Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1886-12-09
TAKING THE VEIL
IMPRESSIVE CEREMONY AT ST. JOSEPH'S
CONVENT, YESTERDAY.
Mss Mary Thornton Lays Aside the VanrheS
Of Life For the Black Robe Of
A Nun.

The chapel of st. Joseph's Convent WAS
the scene of an interesting and impressive
ceremony yesterday morning. This was
none other than the taking of the veil
by Miss Mary Thornton, daughter Of our
esteemed citizen, Martin Thornton, OF
Market street. This young lady left the
Mt. De Chantal Academy just about a
year ago, having graduated at the head OF
her class and received tie gold mccall OF
the Academy. She is well known In
Wheeling and elsewhere, and is highly
esteemed for her kind disposition and
many good qualities, and quite q number
of her friends and relatives assembled
in the Convent to witness the
ceremony. Among the number was
the following persons: Her father, Dir.
Martin Thornton, with his wife and two
children, Mr.. James Seybold and wife, Mr..
|. L. Waterman and wife, Mr.. Murphy,
wife and daughter, Mr.. W. o. McClusky
and wife, Mrs. John McGannon and son,
Messrs., Nicholas Crawley, Benedick He
Drank, w. H. Sheib, Wm. A. Love, +. T.
| Newton, of Washington, Mother Superior
immaculate, of the Hospital, Miss Brown,
Mrs. Updegraff and Mrs. A. Brown.
Misses Kenna, Kelley, Treuschel and sew
eral other of her schoOlmates were present
from Mt. DE Chantel.
At precisely eight o'clock Miss Thornton
entered the chapel, attired handsomely IN
the costume of a bride, and proceeded d.
rectly To the altar, when the ceremony be-
gan Immediately.
When the holy spirit had been
invoked, the Rt. Rev. Bishop
Kahn, seated in cope and stole before the
altar, delivered an appropriate and touch
ing discourse. ''Such days" he remarked,
ARE full of interest to each mem
Der of a religious community,
since they recall the fervor and burning
love with which she had herself once
begged the privilege Of exchanging her
worldly dress tor the poor habit OF a
spouse of Christ, and acknowledged In her
heart emotions of the hottest gratitude Tor
all the blessings which her clustered home
had presented to her. OF deepest interest
too are such occasions TO the parents and
cherished relatives OF her who on that day
gives public proof that it IS to
be the aim of her life to love
Jesus Christ more than the nearest and
dearest of creatures. Not that she thereby
e~xtinguiShes filial love in her heart; but on
the contrary she puriies, and elevates and
sanctifes it. But to the p~ostulant herself,
the day on which she receives the habit OF
religion is one of the most mOmentous
significance. A religious processes not only
TO follow the commandments, but also the
counsels of the Gospel. The model is
Jesus Christ, so poor that he had not
wherein to lay His sacred head
Obedient even unto death. Inc
taking of the veil Is the
first step on that narrow, rugged path,
which leads to Calvary, where on the day
of her profession the religious soul asks to
be nailed rs a victim of Cross OfChrlst,
by the three vows of poverty, chastity and
obedience" The Bishop concluded his
instruction by a few words of advice to the
younglady, and by expressing the hope
that she should persevere in her holy pur-
pose, so that she might one day be priv
ieped to Join the train OF Virgins,
who, in heaven follow the
Lamb whithersOeyer He goeth.'
Then Miss Thornton, in q clear, dis
tinct voice, petitioned for the religious
habit which the Bishop had just blessed.
She was Intercepted as to her motives in
seeking to enter the religious state, and
the saperioress was asked whether the
community had given their consent. Miss
Thornton withdrew for a few minutes,
and when she returned she had laid aside
the rich bridal dress and was clothed in
the plain black serge habit of the Sisters
ofSt:SJOseph. Then she was informed
that her naue in religion was Sister Mary
Magdalen. The beautiful and impressive
service closed with benediction of the
Blessed Sacramentand the TIE Deum.
After the ceremony Miss Thornton re-
ceived the congratulations of friends and
gave up her jewelry etc. to her father, and
after the friends and relatives had with
drawn the nuns and Bishop repaired to
the dining room of the Convent, where an
elegant repast had been furnished by Mr.
Thornton.