She died five years ago at the age of 95, yet her body has not decomposed, leaving scientists baffled
It is being described as a modern-day miracle, and even scientists are failing to come up with an explanation for it. The body of an elderly Catholic nun who died in 2019 has been so well-preserved to the point that it almost looks like she is in a deep sleep.
Body found well preserved after five years
Sister Wilhelmina Lancaster, OSB, from Kansas City, Missouri, died on May 29, 2019, at the age of 95. But in April 2023, four years after her death, when her body was exhumed to be moved into the Abbey church for interment, they found the body to be intact without any signs of decomposition. This was despite the fact that Sister Wilhelmina was buried without any embalming or other treatment of her body, in a simple unsealed wooden casket.
Bishop orders examination of body
Following the unusual discovery, and the news that spread like wildfire locally, attracting hundreds of visitors to witness the miracle, the Bishop of the Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph commissioned a team of local medical experts to conduct an examination and evaluation of Sister Wilhelmina's body.
What study said
The team of experts recently submitted their report, which failed to come to any conclusion on why the body has not decayed yet.
"In the final report, the investigative team noted that the condition of Sister Wilhelmina¡¯s body during the examination was notable for a lack of any detected features of decomposition. The lining of her casket had completely deteriorated, but her habit and clothing showed no features of breakdown," Bishop James V. Johnston of Kansas City-St. Joseph said in a statement.
'Found nothing unusual'
It, however, noted that the investigative team was only able to conduct a limited examination but still concluded that ¡°the condition of her body is highly atypical for the interval of nearly four years since her death, especially given the environmental conditions and the findings in associated objects.¡±
Along with the evaluation by medical experts, additional tests were soon conducted on the soil in which the burial took place.
"After analysis, no unusual elements were found that would have impacted the condition of Sister Wilhelmina¡¯s body when it was exhumed," the Bishop's statement said.
In the past, such exceptional cases of non-decomposed bodies were said to have been associated with saints. The Bishop added that currently, there are no plans to initiate a cause for sainthood for Sister Wilhelmina.
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