by Sr. Diana Rawlings, ASC
Sometimes, a celebration during the Mass of Christian burial includes a poignant moment. This was the case for me at the Celebration of Life for Sr. Rosina Mies on Saturday, November 16. For more than 50 years, Sr. Rosina served as an exceptional nurse, as noted in her obituary, and was honored twice as the Best Nurse by the people of Enid, an accolade she accepted with great humility.
The Nurse Honor Guard from St. Francis School of Nursing, Wichita, paid a final tribute to Sr. Rosina, recognizing her dedication to the nursing profession. I had never witnessed such a ritual before, and I found it deeply moving. Five nurses approached the altar before the Final Commendation, with four standing in front of the coffin.
They began with the Nightingale Tribute “We carry a Nightingale lamp, a symbol of all that Florence Nightingale stood for: comfort, kindness, gentleness, courage, and unwavering devotion to duty. May Sr. Rosina’s light shine endlessly, just as the light of the lamp has in the past, so it does in the present and will continue to do so into the future through all those who have known and loved her.”
What followed was a sampling of the ritual as the Honor Guard continued: Sister Rosina is remembered not just for her many years as a nurse, but for the significant impact she made during those years by stepping into people’s lives at pivotal moments.
In the excitement and miracle of birth, or in the mystery and loss of life, ‘Sister Rosina was there.’
When the situation demanded swift action and a sharp mind, ‘Sister Rosina was there.’
To embrace the woes of the world willingly and offer hope, ‘Sister Rosina was there.’
And now, as it is time to be at the Greater One’s side, ‘Sister Rosina IS there.’
The leader continued: “We will now do a final roll call to honor Sr. Rosina and present a white rose as a symbol of our respect and appreciation for her service as our colleague.” This rose was given to sister’s brother, Raymond.
In unison, the Honor Guard announced: “Sr. Rosina Mies, RN – report to duty.” This was repeated three times, with each utterance accompanied by a single stroke of the triangle that produced a sound lingering in the silent chapel. After the third call to report for duty, the final words were spoken: “At this time, we officially release you, Sr. Rosina Mies, RN, from your duties.”
Sister Rosina, may you rest in the loving arms of the Beloved.