Grave uncovered...

The Centennial Jubilee theme of remembrance became real for church workers during the project with a strange discovery of a small stained tombstone under the carpet of the nave. The inscription read, “Sr. M. Cecilia born 1853 died 1876. R. I. P. “ Some investigation revealed that this is the grave of Sister M. Cecilia Flaherty who died at age 23, one year after arriving in Refugio with the Sisters of Mercy.

Historian and former pastor Msgr. William Oberste writes, “When death seemed imminent she begged to be buried as near the Holy Eucharist as possible.”

She must have been originally buried near the old Rock chapel. When the present church was being built it became apparent that Sister Cecilia’s mortal remains were directly underneath it. Rather than reinter her, the stone was removed and embedded in the floor directly over where she lay in her grave.

The original grave featured a large cross, which had to be removed. It is presently in the parish archives. “She still rests so very near the tabernacle, this young Irish girl who so valiantly renounced the world to serve the people of Our Lady of Refuge Parish,” Msgr. Oberste said.

“The stone will be framed with wood and left exposed in its original place,” architect Whitmore said.