The wonderful Benedictine nuns of Gower Abbey in Missouri have lately been victims of extremely dangerous… I am not making this up… drive by shootings.
Drive by shootings.
At NUNS.
Let that sink in.
The police are investigating.
Shots were fired at the abbey church and even, among other, went into the Abbess’ sleeping cell.
The sisters now are faced with putting up some sort of wall or fence.
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The sisters sent out a note via email. It included:
Dear Family, Friends and Benefactors,
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It seems that the news of a recent incident at our Abbey is quickly spreading, as we have received a great many emails in these past few days, assuring us of prayers and support. We send this message to disseminate the correct information and to assure you all of our safety!On March 24th, just after 11:00 pm, loud gunshots were heard by many Sisters in the Abbey. Some of the Sisters arose, but soon returned to sleep, as we have sadly become desensitized on account of the many incidents of inappropriate activity around our monastery. In the morning, Mother Abbess discovered two bullet holes in her bedroom. A bullet had entered through the exterior wall, punched a hole beneath the Sacred Heart picture, and continued to penetrate through the wall directly opposite, being stopped by shower wall on its other side. Mother Abbess was sleeping several feet from the bullet’s trajectory.
Law enforcement officers were here making the report and looking for evidence for many hours the next day, the Feast of the Annunciation. It was determined that the shots were fired from 316th Street, just to the west of our front gate. The event in Mother Abbess’ cell was the third this Lent, however, with other bullet holes observed by the police in the door jamb of the dining room next to the Abbey church, and in the stone of the church itself. As of now, there are no leads, though the local sheriffs are working diligently to find the perpetrator. They are also maintaining extra surveillance around our area.
Though this has been rather unsettling, we are all very much at peace. These types of situations, while very disturbing, are exceedingly good reminders to heed St. Benedict’s words to “keep death daily before ones eyes.” That does not mean we won’t take necessary precautions for better security. Indeed, we have long desired more privacy and protection, as our monastery sits at the intersection of two country roads. We are in the process of selecting tall fencing or sturdy wall panels to protect our buildings on this northeast section of our property, including our gardens where the Sisters work every day.
Unfortunately, this involves about 3000 feet of fencing, and you can imagine the cost is not negligible. If you are able to support this endeavor with a monetary gift, we would be deeply grateful. The total cost will most likely be over $200,000.
Thank you so much for your ongoing prayers and support. We wish you all a most blessed Holy Week, and a glorious Easter to follow. You are in our hearts and prayers during these holiest of days.
Sincerely in Christ,
The Benedictines of Mary, Queen of Apostles
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A lot of fencing.
So I guess my idea of a control tower at that intersection with an L96 .338 Lapua and Nikon scope manned 24/7 inside armored top is out.
I rather agree with General Patton that a good defense is a great offense…
Donation made. God bless these Sisters I have several of their wonderful CD’s. I imagine Satan hates their beautiful music and their traditional way of life so this is not surprising.
The Sister’s chaplain, the Ragin’ Cajun, Father Jambon, resembles Don Camillo in size, appearance, temperament, and zeal.
I could picture him, like the scene in Don Camillo, in the bell tower with a rifle.
Set up a bunch of webcams with night vision and recording capability to monitor the public roads, immediately!!! This should be fairly cheap and quick to do. It should be part of a long-term deterrent strategy that includes a physical barrier such as a fence anyway.
May God protect them!
When I first read this, I thought that they must be in the middle of St. Louis, with gang activity all around. I then mapped Gower MO and wow… that’s about as far from the big city as you can get!
I will offer prayers for their safety.
When I first read this, I thought that they must be in the middle of St. Louis, with gang activity all around. I then mapped Gower MO and wow… that’s about as far from the big city as you can get!
I will offer prayers for their safety.
When I first read this, I thought that they must be in the middle of St. Louis, with gang activity all around. I then mapped Gower MO and wow… that’s about as far from the big city as you can get!
I will offer prayers for their safety.
Donation made. St. Joseph, pray for us!
Praying for your safety and finding the person(s) doing this. God have mercy on us and on the whole world.
Donation made. I have a special affection for their abbess who like me is a French horn player.
If one can’t donate to a protective wall to help keep Nuns from getting shot, one can’t donate to anything. I’d rather donate in the form of a decent night vision scope, but I understand such things might not be acceptable solutions in our current times.
That being said, I can’t help but get images of the French Revolution and Spanish Civil War out of my head. It seems innocent religious are often the first target. . . May God guide and protect the sisters in Glower.
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God bless the nuns of Gower.
JustaSinner: The Holy Hand Grenade of Antioch is an option.
“What then of death? Is not the taps of death but the first call to reveille of eternal life?” – Gen. Patton
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The sisters are indeed wonderful. I have never seen such joy as that which radiates from their faces. Fr. Jambon is now chaplain at their new foundation in Ava, MO named for St. Joseph. They are temporarily on the grounds of the Trappist monks (of fruit cake fame), though in separate facilities. Ava is a hot bed of masonic activity, and a former Mason who is now Catholic and has helped out the sisters was quick to recognize vandalism at the Trappist property which indicates that a Masonic hex had been invoked there. The attack on the Gower sisters reminds me of the rampage at Conception Abbey (also a very rural area in the same diocese as Gower) some years back in which their porter was killed and several others were injured; the 75 year old gunman killed himself. Indeed, evil forces have been unleashed and our prayers and support are necessary. May Saint Michael himself be their protection.
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