 The Sunday Gazetteer Sunday, February 17, 1907 TAKE THE WHITE VAIL Miss Helen Sweeney, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. M.J. Sweeney, took the white veil at the chapel of St. Xavier's, Chicago, on February 2. In the order of the Sisters of Mercy Miss Sweeney was one of a class of 10 who assumed the white veil at that time. Miss Sweeney passed a greater portion of her life in this city and was educated at the Sisters of St. Mary's. She was one of the most amiable and popular pupils that have ever left the halls of St. Xavier for a wider field of education. She left Denison for Lockport, New York, where she was graduated from St. Joseph's academy in 1905, receiving the rengents' diploma. Miss Sweeney then completed her education in music and French at St. Xavier's Academy, Chicago, entering there September 24. Mr. and Mrs. Sweeney of this city were present at the chapel of St. Xavier's Academy when their daughter, Miss Helen, took the white veil. The ceremony was beautiful and affecting. To the parents it no doubt seemed something like a separation from their child, who occupies so large a portion of their affections, but she enters upon one of the most glorious missions that is vouchsafed to her sex. It is the life they love, and the things they do that makes them the beloved of their kind. Of this holy order it may truly said, "By their fruits you shall know them." Mr. and Mrs. Sweeney have the consolation that Helen, their beloved child, has consecrated her life to a mission which has invoked the admiration of the world. In speaking of the order of the Sisters of Mercy, some of the most eloquent tributes have fallen from Protestant lips. There was quite a number present to witness the ceremony - friends and relatives. Besides Mr. and Mrs. Sweeney, there was her brother, John P. Sweeney of St. Louis; Miss Genevieve, her sister; Mr. and Mrs. James C. McConnell of Cleveland, Ohio; Mrs. Reardon, Miss Nellie Reardon, Jerald Reardon, Jerry Reardon, John Glennon, Miss Jennie Glennon, Misses Kate, Mary and Margaret Flannigan, all of Freeport, New York.  St. Xavier's Academy History Susan Hawkins © 2024 If you find any of Grayson CountyTXGenWeb links inoperable, please send me a message. |