(April 2, 1918 - January 13, 2015)
Word has been received of the death of Sister M. Beniti (Scanlon), who died at 12:45 p.m. on Tuesday, January 13, 2015, in Saint Mary’s Convent, Notre Dame, Indiana.
Every once in a while we are gifted with knowing a person who seems to be blessed and is a blessing to others. This is the thought that comes to mind when researching the life of Sister Beniti. In speaking to those who lived with her, worked with her or cared for her in her last illness, each had the same reaction, a searching for a superlative that would be fitting to describe Sister Beniti. “She was marvelous; she was extremely gracious; she was totally friendly to all; she filled every group with joy and laughter; she made no demands for herself; she was special in a hundred different ways.” This high praise was repeated over and over as people struggled to tell how Sister Beniti had affected their lives.
Sister Beniti was a Holy Cross product through and through. From the first to the 12th grade she attended St. Paul’s Academy in Washington, D.C., which was under the direction of the Sisters of the Holy Cross. She wrote of the first encounter with the sisters: “I was in awe of the beautiful habit the sisters wore, and any fear of the sisters soon passed away because of their kindness, loving spirit and their joy.” Sister Beniti absorbed this spirit and exemplified it in her 78 years of dedicated religious life.
All of Sister Beniti’s ministry years were spent in the schools of the East, where she was a teacher and sometimes principal in 12 different schools. She wrote, “In the teaching apostolate I believe that my education, especially in religion, has given me the opportunity to make the children more aware of being a Christian and to realize the great value of loving and knowing that only by love for the neighbor can one give back the love to God that he so generously gave to us.” She lived by this model her whole life and it reflects who she was as a person.
Sister Beniti’s deep spirituality was part of the fiber of her life but because she was very self-effacing, it was not obvious to the casual observer. However, this spiritual integrity made it possible for her to reach out to others who were sad or depressed or needed just to be cheered up and have their spirits lifted. She was a joy to be around and she was a party person. The outrageous stories she told to entertain often had people convulsed with laughter.
This wonderful view of life brought special joy to her family whom she dearly loved. The door in her bedroom is covered from floor to ceiling with photos of her family, friends and special occasions that captured the love she shared. Being a part of this family or a dear friend was an enriching experience because her love was expansive. Those sisters who were her friends shared many wonderful experiences with her. Sister Mary Ada (Dennis), a friend and colleague, tells of the train trips to the New York World’s Fair shepherding fifth- and eighth-grade students from St. Paul’s School. It was a challenge but an exciting and joy-filled experience. Many tickets were donated to the convent and, since no one seemed to want them, Mary Ada and Beniti went five times, such was exuberance of this fun-loving pair. If there had been slot machines to play, the trips would probably have been multiplied.
The banner that hung on Sister Beniti’s bedroom door tells the story of her dedication and love of doing the work of the Lord. It reads: “Bloom where you are planted.” Wherever she was sent she brought her joyous self and spread that joy to others. On Tuesday, when she passed from this life to the next, she was no doubt greeted by all her loving siblings and the many friends who have gone before her. Sister Beniti now rests in peace.