Our Sister Mary Agnes passes into Eternal Life

Yesterday, the first Saturday of November, our Lady came and gathered her little lamb, our Sister Mary Agnes, to her eternal reward.  Sister fell a few weeks ago, went to the hospital and survived a pacemaker surgery.  She returned home and did well for the next few days but then rapidly declined.  Hospice nurses arranged everything for our Sisters’ physical comfort while we kept vigil with her to await her summons to the Wedding Feast of the Lamb.  We lovingly watched her labored breathing gradually become lighter until it was all but imperceptible.  Then…at last, no breath, we know not the exact moment, but it was about 4 PM when Sister finished her race.  She was 92 years old and 64 years professed as a Poor Clare Nun.

Sister Mary Agnes was always childlike, but even more so after a serious stroke slowed her down.  On her deathbed she looked ever more the child.  Her face and hands were smooth and round with the color of ivory or that of beeswax, as if she were a candle that had gently gone out.  The light in the room seemed even to be reflected from her cheeks.  He body was small, so small, covered with her favorite yellow blanket, her preferred color.  At her passing, the atmosphere was bittersweet; we cried but also rejoiced in faith that “the strife was o’er the battle done”.  We pray for our Sister’s eternal rest and pray to her as well.  Please join your good prayers to ours.