In Loving Memory...

Sister M. Eymardine, CSC
(Estella Rose Lengerich)
Birth: October 18, 1914
Profession: August 15, 1933
Death: January 29, 2007

Today we pause to remember a little lady whom we affectionately called Amy. The sixth of 14 children, Estella Rose, Sister Eymardine, was born in 1914 to August Lengerich and Ellen Rumschlag Lengerich on a farm in Decatur, Indiana. She and her blood sister, Sister Redempta, came to the community together in November 1930 and made initial vows together on August 15, 1933, and final profession in 1936. Theirs was a very faith-filled, prayerful family.

At age 14 Estella had an opportunity to visit Saint Mary’s and later announced, “If you ever bring me back here, you won’t be bringing me home!” She knew at that time where God was calling her. What attracted her most was that she saw Holy Cross as a place where she could be contemplative and apostolic at the same time. In a spirit of trust, she let God lead her.

You may have read her “Journey” written by her dear friend, Maria del Pilar Arroyo. Some of what I share with you today is taken from that story. On the cover of that publication is a picture of the “lineup” of the 14 siblings, from the tallest to the smallest.

It would be more than accurate to say that Amy was like the Energizer Bunny®—she seemed to have unlimited energy. Anyone who worked with her in schools and in the sacristy at Saint Mary’s would agree. She was so quick and never seemed to tire. It would be safe to say also that her energy was sparked by her deep love of God and her desire to serve others. Someone remarked that Amy was never known to put herself first.

Several of us who were privileged to live with her when she taught in various places in the Midwest knew that she was a “crackerjack” primary teacher. The children loved her and she loved them. Her creative energy was well used to entice every student to love learning.
Her spirituality was centered in the Eucharist after her patron, Saint Eymard, who began the 40-hour devotion to the Blessed Sacrament. She made out her lesson plans in the chapel, where she sought the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

After her teaching career ended she worked in the school library in Morris, Illinois. The principal from the school e-mailed me yesterday saying how much everyone in Morris loved Sister Eymardine. He also said that she was a saint and they will never forget her. She came to Saint Mary’s in 1984 to begin an 18-year ministry as sacristan, a ministry that she dearly loved. She didn’t always like the changes in rubrics, but when they were explained to her she readily accepted them.

Last July Sister Eymardine traveled with her cousin, Sister Clare Anne, to a reunion of Sister Clare Anne’s family that she enjoyed very much. Later in July the Lengerich family had its own family reunion, where she met with many friends and relatives. It was the last time she saw her sibling, Lucille, who died January 30. They were one year apart in age and had been like two peas in a pod.

Sister Eymardine had her share of suffering due to spinal fractures, a stroke and viral pneumonia. Her caregivers and nurses could not believe how she rallied from these setbacks. At 92 her energy was finally waning. She always believed that joys and sorrows influenced each other to help her grow into what God wanted her to be. She truly is that person now.

Written by Sister Arlene Kniola, CSC

Read more about Sister Eymardine’s life in her Journey, “Devotion to God's love in the Eucharist.”

Memorial contributions may be made to the Sisters of the Holy Cross Ministry With the Poor Fund, Saint Mary’s, Notre Dame, Indiana 46556.