Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1892-03-22
THE VOWS ARE MADE.
THREE NUNS RsNouNce rHewoaLp,
TWO or THEM FOR LIFE.
me Feast Of 81. Benedict Celebrated with
m Impressive Ceremony at 50.
Mary's-The Bishop Omciatea

Ihere was an impressive. solemn, and
beautiful ceremony at st. Msry's Bene-
dictine Institute, on Fourth street between
Clay and Leigh. early yesterday morning
The dav had been set apart by the Church
to honor st. Benedict. the patron of
the Benedictine Order, and its observance
was fitting and appropriate. rne occasion
was the reception of three nuns 20 re-
ligioas life--one making her simple vows
and the other two their perpetual ones
The chapel was crowded with friends of
those three young ladies aud their faml-
lea The affairs were prettily adorned with
blooming flowers and the candles all
Bishop Van dc vyver was the celebrant.
He entered the chapel at $50 accompanied
by Rev. Father Willebald, o. s. b., master
OF ceremonies. and Frater John, 0. \. b..
and began the services. the choir OF sisters
singlng very nicely the "Veni Creator
Spiritus."
THE ADDRESS OF THE BISHOP.
At the end of the Gospel Sister Soholas-
tica. the candidate for the black veil, pro-
cecdod 10 the altar and knet in front OF the
Bishop. He made n brief address on the impor-
tsnt steps 70 be taken and the great sacrifice
they were making. "On this great feast Of that
greet ST. Benedict the Bishop said, "a great
blessing shines out for you. IL II not 80 easy to
eave your souls IN the world. There are 90 many
dishonest people and their dishonest methods OF
making living are the source OF great tenpta,
tion TO ali. You abandon the world to-day and
make great sacrifice. You will live NE OF
humility, chastity, voluntary poverty, ana ODE
eience. which viii always be pleasing In the
sight Of Almighty God and He VIII grant you
many graces-"
THB WORLD DENOUNCED.
The following was then asked BY the celebrant
and very promptly answered by Sister scholas-
tica:
leave the world and It's vanities and lead life
according 70 the rules OF ST. BenedictI
al desire 1t and ask IL most humbiy
The Bishop then SAID Dec gratds tnahks 10
Cod and proceeded thus:
pomp'"
"wm you assume the conversion Of your
morals7"
al WILL"
"Wiil You promise Obedience CHASTITY, s51 u
poverty according 10 the rules OF ST. Benedict? 2"
al will"
"Msy God assist you in your promise"
The sister then read her simple vow IN LAIN
ana signed IL on tho Four Gospels, after which
the white veil was replaced by black one, and
she went TO her seat.
THE FINAL VOW.
Sisters Mary Cecilia and Mary Margaret, wear
ing white veils then approached the altar. AFTER
answering the same questions propounded 10
the candidate for the black veil. they read the
following vow; ME-,
.I Sister -, OF the Diocese OF Richmond,
20 the honor OF Almighty God, OF the ever
blessed Virgin Mary, and OF our holy father,
st. Benedict, all Of ali the saints by these per-
petual vows promise stability and the cnahge .,
my life and obedience, according 10 the rule OF
the same, Hoy Father St. Benedict, IN the
presence OF God and of His saints, whose relcs
are exposed IN this church, and OF the hight
Rev. Lord and father In Cod A. Van dc 'yyer'
bishop OF Richmond, and of the venerable Rev.
Mother 18th, prioress, and OF the sisters OF TINS
community. In the name OF the Father, ana OF
the son, and OF the Holy Ghost Amen 49,
..In witness thereof have written this with
my own hand, at this venerable place, an the
year after the incarnation OF our Lord, eighteen
hundred and nlnety-two."
The ceIebrant said: "Let us pray, dear
brethren, that what the sisters have now pro-
fessed they may faithfully fulfil, through the as
s.stsnce OF our Lord Jesus Christ, with the
Father and the Holy Ghost who lyeth ana
reigneth God forever and ever. Amen"
BURIED TO TIE WORLD.
The sisters Frustrated themselves on the floor
lust outside OF the altar railing and were covered
by black pail and surrounded by four lighted
candles, during which time the Bishop chanted
the Preface, the Kyrie Eleison, the both Psalm,
and other prayers. After this Father Wiilebaid
sung Awake, you who sleep, ami arise from
the dead, and Christ will enlghten you" The
sisters arose and approached the altar.
Sister Cecilia is what is called choir-sister
and Sister Margaret a lay-sister. and conse-
quently the latter did not receive the ing and
choir-cloak.
VEIL, RING, AND CROWN.
The wells and ring were blessed with the fol-
lowing prayers and conferred on the sisters:
Receive the sacred veil, by which you shall
be known TO have despised the world and sub
jected thysen humbly with thy whole heart 10
Jesus Christ, 10 be perpetuaiy His spouse, VINO
will defend thee from all evil and lead you to
eternal lite
Receive the ring OF faith-that seal OF the
Holy Spirit-that adherine faithfully to Christ,
You may be crowned in eternity in the name OF
the Father, and OF the Son, and OF the HOLY
Ghost"
The blessing Of the crowns, which were made
Of rosemary (emblematlc OF mortlhcation ana
sel'-deninD, was as follows:
"B.ess, q Lord, these ornaments, and grant
through the invocation OF Thy name that whose
ever shall wear them may serve Thee faithfully
and may In Heaven obtain the crowns when
these represent on earth"
The Bishop then proceedud with the mass,
during which the sisters received Holy CoInInu-
Mon. Benediction was given after macs
PERSONAL.
Sister Mary Cecilia Miss Mary Bahen) Ia
daughter OF Alderman James Bahen. She has a
and possess many accomplishments. She re-.
ceiyed the white veil DeCe nber IL, 1887, ana
made her simple vow December 80, 1888.
Sister Mary Margaret Miss Mary Loehrl Is the
daughter OF a widow, OF Henricocounty. She re-
ceiyed the white veil December 3, 1887. and the
black one December 80, 1883.
Sister Mary Scholastica Miss Grace Bliley) is
N daughter OF Mr. and Mrs. Bllley, OF Chester
field, ana a sister OF Messrs. Joseph and George
Bliley, and is a very amiable and beloved young
lady. She received the white veil March II,