Development Message

Dear Friends,

It’s midday as I write and the monastery’s bell is ringing, announcing the reception of the body of Sister Mary Grosdidier. The sisters gather to solemnly receive her body and in procession carry her to the chapel for a short, purposeful liturgical service. This includes singing the Suscipe prayer, a monumental one for the sisters of the Mount. It’s sung at significant times in a sister’s life, beginning with her profession to God and community and for the last time after she has faithfully completed a life of commitment: 

“Receive me, O Lord, as you have promised that I may live; disappoint me not in my hope” 

I heard many stories about Sister Mary’s life, including her bout with polio at a young age. However, she was determined that she would not let disability or an aging body prevent her from leading a life of service. For example, she lived out the Mount’s value of caring for creation by persistently collecting leftover water from drinking glasses to water the many plants in the monastery. I also heard about her teaching and administrative career spanning five states. 

Sister Mary Grosdidier lived to be 92, with 69 of those years spent living out her Benedictine vows. She was faithful until the very end. Her life epitomizes legacy —not in a self-promoting sense but in a self-emptying one, giving to the very end. 

It is this type of legacy that undergirds the Mount’s Legacy Society. Membership is offered to anyone who commits to give some of their treasure after their death to the sisters. In my short tenure here, I have already seen the massive impact these legacy gifts have on the Mount’s finances. These legacy gifts help sustain the sisters’ financial health and allow them to continue giving themselves away in service. It’s been a solemn experience for me to receive these gifts, made from people coming from all walks of life. In response, the sisters offer their gratitude by remembering the deceased in their prayers.  

Would you consider joining the Mount’s Legacy Society by offering a legacy gift, which will help ensure that the Mount thrives well into the future? For more information, follow the above link or contact me directly either by phone at 913-426-5185 or via email at cjehle@mountosb.org.

With gratitude, 
Chris Jehle 
Director of Development