Santa Fe: The image of a young Carmelite nun, Sister Cecilia, who passed away with a smile, has moved many. Sister Cecilia Maria lived in Saints Teresa and Joseph Monastery in Santa Fe, Argentina, dedicated to prayer and the contemplative life.
She wrote her last wish on a piece of paper: “I was thinking about how I would like my funeral to be. First, some intense prayer and then a great celebration for everyone. Don’t forget to pray but don’t forget to celebrate either!” Six months ago, she was diagnosed with cancer of the tongue and the disease metastasized into her lungs.
In the final weeks of her illness, her condition worsened and she had to be hospitalized. From her bed she never stopped praying and offering up her sufferings with the certainty that her encounter with God was near. After graduating as a nurse at 26 years of age, Sister Cecilia Maria made her first vows as a discalced Carmelite. In 2003, she made her final profession. She passed away early on June 23 at age 42. In her time living at the monastery, she played the violin and was known for her sweetness and constant smile.