The third oldest  child in a family of seven, Matilda Marie was born September 13, 1909 in St. Louis, Missouri. Her father, Frederick P. Horras, born in Germany, came across to the United States with his family when he was 12 years old. Her mother, Gertrude Schillo Horras was also born in Germany and brought across as a child in arms.

As a young girl Matilda desired to become a nun, but she had no attraction to teaching. Shortly before Christmas one year, having purchased for her younger sister the book, A Little White Flower (about St. Therese of the Child Jesus), she thought she would read it too. What she read made a deep impression on her and also influenced her personal conduct...something noticed and later commented on by her mother, “Papa and I marveled at the change which took place in you.” From that time on, Matilda knew that she wanted a life of prayer, but where?

Matilda inquired at the Carmelite Monastery in St. Louis but was told that, being only 16, she was rather young. The $2,000 dowry required made it even more clear to her that “the holy will of God had other plans for her.” Christ’s presence in the Blessed Sacrament was the attracting force in her life these years and she would often stop in church to make a visit. Knowing of the Benedictine Sisters of Perpetual Adoration through the publication, Tabernacle and Purgatory, she chose to visit Clyde in order to make her decision. At that time another young woman working in St. Louis, Benita Haas (Sr. Mary Callista), had decided to enter. Matilda contacted her and they both decided to enter at Clyde on September 8, 1927.

On March 10, 1928 she received the holy habit and the beautiful white veil she loved so much, thus becoming Novice Matilda. Being a city girl, big cows and snorting pigs and hogs offered a real challenge to her courage, such as the time when she had to walk through the pigsty with a bucket of eggs. She went as fast as she could, praying all the while, “Sacred Heart of Jesus, I trust in Thee!” until she passed through safely. “But the entire year was rich in grace, living in the shadow of the Tabernacle under the gaze of her Eucharistic Lord.”

One day, seated at table in the refectory with the other novices, the Novice Mistress inquired casually what names they would like. Turning to Novice Matilda she said, “Wouldn’t you like Sr. Margaret Mary Alacoque, the confidante of the Sacred Heart?’ Nothing could have pleased her more, though she hardly dared hope for it. On the day before Profession the Superior interviewed each of those to be professed. When it was Novice Matilda’s turn, the Superior “took the small piece of paper on which her new name was written, placed it in her hand, covered her fingers over it and told her to go to Chapel and have Jesus call her by that name, the first one of all.” She did as she was told, and what a thrill it was for her to see her new name, Sr. (Margaret) Mary Alacoque!

“Life flowed on, and trials were not wanting, such as all those dear to God receive from time to time... But they were happy years accompanied by graces of prayer and union with God.” The occasion of her perpetual vows was marked by a tragic event. Two of the young boys working on the farm had gone for a swim the evening before in the small pond back of the laundry. Apparently the boat capsized and they went into the cold water (it was early April). Probably they had gotten cramps and could not help themselves; and before anyone could get there, both had drowned. It was with this death so prominently before their eyes that she and two profession companions offered themselves forever to their Beloved on the following day.

Before entering, Sr. Marguerite Marie played the piano and within a few weeks after entrance the Postulant Mistress informed her that the Superior wanted her to continue with music and learn to play the organ. From then on, music was one of her assignments, choir directing, playing the organ and working with Office gook revisions. Sister was also sent as a pioneer when new foundations opened in Tucson, San Diego and St. Louis. She likewise served in our Kansas City  and Mundelein monasteries.

Sister performed various duties besides her music ministry. She served as Postulant Mistress, Subprioress, and worked in the correspondence department over the years. Having had polio as a child she was disposed to increasing difficulty with arthritis in her older years. 

Since the late 1980’s Sr. Marguerite was a resident of our health care center, starting in St. Louis, and in her last year year at Our Lady of Rickenbach, Clyde. While in St. Louis, Sister’s two blood sisters (who lived in the city), came to visit her every month. In the late 1990’s they were in a serious auto accident - from which both of them eventually died. This was extremely hard for Sr. Marguerite who carried that grief in her heart ever since.

Besides being very active in the service of community, Sr. Marguerite Marie had a deeply spiritual presence. Her ways were quiet, dignified, thoughtful and gentle, but she had a ready smile and laughter. This smile and the beauty of her face were the external glow of Sister Marguerite’s inner beauty.

As Sr. Marguerite Marie’s great Advent wait neared its fulfillment, the community kept vigil wither by turn, voicing wither the ancient prayer of the Church, “Come Lord Jesus!” the One for whom she waited did jot disappoint her hope. She slept peacefully away into his loving embrace at 8:15 pm December 12, 2002.