Sister Mary Geis, House Coordinator
“My mother and father welcomed me into the world in Keuterville, Idaho, on September 25, 1939,” says Sister Mary Geis. Her early years were spent there and at Icicle Flat, near Ferdinand, before the family moved to Cottonwood.
“My mother inspired my prayer life by example, ensuring that the rosary and other prayers were an important part of every day,” she says. “Her mother’s sister, Sister Mathilda, sent holy cards and I was always aware that, although we didn’t often see her, she was praying for us. Throughout my life, as a child and as an adult, prayer has been a powerful, sustaining presence.”
The Sisters at St. Gertrude’s were a strong influence in the young Mary’s life, beginning with teachers in the first grade and continuing through high school. In the fourth grade, she announced that she was going to be a Sister. That desire never left and she entered the Monastery after completing high school at St. Gertrude’s Academy.
When she entered the Monastery, the Sisters were still in full habit and prayed the Divine Office in Latin. Changes in dress and praying in English came in her early years, so she had a taste of the traditional ways before Vatican II and then lived with the excitement of new life in the Church.
Her 50-plus years of ministry as a Benedictine Sister have been varied and she holds each year as a treasure. Initially, she was sent to teach in grade schools at Sacred Heart in Boise, Cottonwood, Grangeville and Greencreek, before being called to hospital work in the area of medical records and as a unit secretary.
St. Benedict’s Hospital in Odgen, Utah, and Seattle University provided her education in that field. She worked at both of the Community’s hospitals – St. Benedicts Hospital in Jerome, Idaho, and St. Mary’s Hospital in Cottonwood, Idaho.
After retiring from hospital work, she served at home in the Monastery as assistant prioress, procurator, house coordinator and sacristan.
Her father died when she was 13, and her mother in 1986. “My two sisters and their families remain especially close to my heart,” she says. Mary Lou and her husband, John, and family of four live in Montana and Wyoming. Dorothy and her husband, Richard, live in Greencreek with their family of 10 scattered in Idaho, Texas and Washington.
“A grateful heart has been with me throughout my life,” she says, “…gratefulness to God, family, community and all those I taught and worked with.” Several years ago she had a medical sabbatical and underwent chemotherapy and radiation for cancer. Since then, she has had no recurrence.
She has often said, “I just appreciate the ordinariness of everyday which is never really ordinary – there’s always something new. We are a vibrant center of spirituality and hospitality and we are faithful to our monastic calling of reflection, silence and prayer with open hearts.”
“I’ve been richly blessed and pray I have blessed others. There have been challenges and disappointments, but, above all, there has been an underlying joy in this monastic life, serving and living in Idaho, but touching the whole world through prayer and love.”