Sister Philomene Sponsel, OSB papers

Sister Philomene Sponsel, OSB was born in Goodland, Kansas on April 17, 1931 where her parents baptized her with the name Evelyn Jean. A member of the Class of 1949, she graduated from Saint Scholastica Academy in Cañon City, Colorado and immediately entered the Benedictine Sisters of Chicago as a postulant. Sister Philomene made final vows June 25, 1954 and became certified to teach grades 6-12. She also served on the retirement committee and her compassion for elders is evidenced in letters she wrote in later years. Sister Philomene left the community in December 1974, and received official secularization December 23, 1974. After requesting and receiving secularization, she officially left the community December 23, 1974. Eventually, she married her good friend, Ernie Smith. She died January 8, 2018