Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-11-08


millionaire heiress of Philadelphia, into the
Convent of Mercy in this city yesterday was
grand affair. There was select crowd
present at the impressive ceremonies.
Miss Kate Drexel, daughter of the late
Francis A. Drexel OF Philadelphia, with
the most impressive and beautiful cere-
monies, assumed the white veil of a postu-
liant in the convent chapel of the House Of
of Mercy yesterday morning. The only
witnesses of the services attendant upon her
reception into the order of the Sisters of
Mercy, were the immediate relatives and
friends of her family. They occupied the
seats in the rear of the chapel, leaving the
main portion for the clergy and the sisters
Of the order.
At 10 o'clock the organ peaIed forth and
the choir chanted the hymn, 80, Gloriosa
Virginum." simultaneously with the music,
little Miss Drexel, of New York. appeared
as cross bearer, robed in white silk with a
garland Of white roses upon her head and
lovely white veil shrouding her little figure.
She held aloft in her hands the beautiful
crucifxion. Little maids Ethel Chaplin
and Eva Maloney also robed in white
with garlands of flowers, attended her.
Following them appeared the priests of
the diocese of Pittsburg and visiting fathers
habited in their church cloaks, cassock sur
plices of white lace over black cloth, all
bearing lighted taperS. They were as fol-
lows: the Very Rev. Father Wall, Fathers
Nelson, Gallagher, Conway, O'Connell,
McKeever, Stephen, Sheedy, Tshaeny, Grit
fen, Graham, COrbenian, Nolan, Guido,
Carol, Staub, Murphy, Cosgrove MeGold-
rick, Vale, Grace, Cunningham, Kesrney,
Lambing and the Arch Abbot of st. Vim
cents College. Two abreast they entered the
chapel, holding candles in their hands.
They fled into seats on the sides of the
chapel.
IN ROYAL ROBES OF sPLENDoR.
Archbishop Ryan, of Philadelphia, in
royst purple arch episcopal robes, with his
secretary, DR.. Hortsman, and Father Wall
They were followed by Bishop Glorveaux,
of Idaho, and Bishop Blondel, in purple
and gold lace. Bishop Phelan, in miter
and cope OF white satin, Immediately pre-
ceded the Nuns, who, in their usual garb,
in the same order entered the chapel and
took their accustomed seats along the sides
behind the railing. Then came the postul-
ants, eight in number, in white wells. Sue
ceeding them, appeared the beautiful woman
who was to discard the exquisite bridal robe
of white satin, with the jewels and veil
worn, for the quiet garb of a nun. She was
attended by the Mother Superioress and
Mother of Postulsnts.
Following them were four little golden
haired girls, dressed in white gowns, with
sccordean-plaited skirts and sleeves, two of
them bearing the long-sweeping train of the
professed nuns. They were Misses Edith
Loman, Bertha Burns, Gertrude Murphy
and Mary Sweeney.
In the middle of the chapel Miss Drexel.
in all her glorious raiment knelt The
Mother Superior and her assistant retired to
their places, leaving the novice on her
knees, after the Mother Superior had blessed
and given her the name OF Sister Catharine
in religion. The hymn finished, Bishop
Phelan sang the versicIe and prayer.
The postulant was conducted to the altar
bv the Mother Superior and Mother Assist
ant. Kneeling she received a lighted
candle from the Bishop, first kissing the
ring on his finger and then kissed the
candle. After prsyer she returned to her
kneeling position facing the altar, where
she was left alone, and remained
in that attitude during the sermon.
ASKING HER THE QUESTIONS.
After the sermon Miss DrexeI was again |
conducted to the altar by the Superioress |
and her assistant, where the Bishop asked |
her the usual interrogations. Upon their |
being answered satisfactorily the Bishop in |
blessing her and praying for Gods blessing
upon her, received her into the order OF the |
Sisters of Mercy.
Sister Catharine, accompanied by the /
Mother Superior and assistant, with tears
shining in her eyes, retired to assume the
garb of the nun. Two little girls attended
her as train bearers and returned with the
habit of black neatly folded in a basket for
the Bishop to bless. This ceremony was
performed with holy water. Incense
was then given to the little maids
to carry to the postulant who soon appeared
in the raiment presenting the most marked
contrast possible to her former attire
Kneeling before the altar, the clncture
with the Bishops blessing was given her.
kissing it, she presented it to the Mother
Superior, who girded it on her. In the same
manner she received the veil and church
cloak. Then she retired to the CEN
ter of the chapel and prostrated
herself during the prayer, remaining in that
position until all had retired, when the
Mother Superior and assistant conducted
her out to the banqueting hall, where with
visible emotion, she greeted her relatives
and friends. The banquet was served by
Albert Menjou, the French chef of the Hotel
Duquesne. The tables were beautifully
decorated with flowers in biblical designs
THOSE WHO WERE THERE.
Prominent strangers present were Mr.. and
Mrs. George Childs, Mr. and Mrs, Morrell,
brother-in-law and sister of Miss Drexel,
Mr.. A. J. Drexel, the banker, and wife,
also Miss Lizzie Drexel, a sister of the pro-
81 1,1- I.
Drexel, of New York, and daughter. The
Pittsburgers were Mrs. DR.. Daley, Mrs. M.
F. Maloney, Mrs. Dr.. Oldshue and Misses
Gallery Heating, McCune, Plunket. Beale,
Maloney and Beltzhoover
The history of the postulant is well known.
A wealthy and petted heiress, a leader in
society in Philadelphia she of her own free
will and choice enters the convent.
She will be known in relig-
tinue two years more before she will be eli
gible to make her solemn profession and re-
ceive the black vail. This interval she will
devote to acquiring full knowledge of the
religious life, its spirit, the rules to be OBJ
served and the perfection it demands.
Her object is not to become
an ordinary member of the Sister
hood of Mercy, but to gather about her
those who, like herself, may be inspired to
consecrate themselves to the service of neg
lected Indians and colored people. She
sees especially that there is great work to be
done for the education of Indian and colored
girls, and that it can be done effectively
only by those who devote themselves TO it
from a motive of religion, by those who will
make it life work, who will think of moth
ing else, who will give up every family and
social tie, to labor for the welfare OF these
worthy subjects of her generous solicitude,
Such devotees can be found only in the re-
ligious life. Divine love alone can inspire
such total self-aLnegation and guarantee its
perseverance,. Miss Drexel feels that she