The evening times., 1898-07-13
Welded 70 THE CROSS.
Two washiasten Girls Become Sis
tera of Mercy.

ters of Mercy.
Two years ago Miss Margaret Rodbird
and Miss Ellen schermerhorn, both OF
Washington. after probationary period
as postulants, put on the habit of the or
der of the Sisters of Mercy. and with /,
the white veil of the novice. at Baltimore.
During their novitiate. while they were
being instructed in the rules of their chos-
en- s!sterhood, they were free to renounce
the religious life II they found 1t uncon-
genial and return to the world.
Yesterday at Mount Saint Agnes Con-
vent. at Mount Washington. they together
with Miss Martha Louise Buschman.
OF Baltimore. were professed into
the order. The period of training
| for the Sisters of Mercy does not
cease when the black veil is substituted
| for the white. 1t continues for two years
more, but the sisters are no longer free
to choose between the worldly and the
religious life, and the vows taken yester-
day are irrevocable. Miss Rodbird's name
as religieuse is Sister Margaret Mary
Alacoque: that of Miss Schermerhorn is
Sister Mary Fabian.
The altar of the beautiful little chapel
OF the convent, in which the cermony
was held. was brilliant with the lights of
many Candles and fragrant with flowers.
Mass was celebrated by Rev. C. F.
Thomas. rector of the Cathedral and su-
perior of the Sisters of Mercy, assisted
by Rev. J. F. Kennedy, of Immaculate
Conception Church. As the members of
the sisterhood entered the chapel "Veni
creator Spiritus' was sung by the choir.
The procession was led by the cross
bearer. Following her came the Sisters,
two by two. beginning with the juniors
and ending with the seniors. After them
came the three who were to be professed,
escorted by the mother superior and the
mother assistant. The members of the
order and those who were to be professed
wore over the black habit the long white
church cloak, which is worn only on the
INST solemn occasions. Each carried
lighted candle, symbolic of the inward
light which dispels ignorance and error.
The members of the order took their
places in the stall along the walls of the
cnapei' each placing her candle in the
rack in front of her, and the novices were
left kneeling at the altar. After the cere-
mony OF blessing the ring and the veil
mad been performed, the novices were for
mally questioned as TO their understand
ing OF the obligations they were about to
take upon themselves. The questions hav-
ing been answered in the affirmative
Epistie to the Romans in which reference
Is made to dying to self and living to
Christ The same verses formed the text
OF his sermon, on 'SeIf-Annihiiation." :"
which followed 90. =,
Inc mass Of profession was celebrated
immediately after the sermon, the act of
profession following the Communion. As !
the first of the novices to be professed |
took the solemn VOWS binding her To the !
ORDER she said. while kneeIing before the |
aitar, In the name of our Lord and Saw |
ious Jesus Christ and under the protec-
tlon OF His immaculate mother Mary. /.
Eiien Schermerhorn. called In religion /
sister Mary Fabian. do VOW and promise
to God poverty, chastity and obedience
and the service of the poor. sick and ip-
horant and TO persevere until death in
TINS institute of our Lady of Mercy ac-
cording TO its approved rules and consti-
tutions''
"hen Miss Rodbird and Miss Busch
man had taken the same. VOWS, and while
.hey were stiii kneeling. from the choir
in the rear of the chapel came the words
Of the professional hymn:
Lowly at Thy shrine we bow.
Father. hear the Sisters vow.
waiting not for death to free,
Leaving all, she flies to Thee
me next step was the substitution of
the black veil, emblematic of chastity and
for the white veil of the novice
and as symbol of her union with the
cnurch upon the left hand of each of those
who were pnofessed was placed the ring
of espousal. At the close of the cere-
nony OF espousal the three newly pro-
fessed sisters said in concert The em-
pire of the world and all the grandeur of
lhis earth l have despised for the love of
our Lord Jesus Christ" While the sing
Frs took up the words the three relieieux
prostrated themselves before the altar
Their attitude symbolized as they Law
mere perfectly motionless and covered
with their long black wells as with a nall
,neir complete remuneration of the world
" nile they remained PROSTATE the choir
sang the joyous strains of the Te Deum
and prayers for blessing were recited bv
ne officiating clergyman. After the pray-
,rs and after each of the PROSTATE forms
lad been sprinkled with holy water hv the
clergyman they were aroused by the
mother superior
Escorted by the mother superior tho
lewiy professed went to each of the sis
ers In turn. receiving the kiss of peace
After the benediction the sisters retired
rom the chapel, the order of procedure
eine the same as during the professional