September's Harmony

The September edition of Harmony, our Congregational newsletter, is now online.

Please click here to read about all the wonderful things happening at our three communities in Missouri, Arizona and Wyoming.

The next part to be deconstructed

The sun dapples the walls of Marian Wing that will soon be taken down.

The light is fading as we approach fall’s shorter days, fading as the date for deconstruction of this wing grows nearer.  However, the memories are still being shared with strong minds and kind words along with lots of laughter and a few tears.

Sister Irmina (seated) celebrates her 102nd birthday with dear friend, Sister Denise

Benedictine Sister of Perpetual Adoration Mary Irmina Blatt, OSB passed peacefully on Sept. 5, 2010, at Our Lady of Rickenbach healthcare facility in Clyde.

She was born Cecilia Mary Blatt on May 7, 1907, to Nicholas and Anna (Malget) in Granville, Iowa. She was the ninth of 11 children and the youngest girl. She had seven sisters, three brothers and grew up on a farm. She attended the parish school in Granville for nine years, taught by the Sisters of St. Francis of the Holy Family.

She enjoyed playing baseball and took up crocheting and knitting for hobbies. After finishing school, she lived on the farm and helped with farm work, housework and did occasional babysitting. She loved horses and enjoyed driving wagons.

Cecilia was the first in the family to enter religious life. She read in a missal that it was vital to “save your soul,” so from her early school days she had a desire to become a sister. She learned about the Benedictine Sisters of Perpetual Adoration through “Tabernacle and Purgatory,” the Sisters’ magazine.

“I knew I didn’t want to teach, and the idea of a life of prayer centered on adoration of the Eucharist attracted me,” she recalled.

When Cecilia entered on March 23, 1927, she was 19 years old and had completed one year of high school, which was considered a good education at the time. She was afraid if she didn’t enter soon she would be too old. Her father traveled with her when she first came to Clyde and told her, “Remember the doors are always open. You can come home if you want.”

Her sister, Philomena, entered at Clyde six months after Cecilia and became Sister Mary Adela.  Another sister became Sister Rose of St. Francis of the Holy Family in Dubuque, Iowa.

Cecilia was a postulant for six months and then a novice for one year. She made First Vows on March 16, 1929, and received the name Sister Mary Irmina. She made Perpetual Vows on April 18, 1934.

Sister Irmina lived in Clyde until 1953. She worked in the kitchen for the first 12 years, and at that time they fed between 250 and 300 people each meal. Meals were prepared for the Sisters, academy students, guests, workmen, infirmary patients and the chaplain. Each group was served separately, and sometimes the menu was different too. There were usually five or six Sisters or novices working together.

She also worked in the chicken house and bakery. During World War II, it became difficult to get enough help for outdoor work. So she was assigned to work in the orchard and on the farm, milking cows for 13 years. In 1953, she went to the Sisters’ Kansas City, Mo., monastery and worked in the kitchen and the altar bread department. She also lived at communities in San Diego and Mundelein, Ill., over the years where she continued to work in the kitchen and altar bread department.

Sister Irmina moved to the St. Louis monastery in 1978 and worked in the kitchen, refectory and sacristy. It was there that she really began her craftwork. She started with mobiles learned from her sister, Sister Rose, and then moved on to crocheting baptismal stoles and producing other items such as refrigerator magnets and candy containers. As she worked on her crafts, Sister Irmina would often listen to the St. Louis Cardinals’ baseball games.

In 2001, she moved to Clyde and in 2003 became a member of Our Lady of Rickenbach community. In 2004, Sister Irmina wrote, “I am grateful that God called me to our Congregation and am grateful for daily Eucharist. I am grateful for the excellent superiors I have had and I love the novices and junior sisters as they bring new life to our Congregation.”

Sister Irmina was physically able and mentally sharp until the last few years of her life. In August 2010, she was hospitalized and diagnosed with chronic leukemia. After returning home from the hospital, she continued to decline and passed on Founder’s Day. She died at the age of 103 years and 121 days – the record for longevity in the Congregation.

Sister Irmina is survived by her monastic community and extended family. She was preceded in death by all of her siblings. A Mass of Christian Burial will take place Wednesday, Sept. 8, in Clyde. Memorials can be sent in care of the Benedictine Sisters of Perpetual Adoration, 31970 State Highway P, Clyde, Mo. 64432-8100.

Sister Irmina

Please join our Sisters in prayer on the passing of our dear Sister Irmina.

She passed away peacefully yesterday at the grand age of 103.

We will post more about this beautiful spirit and her life with us soon.

St. Joseph

St. Joseph, the spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary and Jesus’s stepfather, was a carpenter and is the patron saint of carpenters. 

His statue is perched above the workmen who are laboring for us.  As we enter into this Labor Day weekend, let us implore his intercession to protect all those who labor.  We honor all those who have strengthened the well-being of our country, not forgetting the well-being of all nations.  May prosperity touch those whose lives are burdened with economic hardships.

If you would like to send her a card, you may send it to:

6938 E. Calle Jupiter
Tucson, AZ 85710

Please keep our Sister Marjorie and our community in your prayers.

And the walls came tumbling down...

Today the big machine with an even bigger jaw began “eating away” at the south wall of the south wing.  The operator of the machine made it look easy. 

Bricks are knocked down for recycling

Once the chunks were on the ground, men began chiseling away the brick to be reused in the new front entrance.  Many Sisters gathered to watch today’s activities.

It was an awesome thing to witness, and then the reality of it hit us a little later. However, we expected to experience these feelings of loss. They help us to remember what the future will bring.

Walls will soon be gone

Sisters keep close watch over the project

It is always a good idea to keep an eye on big projects.  This one is no different.

Here, the project foreman is standing with Sister Sean and Sister Pat as work is assessed.  Things are moving right along even in the midst of rain showers.