Sister Mary Wilhelmina Lancaster

A Life of Extraordinary Faith

In April 2023, a small community of Benedictine nuns in rural Missouri made a discovery that would captivate Catholics worldwide. When they exhumed the body of their foundress to move her to a new shrine, they expected to find only bones.

Instead, they found Sister Mary Wilhelmina Lancaster—who had died four years earlier and was buried without embalming—remarkably preserved. Her body, her traditional religious habit, and even the flowers from her burial remained intact.

But the discovery is only part of the story. Sister Wilhelmina's life itself was remarkable: an African American woman who endured Jim Crow, dedicated 75 years to religious life, and at age 70, founded a monastery that would become one of the fastest-growing religious communities in America.

Her Journey

• 1924: Born in St. Louis, Missouri
• 1941: Entered the Oblate Sisters of Providence at age 17
• 1995: Founded the Benedictines of Mary, Queen of Apostles at age 70
• 2019: Passed away peacefully at age 95
• 2023: Body discovered remarkably preserved after 4 years

The Fight for Tradition

"I am Sister Wilhelmina. I have a habit, and I'm not going to take it off."

In an era of rapid change, she stood firm in her commitment to the traditional habit and the monastic way of life. Her resistance wasn't born of stubbornness, but of a deep love for her identity as a bride of Christ.

A New Beginning at 70

At an age when most would retire, Sister Wilhelmina felt called to start anew. With incredible courage and faith, she founded the Benedictines of Mary, Queen of Apostles in 1995.

The community has since flourished, known for their best-selling chart-topping Gregorian chant albums and their hidden life of prayer for priests.

The Community Today: Located in rural Missouri, the abbey continues to grow, attracting young women from across the nation seeking a life of traditional monastic observance.

The Unexpected Discovery

In May 2023, four years after her burial, the sisters exhumed her body to move it to their new shrine chapel. What they found shocked the world.

Her body and habit were found remarkably intact, despite a wooden coffin and no embalming.

The Findings

No Embalming

Records confirmed that Sister Wilhelmina was never embalmed. The body was placed in a simple wooden coffin that had partially disintegrated due to moisture.

State of Preservation

While the coffin lining had deteriorated, her habit and body showed little sign of decay. This phenomenon, known as "incorruptibility," has historically been associated with sainthood in the Catholic tradition.

Pilgrim Response

Tens of thousands of pilgrims flocked to rural Missouri to witness the event, many reporting spiritual graces and a sense of profound peace in her presence.

Thousands Answer the Call

Within weeks of the discovery, over 15,000 pilgrims descended on a town of 1,500 people. Families, young people, and the faithful from across the nation came to pray and venerate.

Plan Your Pilgrimage

The abbey welcomes visitors who wish to venerate Sister Wilhelmina and experience the peace of this sacred place.