(50 for 50 series) SAINT JOHN, New Brunswick – Struggling for her life in hospital, Sr. Emily Lordon was not expected to live. More than 20 years later at age 88, she is a testament to God’s grace through the intercession of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton.
Sr. Emily was in hospital with multiple blood clots threatening her life. Desperately, the medical team tried unsuccessfully to clear the clots through an incision. Exhausted, Sr. Emily finally asked them to halt the vigorous procedure.
Doctors were clear: she was not expected to live through the night.
Sandra Barrett was then SCIC Congregational Leader. That night as Sr. Emily lay in deep distress, Sandra placed a relic of St. Elizabeth Ann on her chest. A message was sent to Sisters asking for prayer in a dire situation.
“I remember being very sick,” Sr. Emily recalled during a recent conversation. “Father came in and anointed me. They didn’t think I would make it.”
To the great surprise of the medical team, Sr. Emily survived the night. They said they didn’t know why she was alive. Family members, Sisters, staff, Associates and friends rejoiced and gave thanks.
At the time, Sr. Emily was living in Digby, Nova Scotia in ministry as a pastoral visitor in homes and at the nearby Bear River Indigenous (Mi’kmaq) reserve. She had come temporarily to Saint John where she was suddenly admitted to hospital.
Born in Bathurst, N.B., she worked eight years before entering SCIC in 1961. After teaching school, she served 10 years as director of the St. Vincent de Paul Centre in Saint John before spending 12 years in mission in Peru.
Sr. Emily then served on the SCIC leadership circle or team. She was founding director of the St. Vincent de Paul Women’s Centre and justice liaison on SCIC leadership.
Later, she became interim director of Villa Madonna Retreat House in Rothesay, N.B. before moving to Digby for 14 years. She resides in the care centre at Ruth Ross Residence in Saint John.
Sisters believe her life was spared by God through the powerful and loving intercession of St. Elizabeth Ann.
50 for 50 is a series of stories, quotes, clips, photos, and/or devotional statements from ordinary people to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the canonization of Elizabeth Ann Seton as the first native-born American saint.
Photo courtesy of SCIC. Sister Sandra Barrett, SCIC (left) and Sister Emily Lordon SCIC in earlier years.