Body of famous American nun appears to be “incorruptible”

A months-long investigation revealed that the body of Sister Wilhelmina Lancaster OSB, who died in 2019, appears to be incorrupt.

The study, conducted by medical experts and commissioned by the Bishop of Kansas City-St. Joseph, confirmed that there were no signs of decomposition when the body of the foundress of the Traditionalist Benedictine Sisters of Mary, Queen of Apostles, was exhumed in 2023.

“Based on what was observed during this time, Sister Wilhelmina Lancaster's body does not appear to have undergone the decomposition that would normally have been expected under such previous burial conditions,” said Bishop James V. Johnston. said in a statement dated August 22nd.

Sister Wilhelmina died on May 29, 2019 at the age of 95. Her body was exhumed on April 28, 2023, to be transferred to the abbey church for burial. But instead of a skeleton, the sisters found an intact body that still bore the recognizable features of their former prioress.

The discovery led to the Abbey of Our Lady of Ephesus in Gower, Missouri, becoming a pilgrimage site, with thousands of pilgrims coming to the rural location to witness what many consider a miracle.

The medical examination of the body revealed no signs of decomposition, as would normally be expected under the conditions of Sister Wilhelmina's burial.

She was buried in an open wooden coffin. Her body was not embalmed and did not undergo any other treatment before burial.

Although the coffin was in a dilapidated state, the body was not decayed and her costume and clothing were still intact.

The report concluded that the circumstances of her death and burial did not provide protection from decomposition.

According to the bishop, the medical team was only able to perform a “limited examination” of the body. The diocese has not announced whether any further investigations or measures will be carried out.

The bishop pointed out that there is no official Catholic Church protocol to determine whether a body is incorruptible. He stressed that “incorruptibility is not a sign of holiness” and noted that there are currently no plans in the diocese to initiate a canonization process.

Sister Wilhelmina’s story has helped make the Benedictine Sisters of Mary, Queen of Apostles, one of the success stories of the contemporary Church.

They are becoming increasingly stronger, especially in terms of the number of vocations, and are thus bucking the trend in the large Catholic women's orders, where the number of vocations is declining and schools, hospitals and orphanages run by the sisters are being closed in all the old Catholic heartlands.

They recently made headlines because they planned to open their first religious house on the other side of the Atlantic – in England.

You are about to St Mary's Abbey in Colwichwhich was founded by the great-great-granddaughter of Saint Thomas More.

“The condition of Sister Wilhelmina Lancaster's remains has understandably aroused great interest and raised important questions,” the bishop said. “I pray that Sister Wilhelmina's story continues to open hearts to love for Our Lord and Our Lady.”

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Photo: Sister Wilhelmina Lancaster; Screenshot by szmtag.