Funeral for Mother David Marie, H.P.B. and Interment for Handmaids of the Precious Blood at New Home in Tennessee
Throughout the summer, we were working to move our entire cemetary in NM to our new house in TN. Ultimately 40 remains needed to be disinterred and transported across the country. While some were able to be shipped by normal means, our Bishop in Knoxville took the extraordinary and unprecedented step of flying all the way to NM and driving the remaining cremains back to TN by himself. Bishop Stika personally wanted to be part of this special moment in Handmaid history and we cannot thank him enough.
What is more, the day he arrived in Knoxville with the cremains, our very last pioneer Handmaid, Mother David Marie of Our Mother of Sorrows, passed away peacefully. So she was able to join all her fellow Sisters when they too came home to Benton, TN. She led our community for 18 years as the Mother General and was instrumental in obtaining our pontifical status as a cloistered community.
Never in Handmaid history has there been a funeral and commemoration quite like this one and we are grateful to the entire Diocese of Knoxville, the Knights of Columbus, Saint Mary’s Parish in Athens, the family and staff of Bridges Funeral Home, the Chattanooga Wilbert Vault Company, and Mr. Bill Garren as well as the many, many people who gave of themselves so generously to make this funeral and interment so unique and special.
All are in our prayers of deep gratitude.
Special thanks to Stephanie Richers for providing the photography services. Photo Gallery Below.
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- Public viewing for Mother David Marie HPB
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- A photo display of Sisters being interred.
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- Praying for the deceased.
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- Signing the guest book.
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- Sharing stories of our Handmaids.
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- Mother David Marie as a Golden Jubilarian.
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- Meeting guests.
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- Father McGinnity views the historical display.
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- Bishop Stika prays at Mother David Marie’s casket upon arrival.
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- Bishop Stika praying at the other two caskets.
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- Handmaids at Mother’s casket.
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- Funeral Mass at Saint Mary’s in Athens, TN.
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- Knights in full regalia came to honor the deceased Sisters.
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- Rev. Mother Marietta reads the first reading.
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- The responsorial.
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- Sister Mary Genevieve reads the second reading.
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- Bishop Stika describes his solo drive across country to bring many of the cremains to TN from NM.
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- Funeral homily.
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- Homily.
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- Congregation.
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- The offertory hymn.
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- The Offertory.
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- Incensing the altar.
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- Elevation of the Host.
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- Great Amen.
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- Holy Communion.
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- Holy Communion.
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- Incensing.
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- Final prayers in the Church.
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- Procession.
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- Processing out.
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- Knights honor guard.
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- Watched over by Knights.
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- 22 Knights in full regalia, in addition to Knight pall bearers and volunteers, blessed us with their presence and care.
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- Burial site at Christ, Prince of Peace Retreat Center in Benton, TN.
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- The rain was merely ‘liquid grace’ reminding us of the abundence of graces being poured out on us all day.
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- Bridges Funeral Home of Knoxville did a tremendous job and we are grateful.
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- Pall bearers bring in the caskets.
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- Pouring rain did not dampen spirits nor the respect accorded the deceased throughout the ceremonies.
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- Bishop Stika offers a few words under the tent.
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- Sprinkling with Holy Water.
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- Speaking with the Handmaids.
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- Andrew Bridges tries out the Bishop’s zuchetto.
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- Bishop Stika and his Handmaids.
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- Dennis Bridges, Martin Bartling and family.
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- Knight Bill Risko provided the temporary memorial marking the graves.
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- Mr. Bill Garren did an expert job opening and closing the three graves.