IN MEMORIAM

Mother Miriam in back, with Mother Prisca & Mother Prioress Therese

Mother Miriam Benedict, one of the  foundresses of Our Lady of the Rock died Friday in Italy.  She had been the postulant mistress (newcomers into a monastery) at our Abbey in Connecticut. She had a fun-loving spirit yet was known for her love of the Office.

She came to Shaw in 1977 for the new foundation with Mother Therese and Mother Prisca.  Mother’s great loves were her sheep and cooking, as well as meeting the many guests who came. After 30 years she is still remembered to old timers on Shaw.  As Mother left,  I came west to take over the sheep and cooking and guests. 

Monastery of San Vincenzo al Volturno

In the late 80s, our Abbey was asked by the Vatican to make a foundation in Italy. The Abbey of Monte Cassino gave us one of their unused monasteries, some miles from their lands. Mother Miriam and Mother Agnes spent a year in Perugia  learning the language. Mother Philip later joined them.  The foundation attracted many guests, especially musicians and archeologists who came for the newly discovered frescoes- the oldest in that part of Europe. After  30 years, and no vocations and the death of both Mothers Agnes and Philip, Mother Miriam, now blind and in frail health, left for the Benedictine monastery, of St. Scholastica which has gently and lovingly cared or her.  She asked to be buried at Monte Cassino.

This morning at Mass, our Subprioress,  Mother Noella, offered this prayer:

For the repose of the soul of Mother Miriam Benedict for whom this Mass is offered. As her journey throughout monastic life began at Regina Laudis when she was 17, led her to the Northwest as co-foundress of Our Lady of the Rock, to San Vincenzo al Volturno in Italy and finally to the Abbey of Santa Scholastica in Montecassino - that from her new place in the Communion of Saints she may intercede for Mother Prioress Therese and Our Lady of the Rock for the future of monastic life here, and in the words of Saint John Paul II whom she so loved: “Let us remember the past with gratitude, live the present with enthusiasm, and look forward to the future with confidence.”    Let us pray to the Lord

St. Agatha's Chapel at Monte Cassino where Mother is laid to rest