Catherine Ann Bremm, born on November 16, 1883, was the sixth in a family of six boys and two girls. Her parents, emigrants from Germany, had settled in Albany, New York, where her father supported the family by laboring in a foundry "making wheels for trains." Catherine was a precocious child, gifted in many ways, especially with a beautiful voice. As she told it in later years, she could "sing like a bird" even when she was in the baby room of the German school she attended. This talent remained with her and was well used almost till the end.

After finishing grade school, Catherine was employed in a dress-maker’s shop for some years. At the age of twenty-one she lost her mother, and the following year - drawn by a notice in "Tabernakel und Fegfeuer" - she applied for admission to our Convent at Clyde. Her father, though loath to see his beautiful young daughter head for the "wild west", gave his consent, and she entered at Clyde in September, 1906. She began her Novitiate on April 13, 1907, and on June 27 the following year professed her first vows as Sister M. Cherubim. Final vows were made on February 3, 1917. Blessed with a long life of ninety-five years, Sister had the rare joy of celebrating not only the 50th but also the 70th anniversary of her religious profession. She also enjoyed the privilege of Consecration of Virgins.

Typesetting in the printery was Sister's main work for some years. She accompanied the group sent to make a foundation in Chewelah, Washington, and when that was closed in 1928, returned to Clyde. From 1933 to 1947 she made her home at our Mundelein convent, where she labored long hours in the hot sun and on chilly days, rejoicing that through her efforts fresh fruits and vegetables could be provided for the community. She considered it a special privilege and responsibility to pray for the priests and seminarians at St. Mary of the Lake Seminary, and was deeply moved when the deacons served in the sanctuary and later came as newly ordained priests to celebrate the Eucharist with the Sisters. 

In November, 1949, Sister M. Cherubim lived at the "Pink Rose" - our convent in Tucson, Arizona, where she remained for ten years, working tirelessly at cultivating harvesting and processing dates and helping in the young citrus orchard.

One of Sister’s special ’hobbies' - or rather, apostolates, was to mount holy pictures for the missions, at which she spent long hours when time would permit. This work was done with a joyful heart, seasoned with prayer and sacrifice, even into ripe old age.

Gifted, as mentioned, with a good voice, Sister was a zealous schola member, and often entertained the Sisters at recreation with her singing and with her auto-harp and harmonica. Performing for the enjoyment of others was a talent she used generously and her rendition of such old favorites as "Grandfather's Clock," the Sauerkraut Song, and the "One-legged Goose," will live long in the memory of her contemporaries. Her voice still retained its mellow, musical qualities into her 90’s, and her harmonica was a prized possession which still served to give enjoyment to herself and others.

Sister M. Cherubim was also a lover of prayer and holy Scripture, with a marked preference for the Gospel of St. John, - "because," she said, "John and Jesus were mates and John knew what Jesus was really like." As she advanced in years, even into the 90's, Sister lost track of time and was always some years ahead of the calendar. Toward the last, she had, in her own mind, advanced far up into the 100's - and even declared she was now in the 200's, but didn't know just where.

When St. Benedict's Health Care Center was opened in St. Louis in November, 1975, Sister came with other infirm and elderly sick Sisters from Clyde to take up residence there. Although it was difficult to make another move at her age, she adjusted beautifully. Speaking of growing old, she said: "It's not half as bad as most people think. You just take one day at a time, that's all."

When asked what were some of her happiest or saddest experiences in the convent, she said: "It has all been happy. When you give your love - all your love - to Jesus, you are happy. I've had some hard times, but they don't compare with the joy of belonging to Jesus." Asked if she feared death, she replied that this was what she was living for. "I'm ready any time He is."

During the last few months of her life, Sister had been growing noticeably weaker. Her arthritic knees gave her much pain and slowed down her walking, and finally she had to take to the wheel chair. She loved to sit by the window, watching the birds and admiring the beauty of the landscape and sky. During her last years she watched television by the hour, and if others saw secular programs, not so with Sister, who saw in every man with long tresses only the Lord Jesus...

On Saturday, January 27, 1979, Sister fell from her chair in her room in an effort to pick up her harmonica which she had dropped. X-Rays at the hospital revealed breaks in the right knee. Neither the doctors nor the Sisters who visited her could get her attention the first few days, but by Wednesday the 31st she had made friends with the elderly woman who shared her room, and recognized the Sisters who visited her. Shortly after the Sisters had left, in late afternoon, her roommate spoke to her without receiving a response. The nurse was called, and it was found that Sister had quietly slipped away to eternity, having answered the call of Jesus which she had so longed to hear.

After the celebration of the liturgy for the departed on Friday morning, the Sisters who had come from Clyde took her back with them to her final resting place on Mount Calvary. Previous to her accident, Sister had spoken to others about dying soon, apparently having a premonition of her approaching end. She asked the Sisters to pray for her, and promised she would pray for them. In his funeral homily, Father David McKillan of St. Pius X Abbey who knew Sister as her confessor, spoke of her as "a spirited lady who lived freely, spontaneously and lovingly before the Lord." This indeed sums up her life in a nutshell.