The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1877-09-06
A Young Lady Takes the Black Veil.

.EflEhbER 1917
Having been honorcd with an invitation
to witness the very impressive Solemnitics
in connection with the taking OF the black.
veil at the Convent OF the Holy Visitation,
on Church Hill. this "wednesday morning
at O'Clock, and hoping that some account
OF the interesting occasion may DE OF inter
est to YOUR readers, | take the liberty OF
asking Il small space in your columns for that
purpose. ;,
The altar OF the chapel WAS beautifully
decorated with flowers from the Convent
garden, and lighted with twcnty-four wax
candles. The visitors, whose number was
limited, occupied seats near the altar, being
separated from the Sisters by Il grating. On
entering the chapel | observed number OF
Young ladies seated in that portion OF the
room reserved for visitors. Zach one wore
4 white grape veil. and by their presence,
arraved in these snowy vestment>, in such
strong contrast to the sombrc dresses OF the
Sisters taking part in the imposing cere-
monial, added much to the feeling OF dcvo-
ton which came over me upon cnterin" this
halowed room. dedicated by the Holy Ca
tholic Church to the service OF the Most
High God.
Miss Barry, the lady who was about TO Sc
yer forever her connection with the world,
and who will hereafter be known rs Sister
Mary Louis, was seated behind the grating,
dressed in the plain and simple costume OF
the order, with the exception OF the black
veil. wearing instead the white veil, with
which she was invested about year ago.
The choir occupied an adjoining room,
and throughout the service rendered in 4
beautiful manner the usual appropriate
HYMNS, which were, for the most part, in
English. AS the sweet voices Of the sing
ers reached our ears, and were borne on the
clouds OF incense which floated aroun d us
to the foot Of that Throne before which we
must all sooner or later stand, no sound
from the outer world, save the chirping OF
the birds, was mingled with their notes. or
served to distract our attention.
The services were begun by the entrance
OF the Right Rev. Bishop Gibbons and two
assistants. After assuming his canonlcal
vestnents the Bishop made chaSte and
beautiful address to the novice, which am
sorry not to be able to give in full. 1t would
be too great IN I'M ustice to both the Bishop
and the address for me to attempt sketch
Of his remarks. At its close, the Sisters
kneclin~ in their seats, the novice, VINO was
in the centre with the superior and assist
ant-one on each sidc-askcdtO be received
into the Holy Profession. Then followed
questions. which, to be truthfully responded
to in the language OF the no less impressive
answers. must necessarily require pure
heart, whose every throb is in obedience to
the active workings Of IN intellect devoted
TO the service OF God.
After the choir had sung the Psalm ''DenS
lisersut,tr" the novice proceeded to take
those terribly solemn VOWS required. The
Bisbop then put the cross upon her neck.
and then the veil upon her brow, saying as
he did 50, "This veil shall shade thee from
the sight of men, and be a sacred sign that IT
Jesus Christ is the only object OF thy love" !" =.
Next followed what struck me as one OF
the most beautiful parts OF the ceremonial
The "professed sister" prostrates herscii'
and pail is thrown over her by TWO ASSIST
ants. the Bishop saying to her, "s'ster,
thou art dead to the world and thysen,
&c. After sprinkling her with hoiy-water
sbe arises, and, advancing tn the grate, re.
ceiyes from the Bishop wax-candie, ne II
the same time exhorting her to advance
| in the path OF the just like the resp'endent
orrora.' The exercises were then con,
ciuled by the choir singing the "Aoetatus', ~