Sister Nuncia St. Pierre, MM
Born: August 4, 1928
Entered: October 5, 1946
Died: April 7, 2025
“Behold The Handmaid of the Lord”
This Motto of the Maryknoll Sisters holds the whole life and meaning of Sr. Nuncia Rose Pierre’s 79-year history as a Maryknoll Sister. Even at birth the ANNUNCIATION – A-NUNCIA-TION the announcement, the coming forth of the first child born on August 4, 1928 to Rose Compagne and Paul E. St Pierre: Nuncia Rose!
Her other siblings, two girls Eleanor and Edith and brother, Bro. Pierre, SC (Sacred Heart), have pre-deceased her. However, we are happy to have her brother Albert and his son with us today to celebrate the life of our dear Sister Nuncia Rose who died very quietly; after asking for a cup of coffee; at 4:55 am on April 7, 2025 at the age of 97 in the Maryknoll Sisters Center New York.
Education was an important element of Nuncia’s upbringing. She graduated in June 1946 from St Joseph’s Academy, Baton Rouge, LA where she was elected President of the Catholic Student Mission Crusade, already showing her interest and love of mission. That very year 1946, she requested entrance into the Maryknoll Sisters Community and was received at Maryknoll New York on October 5, 1946 from St. Agnes Parish, Baton Rouge. World War II had just ended and vocations were on the increase. Nuncia entered Maryknoll with 100 other young women. They called themselves “God’s Group” They were eager to give their lives for the betterment of others as missioners and as Maryknoll Sisters.
Hard work and study were the tasks of the Novitiate training, but this was not new to Nuncia and she entered fully into the program. She was known as a steady and confident young woman. On April 6, 1949, she was approved for first vows as a Maryknoll Sister and received the name of Sr. Paul Christopher. Paul the announcer of the good News to the Gentiles and Christopher the “Carrier of Christ to others”. Very fitting names for the future missioner. Her talents and intellectual ability were recognized early on and that very year, Nuncia was assigned to study Nursing at the University of Seattle, School of Nursing Providence Hospital. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing in May 1953.
Mission on the Continent of Africa had begun and new sisters were needed in every field in the country of Tanganyika. In 1953 Nuncia received her Mission Cross and first Mission assignment to the then Tanganyika, East Africa. At that ceremony there were 51 Maryknoll Sisters receiving their Mission Cross and assignment to various parts of the world. A day of jubilation for all!
After packing her trunk filled with what she would need for the next 10 years, Nuncia said her farewells to her family and friends and started the long voyage by freight steamer to Africa. It took six weeks and finally arrived in Mombasa, Kenya. Then with the help of the Maryknoll Fathers from Kowak, they made the rough trip overland to Tanganyika, Kowak Mission. The new Maryknoll Sister, the new nurse was on her way.
In 1953 Sr. Paul Christopher, from Baton Rouge, Louisiana, found herself in a very different environment as she was assigned to Kowak, Musoma Diocese. This was the first foundation of Maryknoll Sisters in Africa. Here, Nuncia was to gain a deeper understanding of medical work in an African Country, also to learn Kiswahili, the national language, and to learn some medical terms in the local language. She was also able to study midwifery from the trained Maryknoll Sister, Sr. Mary Reese!
Not long after arrival, Nuncia was assigned to Nyegina Mission Dispensary. One of the sisters there took ill and a replacement was needed. Nuncia was in this mission from 1953 to 1958. This really put her in the midst of the work she would be involved with for over 40 years.
This experience helped her when she was assigned to Rosanna Mission dispensary in 1959. This was an extraordinarily beautiful Mission, the sight on the foothills of the Rift valley called the escarpment. Sisters would actually visit this mission for a little respite from their hard work. Nuncia was in charge of the Maternal Child Clinic along with clinic services to the villages around the mission. She surely learned quickly and a lot. It was nothing like “nursing school learning”. One day an “Old man covered in his local animal skin covering and bent over using a stick to walk came to Nuncia for help. After greeting the man “Grandfather welcome what can I do for you today” he replied “I need to know what medicine you take so I can have some of the same, you look so healthy”. So, with that Nuncia turned to her kabati (cabinet), took out some multi vitamins and worm medicine, and gave them to the old man with a blessing. “Be Well”! It was a colorful Mission with the red dirt, mud roads and paths. Soon the sisters’ beautiful white habits turned a dark reddish brown! The Maryknoll Movie “Bride of Africa” shows more of the story! Nuncia served at this Mission until 1974 when she took her first “decennial” and home visit.
After a good rest and renewal, Nuncia volunteered for Congregational Service and was assigned to Bethany Health Service Home for Maryknoll Sisters. She was there for two years caring for the older and sick sisters with great joy and professionalism. At the end of her time, the Leadership wrote to her, “We express our gratitude and that of the community for your generous service given in Congregational Service at Bethany” (Sr. D. McGowan).
In 1976, Nuncia set forth for the same country, but now independent country of Tanzania (1961). She was assigned to the Shinyanga Diocese, Mwamapalala Mission dispensary. The people were of the Sukuma Group, very different from those in Musoma area, so another local language had to be learned. With the help of the local people trained by Nuncia, she was able to do outreach for Maternal Child Health in a very rural area where there were no facilities or hospitals.
In 1979, Nuncia went on renewal and took some courses at Maryknoll School of Theology along with assisting in the Housekeeping department at Maryknoll Sisters, NY. She also took a CPE (Clinical Pastoral Education) Program at Central Islip, NY. Nuncia had a great desire to do some pastoral ministry when she returned to Tanzania. This came true in 1981, when she returned to Tanzania. She was welcomed to join a pastoral team in Chanjale Parish Same/Moshi Diocese. The Maryknoll Sisters had started the Basic Christian Communities and welcomed Nuncia warmly.
After three years, in 1985 Nuncia took her renewal and volunteered as a nurse at the center in the Congregation Health Unit. Here she was able to assist the sisters who came back from mission and those living at the Center with their health needs. In 1987, she returned to Musoma once again and worked at the Makoko Family Center Clinic. The Family Center had courses for the families from different parishes in the diocese. They would come for one month of study in scripture, spirituality, and family life. Nuncia would look after their health needs. She also taught Health classes at the Center. Local neighbors also attended the clinic.
In 1995, Nuncia recognized her strength was waning and asked to be sent to the World Section House in Nairobi, Kenya, where she could be of assistance to sisters coming and going for medical appointments or rest. Soon, however, in 1996, she requested to return to Maryknoll, NY, due to failing health. She says of herself: “I am capable to do some active mission service and would like to assist other sisters as a companion in their homes or in the hospital.” After a short while at the Center, she requested to be assigned to Monrovia, CA. In July 1997, Nuncia arrived and did volunteer work there. Nuncia loved Monrovia and especially the gardens.
In 2011, Nuncia was on the move once more when she was assigned to the Chi Rho Community at the Maryknoll Sisters Center, NY and to the Eden Community in 2021, where she took part fully in the community activities. Nuncia loved to tell stories and could remember details of events from long ago in her family and in Maryknoll. She had a wonderful memory and a keen sense of history. She loved to sing and listen to music. She was a joyous person, and we will miss her.
In 2016, Nuncia celebrated her 70th Jubilee as a Maryknoll Sister (Next year would have been 80). A life she lived to the full. A life she announced to others, which was full of love and care! The Life of a Missioner!
AN-NUNCIA-TION!
Nuncia, you are now called to fullness of life
Well done, good and faithful servant
TUMAINI LETU NI KWA BWANZA
We welcome our Brother in Maryknoll and Africa, Father Francis J. Breen, MM.
We welcome all of you who are with us through live streaming.