The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1913-03-29
ST. JOSEPH NOVITIATE
Opening of the New Novitate of the Sisters
of ST. Joseph in Presence of Distinguished Gathering.


IMPRESSIVE CEREMONIES OF
VEsTURE AND PROFESSION
MARKED THE FORMAL OPENING
OF THE NoWTIATE - THE
LARGEST CLASS OF NoVIcEs
EVER RECEIVED AT ONE TIME
SERMON BY THE MOST REVER-
END ARCH6IsHoP-MANY WIS.,
IToRS PREsENT-NAMES OF
NoVIcEs AND PosTULANTs.
Solemn and impressive were the
ceremonies that marked the formal
opening of the new Novitiate of the
Sisters of st. Joseph last Wednesday,
They were of more than ordinary
significance in as much as they sig
naliZed the beginning of what may
not inappropriately be called new
era in the history of the Order-an
era in which, with the more ample
facilities afforded by the Novitiate,
the Sisters of st. Joseph will be in
position to do even greater work for
the honor and glory of God and the
welfare of religion than they have
accomplished during the past half
century of their existence in the Dio-
cese of st. Paul.
Shortly after nine o'clock the visit
ing prelates and clergy began to
arrive at the institution which was
tastefully decorated for the occasion.
In addition to the Reverend Clergy
there were present as many of the
Sisters as could conveniently be
spared from their usual occupations.
All were anxious to participate in the
first solemn religious event in this
new nursery of the community.
At half past ten o'clock the visiting
clergy marched in procession to the
well-lighted and spacious chapel,
whittier the postulants who were to
receive the habit of the Order and
the novices who were to make their
profession, had already preceded
them. The postulants were taste
fully gowned in bridal robes of white
the nOvices were dressed in the habit
of the Order. AS soon as they took
their allotted places Mass was cele-
brated by the Right Reverend Bishop
McGolrick, of Duluth, and at it's con-
clusion a sermon was preached by
the Most Reverend Archbishop. The
full text of the sermon will be found
o1cnwhora in %1a;e
Reception and Profession.
Following the sermon, the white
robed postulants knelt at the altar raj
and gave expression to their desire tc
consecrate themselves entirely to the
service of God and to be enrolled
among the members of the Com
munity. They responded satisfac
torily to the questions prescribed by
the ritual and then withdrew to lay
aside forever their worldly finery and
to don the humble garb of religious
AS soon as they retired the novices
who had completed the two years oi
probation required by the constitution
of the Order approached the altar
and, after being accepted by the
Mother Provincial in the name of the
Congregation of the Sisters of st
Joseph of Carondelet, they pronounced
in clear and distinct tones the
three VOWS of poverty, chastity and
obedience. Each received from the
hands of the Most Reverend Arch
bishop a crucifix-the emblem of hel
admission to full participation in
the rights and privileges of the Sister
hood, the pledge of her allegiance tc
God and of her fidelity to the obliga
tions she had assumed.
AS the newly-admitted Sisters with
drew their places were taken by the
returning postulants. But what {
transformation had taken place during
their absence! Their bridal robes haG
been laid aside and they were clothed
in the black habit of the Sisterhood
The white drapery of the bride hat
been exchanged for the dark veil o.
the consecrated virgin. Once more
they knelt for a few moments before
the altar to give expression to thu
JOY which thrilled their souls with {
new life, while the Most Reverend
Archbishop invoked upon them tht
blessing of the Most High, and theI
retired to their places.
Largest Class Ever Admitted.
This concluded the impressive
ceremony of vesture and profession
In point of numbers it was the mos
important ever held by the Sisters o
ST. Joseph of the Province of st
Paul Heretofore, the largest class o
postulants received into the Com
munity at any time numbered twenty
six. This class numbered thirty
eight The novices will devote the
next two years to the pursuit of those
studies in secular matters and espe
cially in the things of the soul which
are required of all who aspire to full
membership in the Congregation of st
Joseph.
After the ceremony the Sisters helC
a reception, and at one o'clock dinner
was served to the visiting prelates an(
priests who we're then shown through
the Novitiate. In the afternoon a
half past three o'clock the religious
functions of the day were brought to {
close with Solemn Benedicti0n of thu
Blessed Sacrament at which the Righ
Reverend Bishop O'Reilly, of Fargo