Dedication Day, 8 June 1980
Through the guidance and determination of Sr. Pascaline, along with the other Benedictine Sisters who made the Forest their home, Osage Forest of Peace was dedicated on June 8, 1980.
The text below is from Sr. Pascaline’s journal of that day:
Dedication Day
Feast of Corpus Christi
It cooled off some twenty degrees with no rain during the night, making for a perfectly beautiful Corpus Christi Sunday. Mother Audrey and all at 22nd Place, plus all staying at Bob and Roberta Sellers’ home up the road, arrived in time for feast day Praises and brunch.
Sisters David and Jude did the liturgy preparation and it was moving with our full harmony, sung under the “cosmic wheel of life” in the Sundance Circle. Bob Sellers came to make the path through the woods for procession and mark off areas for parking. Bishop Beltran arrived about 1:30 PM and asked to have the large newly posted bell rung as he leaves the building vested, and again at the offertory.
About 250 people gathered outside the eastern peak of the chapel for this dedication Eucharist. About six priests concelebrated with the Bishop. His homily was one of amazement that the property was only discovered one year ago and already these lovely buildings are here! God is great in his works.
Carrie Wilkinson and Geralen Hoey received their first holy Communion with their respective families, then received a lighted vigil glass at the end, from the altar. Osage Chief Sylvester Tinker carried the gifts. Mary Vance and Bob Sellers were readers. The procession wound its way deep into the Forest where benediction was given then again back at the main altar. The Blessed Sacrament was exposed in the monstrance in the center of the pit until sundown. A moment of Eucharistic glory!
After everyone enjoyed the treat of Coca-Cola offered by Joe Ramey, and the cookies donated by the Piscopos, people began departing while Ruth Slickman began preparing her dinner for the Bishop and Mother Audrey – 25 in all. Mary Vance, who had the second reading at mass, was surrounded by her family, her mother, husband Robert and her two newly married daughters. Elva stayed for supper after all left, in order to take slide pictures of the tabernacle for Trini.
Billy Newshom, Pascaline’s nephew, showed up for the mass and stayed the night enroute to Denver. Laryngitis set in so Pascaline was all but silenced!
It was an awesome day in every way. “No phone service” added to the awesomeness! Jude made a lovely rustic sign “Forest of Peace” for the road with an arrow. The St. Louis car departed as they had to get an early start in the morning. Others were headed for the West Coast for discernment processes in our priories regarding new prioresses.
This was the day the Lord had made from beginning to end!
