Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-11-06
WHAT WILL BE DONE.
The Ceremonies of the Drexel Recep-
tion Explained in Detail.
THE BISHOP WILL RECEIVE HER.
Holy Procession From the Convent House
to the New Chapel.
HER RELATIVES TO ARRIVE TONIGHT

A telegram was received in this city last
night that Archbishop Ryan, of Phila-
delphia, would arrive in Pittsburg this
evening to be present at the reception Of
Miss K ate Drexel at the Convent of Mercy
on -Webster avenue tomorrow. He will
arrive on the limited express, and while in
the city will be the guest Of the Very Rev.
Father Wall, rector of st. Paul's Cathed-
raj. Bishop O'Conner, of Omaha, will also
arrive tonight and will make his head
quarters at the Episcopal residence. None
OF Miss Drexel's friends are here yet but
they will probably arrive on the limited to-
night.
The heads of all the branch houses Of the
Mercy Order in this vicinity will be present
at the ceremony which takes place from 10
to u tomorrow forenoon. The formula of
the reception is very pretty and interest
ing one. 1t does not partake of the death
like so1emnity of profession which in Miss
Drexel's case will not take place until about
November l, 1891.
THE CEREMONY RITUAL.
Miss Drexel is now dressed in the garb
of q postulant. This consists of a plain
black dress, lace cap and black lace veil.
This she wears at the reception until the
ceremony of blessing her religious habit
takes place. She will be led into
the new chapel where the ceremony
is to take place by the Mistressof Novices,
Mother Inez. They will be preceded by
one of the younger sisters, who will act as
cross-bearer. She will carry aloft large
gold crucifx which is significant that the
postulant's future life must be her own sal
walton. On ordinary occasions the novice
is preceded by a number of little girls
dressed in white to represent angels. This
part of the ceremony has been dispensed
with by Miss Drexel.
When the procession appears before the
Bishop, who receives her, the novice steps
forward, and with her attendants kneel ct
his feet They hold lighted candles in their
hands, and the Bishop asks the usual ques-
tons about her admission into the order.
The first question is:
''My child, what is it you demand?"
Miss Drexel will reply: 1.-THE holy habit
of religion"
GIVEN THE BEADS.
Then follows long list of questions and
answers in which the novice renounces the
world and takes up her new life. The nuns
habit is then blessed, with the sincture,
beads and veil, by the Bishop. The novice
is then led out and dressed in her new hab-
iliments. She is brought in again robed in
the habit. When the procession re-enters
the chapel choir of trained voices sing an
thems of joy. The postulant is then blessed
and the ceremony closes with benediction
of the most holy sacrament.
Archbishop Ryan will preach the SER
mon. The latter will be on the aims and |
objects of the Mercy order and the good it |
has accomplished in the way of charity and |
mercy. The sermon will be mainly directed |
to the young postulant and what good deeds
she may hope to accomplish.
A dinner will be given by the postulant |
after the reception, and the ex-
ercises will be ended.
She will probably be professed about No
vember 21, 1891. The service of profession |
is more solemn and impressive than the re-
ception. The postulant prostrates herself,
and the Bishop spreads black pail over
her, meaning that she is dead to the world. |
The choir chants mournful hymn, and the |
postulant is given the black veil and ring.
After the profession Sister Catherine, as
she will then be known, will leave for the !
Mercy Convent at O'Connor City, Nebras-
ka, near Omaha. On October 21 last the
sisters of this community celebrated their
silver jubilee of the establishment of the
first house in Omaha.