Sister Joseph-Marie O Carm passes away Sept. 3

Sister Joseph Marie of the Child Jesus, Incarnate Wisdom, O.Carm., Carmelite Nun from the Carmel of Mary Monastery, rural Wahpeton entered eternity Sept. 3 after a several month bout with cancer. 

Joanne was the daughter of Ovide and Marie Bedard living in Berwyn, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago. Brothers Bob and Ray rounded out the family. Their parents were totally and lovingly devoted to their youngsters and thought nothing of the sacrifices made for them. 

When she was 6 years old, the family was traveling to Tucson, Arizona at night and crashed into a trailer truck. They had just prayed the Rosary, Act of Contrition, and a prayer to their Guardian Angels when they crashed and were thrown from the car. When the police arrived and saw the disaster, they said it was a miracle they were not all killed as their car was totally demolished. 

Joanne attended St. Leonard’s grade school. Taught by Sisters of St. Joseph, then Nazareth Academy and Sacred Heart Academy taught by Benedictine Sisters. 

In high school, during a retreat given to the students the retreat masters told them to ask God what their vocation would be. Joanne, who was very popular with the boys knew her vocation for certain: marriage and a family. She stayed clear of the table containing literature about religious life. 

Then during Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament, as the Sacred Host was raised in Blessing a powerful grace entered Joanne’s heart and soul, and she knew for certain that she had found the all-perfect lover: Our Blessed Lord. 

From then on, she knew she was called to become a Religious. Her spiritual director encouraged her to write to several monasteries. The response to her letter to the Carmelite Nuns in Allentown, Pa., suggested that she write to the Carmel of Mary, founded the year before in Wahpeton. 

Joanne entered the Community July 16, 1956, receiving the name, Sister Joseph Marie of the Child Jesus. She would say, “The quota in the novitiate doubled overnight,” for there has been only one novice before her entrance. 

Novitiate–Jan. 23, 1957; Simple Vows–Feb. 2, 1958; Solemn Vows–Feb. 2, 1961. 

Her funeral took place Sept. 12 at St. John’s Church, Wahpeton.