the chapel Next IN order came
the schoolgirls (about 200 nuber uttircd IN black
and wearing long white wells 10 The opening march
Oh the organ they marched slowly Two by Two, up tho
central aisle TO the altar where they dvcrged the
right and leit coming down the outside aisles and
seating themselves IN tho body OF the church. In
pose they looked not unlike veilcd statues and
almost as motiouess After their advent u solemn
stiffness pervaded the chapel Not "A sound was heard
but the soi thrilling tones OF the organ, ad in this
hush or the sacred bride entered the chapel
There were lew dry eyes III the assembly AS the
young and beautiful postuant marched sowiy up tho
aisle her band claspcd In that OF the Revcrand Mother
Tone, and followed by the childish communicate.
bearing upon salver the black habit and veil. Miss
Macarthur about twenty years OF age and Is strik
ingy beautiful She is about medium height. perfectly
developed and graceful III Her features are
rather round aud her complexion that peary TINT seen
rarely except in early childhood The eyes are large,
brown aud tender the hair chestnut in hue and clus
ering IN short curls about the ncv formed head She
was attlrcd IN white Lyons s.lk court train, the back
trimmed with panier OF white iuc The front WAS
garnished with orange blossoms. wreath Of the
Same buds adorned the head and fastened the long
vel In place. Miss Daisy Burns Qho young cominuni-
cant WAS attircd IN white SWISS dress trimmed with
white blossoms. She also wore veil ana knot OF
white ribbon for HAIR ornament
AS Miss Macarthur knct befors the prize. .dieu the
priests entered the chancel and mass celebrated
Alter this solemn Cardinal Mcoskcy addressed
her US ioIows:-"Ay dear daughter, you present
yourself to-day and at this time 70 press your desire
and wish to enter upon tho religious lie. have
doubt and am convinced, that you have thought
seriously Of the step which you take
you have given To tho consideration OF the subject that
suitable attention which deserves and that you have
come hero with sufficient knowledge Of tho duties IN
cunDen the lite you are entering, and that now,
al your free WILL present yourself and make
offering OF the rest OF your lilo to Almighty God, TO
HIS service and TO the service of the Church You pro-
up to this tmc; to absent yourself from ali its pomp,
vanity and pleasures and havo come sgnalzo your
desire to follow the example marked ou, ior YOU by
your pious leaders. l need not say, my dear child,
now much responsibility upon the step you
about to take. l need not say how much The saints
and God delight 10 soc young person present horself
TO the service OF God. need not say how much good
your example will do tO tho world The sacrifice you
mako may appear to many in the world to DO very
great IL docs not appear SO TO religion You
leaving behind many OF The cares troubles and tenpta
tions OF life You leaving tho troubled waters and
entering into harbor OF safety; and | am any
who views the importance OF religion Will not say
that you are making any sacrifice at all
The Cardinal closed his address by hoping that God
would givo her grace 10 complete the work she had
begun
Hiss Macarthur was then led to tho altar by Mother
Tone, and the white veil was placed her head by
the saino Mother The trio then marched out In the
same order IN which they bad entered the chapel
After interval of some minutes Miss Macarthur
returned robed In her novice costume. The chestnut
curls shorn and concealed by tho black band
worn by the novices. The rich white dress
changed for the simple black habit siserhood
but tho face looked moro beautiful than In its
formor surroundings There soft. reverent look
resting upon as OF immortal grace and dedication
holy life The altar cloth was then placed the
railing and the holy union admins lstered TO them
by celcbrant Vicar General QUINN after which both
communicates. child and maiden, knct In prayer,
naming until the assembly, In thoir respective
| ORDERS had departed they then walked slowly IRON
the chapel, and nothing but the oder OF incense was
lofs TO remind one OF tho solemn covenant OF the
| uaueh mi atce