The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1898-07-23
MAKING THEIR SOLEMN VOWS
Imposing Ceremony at the Duluth
Sacred Heart Institute.

Imposing Ceremony at the Duluth
Sacred Heart Institute.
Occasionally in convent life days of
special solemnity present themselves, as
for instance the days appointed for the
reception Of the religious habit and the
taking of the simple and the solemn
vows. Such a triple feast the 18th of
July, feast for the entire Benedictine
Order, brought to the Sacred Heart In
stitute of Duluth
Come aside with me, kind reader, in
to the tastefully adorned chapel of the
institute and | shall lay before your Gu
rious eye the scene; one about which
the world knows but little, but which
is written indelibly in the eternal world
above.
Behold, now, those twelve virgins,
clad in spotless white, adorned with
bridal veil and snow-white blossoms;
they advance gracefully towards the
main altar, and at the feet of the Rt
Rev. Bishop of Duluth They confident
ly express their wish to be received in
to the Order Of St. Benedict and they
see their longing satisfied, being given
the blessed habit of the order.
10 these is given the place in the
novitiate of the thirteen hopeful nov
ices, who, after having we'll stood their
probation, are now at the foot of the
altar to pronounce in Latin the religious
VOWS OF poverty, chastity and obedience
This solemn act is the triumph of
youthful soul over the dangerous splen-
doris of the world and over the passing
honors of earth, a triumph in which that
soul scars on eagle wings of faith, hope
and love, to the closest union with it's
4 God
The most lasting impression on the
minds OF the devout people present was
made by the imposing ceremonies of the
solemn VOWS. This heroic act of self
sacrifice, howsoever misunderstood by
those uncalled, is proof Of victory over
self, testimony of deep attachment to
an exalted vocation. The voice of the
valiant American soldier, when he takes
the oath of fidelity, even to death, to the
flag of his country, has never so fearless
an echo as that of those seven spouses
of Christ, who now promise eternal
fidelity to their Creator and their God;
to Him whose emblems are the cross
and the crown of thorns.
Now is placed upon the hand of the
spiritual bride the golden ring of tidel-
ity, the most intimate and indissoluble
union of her soul with her God and her
Savior. Upon her head is placed a
crown Of myrtle, symbol of her VIC
tory over the world and it's vanities,
and the pledge of everlasting glory.
In glowing words the Rt Rev. Bishop
congratulated the community, upon the:
acquisition of so many promising men,
bers, and prayed that it might continue
to prosper and do much for God and for
the salvation of souls. He said that
the world considers lost to society the
persons who enter religion, but never
was this world more mistaken, for that
sister in religion will love her own with
purer, holier love. She will raise
to heaven her hands and her heart in
earnest prayer for her father, her moth
er, her brothers and her sisters. She
will always remain to them an angel OF
light, source of comfort during life
and after they have left this vale of
tears, when all others have forgotten
them, she will continue to intercede for
them win her God, until at last, she
is reunited with them in Heaven. :.
The chapel, though spacious, was filled
to it's utmost capacity and many
anxious friends were unable to gain ad-
mittance.
AN EYE WITNESS.