Sister Maria Manzano, OSB, 92

Sister Maria Manzano, a sister of the Order of St. Benedict, died May 17 at St. Scholastica Priory in Petersham at the age of 92.

Sister Manzano was a beloved member of the monastic community and of many who were blessed to meet her when she was out on an appointment, new to the monastic church or staying as a guest in the monastic guest house. 
 
She was born in Merida, Mexico in 1931 and eventually came to the United States for work. In 1978 she became a citizen of her adopted country. One of her many jobs was taking care of Bishop Joseph Latino, bishop of the Diocese of Jackson, Mississippi from 2003 to 2013. She found her monastic vocation at Our Lady Queen Monastery in Louisiana which was a daughter house to St. Scholastica Priory. In 2009 the community in Louisiana moved to Petersham.

She was devoted to praying the Divine Office and for the holy souls. She worked as hard as she could for her sisters and the guests who came. In 2016, Sista Manzano was one of the recipients of the Retired Religious Award in the Worcester Diocese. She found that funny because she never stopped fully participating in the monastic contemplative life, only slowing down in the last year or so. 

In a recent conversation, her prioress said to her that she has always lived all for Jesus. She responded with a simple but profound response, “body and soul.”
 
She leaves her community of St. Scholastica and monks of St. Mary’s Monastery in Petersham as well as her brother, Gilbardo Graniel, his family, many other relatives in Mexico and many devoted friends whom she treasured and prayed for every day.

Calling hours are from 3:30-8 p.m. today, May 21, in the church at St. Scholastica Priory, 271 North Main St. in Petersham. The funeral Mass for Sister Manzano is to be held tomorrow at 10 a.m. in the church. Burial will follow at the monastary cemetery.