The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1885-09-02
Taking the Black Veil.
1PiOneer Press. 4

An eve witness thus describes the taking
of the black veil, few days since, by nine
teen young nuns of the Order of st. Benedict
at the Convent of St. Joseph, Stearns County,
Minnesota, this being the first time in the
history OF the Order of st. BeUedict in the
United States that the perpetual vows have
been taken by as great a number at once.
The order in this State is in a fiourishing
condition, numbering as many as 1S6
Sisters. 1t maintains at the mother
house i'll ST. Joseph, an excellent acad-
envy, where a great number of the young
madens of Minnesota have received and are
receiving valuable Christian education. 1t
manages three orphan asylums, where many
a little waif has been housed and made a use
full member of society. 1t also supports nine
sub-priories in different parts of Minnesota
and Dakota. When | entered the church at
o'clock a. m, found devout congrega-
ton gathered to witness the impressive cere-
monies Soon after came the nineteen can
didates in the habit of the order, but with
long white wells on their heads walking
up the aisle preceded and followed by sisters
prominent in the order, and were seated in
the front pews. Poutifcal high mass was
then celebrated by Rt. Rev. Abbot Alexius
Edelbock, the ecclesiastical head of the order
in the West. The prelate as well as all the
priests officiating were over six feet tall, and
in the magnificent robes they looked excel
lent. After very effective and eloquent
sermon by Rev. Father Ulrik, the rites be-
gan. The nineteen sisters moved slowly up
toward the high altar, where they knelt in
silent devotion. After they went in pairs
to the Abbatial throne where they,
after having been asked some questions
by the Reverend Abbot, kneeling read one
after the other, the solemn vows, binding
them for the term of their natural lives to
chastity, obedience and poverty. These
vows were written by the candidates them
selves on parchment and after reading them
they were conducted to the high altar, where
they affixed their signatures to the instru-
ment on the sacred gospel book. This cere-
mOny over, the candidates Knelt in front of
the high altar in a double row and prayed.
Suddenly they all Frustrated themselves with
their arms extended and their hands folded
as if in silent prayer. A deep silence
reigned in the church, while the four at
tending sisters covered all the Frustrated
candidates with
HUGE BLACK CLOTH,
IN the middle of which. appeared as it was
unfOlded a large white Benedictine cross
Candelabrums with lighted wax candles
were placed at each of the corners OF what
now looked like one giant bier and at each
corner one sister in black veil stood with
bowed head as if guarding the grave. Now
the organist intOnates a solemn dirge, and
from an unseen choir comes as from
strains of the "Miserere." The
effect was immense and when
solemn DE Profpndis'' was waited as if on
slow, long waves over our heads. and the beau
tiful voices flooded the immense building you
could hear as one sob all over the church.
The tOlling of the bells ceases. the last deep
strains of the "De Profundis'' vibrate as in
the far distance, the black cloth with the
white cross is lifted, the candles disappear,
the candidates rise to receive the blessed
feast habit of the protested sister
(the cuculla, so calledl, and which
being worn over the ordinary habit
is, by the assistance of the sisters in waiting.
put on. The Reverend Abbot then pre-
sents to each the black veil instead of the
white they wear and places ring on their
finger a. token that they hereafter are
to be the bride of Christ. Thereupon
the crown Of green leaves and orange
flowers is placed on their brows, as a promise
of the crown of glory they hope once to
wear and the candidates, who have now be-
come professed sisters, with SILENT slow
tread, move toward the pews reserved for
them. While the Credo is sung each sister
lights a large wax candle, and beautiful
sight it is to see the many sisters kneeling,
each with burning candle in her hand.
held forth as an offering to the Creator.
During the offertory. while the censers are
swung and the hymns OF praise watt forth in
the high dome two and two they move up
to the altar and offer their candles to the
Lord. This ceremony over, the mass is re-
sumed, and all the candidates receive the
holy communion from the hands of the
Reverend Father Abbot, and thereupon his
pontificial benediction, and the solemn rites
are over.