Miracle of Missouri: Nun’s body shows no decay four years after death

The body of Sister Wilhelmina Lancaster—the founder of the Benedictine Sisters of Mary, Queen of the Apostles—was exhumed on 18 May so it could be moved to its final resting place in a monastery chapel, four years after her death in 2019, Catholic News Agency reported.

When the coffin was opened on May 18, inmates of the monastery were stunned to find that Lancaster’s body was intact with almost no signs of decay, thought the body was buried in a cracked wooden coffin that exposed her corpse to moisture and debris. Despite the dampness, little of her body disintegrated during the last four years.

“We were told by cemetery personnel to expect just bones in the conditions, as Sister Wilhelmina was buried without embalming and in a simple wood coffin,” Newsweek reported citing one of the sisters, who asked to be anonymous. 

“The dirt that fell in early on had pushed down on her facial features, especially the right eye, so we did place a wax mask over it. But her eyelashes, hair, eyebrows, nose, and lips were all present, her mouth just about to smile,” the sister added.

In Catholicism, bodies that defy the decomposing process are known as “incorrupt”, which is a sign of holiness and later justification for sainthood, according to the Catholic News Agency.

Meanwhile, Bishop Johnston —the Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph —issued a statement about the discovery.

”The condition of the remains of Sister Wilhelmina Lancaster has understandably generated widespread interest and raised important questions,” the diocese said. ”At the same time, it is important to protect the integrity of the remains of Sister Wilhelmina to allow for a thorough investigation… Bishop [James] Johnston invites all the Faithful to continue praying during this time of investigation for God’s will.”’

The process for sainthood has not been started for Lancaster, Johnston further said. 

Some experts have said it isn’t uncommon for bodies to remain well-preserved in the first few years after death, even if they are not embalmed.

As the news spread, people began flocking to the monastery to get a glimpse of her remains, with many calling it the ”miracle of Missouri”. 

Lancaster’s body will be moved on 29 May and encased in glass in the chapel, where visitors can continue to view it, according to the monastery website.

Updated: 29 May 2023, 03:31 AM IST