St. Paul’s Monastery Celebrates the Jubilees of Sisters Mary White and Margaret Kramer
On the Feast of St. Benedict, Saturday, July 11, St. Paul’s Monastery gathered in thanksgiving to celebrate two remarkable milestones of faithful service. Sister Mary White marked her 60th Jubilee, while Sister Margaret Kramer celebrated her 70th Jubilee, surrounded by family, friends, fellow Sisters, and members of the community whose lives they have touched over many decades.
The celebration began well before Mass as guests filled the hallway outside the chapel, greeting one another and sharing stories while waiting for the liturgy to begin. Dressed for the occasion, Sisters Mary and Margaret each wore yellow and white corsages, joyful symbols of a day dedicated to gratitude and celebration.
As the congregation settled into the chapel, the entrance procession began with the processional cross, followed by the Book of the Gospels. Sister Mary White and Sister Margaret Kramer then processed with Prioress Sister Catherine Nehotte, entering a chapel filled with people who had come to honor their lifelong commitment to God and to the Benedictine community.
The assembly reflected the many lives both women have influenced. Sister Mary was surrounded by multiple generations of her family, a visible testament to the enduring bonds of faith and love. Sister Margaret welcomed the support of a former student and that student’s son, now a priest himself—a beautiful reminder that the seeds planted through a life of teaching and ministry continue to bear fruit across generations.
The liturgy opened with the hymn O God Beyond All Praising, setting a tone of reverence and thanksgiving. Father Greg Welch presided at the Mass. His homily was striking not because of its length, but because of its simplicity. After only a few words, he offered what many present would remember most:
“The Sisters’ lives are the homily.”
No lengthy reflection was needed. Decades of prayer, service, hospitality, education, compassion, and steadfast faith had already proclaimed the Gospel more eloquently than any sermon could.
During the renewal of their monastic commitment, each Sister’s personality shone through in a unique and moving way.
Sister Mary renewed her commitment in her own words before signing the renewal document alongside Sister Catherine Nehotte. The moment concluded with a warm embrace that reflected both affection and shared vocation.
Sister Margaret’s renewal took the form of a call and response. As Sister Catherine read the commitment, Sister Margaret answered with a clear, confident, “I do.” Her response resonated throughout the chapel, a simple yet profound affirmation of a vocation first embraced seventy years ago.
Following Mass, everyone gathered for photographs before moving to the dining room for a celebratory meal. Family members, friends, and community members shared stories and reflections, offering heartfelt thanks for the countless ways Sisters Mary and Margaret have enriched the lives of others through their ministries and faithful presence.
Each Sister also received a gift from St. Paul’s Monastery in recognition of her Jubilee.
The celebration concluded back in the chapel with a piano recital by student virtuoso Josie, whose music provided a fitting and joyful finale to a day marked by gratitude, prayer, and celebration.
For those privileged to witness the day’s events, the Jubilee was more than an anniversary—it was a living reminder of what a life devoted to God can look like. The witness of Sisters Mary White and Margaret Kramer speaks not only through the years they have served, but through the countless relationships they have nurtured, the communities they have strengthened, and the quiet faithfulness they continue to embody.
Father Greg Welch’s brief homily captured the heart of the celebration perfectly. The Gospel was proclaimed in word that day, but it has also been proclaimed for decades through the lives of these two remarkable women.
As a witness to this celebration, I found myself moved to tears more than once. To know Sisters Mary and Margaret, and to witness the joy, humility, and love that have marked their lifelong vocation, is a gift. Their lives continue to remind us that faith is not measured only in words, but in the quiet, faithful witness of lives lived in service to God and to one another.
