Sister Superior Cassilda at St Mary's of the Pines, Chatawa, Mississippi. Sister Cassilda labored as music teacher at several acadmeies and missions. She was missioned at St. Mary of the Pines, Chatawa, Mississippi between 1920 and 1934 where she taught music and was directress of the senior boarding pupils. The last year of her life, she was Sister Superior at the school. She was always pleasant, was interested in everybody and everything, having a kind and encouraging word for all.
Obit., Published for the members of SSND:
SISTER MARY CASSILDA HEEB
who departed this life on September 17, 1934, at Chatawa, Mississippi.
Born Emily Heeb, November 23, 1859, at Dubuque, Iowa, of German and Swiss parentage, the subject of our sketch received her elementary education under the Sisters of Charity at Dubuque. During her high school years she came in contact with the School Sisters of Notre Dame in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where she attended boarding school and finished her musical education under the supervision of Sister Cunigunda. She entered the Order on September 3, 1878, received the habit on July 7, 1880, pronounced her first vows on August 28, 1882, and was perpetually expoused to Christ on July 25, 1892.
Sister Cassilda labored as music teacher at several of our largest academies and missions, including the Academy of Our Lady in Chicago, Notre Dame of Quincy, and St. Alphonsu in St. Louis. Three different times she was missioned at St. Mary of the Pines, Chatawa, Mississippi, between the years of 1920 and 1934. Here she taught music and was directress of the senior boarding pupils. For six years she was assistant to Sister Superior M. Charissia, and the last year of her life she herself was the Superior.
For several years Sister Cassilda had been afflicted with heart trouble, which in September, 1934, (note, this should probably be 1933) assumed a more alarming aspect. The patient, however, made strenuous efforts to continue her work for the Order and to take part in the community exercises as long as possible. Early in the following March she was at death's door. Father Deignan, the chaplain, administered the Last Sacraments in the presence of the assembled communtiy. After a month she had sufficiently recovered to sit up, and could be wheeled from place to place, though it was not possible for her to stand any length of time. She was always pleasant, was interested in everybody and everything, having a kind and encourageing word for all.
July brought Sister Cassilda a second time close to death, and again she was anointed. Again she rallied sufficiently to make a retreat on her bed of sickness. Reverend Father Lurig, S. J., the retreat master for the community, gave our suffering companion a private retreat, at the end of which she renewed her vows just before receiving Communion.
On September 13, the Sisters were again summoned to Sister Cassilda's bedside. This time she was ministered to by the saintly Father John Hecker, C. SS. R. The assembled community joined their prayers with the beautiful soul-stirring prayers of the priest. Sister was fully conscious. The doctor thought she had but forty-eight hours to live, and yer she lingered on for four days. One heart attack after another sapped her little remaining strength, until on the afternoon of the 17th, Father Hecker declared: "This is no spell; it is the end coming." The community was summoned. All recited the rosary aloud; Father Hecker read the prayers for the dying. In a few minutes our Sister Cassilda expired peacefully in the Lord without a struggle. This calm death was in truth and echo of her quiet life. Father Hecker addressed a few words to the Sisters kneeling at the bedside of their deceased Superior, commenting on her beautiful death and on the goodness of God Who was so close to her and conferred on her so many graces in her last illness.
Because of the extremities of the southern climate it was necessary to lay Sister to rest the following day. The requiem in the convent chapel was celebrated by Father Hecker on the morning of September 18. All day the students took turns in groups, acting as guards of honor, kneeling in prayer beside the bier of their former revered directress. Intement took place that afternoon, several priests and many friends coming no little distance to do honor to the deceased. Father Ruggeri, S. J., of New Orleans, delivered the funeral oration, stressing the beauty of the religious life and of the soul consecrated to God.
The funeral cortege wended its way to the little cemetery on the opposite side of the highway, the students in procession reciting the rosary. The burial ceremonies were followed by congregational prayers for the repose of the soul of Sister Cassilda. All withdrew, feeling that St. Mary of the Pines had another powerful intercessor in behalf of the Order and of the missions she so loved in life. R.I.P.
Obit., Published for the members of SSND:
SISTER MARY CASSILDA HEEB
who departed this life on September 17, 1934, at Chatawa, Mississippi.
Born Emily Heeb, November 23, 1859, at Dubuque, Iowa, of German and Swiss parentage, the subject of our sketch received her elementary education under the Sisters of Charity at Dubuque. During her high school years she came in contact with the School Sisters of Notre Dame in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where she attended boarding school and finished her musical education under the supervision of Sister Cunigunda. She entered the Order on September 3, 1878, received the habit on July 7, 1880, pronounced her first vows on August 28, 1882, and was perpetually expoused to Christ on July 25, 1892.
Sister Cassilda labored as music teacher at several of our largest academies and missions, including the Academy of Our Lady in Chicago, Notre Dame of Quincy, and St. Alphonsu in St. Louis. Three different times she was missioned at St. Mary of the Pines, Chatawa, Mississippi, between the years of 1920 and 1934. Here she taught music and was directress of the senior boarding pupils. For six years she was assistant to Sister Superior M. Charissia, and the last year of her life she herself was the Superior.
For several years Sister Cassilda had been afflicted with heart trouble, which in September, 1934, (note, this should probably be 1933) assumed a more alarming aspect. The patient, however, made strenuous efforts to continue her work for the Order and to take part in the community exercises as long as possible. Early in the following March she was at death's door. Father Deignan, the chaplain, administered the Last Sacraments in the presence of the assembled communtiy. After a month she had sufficiently recovered to sit up, and could be wheeled from place to place, though it was not possible for her to stand any length of time. She was always pleasant, was interested in everybody and everything, having a kind and encourageing word for all.
July brought Sister Cassilda a second time close to death, and again she was anointed. Again she rallied sufficiently to make a retreat on her bed of sickness. Reverend Father Lurig, S. J., the retreat master for the community, gave our suffering companion a private retreat, at the end of which she renewed her vows just before receiving Communion.
On September 13, the Sisters were again summoned to Sister Cassilda's bedside. This time she was ministered to by the saintly Father John Hecker, C. SS. R. The assembled community joined their prayers with the beautiful soul-stirring prayers of the priest. Sister was fully conscious. The doctor thought she had but forty-eight hours to live, and yer she lingered on for four days. One heart attack after another sapped her little remaining strength, until on the afternoon of the 17th, Father Hecker declared: "This is no spell; it is the end coming." The community was summoned. All recited the rosary aloud; Father Hecker read the prayers for the dying. In a few minutes our Sister Cassilda expired peacefully in the Lord without a struggle. This calm death was in truth and echo of her quiet life. Father Hecker addressed a few words to the Sisters kneeling at the bedside of their deceased Superior, commenting on her beautiful death and on the goodness of God Who was so close to her and conferred on her so many graces in her last illness.
Because of the extremities of the southern climate it was necessary to lay Sister to rest the following day. The requiem in the convent chapel was celebrated by Father Hecker on the morning of September 18. All day the students took turns in groups, acting as guards of honor, kneeling in prayer beside the bier of their former revered directress. Intement took place that afternoon, several priests and many friends coming no little distance to do honor to the deceased. Father Ruggeri, S. J., of New Orleans, delivered the funeral oration, stressing the beauty of the religious life and of the soul consecrated to God.
The funeral cortege wended its way to the little cemetery on the opposite side of the highway, the students in procession reciting the rosary. The burial ceremonies were followed by congregational prayers for the repose of the soul of Sister Cassilda. All withdrew, feeling that St. Mary of the Pines had another powerful intercessor in behalf of the Order and of the missions she so loved in life. R.I.P.
Sister Superior Cassilda at St Mary's of the Pines, Chatawa, Mississippi. Sister Cassilda labored as music teacher at several acadmeies and missions. She was missioned at St. Mary of the Pines, Chatawa, Mississippi between 1920 and 1934 where she taught music and was directress of the senior boarding pupils. The last year of her life, she was Sister Superior at the school. She was always pleasant, was interested in everybody and everything, having a kind and encouraging word for all.
Obit., Published for the members of SSND:
SISTER MARY CASSILDA HEEB
who departed this life on September 17, 1934, at Chatawa, Mississippi.
Born Emily Heeb, November 23, 1859, at Dubuque, Iowa, of German and Swiss parentage, the subject of our sketch received her elementary education under the Sisters of Charity at Dubuque. During her high school years she came in contact with the School Sisters of Notre Dame in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where she attended boarding school and finished her musical education under the supervision of Sister Cunigunda. She entered the Order on September 3, 1878, received the habit on July 7, 1880, pronounced her first vows on August 28, 1882, and was perpetually expoused to Christ on July 25, 1892.
Sister Cassilda labored as music teacher at several of our largest academies and missions, including the Academy of Our Lady in Chicago, Notre Dame of Quincy, and St. Alphonsu in St. Louis. Three different times she was missioned at St. Mary of the Pines, Chatawa, Mississippi, between the years of 1920 and 1934. Here she taught music and was directress of the senior boarding pupils. For six years she was assistant to Sister Superior M. Charissia, and the last year of her life she herself was the Superior.
For several years Sister Cassilda had been afflicted with heart trouble, which in September, 1934, (note, this should probably be 1933) assumed a more alarming aspect. The patient, however, made strenuous efforts to continue her work for the Order and to take part in the community exercises as long as possible. Early in the following March she was at death's door. Father Deignan, the chaplain, administered the Last Sacraments in the presence of the assembled communtiy. After a month she had sufficiently recovered to sit up, and could be wheeled from place to place, though it was not possible for her to stand any length of time. She was always pleasant, was interested in everybody and everything, having a kind and encourageing word for all.
July brought Sister Cassilda a second time close to death, and again she was anointed. Again she rallied sufficiently to make a retreat on her bed of sickness. Reverend Father Lurig, S. J., the retreat master for the community, gave our suffering companion a private retreat, at the end of which she renewed her vows just before receiving Communion.
On September 13, the Sisters were again summoned to Sister Cassilda's bedside. This time she was ministered to by the saintly Father John Hecker, C. SS. R. The assembled community joined their prayers with the beautiful soul-stirring prayers of the priest. Sister was fully conscious. The doctor thought she had but forty-eight hours to live, and yer she lingered on for four days. One heart attack after another sapped her little remaining strength, until on the afternoon of the 17th, Father Hecker declared: "This is no spell; it is the end coming." The community was summoned. All recited the rosary aloud; Father Hecker read the prayers for the dying. In a few minutes our Sister Cassilda expired peacefully in the Lord without a struggle. This calm death was in truth and echo of her quiet life. Father Hecker addressed a few words to the Sisters kneeling at the bedside of their deceased Superior, commenting on her beautiful death and on the goodness of God Who was so close to her and conferred on her so many graces in her last illness.
Because of the extremities of the southern climate it was necessary to lay Sister to rest the following day. The requiem in the convent chapel was celebrated by Father Hecker on the morning of September 18. All day the students took turns in groups, acting as guards of honor, kneeling in prayer beside the bier of their former revered directress. Intement took place that afternoon, several priests and many friends coming no little distance to do honor to the deceased. Father Ruggeri, S. J., of New Orleans, delivered the funeral oration, stressing the beauty of the religious life and of the soul consecrated to God.
The funeral cortege wended its way to the little cemetery on the opposite side of the highway, the students in procession reciting the rosary. The burial ceremonies were followed by congregational prayers for the repose of the soul of Sister Cassilda. All withdrew, feeling that St. Mary of the Pines had another powerful intercessor in behalf of the Order and of the missions she so loved in life. R.I.P.
Obit., Published for the members of SSND:
SISTER MARY CASSILDA HEEB
who departed this life on September 17, 1934, at Chatawa, Mississippi.
Born Emily Heeb, November 23, 1859, at Dubuque, Iowa, of German and Swiss parentage, the subject of our sketch received her elementary education under the Sisters of Charity at Dubuque. During her high school years she came in contact with the School Sisters of Notre Dame in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where she attended boarding school and finished her musical education under the supervision of Sister Cunigunda. She entered the Order on September 3, 1878, received the habit on July 7, 1880, pronounced her first vows on August 28, 1882, and was perpetually expoused to Christ on July 25, 1892.
Sister Cassilda labored as music teacher at several of our largest academies and missions, including the Academy of Our Lady in Chicago, Notre Dame of Quincy, and St. Alphonsu in St. Louis. Three different times she was missioned at St. Mary of the Pines, Chatawa, Mississippi, between the years of 1920 and 1934. Here she taught music and was directress of the senior boarding pupils. For six years she was assistant to Sister Superior M. Charissia, and the last year of her life she herself was the Superior.
For several years Sister Cassilda had been afflicted with heart trouble, which in September, 1934, (note, this should probably be 1933) assumed a more alarming aspect. The patient, however, made strenuous efforts to continue her work for the Order and to take part in the community exercises as long as possible. Early in the following March she was at death's door. Father Deignan, the chaplain, administered the Last Sacraments in the presence of the assembled communtiy. After a month she had sufficiently recovered to sit up, and could be wheeled from place to place, though it was not possible for her to stand any length of time. She was always pleasant, was interested in everybody and everything, having a kind and encourageing word for all.
July brought Sister Cassilda a second time close to death, and again she was anointed. Again she rallied sufficiently to make a retreat on her bed of sickness. Reverend Father Lurig, S. J., the retreat master for the community, gave our suffering companion a private retreat, at the end of which she renewed her vows just before receiving Communion.
On September 13, the Sisters were again summoned to Sister Cassilda's bedside. This time she was ministered to by the saintly Father John Hecker, C. SS. R. The assembled community joined their prayers with the beautiful soul-stirring prayers of the priest. Sister was fully conscious. The doctor thought she had but forty-eight hours to live, and yer she lingered on for four days. One heart attack after another sapped her little remaining strength, until on the afternoon of the 17th, Father Hecker declared: "This is no spell; it is the end coming." The community was summoned. All recited the rosary aloud; Father Hecker read the prayers for the dying. In a few minutes our Sister Cassilda expired peacefully in the Lord without a struggle. This calm death was in truth and echo of her quiet life. Father Hecker addressed a few words to the Sisters kneeling at the bedside of their deceased Superior, commenting on her beautiful death and on the goodness of God Who was so close to her and conferred on her so many graces in her last illness.
Because of the extremities of the southern climate it was necessary to lay Sister to rest the following day. The requiem in the convent chapel was celebrated by Father Hecker on the morning of September 18. All day the students took turns in groups, acting as guards of honor, kneeling in prayer beside the bier of their former revered directress. Intement took place that afternoon, several priests and many friends coming no little distance to do honor to the deceased. Father Ruggeri, S. J., of New Orleans, delivered the funeral oration, stressing the beauty of the religious life and of the soul consecrated to God.
The funeral cortege wended its way to the little cemetery on the opposite side of the highway, the students in procession reciting the rosary. The burial ceremonies were followed by congregational prayers for the repose of the soul of Sister Cassilda. All withdrew, feeling that St. Mary of the Pines had another powerful intercessor in behalf of the Order and of the missions she so loved in life. R.I.P.
