A Mass of Christian Burial for Sister Maria Jozefa Brunenberg, SSpSAp, was celebrated Oct. 28 at Mount Grace Convent in St. Louis. Sister Maria Jozefa, 91, died peacefully surrounded by her sisters in community on Oct. 24.
She was born Anna Maria Hubertina Brunenberg on June 26, 1934, in Schaesberg, Netherlands. Before she joined the Holy Spirit Adoration Sisters (Pink Sisters), she attended a boarding school run by the Holy Spirit Mission Sisters with her sister Fienie.
Sister Maria Jozefa entered the Motherhouse in Steyl, Netherlands, in 1953 and made her first profession of vows in November 1956. In 1958, she left her homeland for the United States. With the generous spirit of a missionary, she made the sacrifice and followed the call of the Holy Spirit. She made her final vows in St. Louis in 1961. Besides serving more than 50 years at Mount Grace Convent, she also spent some time at the order’s convent in Philadelphia.
Sister Maria Jozefa was a talented artist and enjoyed painting, drawing and calligraphy. She oversaw the printing room and was the main calligrapher for the enrollment cards in the correspondence room. She suffered a bad fall in May 2006, where her cheekbone was fractured and she began suffering from double vision and other ailments. She was a good teacher. She taught the sisters how to write calligraphy. She knew all the tricks. She was smart and witty, but verbose. Her character was warm, cheerful and even a bit mischievous. She liked to crack jokes and was highly creative in making costumes and props for entertainment. She liked to be informed about every happening in the house. When she was confined to her room, this was no longer possible and she loudly complained about it. Then, when nothing happened, she did not mention it anymore. This became a pattern throughout her life.
In her later years, she gradually retired from her usual work positions and tried to help in any way she could. She assisted in the dining room doing small chores and was incredibly happy. When she decided to stay in her room, she had lost her hearing almost completely. For a social person like her, that must have been exceedingly difficult, but she managed it better. She always received everyone with a big smile, and she liked to read especially about the Blessed Virgin Mary and lives of the saints.
Sister Maria Jozefa will also be fondly remembered for her enjoyment of sweets. Her sisters used to cringe when she would add sugar to a cherry pie or to some other dessert because they were “sour.” She eagerly ate the frosting off the cakes because it was the best part.
She was preceded in death by her parents, William and Helena Brunenberg.
Interment was at Calvary Cemetery.
