- Jessica Powers
Jessica Powers was a Carmelite sister, whose poetry reflected her deep spirituality and love for creation.
Born February 7, 1905, in Wisconsin, Jessica briefly studied journalism at Marquette University, before moving to Chicago, Illinois, to work as a secretary. When her mother died in 1925, she returned home to care for her younger brothers. Yet she continued to write.
By 1936, Jessica had written hundred of poems, and many had been published in newspapers, literary journals, and magazines. After her brothers grew up and left him, she went to New York City and worked as a nanny. She joined the Catholic Poetry Society of America, and published her first book of poetry in 1939.
In 1941, Jessica entered the Carmel of the Mother of God in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, but a recurrence of tuberculosis forced her to take a leave of absence. On this day in 1942, she finally received the habit of the Carmelites and was given the religious name of Sr. Miriam of the Holy Spirit.
Jessica continued to write poetry and published several more books. She suffered a stroke at age 83 and died August 18, 1988.
- Little White Book, Diocese of Saginaw