New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-05-10
A SISTER OF MERCY.
JESSIE MCCARTHY CONsECRATEs HER LIFE
TO SERVE THE POOR. THE SICK
AND THE IGNORANT.

The community Of women known the Sisters
OF Mercy celebrated last Saturday the entrahe. "
pretty young girl into their religious me- Inns
done amid music and prayer. perfume ana IN
cense comb 'ed with all the ceremonies OF ho'y
day and festival The services were held IN the
convent at the corner Of Woughby and Classon
ayes. Brooklyn.
The invitations were engraved like those OF
wedding. Before o'clock the guests began 10 ar
rive. They received by a committee OF sisters
and escorted to the chapel at the end OF the
convent corridor. white-veiIed sister at o'clock
lighted the candles on the three affairs. Easter
lilies lent their perfume 10 the waxen lights. ana
the ever-burning lamp fed with olive oil sent rosy
light through the coiored glass shades. As the
convent bell pealed forth the organ was played ana
the procession OF nuns began. single sister led,
UNFOLDING huge The sisters followed TWO
by two. each carrying lighted wax candle. iney
We're in holiday robes OF white woollen eloakiike
were covered with black yelling that tel in grace,
ful folds behind. At last came Sister Mary Dolores
paused opposite the altar Dolores knelt; the min
isterng sisters took seats, and the choir OF eight
StaniSlaus. who H. composer. played the organ
came in robed IN pnrpSe silk and went through
the chapel TO the sacristy; then he reappeateSH
gold ard was accompanied by several priests. VINO
exquisite lace tunics over their black cloth
OF them being the work of children.
The Nicar-Genera and his assistants lhen ce ee-
young maiden and asked her If she was fully pre-
pared for the profession Of faith lie spoke Of the
and warned Dolores that the robe she was to re-
ceivc did insure her salvation. II was simply
come temptation. lie told her that she must give
up her own will and act Gods will as interpreteI
by the Mother Superior of the community SISTER
Dolores answered In a firm clear voice the ques
tions asked by tie Nicar-General
Again she knelt The she had written with
a clear voice she read aloud the whole document
h..
chastitT and obedience and promised TO conserate
Pen and ink were brought by sister. and Jessie
MGnrh gnGd h@r name b ana dGd sp ae Signed
her name Mother Bcraventura,' and the Mother
Assistant signed hers. ..,..
Sister Dolores wore over her black gown Wnlte
woollen cloak that chung closely 10 her slender:
sirsa figure. on he head was white linen v e
indeT mis- white dimity colf tnat mo par. Oh mr.
forehead and ali yestige of hair Her gown
had strong be ana 2nr aas n Given to
her embematic OF her Union with the community com
OF the Bishop of the diocese
During solemn music, and while the electric
G Em of 6acR ylns was so Handed to the
he sDrnked the veil and nd blessed dSsr b Hong
girls head-the folds fell 10 her feet
THE KISS OF PEACE
Two mothers walked with Dolores from the al
tar and gently turned her toward the Of
standing sisters and left her. Dolores mmeda tely
went to the head of the row. where the Lady SUI
perior Mother Bonaventura waited to give her the
kiss of peace and unity. first cheek and then
on the other Dolores then proceeded 10 give this
feminine expression Of peace to the long row OF SIS
ard novces. Her face Shone with a look OF
ecstacy. Before she had kissed all the sisters, one
OF the ministering mothers went to Dolores ana
led her before the altar she knelt. Then suddenly
Frustrated herself. face down. on the floor While
she lay thus. symbolic Of her death 10 all worldly
life, the officiating clergyman sprinkled her with
holy water. When she dies everything she wore
at this act of sacrifice. will be buried with her
miniserng mother raised Dolores The end mad
/
music led the Sisters Of Mercy from their chapel 10
the community room Hand in hand the Lady Su.
perior and Sister Dolores passed from the altar OF
sacrifice. the Last II the procession.
The tension OF ten days OF preparatory silence,
PRAYER and mediation was over and Sister Mary
Dolores was taken to the other Marys by whom sne
Toasted and ongratulated:
The priests passed out The NicarGeneral came
down the aisle. The music stopped the sister Sac
rstan put the candles. and az If by magic doors
i'm all parts of the convent rooms opened and happy
voices and soft laughter mingled with the many
words OF welcome that were being uttered for sister