Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1884-08-16
TAKING THE VEIL.
Interesting Ceremony at the Convent
Chaps1-RenOuncing the World to
Assume the Vows of a Novitiate.

Interesting Ceremony at the Convent
Chape1-RenOuncing the World to
Assume the Vows of a NOvitiate.
The Chapel of the Convent of st. Vim
cent de Paul was the scene of an exceed
ingly interesting and impressive ceremony
last evening, the services being the
formal remuneration by Miss Sarah Nc
Andrew, a highly accomplished young
lady OF Augusta, of the allurements of
society and the assumption of the vows
and habit of a novitiate in the Order of
Our Lady Of Mercy.
A large number of visitors occupied
seats in the main body of the chapel with
the Sisters ranged near the altar rail at
the front. The choir occupied a position
at the farther end of the apartment.
Kneeling in front of the altar, and little
in advance of the seats occupied by the
sisters was the young lady in the
costume Of a bride. A long white
veil partially concealed her regular
features, an exceedingly fair complexion,
and profusiOn of auburn hair. Above
her were over seventy lighted candles on
the main altar and a large number on
each of the two side affairs, which illumi-
mated tie chapel and cast a radiance sug-
gestive of that which heightens the bril-
lance of a nuptial ceremony. Near the
pOstulant sat six little girls, dressed as
bridesmaids, one holding alOft a cross of
gold.
The silence was broken by the music
from the choir, followed by an address bv
Rev. Father Cafertv, Vicar General of
the diocese, who Officiated at the cere-
mOny. He referred to the mission Of the
order into which the pOstulant was seek
ing admission, and to the allurements Of
the wcrld which she was about to aban-
don. Comparatively few of her sex in
America, he said, few years ago, would
have undertaken to discard the
enticements of fashion and assume the
duties which, under the vows of the Sis
ters Of Mercy, she signited her desire to
discharge. He referred to the prejudice
which existed in some countries against
religious orders and eXtOlled the zeal
which the Sisters of Mercy had eX-
| hibited in war and in times Of
pestilence. In concluding, he asked the
pOstulant if she desired to enter upon
| the nOvitiate of the SistPrhOOd. The re-
| Spouse was clear and firm, "Yes." He
| then asked if she had been subject to any
undue influence in making her resolve, or
| whether she came of her own free will
and choice after mature delIberation,
when she again firmly responded in the
! the affirmative.
The six little girls then advanced to the
| front of the altar when the cross was
elevated over the pOstulant. The choir
| chanted number OF Psalms. Meanwhile
the postulant, supported by two Sisters
| bearing lighted candles and followed by
| the other Sisters, walked in procession
| down the main aisle, preceded by the six
| girls, towards the choir and thence passed
out the main door of the chapel.
In about twenty minutes the procession
returned in the order in which it passed
/ out, the pOstulant appearing this time as
| a ''nOYitiate," attired In the habit of the
order, consisting of a black robe with
/ long loose sleeves, a white collar and
/ black bonnet. The ceremonial was con-
| cludRd by the benedictory service and
the retirement of the nOVitiate and Sis
| tiers from the chapel.
/ The SisterhOOd of the order is divided
| into two classes-chOir Sisters and lay
| Sisters. Candidates for membership of
/ either class undergo preliminary ''pos-
| tulancy' of six months. At the end of
/ that time they assume the habit of the
SisterhOOd and become nOvices. The no.
/ yitiate lasts two years.
| Miss McAndrew became a pOstulant
| last February at the convent, and last
evening in taking the VOWS of no
vitiate was given the name of "Mary
/ Joseph" The vows which she took are
| for life, by which she is bound to poverty,
/ chastity, obedience, and the service of the
/ poor, sick and ignorant.
q