Year: 1876

DEDICATE 10 GOD.


TAKING THE WHITE VEIL.
INTERESTING AND IMPRESSIVE CEREMo-


MES AT MONTE MARIA ON SUNDAY AZ


TERSoON-A HANDSOME YOUNG LADY OF


BROOKLYN, ENTERs Upon THE LIFE oFA


MISUNDERSTANDING ADDRESS FROM


BISHOP s-DEsGRIPTIoN OF THE


PosTULANT,s EafBLEsfATIC ATTIRE, &C.


One of the most solemn and interesting
ceremonials of the Catholic Church is the
ii:rpception OF the white veil by the Sisters Of
the Order of the Visitation. The ceremony
is of sucha character that once witnessed it
can never be forgotten. The observer is
impressed with certain feeling OF awe and
yeneration on these solemn occasions, rarely
If ever before experienced. The sundering
OF earthly ties, the giving up Of everything
Of a worldly character, and the parting
from relatives and friends to be immured
for life in the close confines OF the cloister,
combine to create an impression never to
be efaced. Especially Is this go when the
party dedicating herself to God is young,
handsome, and gifted with sufficiency OF
worldly goods to insure o pleasant and hap
Dy Life on this earth, and with family ties OF
the closest and most loving kind. Such was
the case on the occasion OF the performance
Of this ceremony Sunday afternoon at
the Academy of the Visitation, Monte
Maria; the postulant or recipient OF
the veil being Miss Rosalie Barry, Of
Brooklyn, L. [. This young lady having
decided to enter upon the life OF reltgeuSe,
selected Monte Maria as the place for her
noYitiate, and after seven months trial and
preparation was permitted to enter the Sis
terhood; and, as stated, received the white
veil Sunday. Her mother and two young
| brothers, who had come on from Brooklyn,
were present, as were also number OF
ladies and gentlemen Of the city, including
nom Catholics, who had been specially in
vited.


The ceremony was performed in the cha
pei of the monastery, Right Rev. Blshop
Gibbons officiating. Soon after the Bishop
entered the sanctuary, robed in cope and
mitre, the postulant entered that portlon OF
the chapel set apart for the nuns, which Is
separated from the other part by grating
extending from floor to ceiling. She was
arrayed in elegant and costly bridal attire,
Va
the most fashionable modiSteS in New I ork.
It was of white satin, with court train,
which was separated from the front OF the
dress by narrow pleatings of the same ma
terial, the underskirt being trimmed with
three styles Of pleating. The whole front
of the dress was covered with white illusion
and orange-blossons. On her head was
wreath Of the same emblematic flowers and
long white lace veil. SiX-button white
kid gloves and white satin slippers COM
pleted the costume.
| AS she kneit near an opening in the gra-
ting, and after the choir had sung the " Ven1
Creator Spiritus," the Bishop turned and
briefly addressed her upon the Importance
of the great step she was about to take. he
said he knew that she was about to leave pc
hind everything that was calculated to make
home pleasant, to enter upon strange lie.
But for all this her reward would De
hundred fold here below, with life eVerlast,
ing hereafter. The interior Joy she Would
experience in the life she was about 10
adopt no one could realize but those VINO
had entered upon it before her. Her nnai
reward would only be attained after Sc
we're life-a life Of strict following OF tue
gospel, in which she had to practice poverty,
chastity, and obedience. He had assisted at
many similar occasions, but at, none lWnlch
had given him more pleasure than lhls; l;
He had known her from chlldhoood, ana
knew that she was leaving attiuence ana az,
lection. She was leaving dearly DeioFed
mother; but thodgh separated from that mo-
tber. her affection for her would never de-
crease. He was satisfied that, though severed
from mother. brothers, or sisters, her love
would but be intensified by separation. She
would be surrounded by new sisters and
devoted mother, and he hoped that her asso.
citation with them would lead to good and
happy life, and the laying up OF treasures
in the kingdom Of heaven.


The Bishop then left the sanctuary, and
went to the grating and said to the future
novice:


"Daughter, what do you demand? De.
clare your will in the presence OF this assem-
bly,"


Postulant: cone thing have desired OF
the Lord-this do l now ask-that l may
dwell in this house OF the Lord all the days
of my life"


The Bishop then cxhorted the postulan1
as follows:


"This house is indeed the house OF the
Lord, and to it all manner OF holiness pc
longeth. All who dwell herein should, with
their whole heart, and all the days OF their
life, put in practice this word OF our Lord,
If any one will come after me, let him deny
himself, take up his cross, and follow me-
This house is school for the modification
Of the senses and Of self-will, where the out.
ward man is to be daily crucified, with all
his inclinations, habits, and concupiscences,
where, in word, he must die to himself,
that thereby he may live unto God. Often.
times thou hast been informed that whoever
undertake to live here should have no other
intention than to please God thereby, that
thus they may be made conformable to'the
likeness of the Son of God crucifed, their
sovereign and only spouse. have only to
add that, as the design thou hast formed ol
leading life Of such excellent perfection
cannot be carried into effect without many
contradictions, difficulties, and troubles,
both Of the interior and exterior man, Sod,
who is all good and all powerful, having
himself called thee to this perfect state, In
His great mercy will aid thee with His holy
protection, provided with fidelity and hui
mility thou follow and correspond with the
attractions and the workings OF His grace


The Bishop then asked the postulant
'tDost thou still persist in thy demand ?"


To which she replied: 'Those who make
themselves over to the Lord to dwell in His
house Shall be established as the Mount OF
Sion. Therefore, with all humility, do
persist in and repeat my demand. For,
placing my reliance on the goodness OF my
God, should armies encamp around me, my
heart shall not fear; should battle be drawn
up against me, even in this will hope"
he n,Jr ord yrrha hail