{"id":17859,"date":"2023-06-07T11:47:18","date_gmt":"2023-06-07T15:47:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/news\/?p=17859"},"modified":"2023-06-07T11:47:18","modified_gmt":"2023-06-07T15:47:18","slug":"thousands-head-to-missouri-to-see-exhumed-body-of-nun-who-died-in-2019","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/news\/2023\/06\/thousands-head-to-missouri-to-see-exhumed-body-of-nun-who-died-in-2019","title":{"rendered":"Thousands Head to Missouri to See Exhumed Body of Nun Who Died in 2019"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"exhumed<\/a>
Charlie Riedel\/AP<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

A Missouri nun who died in 2019 has become a central point for some faithful after her body was recently exhumed, and her remains are reportedly mostly intact. According to CBS News<\/a>, Sister Wilhelmina Lancaster, who died at 95, was exhumed last month, almost four years after she died in 2019, and her body was placed in a glass shrine.<\/p>\n

Lancaster\u2019s story has recently soared across media after reports that her body hasn\u2019t decomposed while buried. Reportedly, she wasn\u2019t embalmed after her death and was placed in a wooden casket, adding interest to the story. CBS noted<\/a> that the report had sent thousands flocking to see her body for themselves at the chapel at the Benedictines of Mary, Queen of Apostles in Gower, Missouri.<\/p>\n

The nuns published an explainer on their website to \u201cclarify\u201d some facts, including why the first exhumation unfolded, with so much information about Lancaster spreading.<\/p>\n

The explanation reads<\/a>, \u201cOur Abbey had been planning the addition of a St. Joseph Shrine within the oratory for quite some time, including the reinterment of the remains of our beloved foundress, Sister Wilhelmina. Last month, in preparation for the construction of the shrine, we exhumed her, having been told to expect bones in the highly moist clay of Missouri, as she was buried in a simple wooden coffin without any embalming whatsoever four years ago.\u201d<\/p>\n

The nun said they wanted to carry out all of these acts in \u201cprivacy.\u201d However, \u201cthe discovery of what appeared to be an intact body and perfectly preserved religious habit created an unexpected twist\u201d in their plans. It turns out that a private email sent out regarding the matter was posted publicly. With news quickly spreading, the nuns\u2019 secret find became public.<\/p>\n

The nuns wrote, \u201cGod works in mysterious ways, and we embrace His new plan for us.\u201d The usually quiet religious women said their lives have surprisingly not been highly impacted by the groups of people flocking to the small town. They thanked local law enforcement and volunteers for helping keep order during the chaos. The nuns said they would\u00a0allow the process<\/a>\u00a0to unfold to study what is happening to Lancaster\u2019s body.<\/p>\n