National Republican., 1883-10-10
A BRIDE OF HEAVEN.
Reception Of Miss BroughtOn, Of Norfolk, at the
Academy Of the Visitation.
The Impressive Ceremony OF Taking the
White Veil.

At $3.50 o'clock yesterday afternoon a large
and brilliant company assembled in tho
chapel Of tho Convent Of tho Visitation, on
Connecticut avenue, TO witness the reception
into tho order of Miss Pauline Broughton, of
Norfolk, Va.
The chapel is pretty little structure, and
its sanctuary contains two .nltars. Tho main
one, at which tho mass is celebrated, is ar
tistic in design, and its marble is of singular
purity. Tho second is memorial altar
erected to the memory of the sweet musician
who died In the order two years ago. On its
ledge and beneath canopy of marble stands
q small statue of the Blessed Virgin, clad in
"the starry blue mantle" so often mentioned
in legend and hymn, and having suspended
from its clasped hands q rich gold chain and
memorial medal.
The candelabra are of cut crystal and gold,
and every pendent ia prism. Tho candles
were lost sight of in the whiteness of tho
light and background, but their flames how
cred above the flowers like q flock of golden
moths. Every step of the altar was blazing
with crimson flowers, tho fiery rods of the
gladiolus, and tho flame of roses and
chrysanthemums while baskets and vases
and pyramids of sweetest bloom were heaped
in profusion wherever point OF support
offered.
Margaret Mary Alacoque," and ono of the
features of color on tho occasion was tho
passing of the light over its surface waves of
C'lrple, gold, and crimson flooded IL as the
( n moved lower in his course, and sent his
iays through the various panes of stained
glass that line the west front of the chapel.
At exactly $780, and rs the hour rang, tho
nuns filed into the choir (the space behind
the grating, where they assemble to sing their
oflice), and then through their kneeling ranks
came the young novice clad in the bridal
robes always worn on the occasion of taking
the white veil. The dress was of French
muslin, exquisitely made and trimmed with
profusion of rich lace. Her beautiful black
hair was simply coiled and fell in silky
"bang" over her forehead. Her veil was Of
tulle, and was fastened in its place with a
wreath of orange blossoms As she sat in the
seat of honor the pastor of st. Aloysius, ac-
companied by the Rev. Father Denny. s. j.,
entered the sanctuary, and the "Veni Creator
Spiritus" was brilliantly rendered by Mrs.
McCartee, Mrs. Fadoly, and Sister Cecilia
whose voico is one of the most remarkable
contraltos in the country.
Father Murphy then made short address
to the novice, taking for his text: And find
ing no spot whereOn to rest her foot she re-
turned to the ark, and, putting forth his
hand, he caught her and brought her into the
ark" His figures were apt, and tho simili-
ing robes, and the white dove that Noah sent
forth, was striking.
When ho finished his sermon he advanced
to tho grating, and the impressive ritual, with
its fateful and significant questions and re-
sponses was gone through with, tho mellow
bass of the priests voice, and the silvery
trebble of the young girls rendering the duet
of remuneration.
Then her wreath was removed her veil
taken away, the white veil conferred. aud her
convent robes blessed aud given into her
keeping. She withdrew for few moments
to be clad in her habit, and the chapel echoed
to the strains of the Ave Maria Gratia
Plena."
Then she again advanced to tho grating,
but what o change! The habit clothed her
lissome young figure in its heavy serge folds
the veil shrouded the beautiful hair and
piquante face, and the little hands that held
the candle were bare of their long, white kid
gloves, the collection of superb pearls was
replaced by n barbette of coarse linen, and the
rest of the parure of jewels had given place tc
bands of the same simple material. But the
eyes were lustrous, the smile radiant, and
the dove" seemed full of joy to have found
her nest.
AS she knelt, the benedction of the blessed
sacrament was given, and again the chapel
overfowed with melody. The 90 Salutaris, y
and the "Tantum Ergo" were sung, and
then Prof. Carmody sounded tho trumpet
signals on the organ, and the walls quivored
to the strains of the wedding March" AT.
ter the first few bars, Sister Mary Raphael las
she is now 20 be callcd) rose and walked tho
!; length of the choir, gravely saluting until
she reached the chair of the mother superior,
who caught her in her arms and kissed and
welcomed her into the community. Then
she turned, and passing up and down the
room between the double row of nuns, sa-
luted and kissed them each in turn. The
sight was o curious one-the peaceful faces
the black robes, the cleaning barbettes and
crosses, and each nun held lighted candle
in her hand as she chanted in unison with
her sisters the Laudate Dominum," OF
hymn of joy for the entrance Of tho new
member
Then the nuns left tho choir, aud the
mother superior and the mother Of novices
led their new child away to the parlor, wnere
she was lost amid the throng of friends who
waited to greet her. A handsome collation.
was spread for the invited guests, and th,
day of joyS was ended.
Miss Broughton is great granddaughter o
Col. Cross, of North Carolina, a granddaughter
of Mrs Ward, of Norfolk, Va, and tn,
daughter of one of Virginias best knowr
sons. One Of her unces served with splendil
distinction in the army of the khedive o
Egypt, and her own musical talent woulC
have brought her whatever distinction sh
might have craved had she stayed in tn
world. Her paternal grandfather and hel
father were founders and editors of the Nor
folk Herald, one Of tho oldest and ables
papers in the south, for the period of sixty
years.
Among those present wero many members
of her family, and Representatives of almos
every county in east Virginia.
--------------~-------