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Unexplained Preservation of Missouri Nun’s Remains: A Bishop’s Report

A recent investigation into the remains of Sister Wilhelmina Lancaster, a nun who passed away in 2019, has raised significant questions regarding the preservation of her body. On Thursday, Bishop James V. Johnston of the Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph revealed that a team of medical experts could not explain the phenomena observed during their examination.

“Within the limits of what has been observed during this time, the body of Sister Wilhelmina Lancaster does not appear to have experienced the decomposition that would have normally been expected under such previous burial conditions,” stated Bishop Johnston. He further noted the distinctive nature of this finding.

Sister Wilhelmina, who was known as the foundress of the Benedictines of Mary, Queen of Apostles, died on May 29, 2019, at the age of 95. Nearly four years later, her body was exhumed in April 2023 for re-interment in a new altar being constructed by the nuns. Upon exhumation, her remains were astonishingly described as “remarkably preserved,” even though she had not been embalmed and was buried in a non-sealed wooden coffin.

The news of Sister Wilhelmina’s preserved state attracted large crowds to Gower, Missouri, where the abbey is located. Many Catholics referred to the event as a “modern-day miracle,” as thousands sought to pay their respects and venerate her remains.

Bishop Johnston indicated that shortly after the exhumation, he commissioned a local medical team to document and analyze the findings. This team included a pathologist, two additional doctors, and a former county coroner.

During their investigation, the experts not only examined Sister Wilhelmina’s body but also conducted interviews about the burial practices from 2019 and the conditions surrounding her exhumation. In their final report, they noted an absence of decomposition signs, which they characterized as striking given the four-year interval between death and exhumation.

While the interior of the coffin had deteriorated significantly, Sister Wilhelmina’s religious habit and other garments showed no signs of decay, further adding to the intrigue. “The report concluded that the condition of her body is highly atypical for the interval of nearly four years since her death,” Johnston explained, emphasizing the lack of environmental factors that would typically halt decomposition.

The phenomenon observed in Sister Wilhelmina’s remains is often referred to as “incorruptibility,” a concept recognized in both Catholic and Eastern Orthodox traditions. This condition is seen as a divine sign that some bodies remain preserved beyond what is expected posthumously. “Similar to how the Father did not allow Jesus’ body to experience corruption while in the tomb, God allows for some of His faithful to show this same preservation,” elaborated the Catholic Answers website.

The Abbey of Our Lady of Ephesus, which houses Sister Wilhelmina’s remains, has become a focal point for pilgrims drawn by this extraordinary case. Although there has been considerable interest, Bishop Johnston clarified that Sister Wilhelmina has not yet been officially designated as “incorrupt,” and there are no plans to pursue sainthood for her at this time.

He noted that in the Catholic Church, a minimum of five years posthumously is required before considering a cause for canonization. Sister Wilhelmina’s remains have sparked curiosity and discussion regarding sainthood and the implications of incorruptibility.

“The condition of Sister Wilhelmina Lancaster’s body has raised important questions and generated widespread interest,” said Johnston. “I pray that her story will inspire deeper love for Our Lord and Our Lady among the faithful.”

Reflecting on their foundress’s legacy, the Benedictines of Mary, Queen of Apostles expressed gratitude for the ongoing interest in Sister Wilhelmina’s life and its impact on the community. They view her preserved state as a miracle that fosters contemplation of God’s gifts.

According to the abbey, visitors have the opportunity to venerate Sister Wilhelmina’s remains, now placed in a glass case within the church, and there have been numerous reports of healing and blessings attributed to her intercession.

The nuns stated, “We remain grateful to God for the ongoing witness that Sister Wilhelmina provides to our community, the Church, and the world.”

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