Sister M. Odila

Born: August 3, 1931 
Entrance: April 7, 1953 
Professed: October 28, 1955
Died: September 11, 2026

Holding the hand of the Mother of God, in the presence of her biological sister M. Hildeborg, our fellow sister returned her life to the hands of God: Sister M. Odila, née Bernardine Jessing , Hospital Sister of the Third Order Regular of St. Francis.

Virgin Mary, my God’s Mother, let me be wholly yours!  Yours for time and eternity! 

(Traditional Marian prayer)

Sister M. Odila was the eldest of the three Jessing sisters to enter our Congregation. Three years ago, Sister M. Agnellis preceded her into eternal life, and in recent years she lived with Sister M. Hildeborg at St. Francis House in Nordwalde. The Jessing siblings were from Horstmar and grew up on their parents’ farm. 

As a Franciscan sister, Sister M. Odila became a nurse and also completed her training as a dietitian. From 1961, she was in charge of the kitchens that provided food for the people in Stadtlohn, Haselünne, Ankum, and, most recently, at the Franziskus-Haus in Nordwalde. A true daughter of St. Francis, she embodied hospitality, always ensuring there was food for all who came, whether patients, fellow sisters, invited guests or uninvited visitors. She took particular pleasure in welcoming the poor with warmth and kindness. No distance was too far for her, no time too late, and no work too much. She found balance in prayer and singing. Like all the Jessings, she had an exceptional singing voice, which she generously contributed to prayers and singing in community. 

Even as a child, she enjoyed making pilgrimages to the shrine of Our Lady in Eggerode, near Horstmar. Her devotion to Mary shaped her entire life. In October, the Month of the Rosary, she passed away during sisters praying Rosary in the community. She had dedicated her entire life to God. We bid farewell to Sister M. Odila with gratitude. In prayer and in the celebration of the Eucharist, we pray and sing for her. We remain united with her in sisterly love.