Body of famous American nun appears to be ‘incorrupt’, investigation finds

The Catholic Herald • August 24, 2024

A months-long investigation has concluded 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, has confirmed that there were no signs of decomposition when the body of the foundress of the traditionalist Benedictines of Mary, Queen of Apostles was exhumed in 2023.

“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,” Bishop James V. Johnston, said in a statement on 22 August. 

Sister Wilhelmina died on 29 May 2019 aged 95. Her body was exhumed on 28 April 2023 in order to be moved for interment in the abbey church. But rather than finding a skeleton, the sisters found an intact body that still had the recognisable features of their former prioress.

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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 team that did the investigation was led by a Doctor of Pathology, who was assisted by two other medical doctors and a former Missouri county coroner, notes the bishop’s statement. In addition to examining and evaluating the mortal remains of the deceased, the team inspected the casket, and interviews were conducted with eyewitnesses to events immediately preceding the burial in 2019 and the exhumation in April 2023.

The funeral of Sister Wilhelmina following her exhumation; image from benedictinesofmary.org.

The medical examination of the body noted a lack of any detected features of decomposition normally expected and seen under the conditions of the interment of Sister Wilhelmina.

She was buried in an unsealed wooden casket and her body was not embalmed and did not receive any other treatments prior to her burial.

While the casket was found to have deteriorated, the body had not decomposed and her habit and clothing were still intact.

The conditions of her death and burial would not be expected to protect against decomposition, the medical report found.

The investigating team was only able to conduct “a limited examination” on the body, notes the bishop. The diocese has not announced whether there will be further evaluations or actions taken.

The bishop also notes that there is no official Catholic Church protocol for determining whether a body is incorrupt. He highlighted that “incorruptibility is not considered to be an indication of sainthood”, and noted that currently there are no plans in the diocese to initiate a cause for sainthood. 

The story of Sister Wilhelmina has helped the Benedictines of Mary, Queen of the Apostles become one of the success stories in the contemporary Catholic Church.

Going from strength to strength, especially in terms of vocations, they buck trends in mainstream Catholic women’s religious orders that have seen vocations dry up and schools, hospitals and orphanages run by sisters close all across the old Catholic heartlands.

The Catholic Herald recently reported on their plans to open their first religious house on the other side of the Atlantic – in England.

They are in the process of acquiring St Mary’s Abbey in Colwich, which was founded by Saint Thomas More’s great-great granddaughter.

“The condition of the remains of Sister Wilhelmina Lancaster has understandably generated widespread 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 from kcsjcatholic.org.