If the Holy Spirit seemed eager to claim his beloved one on the Solemnity of Pentecost, he seemed just as eager to arrange for her beautiful farewell. Bishop Stika came to celebrate her Mass of Christian Burial on Friday June 2nd, 2023.
But before that could happen, we would have to improvise a Chapel in our Chapter/Refectory/Reading Room while also turning the sewing department into a Sacristy and our “mud room” into a more solemn passageway for our dearly departed Sister. Our current Mass Chapel (a renovated 2 car garage) cannot accommodate a casket, let alone seating for the pall bearers, funeral home staff, and other guests. In this regard, as has happened time and time again, the Knights of Columbus came to the rescue! They transported Chapel furniture needed for Mass from the Mater Dei house, moving prie-dieus by the dozen, rapidly transforming the place into a beautiful setting for Mass.
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- A Joyful Handmaid, Sister Mary Magdalen of the Eucharistic Heart of Jesus, sings for her Spouse during a Corpus Christi Procession in 2011.
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- A 2015 photo from our Lake Villa Priory when Bp Stika visited and tried to explain “selfies” to cloistered nuns.
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- Sister Mary Magdalen of the Eucharistic Heart of Jesus. JOY in every smile!
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- Chapter room and refectory transformed into a Chapel for the Funeral Mass.
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- Two reliquaries were placed on the altar. Those of Saint John Paul II and Saint Mary Magdalen.
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- The evening before the funeral, everyone gathers for a rosary, prayers, and the placing of our intentions (represented by little flowers) in the casket. Mother displays Sister’s own mother’s casket crucifix before placing it inside.
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- Mother places Sister’s profession day Crown of Thorns on her head. Only now it is a crown of victory.
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- Job may be one of the oldest books in the Bible, yet this passage from Chapter 19, sounds a lot like Resurrection Hope!
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- Mother Sarah Michael sings the responsory. The crucifix atop Sister’s casket also rested atop her own Mother’s casket before Sister became a Handmaid.
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- Deacon Scott Maentz reads the Gospel.
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- This is my Body. The Eucharistic Heart of Jesus.
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- Elevation of the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ.
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- Pall Bearers. Thank you for your service!
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- The pall bearers did a great job of guiding sister over the steep gravel road and then down the stone steps.
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- Smiling knowing “Sister Missippi’s” earthly journey has ended.
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- Bishop Stika incenses the casket at Blessed Sacrament Cemetery.
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- Sunset approaches Blessed Sacrament Cemetery after Sister’s burial.
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- Sunset over the Holston River as viewed not far from the cemetery the day Sister was buried.