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32 



PROFESSION OF A FRIAR, 



Early in the morning the church was lighted 

 up, and about ten o'clock the family of the per- 

 son about to take the vows arrived to occupy 

 the seats prepared for them. Mass was then 

 said, and a sermon preached ; about eleven 

 o'clock the novice, a young man of sixteen years 

 of age, entered the principal chapel by a side 

 door, walking between two brothers, with a large 

 cross in his hands, and dressed in a long dark 

 blue robe : there was then much chanting, after 

 which he knelt down opposite to the Guardian, 

 received the usual admonitions, was asked seve- 

 ral questions relating to his belief in the doc- 

 trines of the church, and then made the separate 

 vows, of defending his religion, of celibacy, and 

 others of minor importance. The Guardian then 

 dressed him in the habit of the Order, made of 

 very thick, rough, dark brown cloth, which be- 

 fore lay stretched upon the ground in front of 

 the altar, covered with flowers ; this being done, 

 the young man embraced all the brothers pre- 

 sent, took leave of his relations, and left the 

 church. Many of the friars were laughing 

 during the ceremony, and were particularly 

 amused at the Guardian accidentally saying, 

 " Brother, don't be ashamed * j" owing to the 



nambuco such is the conduct of the friars, that no writing 

 and no speaking is necessary to bring them into disrepute. 

 ■• ln»am, nao tenha vergenha' 1 



