WELLINGTON.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume IV, Issue 182, 22 September 1876, Page 12

WELLINGTON.

■H(from our own correspondent.) On Friday, the Bth instant, a most solemn ceremony was held in the Cathedral here, when Sisters Mary Josephine, Mary Agnes, and Mary Catherine, were received from the noviciate into the profession of tl»« Sisters of Mercy. Due notice having been given of it at both churches on the previous Sunday, a large number of people assembled to witness the ceremony, which was most impressive and solemn. The three altars were decorated with flowers, and looked magnificent under the light of a splendid array of candles. At 10 o'clock th« procession arrived from the Convent, which is in the immediate vicinity of the church, and walked slowly up the aisle to the altar, while the choir sans the " Veni Creator Spiritus." Here they were received by the Bishop, who, after blessing the black veiis, which were afterwards given to the sisters, preached a most eloquent sermon. The text was, "If any man will come after me, let him take up his cross and follow me. After discoursing at considerable length on the vows which the Sisters were to take, the most rev. preacher said the world cannot understand how it is thit you give up all its pleasures for the duties of a Sister of Mercy, but when your name even is considered, you will feel that you are right, as to visit the sick, and rear the orphan in the fear of God, are surely not contemptible duties. A happy destiny awaits you,

for the happiness which your deeds of charity will spread around you here on earth will procure for you a Crown of Glory hereafter in Heaven. On the sick bed your companions will be around you in prayer, at your feet you will see the crucifix — the image of him who had been your model through life, and when you come to receive the last sacrament you will pass away full of hope of eternal bliss, to enjoy for ever the delights of heaven. After reminding those present of the trials and temptations through which they would have to travel, he asked them all when they should see the Sisters at the foot of the altar to invoke a blessing upon them, and J he hoped that none would leave the Church without resolving upottfl dedicating the rest of their lives to the service of God, so that a^H the last day they all might be called by the words "*Come yiM blessed of my "Father enter into the rest which I have prepared for! you." After the sermon, the Sisters elect were conducted by the Superioress to the Bishop, who, with crozier in hand, was seated in his episcopal chair on the high altar, and asked each "My child, what do you demand ? — and was answered, " My Lord, I most humbly ask to be admitted into the holy profession." *• 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 ?" " Yes, my Lord, with the grace of God." Mass was then celebrated by the Bishop, Fathers Petit Jean, M'Guinness,. and Kearney assisting, and at the raising of the host each of the Sisters read her vow of profession, after which she signed it. On the conclusion of Mass, the Bishop vested the newly professed religious in the black veil, and placing a ring on the third finger of the right hand of each of them, said "May the Lord who has now espoused thee protect thee from all danger. Receive thou the ring of faith that thou mayest be called the spouse of the Lord, and if ' thou wilt be faithful be crowned with him for ever." The " Veni Sponsa, Christi," "Te Deum," and "Kyrie Eleison," were then sung, and the Sisters retired in procession as they entered the Church. Hibernico.