THE RELIGIOUS SISTERS OF MERCY.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXI, Issue 4836, 21 September 1876, Page 6

THE RELIGIOUS SISTERS OF MERCY.

FROFESSIOtf OP SISTERS AT ST. MARY'S CATHEDRAL. ■ On September 8 at 10 o'clock a solemn service was held at the Roman Catholic Cathedral, Thorndon, for the purpose of admitting Sisters Mary Josephine, Mary Catherine, and Mary Agnes from the noviciate to the sisterhood. The service commenced by a procession of the order, habited in their church cloaks, and carrying lighted tapers. The novices and the sisterselect were dressed in white, and one of the sisters headed the procession, carrying a handsome gilded cross. During the procession the choir sung, the old Whitsuntide hymn " Veni Creator Spiritus." The Bishop, the Right Rev. Dr. Redwood, carrying the crozier, and vested in chasuble and mitre, was attended by a server and two acolytes, in cassocks and white surplices, and after the procession took up a position at the high altar, which was decorated with a beautiful white frontal. On the super-altar there was a profusion of flowers and lighted candles, and flowers were also placed on the two side altars. His mitre having been taken off by the server, the Bishop proceeded to bless the black veils, which were placed conveniently near on the Epistle side of the altar, together with holy water, pen and ink, and the acts of profession. After a few versicles and prayers they were sprinkled with holy water, and the Bishop then blessed and sprinkled the rings in a similar manner. After this ceremony he read from the Gospels, " If any man will come after me, let him take up his cross and follow me," and the following verses, and come down to the chancel steps where the sisters-elect and the other members of the order were stationed. He then, addressing them as " dear sisters," said that it had been promised that they who dwelt in the house of the Lord should be blessed. This blessing was specially applicable to them, and was of "a twofold nature. In their religious calling they were less liable to temptation, and would receive abundance of grace and great help towards sanctity of life. In the world they would have to combat against, the love of wealth, but in the order their vow of poverty would protect them against this temptation. It was true that the order possessed wealth, but it only distributed it for the use of the Church. The Saviour had said, " Blessed are the poor in spirit, for they shall inherit the Kingdom of Heaven." What an astounding doctrine for the world was this ? When they added actual poverty to poverty of spirit they removed the temptation of the world in this respect. It was a very easy matter to misuse wealth, for it fostered pride and sensuality ; and these two vices deluged the world with iniquity. In getting and distributing wealth, God's will in regard to the use of it should always be kept in mind. In the sanctity; of their retreat they would be able to listen to the storms of vice and sensuality in the world in calm and peace. They were rescued from yet another temptation by being consecrated to the Lord, for in their calling all through life they would emulate the life of those pure spirits, the angels—aye, even more, for by leading a life of purity they would emulate the lives of the Blessed Virgin, the mother of God, and of her son, God himself. In their religious calling they would be subject to thoir superiors, and by obedience would overcome self-will and self-love. One chief reason for the los3 of souls was man's independence. Men wished to be independent of God and the Church, and to set up their own reason as an infallible guide. When they did obey, it was as a slave obeys his master—not a willing obedience. They themselves were about to make a vow of obedience 'to submit their will to that of their superiors. By this they would learn humility ; and they should remember the words of their blessed Lord, " He that humbleth himself shall be exalted." Obedience was the tomb of self-will, and there self-love would die and" decompose. He had hitherto only spoken of negative advantages, and would nowlike to say something about those of a positive nature. In their retreat they would be far removed from the vicious world. At the present time the pestiferous atmosphere of infidelity and scepticism was rampant and staring them in the face, and if they walked in a vitiated air they must expect to be contaminated. In the exercise of their calling, day by day, they would meditate on the great and sublime truths of religion, and by united prayer would realise the Lord's promise, that when two or three were gathered together in his name, ho would be present in their midst to bless them. The frequent use of the sacraments and the example of their superiors and fellow subjects, would help them in their _ onward path. It was a saying of an old that the way of precept is long and laborious, but the way of example short and efficacious. They would have this example, and alßotr'uej friends to tell them of their faults and failings. "Know thyself" was an old philosophical, doctrine, and theirs was an excellent school for its practice, for all advice and rebuke would be given in such a spirit, of true charity that they would love those who corrected them. The world could not, understand their giving up of its pleasures and relinquishing a high position for the duties of a Sister of Mercy, but when they considered their very'

name even, they would feel that they were right. To visit the sick and to borrow! hands and hearts of mothers by taking the orphan and rearing him in the fear of God was surely not contemptible. The painter and the sculptor by their works might ravish the understanding, but what was that compared with the glory of those who model and train up the human soul to virtue? The watering and tending of these tender plants would by Divine grace be one day their crown in Heaven. What a happy destiny was this before them : to spread happiness around, and thereby to procure a Crown of Glory for themselves. In the words of the Prophet they should shine as stars through all eternity, and when they came to die, everything which by ordinary persons would be considered a cause for sorrow would to them be a reason for joy. On the sick bed their companions would be around them in prayer, at their feet they would see tire crucifix—the image of him who had been their model through life, and when they considered their past life they would find in it a solid hope of eternal life. What joy there would be in the reception of their last sacrament, for like ripe fruit they would fall from the tree without a jerk and naturally pass away. They were about to take these vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience to save their souls, and obtain a high reward in the future; not that they were ilUreatcd, but for the love of God. He would now say a few words to those who were present but did not take part in the ceremony. They would have to pass through the storms of this troublesome world. It perhaps might be better for them if they could find a haven of rest, but the disadvantages and difficulties they had to meet must be contended against, and it would add to their crown in Heaven. They should not look on at this ceremony as a mere idle spectacle, and he begged of them all when they saw the sisters at the foot of the altar to invoke blessings upon them. Their prayers would be of avail, and if not in this world yet in the world to come they would not regret having offered them. He prayed that those who were in sin might be brought to repentance, that those who were tempted might have power to conquer, and that those who hesitated might have firmness to take that first step which would lead them in the right path. He hoped that none would depart without receiving a blessing, and that when the great Last Day came they might be all called by the words " Come ye blessed of my Father, enter into the rest which I have prepared for you."

After the sermon, the sisters-elect were conducted by the Mother-Assistant and the Superioress to the altar-steps, where they kneeled down, and were each interrogated by the Bishop—holding the crozier, wearing the mitre, and seated in the Episcopal chair—and replied as follows: ,

Question: My child, what do you demand? Answer: My Lord, I most humbly beg to be received into the holy profession. Question : My child, do you consider yourself sufficiently instructed in what regards the vows of religion and the rules and constitution of this institute ? And do you know the obligations you contract by the holy profession ?

Answer : Yes, my Lord, with the grace of God.

After these questions were answered prayer was offered that the sisters-elect might persevere in their resolutions. Then the Solemn Mass of the Holy Ghost was said, the Bishop acting as celebrant, special prayers being offered for the rdigieuses. After the antiphon, the'act of profession was handed'to each of the sisters-elect by the Mother-Assistant, who relieved them of their candles, and then, advancing a few steps, each Baid audibly,' " I will pay my vows to the Lord in the sight of all His people, in the courts of the house of the Lord." The last statement was made in Latin, and then they were conducted in turn to the altar-steps by the Mother-Assistant and the Superioress, the "Confiteor" being said after the " Ecce Agnus Dei." As each sister-elect knelt at the altar-steps, the Bishop advanced and elevated the Host, she pronouncing a votv in effect as follows : "In the name of our Lord and Saviour, and under the protection of his Immaculate Mother, I, called in religion sister (mentioning her religious name) do vow and promise to God, poverty, chastity, and obedience, and the service of the poor, sick, and ignorant; and to persevere until death in this Institute of our Lady of Mercy, according to'its approved rule and constitutions, under the authority and in presence of you, my Lord and Bight Rev. Father in God the Bishop of this diocese, and of our Keverend Mother the Mother Superior of this Convent of Mercy. As soon as each sister-elect had read the act of profession, a pen was handed to her, with which she made a cross after her signature. The document was then handed to the MotherAssistant and the sacrament administered. After communicating they retired in turn, and the Mass was concluded, when the Bishop divested himself of the chasuble, putting _ on a cope over the alb and tunicle. The antiphon " Veni, Sancte Spiritus" was then said, and the newly professed sisters were conducted tt the Superioress, to whom they handed their acts of profession. They then returned to their former places, and kneeling dswn again received their candles. After the antiphon prayers were offered, followed by versicles and responses. The antiphon " Veni Sponsa Christi" was then sung, the newly proposed sisters advancing to the altar-steps, giving their candles to the Mother-Assistant, and each kneeling down in turn before the Bishop. Then the Bishop, placed black veils on each of their heads in turn, saying in effect, "Keceive the holy veil, emblem of chastity and modesty," which mayest thou carry before the judgment seat of our Lord, that thou mayest have eternal life. The Bishop afterwards taking the blessed ring in his right hand, and the hand of each new sister in turn in his left, placed the ring on the third finger, saying in effect:—May the Lord who has now espoused thee.protect thee from all danger. Receive then the ring of faith, that thou mayest be called the spouse of the Lord, and if thou wilt be faithful be crowded with him for ever. "When all of them had received the ring the Bishop rose and blessed them, after which a solemn "Te Deum" was sung, all standing. After the "Te Deum" the " Kyrie Eleison" and other versicles followed, the Bishop sprinkling the "new sisters "with holy water. The choir then sang the 132nd Psalm, during which the new sisters embraced the Superioress, the Mother-Assistant, and other reltffieuaesi The order then retired in procession as they entered, and the service came to an end a little after noon. There was a large and devout congregation, a considerable proportion, as was quite apparent, belonging to other denominations. Perhaps the well merited popularity of the little Sisters of. the Poor, on account of their, many >vorkß of mercy and charity, may account for the interest exhibited by those outside the pale of the Church.