The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-12-10

church. presented themselves at the altar rail and took the vows which made them | Children of Mary The following is from the ritual in connection with the reeep- l ton:
 Holy Mary, immaculate virgin, mother of God, wishing to become one of thy beloved children, l promise on this day. with Gods help and through thy prayers. to amend my life and to initiate thy vir- tues that I may deserve to be received as member of this holy sodality. Amen.'
 The children were addressed by the pas- tor as follows:
 'Pous and beloved friends. since you are now to be promoted to the holy de- gree of socialists and will heneeforth en- l joy the great blessings given to members by our holy father the Pope. it is proper that we should fully know your mind. l Therefore, answer truthfully the ques- tions which your priest will ask you.
 Priest: "The sodality asks whether you are disposed to cherish with especial de- voton the blessed virgin Mary. our | mother?"
 Candidates answer: "Yes. such is our earnest desire'
 Priest: Are you resolved 10 strictly obs serve all the rules of the sodallty?e
 Candidates: Yes, we are resolved" l Priest Will you always give others good example by your own virtuous lives and lead them 10 honor and love tho 1 blessed mother of God and our sodallty?' ?'
 Candidates: Yes. we shall earnestly strive to do sol'
 l Priest: My children. since you are | truly resolved to be faithful socialists you will be allowed to make the act of eonsecration. But first. let Us ask the assistance of the Holy Ghost" | Here the priest prays for the inten- tions of the candidates. after which each candidate is enrolled and presented with a medal commemorative of the occaslon 1 In placing the medal on the shoulder of the candidate the priest says" Receive this badge of the sodaity of the blessed 1 virgin Mary as a protection for body and | soul so that by the grace of divine good ness and through the help of the blessed virgin Mary. your mother. you may do- serve to attain eternal beatitude. In the name of the Father and the Son. and l the Holy Ghost. Amen"
 After the enrolment and presentation | Nitii iiiN iitufti tiNli tdHuludtt Ittilts aloud the following act of conservation: 1 Holy Mary, immaculate virgin, Mother | of God, l ----, choose thee this day
 for my mother and queen. 1 am firmly resolved to faithfully serve thee and do all I can to increase the number of thy loving children in sodality. l shall glory in being child of Mary And because 1 l love thee. o. my mother, l am firmly resolved to initiate thee every day of my life. Help thy weak child, O, good mother, | that l may walk courageously in the straight path of virtue. And in order to be more sure of perseverance. I pledge myself to carefully observe the rules of our sodality and especially to be regular at sodality meetings and communion.
 Having promised, O, my mother and l queen, look with favor upon me as thy l loving child. consecrated to thee by this l free act. Amen"
 The priest placed upon the candidates shoulders a blue ribbon and q medal com l memorative of the event and blessed l each candidate. after which the candi- dates returned to their seats in the pews. The ceremony was singuary impress ] sive The candidates were dressed in white with white veils and floral wreaths. and never shall they look more beautiful than when they eonseerated their young hearts to the imitation of the l life of the blessed mother of Jesus Christ.