"When you write my biography after my death," Sister Adela said, "please do not complicate it. Leave it as it is, simple. That is the way I want to leave this world. The rest is between God and myself. Amen."

Philomena Blatt was born in Granville, Iowa, July 30, 1904, one of eleven children born to Mary Malget and Nicholas Blatt. Her earliest desire for contemplative religious life came when she was nine years old, and it never left her. She entered at Clyde on November 22, 1927, made first profession of vows on September 1, 1929, and perpetual vows on May 26, 1935.

Sr.M.Adela lived in all of our larger monasteries and enjoyed them all. She worked in the Vestment, Correspondence, and Altar Bread Departments, and also served as sacristan and portress. Her fidelity to community exercises was most evident. In her years of retirement she made good use of the time for prayer and reading. All her religious life, the writings of the mystics were among her favorite. It was rare to find a book in the library that did not have her name on the card.

In September 1990, Sister moved from San Diego to the St. Louis Health Care Center. Her strength began to fail and she was diagnosed with cancer. She received the news of her illness and impending death with such simple faith and joyful surrender that she seemed almost excited to know that soon she would be united with her God forever. The spiritual longing with which she waited, day after day, was an inspiration for all. Her sister, Sr. M. Irmina was such a support and comfort for her during these months.

On March 2 she had the joy of a visit with her brother, Joe, and two nieces who came to St. Louis to see her. The Health Care staff and the Sisters began to keep constant watch with her as she weakened. On March 9, at 2:50 p.m., she quietly gave up her last breath. Her words seemed so real: "What is more beautiful than a life lived in union with God. Don't forget: GOD IS SIMPLICITY!"

In his homily during her funeral Mass at Clyde, Fr. Daniel, OSB, called her death a "golden opportunity" for us to celebrate her life among us. "Those of you who cared for her saw her giving herself totally in a gentle and joyful spirit, until she literally had nothing more to give . . . those of you who know the "before" and "after" in the transformation of Sr. Adela, know that her death was at last her golden opportunity- it was the coming together of all that was most dear to her and her giving it all to the Lord in complete detachment."

A beautiful tribute came from the Health Care newsletter:

"Matthew 5:1-12 illustrates Adela's life:

Blessed are the poor in spirit Adela believed in detachment as she had only two small boxes of belongings when she died.

Blessed are the gentle...She was a gentle lady with quiet joy. She was simple even in the face of death. She desired to face it, but had no fear.

Blessed are those who mourn... Irmina and many others mourned her, but saw in her beautiful  "transitus" that there is grace to triumph over anything so that the joy of surrender can be ours too.

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst...Adela longed for union with her Lord with a happy expectancy that was contagious. Gratitude permeated her.

Blessed are the compassionate...she showed selfless love by reaching out to others in need of comfort.

Blessed are the pure in heart.. .Adela came to purity of heart through prayer, fidelity, and holy reading.

Blessed are the peacemakers.. .Adela was a woman of deep inner peace which radiated out to those who cared for her.

Blessed are the persecuted... none of us will ever know just what the life of fidelity cost Adela, but we know by her death that she did not count the cost but gave all to the very end.

We rejoice and are glad with our Sister, for her reward is great in heaven!