Sister Wilhelmina Lancaster: A Model of Humility and Faith

Who is Sister Wilhelmina Lancaster?

Sr. Wilhelmina Lancaster, foundress of the Benedictine Sisters of Mary, Queen of the Apostles, passed away in 2019. In 2023, her exhumed body was found remarkably preserved, sparking worldwide attention. Pilgrims now visit Gower, Missouri, to reflect on her life, legacy, and the significance of her incorrupt body.

It’s not often that such remarkable events happen so close to home, so in 2024, my mom and I decided to visit Gower, Missouri. There, we had the opportunity to reflect on Sr. Wilhelmina’s profound legacy and the significance of her incorrupt body within Catholic tradition.

In this article, we will dive deeper into the life of Sr. Wilhelmina Lancaster, exploring her journey of faith, the meaning of her incorrupt body, and how this miraculous discovery has impacted the Catholic community. We will also reflect on the spiritual lessons her legacy offers and the call to holiness for all of us.

Who Was Sr. Wilhelmina Lancaster?

Born Mary Elizabeth Lancaster on April 13, 1924, Sr. Wilhelmina had a deep love for her Catholic faith from an early age. She entered the Oblate Sisters of Providence, the first congregation of African American sisters, when she was 13. Over the decades, she lived a life of quiet but firm devotion, marked by a profound love for the Eucharist and the traditional practices of the Church.

In 1995, Sr. Wilhelmina left the Oblate Sisters to found the Benedictine Sisters of Mary, Queen of the Apostles, a community dedicated to traditional monastic life and the Latin liturgy. The sisters are known for their contemplative lives of prayer, the beauty of their Gregorian chant, and their work in making vestments for the liturgy.

Sr. Wilhelmina lived her vocation with deep faith and perseverance until her death at the age of 95 on May 29, 2019, the feast of the Ascension. She was buried without embalming, in a wooden coffin, in accordance with the simple monastic tradition.

Want to learn more? You might like reading The Life of Sr. Mary Wilhelmina (affiliate)

From the author: In The Life of Sister Mary Wilhelmina, you will become acquainted with this most humble sister, who, after fifty years of religious life, was called to establish the Benedictines of Mary, Queen of Apostles, to remain faithful to the traditional religious life and the Latin Mass. This biography includes stories of her life, her experience as a Black Catholic during racial tensions, the founding of a community, and her original poetry. Her entire life is a testament to fidelity, devotion, and surrender to God’s will.  

The Discovery of Her Incorrupt Body

In April 2023, the Benedictine Sisters exhumed Sr. Wilhelmina’s body for reinterment in a place of honor. They found her body in remarkable condition, with her features and habit intact despite exposure to the natural elements. The discovery raised questions about incorruptibility, a phenomenon traditionally linked to holiness in Catholic teaching.

The Catholic Understanding of Incorruptibility

Traditionally, Catholics understand incorruptibility as the preservation of a saint’s body after death, beyond natural decay. This phenomenon appears in the lives of saints like St. Catherine of Siena and St. Padre Pio.

The Church does not declare a person incorrupt as a miracle, nor does incorruptibility automatically lead to canonization. The Church requires thorough investigation before recognizing any miraculous occurrence, and incorruptibility alone does not guarantee sainthood. The key focus in the canonization process is the person’s life of heroic virtue and fidelity to the faith.

The Church has not yet officially declared Sr. Wilhelmina’s body incorrupt. However, her life and the state of her remains have sparked devotion and curiosity. Pilgrims from around the world have flocked to see her body, praying for her intercession.

The Life of Holiness: Sr. Wilhelmina’s Legacy

Regardless of the state of her body, Sr. Wilhelmina’s life stands as a profound witness to holiness, humility, and perseverance. Her dedication to the traditional practices of the Church, her deep love for the Eucharist, and her founding of a thriving religious community are testaments to her enduring faith.

For Sr. Wilhelmina, faithfulness to Christ and His Church was her driving force. She placed great importance on living out the charism of the Benedictine tradition, emphasizing prayer, work, and community life.

Pilgrimages to Gower, Missouri

Since the discovery of Sr. Wilhelmina’s body, thousands of pilgrims have traveled to the monastery in Gower, Missouri. The Benedictine Sisters of Mary, Queen of the Apostles, have welcomed these visitors. They offer Masses, prayer services, and opportunities for private devotion:

Pilgrims have shared stories of spiritual renewal, healing, and conversion after visiting Sr. Wilhelmina’s resting place. The opportunity to witness her preserved body serves as a reminder of the power of faith and the call to holiness.

Personal Reflection

My mom and I made the pilgrimage to Gower, Missouri in August 2024. During our visit we attended a Latin Mass. I felt a deep sense of reverence and connection to the roots of our Catholic faith. For me, there was something uniquely powerful about the Latin Mass. The language, the solemnity, and the focus on the Eucharist all resonated with me on a soul-deep level:

Amidst the beauty of the liturgy, I had a deeply personal experience. While in prayer, I heard, not audibly, but interiorly, the words: “humility” and “humble love.” These words touched my heart in a way I cannot fully explain. It was as though God was inviting me to go deeper.

Want to Dive Deeper?

While learning more about Sister Wilhelmina’s monastic life, I discovered that she followed the Rule of St. Benedict. Curious, I explored St. Benedict’s 12 Steps of Humility (affiliate), found in Chapter 7 of his famous Rule for Monks. This chapter outlines how to grow in humility and virtue. These steps serve as a guide for both monks and laypeople to live in accordance with God’s will, fostering personal growth and community harmony.

Here are the 12 steps:

1. Fear of God

The first step is to fear God, meaning to have a deep, reverential awe and respect for God’s presence and authority. This fear leads to a proper attitude of obedience and humility.

2. Self-Awareness

A person must recognize and acknowledge their own limitations and weaknesses, understanding that they are nothing without God. This awareness fosters humility.

3. Willingness to Submit to Authority

Humility involves submitting to the authority of others, particularly those in positions of leadership or guidance. This includes obeying the rules and commands of the monastery or community.

4. Obedience

Obeying others in all things, even if it’s difficult, is a key step. St. Benedict stresses obedience as a means to grow closer to God and overcome personal pride.

5. Accepting Humble Tasks

St. Benedict teaches that a humble person accepts and performs even the lowliest tasks without complaint, seeing all work as a way to serve God.

6. Contentment with Little

A humble person is content with what they have, not desiring more than what is necessary. They avoid greed or the temptation to seek excess.

7. Gratitude

Humility involves giving thanks to God for all that one receives. A humble person acknowledges that everything they have is a gift from God.

8. Averting the Gaze

St. Benedict suggests lowering one’s eyes to avoid vanity and distractions. This signifies a humble awareness that one’s attention should be focused on God and not on worldly concerns.

9. Speaking Less

Humility is reflected in the way we speak. St. Benedict advises speaking less and avoiding unnecessary chatter, as it can lead to pride or distraction.

10. Avoiding Laughter

Laughter, especially in excess or inappropriately, can be a sign of lack of seriousness in spiritual life. The humble person is measured and composed in their demeanor.

11. Refusing to Seek Praise

A humble person does not seek praise or recognition for their deeds. They do good works for the glory of God, not for their own reputation or honor.

12. Perseverance in Humility

Humility is an ongoing effort. St. Benedict encourages monks to persevere in their humility through their actions, maintaining the same dedication to prayer, work, and obedience until the end of their lives.

These steps provide a powerful roadmap for anyone wishing to grow in humility, not just monks but all Christians, leading to a deeper relationship with God and a more Christ-centered life. The essence of humility, according to St. Benedict, is a willingness to put aside one’s own desires and follow God’s will above all.

Final Thoughts

Sister Wilhelmina Lancaster stands as a model of simplicity, humility, and love for Christ and His Church. Her example is an inspiration for all Catholics to live out their faith with courage and devotion. May her witness to the Gospel continue to draw souls closer to Christ and deepen their love for the Eucharist and the Church.

Is God calling you to make a pilgrimage this year to a place that speaks to your heart?

As I reflect on St. Benedict’s teachings on humility, I’m struck by how it’s not a one-time effort but a lifelong journey. Humility, he says, is something we must actively work at every day. It’s a commitment to live in constant submission to God’s will, focusing on others rather than ourselves.

I find it humbling to think about how much effort it takes to truly live in humility, especially in a world where pride, self-promotion, and individualism often take center stage. It’s easy to get distracted by our own desires and forget the importance of serving others, of putting God first in all things. St. Benedict (affiliate) reminds us that humility is not just about big gestures—it’s about the small, everyday actions of obedience, prayer, and selflessness.

As I consider this, I can’t help but ask myself:

How can I practice humility in my own life?

Do I approach my work, relationships, and daily responsibilities with the same dedication and quiet obedience that St. Benedict describes?

And, more importantly, do I see these moments as opportunities to grow closer to God?

Humility is a process, a choice we must make daily.

How will you choose to embrace humility in your life?