Sister Mary David Tatem, OP
Date of death: June 29, 2001
Veronica was educated in Saint Mary Grade School and Saint Mary High School, as it was called in those days. In the 1930s and 40s Saint Mary High had a well known orchestra under the direction of Sister Leonella and Mr. Anthony Cura. Veronica played the cello and the piano for this group. She was also talented on the organ.
In l938 Veronica entered the novitiate at Mount Saint Mary, Newburgh. In June 1939 she was invested in the habit and received the name of Sister Mary David. She made final profession August 20, 1946.
In those early days she attended Villanova University and obtained the degree of Bachelor of Science in Education. She then traveled to South Bend, Indiana for several summers and graduated with a Master of Arts in Art from Notre Dame University.
During the course of her teaching career she served in schools in New York, North Carolina, and in North and South Jersey including ten years in Woodbury. It was here that she became friends with Sister Ursula Marie. After teaching in the elementary division for thirty-eight years she changed over to secretarial work in Washington, D.C. After eight years in Washington, Sister returned to the the Mount where for ten years she served as secretary to Sister Grace Imelda in the College Title lll office and to Doctor Dieter in the Institutional Research Office.
In l998, at the age of 80. Sister retired, living in the Siena Community until this past year when she became a member of our Residential Care Unit.
Sometimes we think we know the sisters with whom we live, but do we really? Everyone here at the Mount knew sister suffered from a painful arthritis. We watched as she became more crippled. I have known sister for sixty-two years, thinking I knew her, but it was not until several days ago that I discovered another part of her life.
She left us some notes and requested that they be shared at her eulogy. She writes how she would summon up the mysteries of Jesus - just by imagining them - how she became present to Him as He sat wearied at the well, hot, alone, waiting - allowing her to be with Him.
Let me read to you in her own words.
She writes, and I quote - “Maybe you would like to include the following in my eulogy.”
“I have great devotion to the Blessed Mother and her rosary. I especially like to meditate on the mysteries and place myself some place in each mystery.”
An example:
“The Nativity - I acted as the wife of the innkeeper. After my husband said that he had no room for them, I told Joseph to take Mary up to the stable. I then took hot soup, and blankets to the stable and helped Mary and Joseph prepare for the night - I shall never forget!”
Another example:
The Preparation for the Last Supper-Saint Peter told me that Jesus wanted me to take care of the preparations for the Feast of the Passover. He took me to see the upper room and asked me if I needed help. Yes, I asked for a young girl to help me. As it was early, it gave me plenty of time to clean, shop and fix flowers.
As we listen to these thoughts we see that Sister Mary David
knew that to contemplate is to be in love with the things of God, with the people of God, with God Himself. We are reminded that there are many different styles and methods of prayer that people may have. Christ has to be the way of prayer any method is good so long as it engages with Him.
Sister was not granted time to examine her life as it was slipping away. She was striken suddenly and for fourteen days, as far as we know, she was aware of nothing.
Listening to her message, we know she long ago discovered Jesus in profound human encounters, that she had discovered it is not what one has achieved but who one is ---and there is God.
Mary David , May God give you rest from all your suffering and grant you eternal peace.
Sister Anne Gilson
July 3, 2001