Sister Virgene Marx is remembered

Courtesy photo

+ Enlarge

Sister Virgene Marx

OGDEN — The Benedictine Sisters and friends assembled to honor and remember Benedictine Sister Virgene Marx at a Memorial Mass at Mount Benedict Monastery in Ogden Dec. 16. Sr. Virgene (Cecilia) Marx, 88, died at Saint Scholastica Convent Nov. 1, 2010.

Sr. Virgene, the youngest of 17 children, was inspired by her two Benedictine brothers, Father Michael and Father Paul, and Benedictine Sister Dorothy Ann. She entered St. Benedict’s Monastery in Minnesota in 1944. She made her first monastic profession on July 11, 1948 and perpetual profession on July 11, 1951. She was a religious for 62 years.

"Being the youngest of 17 children, she always had 16 of them telling her what to do," said Father Charles Cummins, pastor of Saint Lawrence Mission and parochial vicar of Saint Joseph Parish, Ogden. "I worked with her for years and remember receiving a left-handed compliment from her for making some brownies for her staff. ‘They’re so good, you didn’t make them did you?’" she asked him.

"‘Well, Duncan Hines made the brownies, but I stirred the ingredients,’" he replied.

In speaking of her death, Fr. Cummins said people of faith shouldn’t fear death. "Jesus died on the cross for us and we can put our names under the cross," he said.

"Sr. Virgene was a gentle, kind-hearted soul who touched so many people in her hospital ministry," said Benedictine Sister Iris Beckwith. "After she retired, she had a phone ministry and we will never know how many lives she touched."

In 1975, due to rheumatoid arthritis, Sr. Virgene was unable to continue in active nursing and completed a program in clinical pastoral education. She worked as a chaplain at St. Benedict’s Hospital and later became the director of the Pastoral Care Department for seven years. She also was a certified spiritual director.

"There were so many people touched by her generosity," Sr. Iris said. "Sr. Virgene loved stories and was a great story teller; she loved to laugh. We always joked about the good endorphins coming forward when we laughed and how much better it made us feel."

Sr. Virgene was involved with Birthright of Ogden and a member of the Board of Trustees of Birthright of Northern Utah when she was young, which was influenced by her brother, Fr. Paul, and his work with the Right to Life Movement, said Sr. Iris.

"Her first job was as a registered nurse, then she became a certified nurse anesthetist," Sr. Iris said. "She was in charge of the hospital operating room and then became obstetrical nurse director."

Sr. Luke Hoschette recalled living with Sr. Virgene and Sr. Francis for a number of years before they moved into the monastery. "She was good cook, and was always willing to cook because she came from a large family," Sr. Luke said. "She was pleasant and kind and driven because of her German heritage. She was loyal to her prayers and would listen to a tape of the rosary if she awoke in the night. She had a deep love for God and the Virgin Mary."