Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1880-03-20
CONSIDERATION.
Ceremonies Over the Remains of Saint Ire
neus--Takingt the Vows.

Ceremonies over the hema1ne Oh Satnt iEe-
neus--Taking the Vows.
The beautiful chapel at st. Joseph's conven
was the scene yesterday afternoon OF an event
the like of which has rarely, if ever, been
witnessed in this country. The occasion had
a three-fold significance, being the conservation
os tho relics of Saint Irenaeus, a foremost per-
sonsge in Catholic ecclesiastical history,
the administering of the VOWS of announcement
to seven Young ladies who had signifed their
intentions of taking the habit, and VOWS OF
perpetu al poverty, chastity and obedience to a
novice who had completed her serviceship.
The ceremonies attending the consecra ton
were particularly solemn and impressive, and
the chapel was filed to repletiOn with spccta-
tors, who manifested the utmost interest in the
proceedings. singular circumstance in rela-
ton to the life of st. Irenaeus is the fact that
while he bequeathed valuable and volumin GUS
writings to posterity. the historian records
have but vague idea of his life.
Even to this day, the writings of 1renaeus
command the attention of the Catholic and
Protestant clergy almost alike. According to
the historian he lived life of rare abnegatiOn
and usefulness. He was o Gallo bishop of the
Catholic church and suffered martyrdom in the
second century, about the year 202.
The ceremonies commenced at o'clock and
were announced by the notes of the organ.
which pealed welcome to the young lady
novices who appeared in[faultless white. The
novices were preceded by three charming little
girls also attired in white, the effect being
heightened by garlands of green which adorned
the hair of each novice Each novice knelt ut
the chancel rail and the effect at this time was
particularly charming. The central and side
affairs were illuminated with wax tapers the
reflection of which cast brilliant sheen on the
FURNISHED candelsbra and golden altar orna-
nh fbn
altar were vases of exquisite flowers, the whole
forming most captivating ensemble of rare
beauty.
bright feature of the surroundings was
presented in the appearance of the young lady
pupils at the academy, who were seated on either
side of the chapel, the head of each pupil being
adorned with q blue veil fashioned about the
head il the style of a turban.
After the novices had taken positions in front
of the altar hymn was chanted by chorus
selected from the Sisters, which was the signal
for the entrance of the clergy and acolytes,
the former representing the venerable Bishop
Grace and all the priests in the diocese.
THE SERMON.
Upon the conclusion of the hymn, the Rev.
Father Burns, of Minneapolis, delivered brief
but impressive sermon. In commencing his
remarks the reverend speaker said that he felt
it particular privilege to be present upon
q
occasion when the voice of the second century
was distinctly heard, by the tones Of the mar
tyr, in the nineteenth.
The speaker said that the Importance of the
ceremonies fifty demanded that they take place
in so sacred place as st. JOseph's chapel-a
saint himself-who had pre- eminently guarded
and transmitted the blessed truth of God 1t
WAS proper that the relicts of SO holy person.
age as Saint Ireuaeus should be consecrated
under such auspices. He was one of the holy
men whose efforts had converted the world.
He had unbound the limbs of slaves, not by
taking blood, but by giving up his life for the
benefit of mankind. 1t was proper then that
the resting place of his mortality should be re-
membered and hallOwed.
History recorded the conquests of Alexander
and Caesar, but the life and resting place of the
holy saint would be green in memory long af-
ter these monarchs were forgotten.
1t was indeed rare privilege to be present
at the conservation of the holy myrter.
They were also about to witness the vows of
those who sacrificed the vanities of the world
to follow in the holy saints footsteps. They
were to witness the abnegation of young, pure
and beautiful ladies, who were to enter upon
a life of truth at st. Joseph's convent.
The spectacle might indeed seem strange to
those in the outside world who were not &C.
quainted with the venerable and holy usages
of the religion. The meaning and intent of
the ceremony was that the novices were to
guard the truth which had been transmitted by
holy martyrs. They were expected to he az
steadfast to the faith as those who had been
thrown into the ampitheatre of pagan Rome to
be devoured by lions.
The blood of the holy martyr to be consecrat-
ed to-day spoke eloqaently of the truth in the
preservation of which he had persisted. 1t was
toperpetuate the ever living truth of Almighty
God which called the young ladies to take the
hpcOma tran nf fho foif
On such an occasion IA the present long
words were out of place. The presence of the
venerated bones of the martyr spoke eloquently
enough, and was an undying response to the
feeble echo of to-day. The speaker was nol
one who thought that all good had lived and
died in the past. Now, as ever, there were
those who, If called upon, would sacrifice all for
the truth. There were those who would shed
their blood just as freely as did the saints of
the second century to treasure the truth of
Jesus Christ. The speaker referred to the
presence of the venerable bishop and the clergy
of the diocese, to whom he said the blessed
voice of the second century was not stranger
The sacred surrounding and the everlasting
truth in the tones of the voice were familiar
language to all present. The voice spoke in
our own language, and the truth that 1.-THE
truth was made flesh and dwelt amongst u.s. is
as true to-day as ever.
1t was the spirit of this sword made flesh''
that had given the holy men courage to brave
even den of lions rather than forsake the
truth. The reverend speaker then referred to
the discovery of the upper Mississippi by
Father Hennipen in 1880 and to the early
Christian influences that had governed the
clergy in consecrating the very ground by
naming it st. Paul.
No better word, he continued, could be
spoken than mere reference to the fact that the
young ladies were about to consecrate their
lives to the service of God, illustrating in their
faith the devotion of the early ages and blend
ing the Nineteenth with the Second century.
The voice of the Second century spoke in the
bones of the holy martyr. The VOWS which the
young women were about to make were holy
and tot great extent unbreakable. 1t was sim
liar vows that had held to her faith the holy st.
Agnes of long ago; who, only thirteen years
DID, was dragged to torture for the sake of the
truth.
1t was regard for this truth, the "word made
fesh," which lifted us above the foibles and
weaknesses of human nature. The speaker
closed with touching allusion to the duties of
the novices, and called upon the saints of the
church to witness their VOWS and influence
them to bind heart and soul in the work of per-
petuating the everlasting truth of God.
Immediately after the sermon the following
young ladies received the religious habit from
Bishop Grace:
Miss Bridget Collins, in religion, Sister Her
man Joseph.
Miss Winifred Carr, in religion, Sister Mary
Clara.
MI, T..a,, pooIop r,I;con S:.kz- NJ.