CHAPTER III.

BLACK NUNNERY.✝

Preparations to become a novice in the Black Nunnery--Entrance--Occupations of the Novices--The Apartments to which they had Access--First Interview with Jane Ray-- Reverence for the Superior--A wonderful Nun--Her Reliques--The Holy Good Shepherd, or Nameless Nun--Confession of Novices.

At length I determined to become a Black nun, and called upon one of the oldest priests in the Seminary, to whom I made known my intention.

The old priest to whom I applied was Father Rocque. He is still alive. He was at that time the oldest priest in the seminary, and carried the Bon Dieu, (Good God,) as the sacramental wafer is called. When going to administer it in any country place, he used to ride with a man before him, who rang a bell as a signal. When the Canadians heard it, whose habitations he passed, they would come and prostrate themselves to the earth, worshipping it as God. He was a man of great age, and wore large curls, so that he somewhat resembled his predecessor, Father Roue. He was at that time at the head of the Seminary. This Institution is a large