On December 3, 1912, Isabelle Emma Meyer was born to Henry Bernard and Catherine Mary (Seiffert) Meyer in Carlyle, Illinois. Two days later she had her first horse and buggy ride to the local church for baptism. Isabelle was the firstborn of seven, five boys and two girls. (Her sister, Elizabeth Mary is also a member of the congregation.)

Some of my happiest days were when my father drove the wagon and took us to the forest where the waters flowed and streams were clear. Collecting nuts in the woods was such a happy time. God was so near. To see the sunrise or sunset, or the plants wet with dew, noticing how much they had grown overnight...these were joys and thrills for me.

It seemed like we worked all the time on the farm; but I did love to play cards, and on Sundays we played croquet. Daily the family prayed together, and watching my father gave me a deep sense of awe and wonder at his intimacy with God. Often as we left the house for school Mother would tell us to say some short prayer and not to forget God. Daddy told us to pray always by making good intentions.

In my early years I had a great longing for the Eucharist - Emmanuel, God with us. It was a burning desire to have Jesus present with me always. And my First Communion was a wonderful meeting with Him! My vocation blossomed in our little parish where it was customary to spend time in prayer before and after Sunday Mass. I was also influenced by my mother’s great love for Christ and His for us. I learned about the Benedictine Sisters through Tabernacle and Purgatory, a subscription that was given to my mother by her aunt. She kept all the old ones up in the attic. I would get them out, and instead of making my bed I would read the magazines.

From the time I was sixteen I felt called to be a Sister here. I never said anything about it because I felt my mother needed me. When I finally told my parents, Mother was surprised, never thinking I would go to the convent. Later, when Elizabeth Mary was invested, my mother cried and said, "I always thought I would have one of my girls at my bedside when I die. But I don’t want you to do anything else but what you want to do." When Mother died Elizabeth and I were both at her bedside, so God rewarded her.

Anselma entered Clyde in February 1936. It was a cold day with three feet of snow. After six weeks I was homesick and asked the Postulant Director if there was any ground in Missouri not covered by snow. I wanted to see something growing. Toward the end of March the snow began to melt...Spring was near and nature’s beauty began to speak.

As a postulant she worked in the kitchen and in the sewing room - which came naturally to Anselma who sat beside her mother at the sewing ma-chine and made dresses for her doll, and in her teens learned to read patterns and make clothes for adults. In the novitiate she continued working with Sr. Stanislaus, a neat and excellent seamstress whom I loved.

In the early days of postulancy I was told not to sing because I had such a terrible voice. (I never did get over that. Though I already knew it, I had hoped that someday I could sing. I am still waiting.) As a novice she looked forward to Profession. The days were filled with nearness to God, dryness, and all that went with preparing for a final decision to give myself forever to God. The schedule was full, from 4:30 a.m. until 8:30 p.m., Never a moment to stop, to rest, to enjoy a walk, a flower. Just to ‘hurry up.’ There was much work to do...or was there, really? Did we need the house so spotless? Couldn 't we have relaxed a bit more, let go?

Anselma was an asset in the embroidery and stitching rooms, vestment department, making habits and dresses, and mending. It was a joy and a privilege for me, and I made efforts to make each article more perfect than the last one. She subsequently studied tailoring which augmented her proficiency. She crafted each item with love, ensuring that the fit was perfect for the wearer. She also trained newer members in the art of sewing. Later, Anselma assumed sacristy duties as well, tending the sanctuary with the same love and exactness as with fabric and thread.

She has been described as being classy, young at heart, a mentor, and devoted to the spiritual path. She loved playing pinochle and enjoyed being with her family at their lake house, often inviting Sisters to join her and Elizabeth Mary for a day of fun on the water. Our Sr. Bertilla Seiffert is first cousin to them as well, which has made it possible to enjoy their relations on multiple occasions.

In 1993 Anselma broke a hip, and although she physically recovered, this was the beginning of her decline. Within a few years she was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. Sr. Elizabeth Mary has borne the weight of Anselma’s cross in a very particular way, and her loving devotion to Anselma has been a witness to all of us. How grateful we were that she was with her “darling sister” at the moment of her passage after First Vespers of Epiphany, January 7, 2006. May Sr. Anselma now revel in the Divine Manifestation for eternity.