Benedictine Sisters Celebrate 75th and 80th Anniversaries

"What I vowed eighty years ago, I promise again . . . " proclaimed Sister Fabian Dekat, OSB, in a strong, clear voice. With those words, she made history at Mount St. Scholastica in Atchison on Sunday, February 9. Sister Fabian is the first Benedictine sister of that monastery to celebrate an 80th jubilee of monastic profession. Born in Flush, Kansas, she entered the monastery in 1922 and made her vows on August 13, 1923.

For nearly sixty years, she taught in elementary schools throughout Kansas, Missouri and Iowa, helping to shape the lives and faith of hundreds of children in the intermediate and upper grades. Since returning to Atchison in 1980, she has assisted in a number of ministries for her sisters and continues to and inspire by her prayer and community living.

Sister Fabian was joined in the celebration by Sister Richardis Niehues, who was commemorating her diamond jubilee, having professed on January 1, 1928. A native of Kelly, Kansas, Sister Richardis taught for fifty years in various elementary grades and then worked as an administrative assistant in the Benedictine College counseling center in the late 1970s. She, too, has assisted in many internal ministries at the monastery and offers her ministry of prayer and monastic life.

The two jubilarians were honored at a special Mass and reception. Both now reside at Dooley Center and continue to be an inspiration to others by their faithfulness. "We are certainly blessed to have these sisters among us," said Sister Mary Collins, prioress. "Their faithfulness to their commitment is such an inspiration."

They continue to touch the world as well. "It is so wonderful to see these sisters as people who have lived such good and important lives and not just as people in need of our care," was the observation of Karen Servaes, a nurse in Dooley Center. Another nurse, Pat Neumann, points out "Look at all they've been through and they can still be faithful to something for that long. It is a privilege for us to be here and learn from them."

They also continue to shape the future. Sister Barbara Smith entered the monastery this past August. "It's hard to me, from a generation that finds it hard to make any commitments, to imagine such an accomplishment. I wonder how they did it, with all the hard work, all the wars and changes in the world, and all they've been through. When I see others who are faithful do it, then I think that I can do it, too." That is the lesson both jubilarians would give to anyone. They have lived many days and taken each one as it came. Perhaps they did not expect 75 or 80 years of those days, but their sisters and all those whose lives they have touched are grateful.

View photos of the Jubilee celebration