KANSAS CITY, MO — The Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph has released the findings of a medical examination concerning the remains of Sister Wilhelmina Lancaster, OSB, whose body was exhumed nearly four years after her death and was found to be notably well-preserved.

Sister Wilhelmina, who passed away on May 29, 2019, and was buried without embalming in a simple wooden casket on the grounds of the Benedictines of Mary, Queen of Apostles monastery in Gower, Missouri, was discovered on April 28, 2023, to be in a state that defied the typical process of decomposition.

Bishop James V. Johnston of the Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph commissioned a team of medical experts on May 24, 2023, to conduct a thorough examination of Sister Wilhelmina’s body. This team, led by a Doctor of Pathology and comprising two other medical doctors and a former Missouri county coroner, also evaluated the condition of her casket and conducted interviews with eyewitnesses present at her burial and exhumation.

The final report, announced on August 22, 2024, confirmed that Sister Wilhelmina’s body showed no signs of the decomposition typically expected after such a period. The casket lining had completely deteriorated, yet her body, habit, and clothing were preserved.

“The condition of her body is highly atypical for the interval of nearly four years since her death, especially given the environmental conditions and the findings in associated objects,” the report stated.

In addition to the examination of the remains, tests were conducted on the soil where Sister Wilhelmina was buried to determine if any elements could have contributed to the preservation. However, no unusual factors were identified.

Bishop Johnston commented on the findings, emphasizing that the Church does not have an official protocol for determining incorruptibility and that it is not considered an indication of sainthood. He also clarified that there are no current plans to initiate a cause for sainthood for Sister Wilhelmina.

“The condition of the remains of Sister Wilhelmina Lancaster has understandably generated widespread interest and raised important questions,” Bishop Johnston said. “I pray that Sister Wilhelmina’s story continues to open hearts to love for Our Lord and Our Lady.”

The discovery of Sister Wilhelmina’s body in such an unexpected state has attracted thousands of pilgrims to the rural Missouri town, hoping to witness what some believe could be a miraculous sign.

Sister Wilhelmina was the founder of the traditionalist Benedictines of Mary, Queen of Apostles, a monastic community known for their devotion to the liturgical life and the preservation of traditional Catholic practices.

While the examination’s findings contribute to the growing fascination with Sister Wilhelmina’s story, Bishop Johnston reiterated the need for cautious discernment. “Within the limits of what has been observed during this time, the body of Sister Wilhelmina Lancaster does not appear to have experienced the decomposition that would have normally been expected under such previous burial conditions,” he said.

The Church continues to carefully observe and investigate such occurrences, always with a spirit of faith and devotion to the teachings of Christ.