Sister Dolorosa Oberle, MM

Born: February 20, 1909
Entered: February 4, 1927
Died: February 21, 1970

Word reached us this morning that Sister Mary Dolorosa died at Our Lady of Maryknoll Hospital, Hong Kong, at 1:20 a.m. today. The news of Sister’s death was not unexpected as we were kept aware through messages from the Sisters in Hong Kong of the progression of her illness and of Sister’s truly Christian attitude in embracing all of the suffering.

Sister Mary Dolorosa,  née Marcella Oberle, was born February 20, 1909, at Mankato, Minnesota. Marcella attended Saints Peter and Paul Grammar School and Good Counsel Academy in Mankato. For one and a half years she worked as a bookkeeper before entering Maryknoll, February 4, 1927. She was professed October 28, 1929, and received her mission assignment to China in 1930. After two years of language study she was prepared for her apostolate in the mission of Yeungkong. During World War II Sister had to move, as the Japanese forces advanced from Yeungkong to Loting to Wuchow to Pingnam to Kunming and finally she was repatriated to the United States in December, 1944. In 1946 Sister and her companions returned to Wuchow and worked behind the Iron Curtain until they were expelled in 1951.

Responding to an urgent call for help from Korea, Sister Mary Dolorosa arrived in Pusan in August 1951 to play an important role in the operation of the clinic during the war days. By February 1945 Sister had trained others to replace her and returned to Hong Kong to take up the work which she carried out so well for the remaining years of her life.

In November 1963 Sister received treatment for her illness. Sister’s patient acceptance of her suffering over a period of six years and her courageous spirit were an inspiration to all who had the privilege of being with her. We all rejoiced that in 1967 Sister was able to return to the United States for a furlough during which she had the joy of a wonderful visit with her family and a much appreciated reunion with her Decennial group and Sisters at the Homeknoll. She happily returned to her mission in Hong Kong.

Please keep Sister’s good soul in your prayers.