A team of medical experts was unable to determine why a nun in Missouri who died in 2019 had not decomposed, leading to speculation of a potential miracle. Sister Wilhelmina Lancaster, the foundress of the Benedictines of Mary, Queen of Apostles, was discovered in a remarkably preserved condition after being buried without embalming in an unsealed wooden coffin. Thousands of people flocked to Gower, Missouri, in May 2023 to view her body, which was described as a “modern-day miracle.” Bishop James V. Johnston of Kansas City-St. Joseph commissioned a team of local medical experts to conduct an examination of Sister Wilhelmina’s body, led by a doctor of pathology, after her exhumation.
The investigative team found that Lancaster’s body showed no features of decomposition, despite being buried for almost four years in unfavorable conditions. The lining of the casket had deteriorated completely, but her clothing remained intact. Soil tests did not reveal any unusual elements that would explain the lack of decomposition. The team noted that the condition of Sister Wilhelmina’s body was highly atypical and did not match the expected decay for the time frame and environmental conditions. The Catholic Church and Eastern Orthodox traditions recognize instances of “incorruptibility” where deceased individuals do not decompose as expected after death.
While Sister Wilhelmina has not been officially designated as “incorrupt” by the Catholic Church, her case has raised questions and generated widespread interest. Bishop Johnston emphasized that incorruptibility is not an indication of sainthood, and there are no plans to initiate a cause for sainthood for her at this time. Typically, a deceased person needs to have been dead for at least five years before an official cause for canonization can be started. The Benedictines of Mary, Queen of Apostles, have expressed gratitude for Sister Wilhelmina’s preserved remains, viewing it as an opportunity to contemplate God’s hidden miracles and the promise of resurrection.
Following the discovery of Sister Wilhelmina’s body in a remarkably preserved state, the Benedictines of Mary, Queen of Apostles, posted a statement on their website reflecting on her legacy and the potential miracle surrounding her remains. Her body was placed in a glass case in the abbey’s church, where visitors can view it daily. The abbey has become a site of pilgrimage, attracting individuals seeking to witness what has been described as a miraculous preservation of Sister Wilhelmina’s body. The story of Sister Wilhelmina Lancaster continues to inspire devotion and reflection on the mysteries of faith, encouraging contemplation of the gifts God bestows upon believers each day.
The case of Sister Wilhelmina Lancaster has sparked interest and speculation within the Catholic community and beyond, with many viewing the preservation of her body as a possible sign of divine intervention. The unexplained condition of her remains has led to comparisons with instances of “incorruptibility” seen in other saints and religious figures. Despite the attention and questions surrounding her preserved state, there are no immediate plans to pursue a cause for sainthood for Sister Wilhelmina. Her story serves as a reminder of the mysteries of faith and the promises of eternal life, encouraging believers to seek deeper connections with God and the divine through prayer and contemplation. The legacy of Sister Wilhelmina and the Benedictines of Mary, Queen of Apostles, continues to inspire devotion and reflection on the spiritual significance of her life and death.
