Mary Christina Hutchison was born April 24, 1899 in McKeesport, Pa. the oldest of 11 children, 4 girls and 7 boys, born to William and Catherine (King) Hutchison. Because she was so frail as an infant she was not expected to live. 

After Mary Christina graduated from a two year course at St. Peter’s Commercial High School at age 15 she worked as a bookkeeper. During World War I she spent two years in Washington, D.C. working for the War Dept; she was there when the armistice was signed. After returning to McKeesport she taught school for one year, then took another position as a bookkeeper for several years. She was involved in the activities of her parish, was sacristan at St. Peter’s for many years and had also served as sodality president. While working in the business world she also worked extra at night and earned for herself a trip to Lourdes & Rome in 1925. In 1926 she attended the 1st. International Eucharistic Congress held in the U.S.A, in Chicago.

Mary Christina had promised her family that she would remain at home until her brother, Bill, had completed his studies in medical school. Bill graduated on June 2, 1927 and later that month, on the Feast of the Sacred Heart, June 24, 1927, Bill drove her to Clyde where she entered the postulancy. First profession of vows was September 1, 1929 when she received the name Sr. M. Geraldine. The date of her Perpetual vows was October 27, 1934. Two of her brothers became Doctors, two of her sisters were nurses, and the youngest sister, Sr. M. Joseph, was a Sister of Mercy.

Sr. M. Geraldine’s many years of service in our congregation included a variety of assignments. At Clyde she was in charge of the Order Dept, at the C.D. for some time, she was portress for about eight years, and also served as bookkeeper for a time. As portress, Sr. M. Geraldine welcomed many of us when we arrived to enter the postulancy, and somehow her gracious kindness and loving hospitality lessened our fears as we crossed that threshold into the unknown of our own personal futures. As portress she also endeared herself to all our guests, relatives and friends who came to visit. Somehow they always remembered Sr. M. Geraldine with deep affection and gratitude. With a true Benedictine spirit she seemed to overflow with joy and friendliness when she welcomed and served Christ in every guest who came to our monastery. Many will recall also that she made many friends while living in our Tucson, Kansas City and San Diego monasteries. Her ministry to others differed somewhat in each situation, but always her giving spirit found a means of expression, sometimes in bouquets of sweet peas from her garden, or in giving clothing to the poor, or saving candy to give away to children.

Because her home was in Pennsylvania, Sr. M. Geraldine was happy that she had the opportunity to attend the 2nd. International Eucharistic Congress in the U.S. A., this time held in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, August 1-8, 1976. In 1979, her Golden Jubilee year, she celebrated on the Feast of the Sacred Heart at her hometown Parish with Fr. Paschal, OSB of St. Vincent’s Archabbey in Latrobe presiding at the Mass, assisted by Brother Timothy, OSB. The Feast of the Sacred Heart was special to her, the day on which she had graduated, and then later the day she entered at Clyde. Another Jubilee celebration took place in St. Louis on September 1, 1979, with Cardinal Carberry officiating at the Mass, with Bishop McNicholas, Abbot Edwin and a number of other priests.

Sr. M. Geraldine was a member of St. Benedict Health Care community since June 1973. As her health declined, her physical energy disappeared but her big heart, well exercised by loving generosity throughout her life, was strong enough to keep her in our midst much longer than seemed possible. Then very quietly, at 6:20 AM, April 13, she entered into eternal life. Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated in our St. Louis monastery chapel on Friday, April 15 with burial in Mt. Calvary cemetery at our Clyde monastery the following day. Our "Song of Farewell" in the funeral liturgy was like a "hospitality hymn" as we prayed that saints and angels would now receive her with gracious welcome to her heavenly home.

May our dear Sr. M. Geraldine continue to help us welcome many more postulants into our monastic community!