Hildegard Schmidt

Sr. Michael Marie, OP Hildegard (Morrell) Schmidt Sr. Michael Marie Schmidt, O.P., a Cloistered Dominican Nun of the Monastery of the Blessed Sacrament in Farmington Hills, Michigan, passed away peacefully on December 12, 2024, the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe. She was surrounded by her sisters in prayer at her bedside and was 93 years of age. Born Hildegard Morrell on April 25, 1931, in Mandan, North Dakota, she was the daughter of Erasmus and Theresia Morrell. As a young woman, Hildegard felt a deep calling to dedicate herself entirely to God as a religious sister. However, her mother strongly opposed this path, and so it was arranged for her to marry. She wed Pete Schmidt, a local rancher. They had five beautiful children: Jerry, Ken, Ron, Marilyn and Cindy, all of whom reside in North Dakota. From these she had 17 grand kids, 30 great grand kids, and 2 great great grand kids. An amazing and grace-filled woman, indeed. Following the death of her husband and after her children had grown, the call to religious life emerged once more. In 1991, she entered the Monastery of the Cloistered Dominican Nuns of the Rosary in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. She made her First Vows in August 1994. After 23 fruitful years in the Lancaster community, Sister Michael Marie requested a transfer to the Monastery of the Blessed Sacrament in Farmington Hills, Michigan. With the agreement of both communities, she arrived here in September, 2015. Sister had a great devotion to Our Blessed Mother and in secular life was an active member of the Blue Army of Our Lady. How fitting then, that she should die on the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe! Sister Michael Marie's life was a testament to faith, courage, perseverance, and devotion. She will be deeply missed by her religious community, her family and all who knew her. A memorial visitation will be held on Sunday evening, December 15th at 7:00 P.M. in the Guild Room at the Monastery. The Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Monday, at 11:00 A.M. in the Monastery Chapel, followed by burial at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery. After the Mass, a luncheon will be provided in the adjoining Guild Room for those in attendance. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Monastery of the Blessed Sacrament or a charity of choice that supports religious vocations and monastic life.