ST. TAMMANY PARISH, LA. 

Obituary for: SEELAUS, MARY JULIA, (SR. MIRIAM JULIA SEELAUS)

Submitted by: Louis Lavedan. 

Source: Bagnell & Sons Funeral Home, Covington, La.

Died: Tuesday, June 27, 2017

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SEELAUS, MARY JULIA, (SR. MIRIAM JULIA SEELAUS)
	Died: Tue., Jun. 27, 2017

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Sr. Miriam of the Mystical Body, OCD (Mary Julia Seelaus) passed away on 
Tuesday, June 27, 2017. 

Born in Philadelphia, PA, Sr.  Miriam was the second of eight children.  Sister 
is survived by one sister, Sr. Anne of the Immaculate Heart, OCD, (Margaret 
Seelaus). 

Sister Miriam was preceded in death by her parents Joseph Seelaus and Margaret 
Lihotz Seelaus, sisters: Agnes Seelaus, Sr. Vilma of the Infant Jesus, OCD 
(Vilma Seelaus) Helen Hanton, and by her brothers:  Joseph, Edward, and James 
Seelaus.  

Sister attended Holy Child Parish grade school, then Hallahen High School, and 
graduated from the new Little Flower High School of Fine Arts and was hired to 
do women’s fashion art displays.  
She also started a group of Young Christian Workers similar to the movement in 
France.  After one of the group meetings, Sister was on her way home, on the 
subway when she heard in her heart a definite call to Carmel. She entered the 
Discalced Carmelite Monastery in Lafayette, LA on September 25, 1948.  She was 
clothed on March 25, 1949, and made Simple Profession on May 31, 1950.  

Sister’s final Profession was on May 31, 1953, and Solemn Profession with the 
community November 31, 1950.  When Sr. Miriam learned that the New Orleans 
Carmel needed help, she transferred to Carmel on September 27, 1980.  

Eventually Sister and the renewed community of the New Orleans Carmelites moved 
to Covington, La.  Sr. Miriam made good use of her artistic talent in Carmel.  
Her printing was of professional quality.  

Sister’s love for Jesus in the Eucharist and for His Mystical Body were 
evidenced in her paintings, sketches, drawings, and poems.  One of her favorite 
Scripture passage was from John’s Gospel: “I am the vine, you are the branches.  
Whoever remains in me and I in him will bear much fruit, because without me, 
you can do nothing.”  Or to put in her own words, “The discovery of the 
doctrine of the Mystical Body was a great grace for me.  Our loving God and 
Father has created each of us to be another humanity for Jesus.” 

Relatives and friends may welcome the body on Thursday June 29, 2017 starting 
at 3:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. in the Chapel of Discalced Carmelites Monastery,  
located at 73530 River Rd, Covington, La 70435.  
A Mass of Christian Burial will take place on Friday, June 30, 2017 at 9:00 
a.m. with visitation from 7:00 a.m. until service time. 

Interment in St. Joseph Abbey Cemetery. 

Bagnell & Son Funeral Home, Covington, LA in charge of arrangements.  

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