The death of a saint…
+ Mother Paula of the Eucharist, OCD +
Today, the feast of the Transverberation of St. Teresa, another holy Carmelite nun died. This morning at 3AM, my little Mother Paula of the Eucharist died with the community assembled around her bed. Mother had suffered for a long time, and due to severe osteoporosis, her bones would easily break when she was moved. Mother had been in the infirmary of the monastery for several years. She had been an exemplary Carmelite for six decades, from 1947 until now. In fact, she was one of the foundresses of the Carmel of Our Lady of Divine Providence at Lake Elmo, Minnesota.
When I entered monastic life, I had asked the prioress if I could have one of the nuns to be my spiritual sister, to which she agreed - after much prayer. (Carmelites don’t do that too frequently.) Mother Paula consented to be my spiritual sister and remained so after I left monastic life. I am fortunate to have her very good counsel in several of her letters, although our communications were relatively rare. Mother was the model of prudence and discretion; at the turn our conversations were short, as on the phone, and her letters were infrequent and concise - which is as it should be for a Carmelite.
Mother Paula is the holy Carmelite I often quote from a letter she wrote to me, “A saint is a sinner who keeps trying.”
It is difficult to feel anything but compunction, along with a very peaceful, quiet joy at the news of my Sister’s death. I thank God for her beautiful life.
[When Mother Marie called to tell me that Mother had died, I was a bit confused and humbled, so I can only say I think she told me that Mother's visitation is from 6:30 to 8PM Monday, and her funeral Mass is at 9AM on Tuesday morning.]
August 26th, 2007 at 6:18 pm
Thanks for letting us know. May she rest in peace!
August 26th, 2007 at 7:22 pm
Praying for the repose of her soul.
August 26th, 2007 at 7:37 pm
Dear Terry,
I am sorry for your loss.
Kate
August 26th, 2007 at 8:13 pm
Thanks all - but for Mother, as St. Paul would say, “dying is so much gain” - I’m confident she will see to it that your prayers for her will redound to the Glory of God and your benefit.
August 26th, 2007 at 9:29 pm
Sorry for your loss, Terry. What a beautiful witness her life is. Simply beautiful.
Will keep Sr. Paula in my prayers. Am certain she will keep an eye on you now more than ever!
August 27th, 2007 at 7:14 am
Dear Terry, Your spiritual mother will continue to intercede for you and for those whom you recommend to her prayer.
May the Angels lead her into paradise; may the martyrs come out to welcome her and lead her into the holy city, Jerusalem.
May the choir of Angels receive her and like Lazarus, who once was a poor man, may she have eternal rest.
August 27th, 2007 at 7:18 am
Will pray for the repose of her soul…God bless
August 27th, 2007 at 8:42 am
Terry, I’m sorry for your loss & will pray for Mother Paula, also.
August 27th, 2007 at 11:53 am
Terry: I’m sorry for your loss. I pray it does not leave you spiritually floundering. I will pray for the repose of her soul.
August 27th, 2007 at 12:56 pm
Thanks again y’all - but there is no need for sympathy for me! Mother always assured me that we meet in the Eucharist - so though separated by an enclosure we were united there in the Eucharist. It hasn’t changed.
Dying isn’t a bad thing - but thanks for your kind thoughts.