On Saturday, August 17, 2024 we celebrated the Jubilees of four Benedictine Sisters: Sister Annella Wagner at 75 years, Sister Kathleen Hofer at 70 years, Sister Mary Susan Dewitt at 60 years, and Sister Lois Ann Glaudel at 60 years.
The Mass was celebrated by Bishop Daniel Felton of the Diocese of Duluth; concelebrants were Rev. William Fider, Rev. Dennis Hoffman (a cousin of Sister Annella), and Rev. Corbin Eddy (monastic chaplain).
As Sister Dorene King played Canon in D Major by Johann Pachelbel, the lectors, Prioress Beverly Raway, Bishop Daniel, and the Jubilarians processed in.
After the Readings, Gospel, and Homily, the Bishop prayed over the Sisters and then they stood before the Prioress and sang the Suscipe, the prayer of renunciation: “Receive me, O Lord, according to your word and I shall live, and do not fail me in my hope.” The Community responded, “We have received, O Lord, your mercy in the midst of your temple.”
Sister Annella Wagner sings the Suscipe.
Then the Jubilarians read aloud their formal promises, renewing what they first proclaimed at the Monastic Profession so many years ago: Stability to this Community, Fidelity to the monastic way of life, and Obedience. Promises of poverty and chastity are part of the Benedictine way, but stability, fidelity, and obedience are specifically promised because together they build up a living Community, in service to each other and to all God’s people.
Then each Sister came to the Altar and signed their vows, and the Prioress Sister Beverly Raway countersigned them.
