Morning journal and courier., 1882-08-01


Miss Emily MacTavish, of Baltimore, who
has large circle of friends in this city, was
on Saturday invested with the white veil of
nun of the first degree at the Convent of
Mount De Sales, in Baltimore. 1t will be
remembered that last May she suddenly re-
nounced the, world and entered that convent
as a novice. This fact created much aston
ishment IN this city, as mono of her friends
ever had any intimation that she cherished
such purpose. She is descended from one
of the oldest families of this country, which
is closely connected with noted families of
England. Through the Cations they are very
closely related to three noble houses Gen.
Winfield Scott was the grandfather of the
children of the present generation. The
step taken was to her many friends sudden
one, but it had been long considered Wealthy,
of the best families, exceeding handsome,
graceful we'll educated, well read, apprscia-
tive of the pleasures and healthfulness of out
door sports-the spirited dash after the
hounds across country, for instance-she
was widely known in the highest social circles
of the State. She is believed to have pri-
vate fortune of over half million dollars.
The ceremonies of investiture took place
in the chapel of the convent, there being
nobody present but several members of her
family and very few invited friends These
occupied seats at the chancel rail. The Pc
culiarity of the ceremony was that neither
the aspirants nor the nuns were in the chap
ell, but wore in the small adjoining wing,
built off to the left of the altar and separated
from it by dark, heavy iron grating. They
were not visible from the chapel proper, and
had there been congregation present only
could have seen them. This grating is typi-
| cal of the remuneration of the world by the
order. The nuns can never mingle with the
worldly people on the outside but by per-
! mission of the Sister Superior Visitors may
be received by them inside the convent. The
9IRfarS fhar6fOrA in, I,0
chapel, but always behind the grating
Through small door in the grating the
priests communicated with the aspirant, who
was dressed in full and handsome bridal Co.'S
| tune. She wore q heavy white satin, cut en-
train and caught up with buds ana orange
blossoms: A tulle veil enveloped her shape
ly figure in f1eecy cloud. This typifed her
wedding with the Church. Attending her
| were the nuns of the convent, each with q
lighted candle, which was carried during q
portion of the services. Father Fitzpatrick,
of Loyola of6ciated, and he was assisted by
Fathers Lee, Curtis and Parsons. There was
a choir in attendance, constituted of the in
structors in music at the convent, and the
singing was exceptionally beautiful and i'm
pressive. At the beginning of the ceremonies
Father Fitzpatrick delivered a brief address
to the religieuse. He Intercepted her as to
her desire to enter the convent, asking her if
she was ready o embrace that which was the
death of her former life. To these questions
her answers were firm and decided. The at
tending sisters then carried the young reli-
gieuse away, and after removing the gay
wedding attire replaced it with the nuns
habit of dark cloth and white linen. Her
hair was not cut, nor will it be until she
takes the solemn VOWS year hence, and
with them the black veil, which makes the
second and final degree in the life of a nun.
Miss MacTavish takes the religious name of
Sister Mary Agnes.