Morris tribune. [volume] (Morris, Minn.) 1880-2000, 1893-09-20
"Quee est Iste?"

OF Willard, MIMI, took the white ven
and habit of the sisterhood and en-
tered upon probation of two years
as a Novice. Her name in the future
will be Sister M. Berchmans.
Bright and clear the day dawned
and so continued until its close. A
fit setting it formed for the event, the
greatest in the life of the young Sis
ter and one fraught with SO much
meaning for the onlookers.
The Rev. Father Goebel of Sank
Centre arrived at the convent the
evening previous to perform the cere-
mony.
On the morning of the 9Th, which in
the Catholic church is celebrated as
the university of the nativity of the
Blessed Virgin, two masses We're said
in the chapel, one by the Rev. Father
Girard, chaplain to the convent, and
one by the Rev. Father Goebel. At
the last mass, Farmers "Gloria" and
"Dona Nobis," and an offertory piece,
90 Jesu Mi" were rendered by the
convent choir.
The ceremony was announced for
four o'clock in the afternoon, and at
that hour quite number of invited
friends had assembled. 1t commenced
with procession of the sisterhood,
followed by the Mothers Superior and
assistant leading the Novice elect;
who was dressed as a bride, in white
silk trimmed with rare Limerick lace
tulle vail and orange blossoms; the
Rev. Celebrant, Fir. Goebel and his
assistant, Fr. Girard, with the aeolytes
brought up the rear. The young
lady was led to the footof the altar
where the usual questions were asked
and answered. After a few more pre-
liminaries she was led away to don
the religious habit which in the mean
time had been blessed at the altar.
During. her absence the choir sang
two sacred Motells and on her reap
pearance at the chapel door, the Quae
est Iste, 'Who is she that cometh up
from the desert flowing with delights,
leaning upon her beloved?" was sung.
The change from the gay dress of the
bride to the sombre garb of relig-
euse was most striking, and when the
Novice had received the full insignia
of her rank in the cincture and rosary
the white vail and cloak, and stand
ing in the centre of the chapel repeat
ed the Regnum Mundi, "The empire
Of the world and all the ornaments
thereof I have renowned for the love
Of Our Lord Jesus Christ" which was
taken up and sung by the choir,
feeling Of suppressed religious excite
ment must have predominated in the
hearts Of the witnesses. But what
must have been the feelings of strang
ers when the hearts of those who
have witnessed such things many
times were intensely stirred by the
next mystical action of the young
Novice! Having finished singing the
Elegi Abjecta, 81 have chosen to be
an abject in the house of the Lord, !"
she Frustrated herself in front of the
altar, declaring by this act of outward
homage her willingness to put her
words into practice. During the pros
tration the choir sang the "Veni Gre
ator," at the end of which the new
Novice arose and going to the various
members of the community saluted
them while the stirring words of the
''Ecce Guam bonum," "Behold how
good it is for brethren to dwell to-
gether in unityp were being sung by
the choir. After the ceremony Bene-
diction of the Blessed Sacrament was
given.
Rev. Father Goebel spoke very
feelingly on the religious state. Stat
ing among other things how all the
person gave up voluntarily in leaving
home, friends and possessions for her
dear Lords sake were found again in
the happy haven of the convent. That
though the sacrifices were great the
reward was greater. Dwelling on the
grave necessity Of following the call
when God youchsafed to speak His
will to the human heart.
And SO another fresh young life has
gone out of the whirlpool of gayety
and pleasure in which the world is
involved. Gone as surely as if the
grave had closed over her, for, though
he final die is not yet cast, nor shall
t be till the VOWS are spoken two
7ears hence with Gods holy will, it
must not be that life begun amid |
such happy omens should ere be
changed for one which at the best is
Uncertain.
'She has chosen the better part"
Ienceforth her life may pass through
ough places, still its every pain will
,e softened and assuaged by the
bought, "It'is for my Spouso;" and
he tender, caressing hand of a Moth
r will be,eFeF near,
"These follow the Lamb whitherso-
yer He goeth. These were pur-
based from among men, the FIRST
ruits Of God and to the Lamb.
moo XIV