Sister Mary Carmel Murphy, MM

Born: January 1, 1889
Entered: November 17, 1919
Died: August 1, 1963

On Thursday, August 1, at 3 p.m., the soul of our dear Sister Mary Carmel went to its rest in God — in the forty-second year of her Profession. Here at the Motherhouse, the Community had just assembled for two lectures on the Better World Movement as Sister took her leave for a yet “better world” in the eternal kingdom.

Father Luis Dolan, Passionist, upon hearing of her death, at once recited the De Profundis with us, and, since he had planned to celebrate his Mass at 5 p.m. in our chapel, offered it for the repose of Sister’s soul. Was this a special mark of God’s love for her? Sister had great esteem for the Passionist Congregation, since one of its members had been her spiritual director.

On August 22, 1919, the “Application to Teresians” of Mary Catherine Murphy was approved by Mother Mary Joseph, and she entered Maryknoll on November 19 of the same year. Born in Glynn, Ireland on May 5, 1889, one of nine children, she had come to this country in August 1913 and made her home in Piaoli, Pennsylvania, where her brother had also settled. Through the Propagation of the Faith Society, she learned of Maryknoll and desired to share in its mission apostolate in whatever way she could. She was one of the second group to be professed as Maryknoll Sisters, on August 5, 1921.

From 1921 until 1946, Sister was to give generously of her services in one of the Community’s first treasured works in the domestic departments of the Maryknoll seminaries at the Venard in Scranton, Pennsylvania and at Mountain View, California; then, in our Home for Japanese children in Los Angeles, and again at the Motherhouse. Plagued by ill health thereafter, Sister went to Bethany in 1950 and there spent the remaining years of her life. Her promises of special remembrance of the intentions of all who visited her, and her constant interest thereafter, gave evidence of a devoted apostolate of prayer and little sacrifices offered for souls. Her joy was great whenever she learned of blessings and favors granted any of these.

As for each of us, there is a “mansion” prepared for Sister Mary Carmel. May our suffrages, offered lovingly for her soul, help her to attain it quickly, and may her continued faithful prayers for us be answered.