Benedictine sisters celebrate anniversaries of religious life
Criterion staff report
In 2024, three Benedictine sisters of Our Lady of Grace Monastery in Beech Grove celebrated significant milestones in religious life.
75-year jubilarian
Benedictine Sister Bernardine Ludwig marked the 75th anniversary of her profession of vows as a religious.
Born in Tell City where she grew up as a member of St. Paul Parish, she made her first profession of vows at Monastery Immaculate Conception in Ferdinand, Ind., in the Diocese of Evansville, Ind., on June 10, 1949.
Sister Bernardine earned a bachelor’s degree in education at the former St. Benedict College in Ferdinand, a master’s degree in education at Spalding University in Louisville, Ky., and certificates in social services and activities at the University of Indianapolis.
She is a founding member of Our Lady of Grace Monastery, arriving from Monastery Immaculate Conception in 1960. Our Lady of Grace became an independent community in 1961.
In the archdiocese, Sister Bernardine served at the former St. Paul School in Tell City from 1959-63 and 1967-69, the former St. Joseph School in Clark County from 1963-65, St. Barnabas School in Indianapolis from 1965-67, the former St. Mark School in Perry County from 1969-70, Perry Central School in Perry County from 1970-72 and Christ the King School in Indianapolis from 1972-87.
At the former St. Paul Hermitage in Beech Grove (now Envive of Beech Grove), she ministered in health care, social services, activities and community service from 1987-2009.
While retired from active ministry since 2009, Sister Bernardine continues in outreach to the poor, tutoring and making crafts and cards.
60-year jubilarians
Sister Antoinette Purcell marked the 60th anniversary of her profession of vows as a religious.
Born in Clarksville where she grew up as a member of St. Anthony of Padua Parish, Sister Antoinette made her first profession of vows on June 3, 1964, at Our Lady of Grace Monastery.
She earned a bachelor’s degree in education and theology at the former St. Benedict College in Ferdinand, Ind., a master’s degree in education at Ball State University in Muncie, Ind., and a master’s degree in pastoral studies at Loyola University Chicago in Chicago.
In the archdiocese, Sister Antoinette served at St. Joseph School in Corydon from 1967-72, and in Indianapolis at St. Pius X School from 1972-77 and Holy Spirit Parish from 1977-81. She ministered at St. Vincent de Paul Parish in Bedford from 1981-82 and at the archdiocesan Office of Catholic Education from 1982-92.
She began service at Our Lady of Grace and at the former Benedict Inn Retreat and Conference Center in various positions starting in 1993. Sister Antoinette continues to minister to the community’s Benedictine oblates, a ministry that she began in 1993.
Sister Mary Mark Bartoo marked the 60th anniversary of her profession of vows as a religious.
Born in Ligonier, Ind., Sister Mary Mark made her first profession of vows on June 3, 1964, at Our Lady of Grace Monastery.
She earned a bachelor’s degree in health and physical education at Manchester College in North Manchester, Ind., and a master’s degree in in physical education at Indiana University in Bloomington.
In the archdiocese, Sister Mary Mark served at the former Our Lady of Grace Academy in Beech Grove from 1961-63, at St. Mary-of-the-Knobs School in Floyd County from 1965-66, and at the former St. Mary School in New Albany from 1987-90.
She ministered as maintenance coordinator at the former Our Lady of Grace Academy in the 1970’s and 1980’s and at the St. Paul Hermitage in Beech Grove (now Envive of Beech Grove) from 1986-87 and 1990-2015 when she retired from ministry. †