RIP Sr. Marciana O'Keeffe
Sr. Marciana, the first OLA Superior General from Ireland, was called home to God on November 14th. Sr. Phil Mulligan, OLA Provincial Counsellor, reflected on Sr. Marciana's life during her funeral mass. May she rest in peace.
Sr. Marciana O'Keeffe
1926 -2016
Welcome
Good afternoon and welcome to each one here. A special word of welcome to Sr. Marciana’s family, her sister, Philomena, her brothers, Oliver and Tony, and to her sisters-in-law. Belle, her sister, in America is unable to be with us today but we know she is with us in spirit and we welcome her among us. Welcome also to her nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews.
Some of you have travelled long distances to be here today and we thank you for that. As we gather here today to celebrate Sr. Marciana’s life, we believe that Sr. Marciana is now reunited with all the family members who have gone before her, her parents, Ellen and David, sisters, Mary, Kath and Gobnait, and brothers Haulie, Paddy, Philip and Jude. May they rest in Peace.
It is my privilege on behalf of the OLA Sisters to welcome Sr. Felicia Harry, our Superior General, who has travelled from Rome to join with us in this Eucharistic celebration of thanksgiving for the life of Sr. Marciana. It is an honour for us to have her present today.
Welcome to the OLA sisters who have come from the communities in Ireland and to our SMA fathers who are always here to support us. We also have among us religious Sisters from other congregations, as well as many friends and neighbours of the O’Keeffe family. Welcome to each one of you and thank you for being here today.
Early life
Sr. Marciana was born in January 1926 in Midleton, Co Cork. She was the sixth child of a family of twelve, six girls and six boys. Her initial formation in the Christian faith began in this loving family. Sr. Marciana never lost her closeness to her family and indeed her to her local town. As a child she loved cycling and visiting local historical sites and knew every inch of Midleton. She received her education at the Presentation Convent in Midleton.
From her memoirs I quote, “as a young girl of 18 years, I accepted the invitation ‘Come Follow Me’ and decided to commit my life to Christ as a missionary Sister.”
Directed to OLA by an SMA priest whom she met, the young Ellen or Eily as she was known in school, entered Ardfoyle on 10th February 1944.
After her First Profession, Sr. Marciana studied for a science degree at University College Cork and later for a diploma in education at the University of London. Thus equipped, she set out on her first missionary journey, by boat, in 1951. Two weeks of sailing followed by a 600 mile train journey inland brought her to her first mission in Queen of Apostles Secondary School, Kakuri, in the Archdiocese of Kaduna, northern Nigeria. The education of the northern girls was a worthwhile apostolate which Sr. Marciana enjoyed for the next fifteen years. She had a very positive influence on thousands of young girls whom she encouraged, helped and taught.
Leadership years
Sr. Marciana lived a great life. She was dedicated to duty. This was evident when in 1965 she was recalled home to fill the post of Local Superior in Ardfoyle and to help with the formation of the young sisters. She took her responsibility for their formation very seriously and expected the same commitment from them as she gave herself. She did not hesitate to correct when necessary.
There is no doubt that this appointment at home was not Sr. Marciana’s first choice. She had left her beloved Kakuri where her sense of fulfilment as a true missionary was never in question. Here on the home front she had to draw on her faith that she was living out her missionary life. Today, we have a much broader view of mission and, as she found herself increasingly called to leadership, Sr Marciana’s view of mission was widening too.
Again, I quote from her memoirs:
“Twelve years of serving the home Province and seven of these as Vice Provincial, helped me to widen my vision of OLA activity in countries like Ghana , Zambia, Kenya and brought me into contact with the General Council and other Provinces of the Congregation. Then, from 1978 to 1988 I was again invited to enlarge my tent and to take on a new leadership role. What a privilege it was for me to meet and get to know the wider OLA community. To share the dreams and hopes and sufferings of OLA around the world.”
Sr. Marciana was speaking here of her election as the first Irish OLA Superior General, a great privilege for the Irish Province. When she and her team were elected by the General Chapter, they were mandated to move the Congregation’s administration offices from Lyon, France to Rome. The OLA was widening its tent and becoming even more international.
To quote one Sister’s observations on Sr. Marciana as leader:
“Under her inspirational leadership, the Congregation developed and expanded. She was hard working, loyal and gave herself fully to whatever she was engaged in.”
Sr. Marciana was well respected in Roman circles and served on a number of Papal Commissions for Evangelisation and for Religious life during her time as Superior General.
Returning to Nigeria
Having completed two terms of five years as Superior General, Sr. Marciana was entitled to a good holiday and at least some months of sabbatical time before taking up a new apostolic mission. Instead, she was given a new challenge. Cardinal Joseph Tomko of Propaganda Fides made a special request for someone who could help the indigenous female religious congregations in Nigeria with the delicate task of updating their religious life and revising their constitutions.
In dialogue with the new Superior General, Sr. Marciana agreed that this was a real priority and, from October 1988 to May 1990, she devoted her energy and life experience to this work. This gave her the opportunity to meet, listen to, and work with leaders and representatives of thirty-eight indigenous female religious Congregations in Nigeria. Sr. Marciana was and still is highly respected by these congregations for her experience, her wisdom and the support she gave them.
In 1990, that long awaited sabbatical took place, and in 1992 Sr. Marciana returned to Nigeria to Ibadan to help with the formation of young OLA professed sisters.
Later years
In 1997 she returned to Ardfoyle to work in the Archives where she spent many hours of hard work bringing the documentation of our Province up to date.
I read somewhere recently that in God the Father’s house all is gift, all is grace, all is given because the Father’s house is a place of graciousness and unconditional love, He wants us to come to him with empty hands.
I feel that if Sr. Marciana were to speak to us today, she would not speak of all the good work she did in her active years. That is not to say that active work was not important to the Church and our Congregation but I think she would speak to us of her later years, her years in the infirmary, her years of frail health of both mind and body. It was in these years she let go of all her concerns for perfection in all her activities and surrendered herself to the unconditional love of God. Over these most recent years, Sr. Marciana lived in her spirit, the hidden life of Nazareth, and depended very much on others. I would like to think that in these years her sacred spirit surrendered and prepared her to meet with empty hands her one true love, God our Father. Sr. Marciana, may you rest in peace in our loving God.
Acknowledgements
On behalf of the OLA Sisters and Sr. Marciana’s family, I would like to thank all who cared for her over the years. Our sincere thanks to Sr. Dolores and our infirmary staff for their love and care of Sr. Marciana. To Sr. Katherine Donovan and the House Council, Michelle and house staff, for all their hard work in keeping our Convent running smoothly and making the care of our Sisters so much easier. To the local doctors, whom we are always able to contact when in need.
I also wish to thank all who prepared for this Eucharistic celebration and to Sr. Kathleen and Sr. Nuala for the booklet and the choir.
Before I end, I wish to acknowledge the great honour received in 1991 by Sr. Marciana and, through her, by the OLA Congregation. The Papal Award, “Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice”, was conferred on her for her work to the indigenous female Congregations in Nigeria and to the Holy See. This medal is on the steps of the altar among other mementoes which reflect Sr. Marciana’s life.
I now hand you over to Fr John Denvir, SMA to lead us in our Eucharistic celebration as we give thanks to God for Sr. Marciana’s long and fruitful life and assist her with our prayers on her final journey to God. Thank you.
- Sr. Phil Mulligan, OLA Provincial Counsellor, Province of Ireland.
