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Over the Christmas holiday, I had one of those once-in-a-lifetime experiences.  Our son, Timothy, currently completing Theology III studies at St. John Vianney Theological Seminary in Denver, CO, invited me to accompany him to an appointment with the Benedictine Sisters of Mary, Queen of Apostles, in Gower, MO. 

Tim anticipates ordination to the transitional deaconate on 21 May 2022 and, as he has wanted to be a priest for more years than his time in the seminary, he looks forward to the occasion, God-willing, of his priestly ordination (along with his seminary brothers) in May 2023.  Before the Christmas break, Tim had talked about having the Benedictines of Mary, Queen of Apostles make a vestment for him for the occasion of his awaited priestly ordination. Being the planner that I am (my wife, children, and anyone who knows me are exhibiting various eye-rolls as they read this . . .), I checked into the Sisters’ website and saw photos of their needlework (which is beautiful!) and their opening disclaimer:  We regret that we are very heavily booked with vestment orders. Please note that any order submitted at this time will be completed in May of 2023.

When home for Christmas, Tim again mentioned a trip to Gower, MO, and I asked him if he had checked the Sisters’ website.  He had not.  I suggested he do so and pay special attention to the anticipated completion date of any vestment he might want to order. He promptly sent an email request for a consultation.

Sister Misericordia would see him at 0900 the next morning.  Tim asked if I would accompany.  We would be able to take in daily Mass in the monastery chapel at 11:00 AM, after the appointment to discuss vestment-making.  I didn’t think twice. Of course, I would accompany. I mean, is the Pope Catholic?  I emptied my work calendar until 2:00 PM for that Thursday before Christmas. 

We arrived at the House of Ephesus, the home of the Benedictines, around 0830 AM, about half an hour ahead of the appointed time.  Ephesus is north and east of Gower, MO, about an hour from Olathe.  It sits on a country hilltop, a serene environment for the contemplative sisters; the gate adorned with a wrought iron arch bearing the message, “Pax Intrantibus” – “Peace to those entering.”  We had time to make a visit to the chapel, which we did.

Tim rang the doorbell where a small sign said, “Porter.”  Momentarily, we were greeted by Sister Marie Bernard, who said, “Come in!  Come in!  It’s cold outside!”  We exchanged greetings, and she explained that the community didn’t have an official porter.  The task of greeting visitors (true Benedictine hospitality) fell “to the sister in the office for the day.”  Sister Marie Bernard acknowledged that she had the day’s duty, with a hearty laugh.  I had the inclination that it was going to be a wonderful morning! She invited us next door to the Gift Shop, “where all of the vestment stuff is,” adding cheerfully that she would swing round and make sure the door was open.

We stepped outside and around to the Gift Shop entrance where we were soon met by Sister Misericordia.  Graced with humor and a magnanimous personality, she made us feel immediately at home.  After introductions, the work at hand began promptly as Sister Misericordia pulled out several loops of material swatches, trim embroidery samples, and various other elements of the vestment-making work done by the sisters.  The epitome of patience as she worked with two men in a process with which neither of us had any familiarity, Sister Misericordia offered helpful suggestions, affirmation of Tim’s ideas, all the while taking notes on a small notepad as the chatter continued.

We soon felt like we had met a long-lost friend.  In fact, Tim commented on the return drive that it seemed he’d met a lost sister. 

Sister Misericordia told us that the community’s sewing room was staffed by five full time seamstresses, “and two or three part time staff who help us out at crunch times.”  It was impossible not to smile while listening to her explain the process to us.  She acknowledged the website’s assertion that they were booked up until May 2023, but assured Timothy that his vestment would be done in time for his first Mass.  “We have some short periods of down time,” she observed, “where we work on smaller projects or get an early start on booked projects.” 

“Like Christmas,” she said.  “Well, except for the cows. The cows don’t take a Christmas break,” she laughed.  I note here that the community is largely self-sustaining, including the management of a small herd of cows.  She wasn’t exactly joking despite her lightheartedness!

From the sisters’ website: “In our prayerful support for priests, we desire to assist them in a very tangible way by the handcrafting of vestments, priestly apparel, sacred linens and altar cloths. We use the finest materials available, primarily pure silks and Belgian linen, in order to give the best of God's creation back to Him, and for the restoration of beauty to the altars where He dwells among us.

Carried out in the Benedictine spirit of silence, each stitch by the sisters is a prayer for the sanctification of the priest who will be using our vestments.”  What an utterly beautiful purpose!

Again, from the website, “Due to the contemplative nature of our life, we devote approximately five hours of the day to work. During that time, we attend to all matters of ordinary farm and household maintenance in addition to our sewing.”

We wrapped up our discussion with Sr. Misericordia in the Gift Shop and headed back to the chapel for Mass.  The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass was sublime.  If you have not heard the sisters’ music, you have missed out on a treat!  I found “Silent Night” from a most-recent Christmas album, Christmas at Ephesus.

Our conversation as we began the journey back to Kansas City initially focused on the breadth of experience with which we are blessed in the Church today including different religious communities with different charisms, nuances in the experience of the Holy Mass, the blessing of priests in our lives and the blessing of religious sisters in our lives, as well.  Tim observed, “It’s one big Church, Dad.”

“And we are many parts,” I replied, deeply grateful for what I have known in my life as a Catholic, and thankful for Tim’s invitation to join him on this once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Pray for Tim and his seminary brothers, George Rhodes, and Colm Larkin, as they make final preparations for their diaconate ordinations on May 21, 2022.  Pray also for Rev. Mr. Andrew Gaffney and Rev. Mr. Sudeep Kodigandla as they make final preparations for their priestly ordinations on May 28, 2022.  See the website calendar for details.