Year: 1873

Double Ceremony at the Good shcp-


herd Convent-Eine Young Ladies


Ieeply Interested I'm tho sccne-Thres


Make tho Solemn Profession and six


Receive the White Veil.


AS the faint light OF dawning day began to streak
the eastern horizon with its golden and purple
lines the joyous tolng OF the convent bell an
nounced to the outside world tnat the white-ro0ed
Sisters OF the Good Shepherd were early astir. and
the friends OF the expectant wardens hurried their
steps as they advanced to the entrance Of the
plain structure that towers beside the East
River at Nineteth street, and whose walls enclose
goodly congregation OF spotless virgins, whose
entire lives are devoted to the reclamation Of the
unfortunate and fallen women OF this vast city.
Ascending the stairs and passing the portals OF the
grated parlors, the visitors found themselves
within plain. neat chapel gallery surrounding
three sides, the chastely decorated altar at the
fourth side, high grating separating the
altar from the body OF the chapel On
the floor. directly IN front Of this grating.
was spread bright carpet. on which the
participants in the ceremony were to kneel and,
later, PROSTATE themselves On the several affairs
shone burning tapers amid the gloom and perfume
OF freshly culed MOWERS, whose sweetness was rich
reward for the labor OF those fond relgteuses who
cultivated and watched each opening bud with q
mothers care.


Around the walls OF the chapel were hung many
paintings from scenes in the life OF the 'GOOd
Shepherd" who gave His life for His sheep, and in
whose steps the "Sisters Of Our Lady OF Charity o
the Good Shepherd" have walked for years. But
the attention does not linger long upon the objects
which adorn the chapel. for the procession enters
and with slow and solemn tread the devOut nuns
pass down the side aisle and up the CENTRE each
with lighted taper taking her place at right or left
in her high-backed 'stail," and when the priOress
reaches her post all bow down, and every knee IL
bent as the Rev. Father De Labayes begins the.
celebration OF the mass.


AT the conclusion OF the mass the six young To-
dies who were to receive the white vei Of the
'nOvice" knelt before the opened CRATE. facing the
altar, and the reverend father interrOgated each
one as to her DESIRES and from each he received
the holy habit OF religion"


SIX months had been passed BY these young Ia
dies In their preparation for this important mo-
ment, and when questioned as to this being the
free choice OF each One the ervent responses left
each was acruated BY the sole desire to devote hes
lie to the good OF her iellow-creatures. AS the
clothed in the white 6raperies of fashionable
society they retired from the chapel to put OF the
vantles OF the world and shortly returned, clothed
In the whit ''hablt' OF the religious community,
and kneeling again before the altar they received
the white veil to hide from their eyes the world,
whose vanities and vexatons they had exchanged
for the privati0ns and peace of the cloister. The
cncture was then bound about the white robe and
Tn tne t cnSir mantle ad upon the young to
here are called to put on that other robe and "f0l
low the Lamb" In that train OF virgins whose ''gar
Him that leadeth them. When the clothing OF the
six novices had heen completed they retired from
had passed through the two years. probation and
had only learned the more fully to appreciate the
blessings that dow from the sweet service OF the
sanctuary for to those devOut women the clOlster
is indeed sanctifed spot.


When the three novices presented themselves AT
the foot OF the altar the reverend Father de-
manded Of them their request and they replied
that they wished to make the vows that would
community OF the Ladies OF Charity Of the Good
Shepherd The lady Prioress and her assistant stood
near, and when asked II the community consented
been satisfactory the Prioress replied in the afnr.
NATIVE, and the nOvices then read the "act of pro.
fessiOn," and at Its conclusion signed each her
own name TO the vows which she had written with
her own hand. the black veil was placed upon the
and left resting upon the bosom, where all can see
this mark or devotion to that model OF all virtues,
%pnss npon inc 1@ % Of wns
tn the newly prclessed and the newly clothed ali
the other members OF the community
advanced from their places lin the choir.
prostrate companions they held the black pail
above the silent forms while the cnorsters intoned
solemn strain whose mournful cadence fell like
requiem upon the ear. When this dirge-like music
ceased the omclating clergyman sprinked the
hem aSd come to & IN be p





was withdrawn, the new novices and the newly. ,
professed arose, and while hymn OF triumph
peaied through the fragrant air the Lady Prioress
the kiss OF peace upon each Of the triple
tri0 and they In turn conveyed IL to the other mem
bers or the community. When this Affecting scene
mad closed the procession reformed and proceeded ia
the parlors OF the community, where the articles
OF the profession and clothing are entered In the
registry and signed by the newly prOfessed and
habited. With mind and soul filed with awe the
invited guests fingered in the sacred stiffness Ofthe
chapel until summoned to the parOrs greet their
loved ones; and could the cynic or misanthr0pe
have contemplated the scene as fond mother
embraced her happy daughter, or an anectionate
sister wept with JOY at the sight OF her chIldhoods
companion CO tSa clothed In the pure white garb
might no longer mock at religion. But Tor those
VINO renounce the world three is no longer charm
In its associations, and In taking the nabit" the
rettgtettse they take also q new name. Those who
yesterday made their VOWS were known In the
world as Miss Bridget Langton, but in the cloister
as Sister Mary Scholastca; Miss Mary Gisen as
Sister Mary Perpetua, and Miss Ellen Connolly aa
Sister Mary Julianna. The young ladies' who re.
ceived the white veil OF the novicate were Miss
Mary Keon, sister M. Rose; Miss Mary O'Nei sister
NJ. Aureia; Miss Ellen Welch, Sister M. Bertha:
Miss Mary Farrelly, Sister M. Sabina; Miss Mary
Denim, Sister Mary of the Holy Innocents, and Miss
Annie ReirdOn took the name OF Sister Mary
Malina.


ST. STEPHENS NEW CHURCH, BROOKLYN.