That in all things she may take pattern by Thy most holy Life,

That Thou alone mayest be the end of her desires,

That Thou wouldst grant her grace to persevere unto the end, That Thou wouldst bring us all unto life eternal,

to

That Thou wouldst cause us see Thy glorious Counte

nance,

O Lamb of GOD, &c.,

We beseech Thee, &c.

prayer. Ry. And let our cry come unto Thee.

Let us pray.

O GOD, Who turnest us from earthly vanity and kindlest us with desire for the prize of our high calling, and Who preparest mansions in the heavens for them that renounce the world; gladden the heart of this Thine handmaid with heavenly gifts, that she may be united with us in the bonds of sisterly love, that so being of one mind, stead

Pour into our hearts the Spirit fast, sober, single-hearted, and peace

of love.

O Lamb of GOD, &c.,
Enlighten our minds with the
Spirit of truth.

O Lamb of GOD, &c.,
Grant unto us the Spirit of

peace.

LORD, have mercy, &c.
CHRIST, &c. LORD, &c.
Our FATHER, &c.

. Let Thy loving mercy come also unto us, O LORD. R. Even Thy salvation, according to Thy Word. . Be unto us, O LORD, a tower of strength. R. From the face of the enemy. V. Let us pray for this Sisterhood. R. Peace be within its walls, and plenteousness within its habitations. . O sta

blish us according to Thy Word,

that we may live. Ry. And let us not be disappointed of our hope. . Let us pray for N., who desires to join us [or to make her profession amongst us]. R. O LORD, save Thine handmaid, who putteth her trust in Thee. V. Send her help from the Sanctuary. Ry. And strengthen her out of Sion. y. Let the enemy have no advantage over her. R. Nor the wicked approach to hurt her. V. Give Thine Angel charge over her. R. To keep her in all Thy ways. . Let us pray for the faithful departed. R. Eternal rest grant unto them, O LORD, and Light perpetual shine upon them. V. LORD, hear our

able, she may constantly observe her Rule, and attain by Thy help to that perfection of spirit whose first beginning she has received of Thine inspiration. Through.

Then shall follow the Benediction of the Candle, in this wise:

V. Our help is in the Name of the LORD. Ry. Who hath made heaven and earth. . Blessed be the Name of the LORD. R. From this time forth for evermore. . The LORD, &c. R. And with, &c. V. Let us pray.

Light which lighteth every man
which cometh into the world, we
beseech Thee to bl+ess this Candle,
it may never walk in darkness, but
and grant that she who beareth
may have the light of life. Through
Thy mercy, Who, with the FATHER
and the HOLY GHOST, livest.
Ry. Amen.

603. O LORD JESU CHRIST, true

Then the Officiant shall light the Candle, and place it in the hand of the Postulant, saying,

a

Receive, my daughter, this light, type of the light that should be within thee, to drive away all the darkness of ignorance and sin, that illumined with the rays of divine wisdom and the fervour of the HoLY GHOST, thou mayest ever be united to JESUS CHRIST, the Bridegroom of the Church. Who.

robe of eternal joy; we humbly be

If there be a Sermon, it shall follow here, the Postulant seating her-seech Thy mercy, that Thou wouldst self on a chair placed behind her vouchsafe to bless this Habit, befaldstool. tokening lowliness of heart and conThe Sermon being ended, the Veni tempt of the world, wherewith Creator shall then be sung kneel- Thine handmaiden is to be visibly ing, after which the Superior and put in mind of her holy resolve, Assistant Superior shall lead the that through Thy protection, she Postulant to the Officiant, before may keep that purity which she whom she kneels whilst he ad- has received of Thy grace, and as dresses her. Thou dost clothe her here with the garments of promise, so grant her

My daughter, what dost thou de- to be clad with everlasting blessedsire ? ness. Through.

Postulant. I desire the mercy of GOD, and admission to the Religious life and habit.

Officiant. Dost thou believe that thou art called by GOD to this estate, and not moved by self-will or fancy? Post. I do so believe.

Offic. Dost thou promise to remain in the holy estate of chastity [or widowhood] during the time of probation?

Post. I promise so to do, GOD being my helper.

Offic. Wilt thou during the same time submit thyself faithfully to the Rule of this Community?

Post. By GoD's help I will do so. Offic. Is it thy desire that thou mayest be found worthy to persevere unto the end in this thy calling? Post. I do so desire.

Offic. GOD, Who hath given thee a good will, give thee grace and strength to perform the same.

The LORD put off from thee the old man with his works.

Ry. Amen.

And clothe thee with the new man, which after GOD is created in righteousness and true holiness. Ry. Amen.

Then shall the Novice's Habit be blessed as follows.

Our help, &c.

604. O GOD, Who dost most faithfully promise and most surely bestow everlasting blessings, Who

605. O Almighty GOD, hearken to our prayers, and pour down the abundant rain of Thy bless+ing Thine handmaiden desires to be upon these garments, wherewith clad, and as Thou didst pour upon the skirts of Aaron's clothing the which flowed down from his head blessing of the precious ointment to his beard, so mayest Thou vouchsafe to bl+ess and sanctify these garments, and grant that they may be unto Thine handmaiden a sure

protection, a token of her profession,
a beginning of holiness, and a strong
defence against all the darts of the
enemy, that persevering in chastity,
she may be enriched with a hun-
dredfold reward. Through.

The Bishop shall then deliver the
Habit to the Postulant, saying,

Receive this Habit, that thou mayest wear it unspotted before the Judgment seat of our LORD JESUS CHRIST, to Whom boweth every knee of things in heaven and things in earth, and things under the earth, and Who liveth.

The Novice is then led out to be clothed in the Habit: the Sacristan meantime taking charge of her Candle: during her absence some of the Gradual Psalms shall be sung, as time may require, with this Antiphon:

For my brethren and companhast promised unto Thy faithful ions' sake: I will wish thee prosthe garments of salvation and the

perity.

The Novice returning, clad in her
Habit, and having received the
Candle, shall be again led to the
Altar-step to be invested with the
Girdle, Veil, and Cross, which
shall be blessed as follows:

THE GIRDLE.

Our help, &c.

Let us pray.

O GOD, Who to set the bondseryant free, didst will that Thy SON should be bound by the hands of ungodly men, bl+ess, we beseech Thee, this Girdle, and grant that Thy handmaid who is to be girded therewith may ever be mindful of the bonds of our LORD JESUS CHRIST, and feel herself to be evermore bound unto Thy service. Through.

The Officiant shall then deliver the Girdle to the Novice, who shall be assisted in putting it on by the Mother, or her deputy, the Officiant saying,

The LORD turn thy heaviness into joy and gird thee with gladness, that thou mayest give thanks unto Him for ever.

THE VEIL.

Our help, &c.

Let us pray.

606. We humbly beseech Thee, O LORD, that Thy merciful bless+ ing may descend upon this vestment to be placed upon the head of Thy servant, and that it may be bles+sed, hal+lowed, spotless and holy. Through.

Receive the white veil, the token of inward purity, that thou mayest follow the Lamb without spot, and walk with Him in white. In the Name.

THE CROSS.

Our help, &c.

Let us pray.

607. Bl+ess, O LORD, we beseech Thee, and sanc+tify this Cross, that she who weareth it, persevering in Thy service, may by the Cross attain unto the Crown. Through.

The Officiant shall put the Cross round her neck, saying,

Receive the Cross of our LORD JESUS CHRIST, as a Novice of this Community. In the Name.

y. The LORD, &c. R. And with, &c. V. Let us pray.

majesty, O LORD, that Thou wouldst 608. We humbly beseech Thy Vouchsafe to clothe amongst Thy disciples with power from on high this Thy handmaid, upon whom we, trusting in Thy grace, have bestowed the Religious Habit; fortify her with the breastplate of righteousness, and cover her with the garment of salvation, that serving she may attain the robe of everlastThee steadfastly in this lowly Habit ing glory. Through.

609. O Almighty GOD, Who hast hallowed woman by the birth of Thine Only-begotten SON, our GOD, from a Virgin after the flesh, and Who hast given the grace and visitation of Thy HOLY SPIRIT not to men alone, but to women also; look now, O LORD, upon this Thy handmaid whom Thou hast called to devote herself unto Thy service. Send down upon her the rich gift of Thy HOLY SPIRIT, that continuing steadfast in the faith, she may fulfil her course in blameless conversation, according to Thy will. Of Thy mercy, O our GOD, Who art blessed, and livest, and reignest.

Then all shall rise, and the Mother and Sisters shall severally give to the Novice the Kiss of Peace, saying, "Peace to thee, Sister," the Choir in the mean time singing Ps. 133.

. Glory, &c. R. As it was, &c. Behold, how good, &c.

V. Stablish the thing, O LORD, which Thou hast wrought in us. Ry. For Thy Temple's sake at Je

rusalem.

Benediction. GOD, the SON of GOD, make thee to be glad and to rejoice with all thine heart, O daughter of Jerusalem, and cast out thine enemy, so that thou shalt not see evil any more.

The peace of GOD, &c.

FORM FOR THE PROFESSION OF A SISTER.

The Bishop is to be seated in a chair your Community, consented that in front of the Altar. The Sisters and Novices, either in their places in the Choir, or coming towards the Altar in procession, shall sing the following Antiphon and Psalm:

practise obedience to thy Rule, and to those set over thee by it?

Nov. I do promise, GOD being my helper.

Bishop. Dost thou promise to devote every faculty of soul and body

to God's service for ever?

Nov. I do promise, GOD being my helper.

Bishop. GOD grant thee perseverance in thy holy resolve, and vouchsafe of His mercy to bring it to good effect. In the Name.

Then shall follow the Litany as in the Office for Clothing a Novice, to the end of the Preces (see pp. 298, 299). After which shall be sung the Veni Creator, all kneeling. If the Habit for a Professed Sister be different from that of the Noviciate, the Bishop shall proceed to bless it according to the form on p. 300, and shall deliver it with the words there used. During her absence the Gradual Psalms shall be sung as before. But if the Habits be the same, the Bishop shall bless the Veil and Ring immediately after the Veni Creator as follows:

. Our help is in the Name of the LORD. Ry. Who hath made heaven and earth. . The LORD, &c. R. And with, &c. . Let us pray.

610. O GOD, Who for our sakes didst vouchsafe to assume the Veil of our flesh, bl+ess, we beseech Thee, and sanc+tify this Veil, that she who is to wear it may be clothed with Thy love here, and be made worthy of Thy vision hereafter. Who.

Receive this Veil, the token of purity and modesty, whereby may the HOLY GHOST come upon thee and the power of the Most Highest overshadow thee, that thou mayest at last with the wise Virgins be ready to enter in to the joyful marriage of the Lamb. Through the

same.

The Novice, taking the Veil, is assisted by the Superior in arranging it, saying at the same time,

The LORD hath clad me with a with priceless jewels. vesture of gold, and adorned me

. Our help, &c. Ry. Who hath made, &c. . The LORD, &c. Rz. And with, &c. V. Let us pray.

611. Creator and Preserver of the human race, Giver of every spiritual benediction, Author of eternal Salvation, bl+ess, O LORD, we beseech Thee, and sanctify this Ring, that she who is to wear it may be fortified with heavenly virtue, may retain the faith undefiled, may persevere in every good resolution, and may inherit Thine everlasting kingdom. Through.

The Bishop shall then place the
Ring on the fourth finger of the
Novice, saying,

Receive the Ring of Faith, the Pledge of the HOLY GHOST, that thou mayest be called the Bride of GOD, and ever remain so from henceforth, and wear it in the Presence of the Lamb, thy Bridegroom, JESUS CHRIST, on the day of His heavenly marriage, if thou faithfully serve Him. In the Name.

Having received the Ring, the Sister shall say,

My LORD JESUS CHRIST hath betrothed me with His Ring, and adorned me as His Spouse with a Crown.

[The Garland of Flowers (which shall not be used for a widow) shall then be blessed as follows:

. Our help, &c. Ry. Who hath, &c. V. The LORD, &c. Ry. And with, &c. . Let us pray.

612. Bl+ess, O LORD, this Garland, and grant, as we call upon Thy Name, that she who wears it may serve Thee faithfully, and receive in heaven that Crown which it typifies. Through.