Reflection given at the Vigil for Sister Lorene Judge, O.S.B.
August 4, 2008
by Marcia Ziska, OSB

Readings: Isaiah 61:1-3a; Romans 8:14-23; John 14:1-6

We gather this August evening to express to God our gratitude for the gift of Sister Lorene, to remember her long life of 95 years and to offer comfort to ourselves, her community, especially Sister Rita Claire, as well as the family she loved — her brother-in-law, Max, and her many nieces, nephews, and friends. We come also to share memories and tell stories of how Sr. Lorene touched our lives. It was just eight months ago that many of you joined us for Sister Gervase’s vigil and funeral.

While Sr. Lorene was minutes from an ambulance ride back to the Mount, I am sure she was okay with dying at the hospital just across the street from the Wilcox Stadium whose football team she and Sr. Gervase diligently cheered for and devotedly remembered in prayer these past 20 years. Since all her family has preceded her in death, I can well imagine the reunion that welcomed her home last Thursday morning and the celebration that has followed. She may even have greeted Sr. Gervase with the words: “what took you so long?”

A woman of strong faith and resiliency, Sr. Lorene’s father died when she was only 34. And, as life would unfold, she bid farewell to her mother and each of her siblings. The death of her youngest sister, Agnes, two years ago was a real shock. Yet, it was her trust in God and deep faith that gave her the necessary strength and courage to keep going. She endured this suffering and heartache quietly, mindful of St. Paul’s saying that we must “suffer with Christ in order to be glorified” and in hope of one day attaining her own reward of eternal life.

Change seemed a constant companion in her early years in community. She lived in fourteen different mission houses within a seventeen year time span. This gave her the opportunity, in the words of the prophet Isaiah, to “announce good news” to the many students she taught in the four state region of Missouri, Iowa, Nebraska, and Kansas where she served. As both teacher and principal, Sr. Lorene ministered to many a “broken-hearted” student and offered “the oil of gladness” and a mantle of praise time and again. Her gentle and caring spirit made her both approachable and well loved. Before retiring from teaching, Lorene and Gervase were able to spend six years together at St. Joseph’s school in Atkinson.

Returning to the Mount, S. Lorene remained active, using her hands to give praise to God, and stayed engaged in community life. She supervised the monastery’s first gift shop, “receiving the guests as Christ.” She loved to sew and was kept busy filling the orders for the Raggedy Ann and Andy dolls that she made. Two years ago she received a blue ribbon at the county fair for one of these doll sets. In addition, she enjoyed embroidering tea towels, pillow cases, and table cloths. I am most grateful that she willingly said “yes” to yearly making a couple aprons for me to take to Rome for gifts.

In May of 2000, she moved to her last dwelling place on earth — Dooley Center in what she called a ‘package deal.’ Sister Gervase, who needed some additional assistance, was reluctant to make the necessary move. Lorene, with sisterly love and willing to go the extra mile, offered to move, as well. Adjusting well to her new surroundings, she participated in the Dooley Center activities and could often be heard encouraging others to do likewise. She was sensitive to the Dooley Center staff, offering a kind word, a smile, and loved giving them hugs.

While she certainly worked hard, Lorene liked to have fun, too. Word puzzles, playing cards and Scrabble were high on her list and in her younger days, vacationing and spending a chunk of time in the summer with family in Nebraska or Wyoming. She also enjoyed the lake house and went there whenever she could, her last trip being a week before her death.

Last year we, her community, celebrated Lorene’s diamond jubilee. While she so enjoyed that day, and what a glorious day it was, the jubilee that is now hers pales in comparison! Her body has been “set free from the bondage” of not hearing, poor eye sight, waning energy, and needing to be careful about what she ate. Death has given her a restoration of wholeness and integrity. She is now enjoying the full harvest of glory that awaits God’s children. Together with St. Thomas, let us rejoice that she now has the full knowledge of Jesus being “the way, the truth and the life.