“Sister Ermenild, you have been a novice now over two years. Reverend Father and I both think it time you made your profession; so please to get ready to take the black veil.”
Although this profession was made after we had removed to Wales, I may as well give a short account of it in this chapter.
A solemn service was performed, in which the nun was “married to Jesus Christ, Son of the most high God.” A ring was placed on her finger as a token and pledge thereof, after which she was laid out on a mattress, over which was placed a black pall, ornamented with a white cross. The Burial Service from the Book of Common Prayer was then read over her, earth being solemnly dropped upon her. The _De Profundis_ was sung for the repose of her soul, after which the altar was then divested of its black funeral hangings (which had been put on for this part of the service), and soon afterwards Sister Ermenild appeared in her bridal attire. She was a new creature now, raised, so to speak, to a new life. She was then led to the altar, bearing in her hands a massive lighted taper, and wearing a virgin’s crown, during which proceeding a hymn was sung:
Dead with me, then death is over, Dead and gone are death’s dark fears.
After which came “_the cursing_,” a ceremony which is always used in the Roman Catholic Church in the consecration of a virgin, and is to the effect that—
“Should any one attempt to draw aside this present virgin, let him be cursed in his rising up and sitting down, in his standing or walking, in sleeping or waking, in eating or drinking, etc., etc., and may his flesh rot from his bones, and may he be blotted out of the book of life. Amen, amen, so be it.”
After all this cursing was finished, the now reverend Dame Mary E. was enthroned on a seat covered with rich crimson plush, which was placed upon the altar steps, that from thence she might give all who went up to her the blessing. Father Ignatius led the way, followed by monks, boys, nuns, girls, and as many seculars as felt inclined to go. The service was then finished.[11]
In less than a month after, being in great trouble and disgrace with her Superior (for what it would be a puzzle to find out), Sister E. said to me: