Biographical
Written in "A Nun's Life Ministry" newsletter by Sister Julie, January 7, 2012:
Sister Hiltrudis Powers of the Sisters of the Most Precious Blood, was an amazing nun and artist. She died on December 31 and left a legacy of beauty.
Sister Hiltrudis Powers was well-known for her work painting colorful murals, designing stained-glass windows, and making sculptures, silk-screened banners and other items that decorate churches here and abroad. (source)
She was born in Quincy, Illinois, and belonged to the Sisters of the Most Precious Blood of O’Fallon, Missouri. The sisters are known for their beautiful artwork.
Sister Hiltrudis Powers, CPPSIn 1945, when Sister Powers was 25, the director of the embroidery department died. Sister Powers was named director of what came to be the Ecclesiastical Art Department, and this became her life’s ministry.
She specialized in stained glass, metal and wood. When newly appointed Archbishop Justin Rigali needed a coat of arms, the St. Louis Archdiocese commissioned Sister Powers to design and craft the work in copper and enamel on wood.
Before Vatican II, in 1962, her order’s art department made articles only for Catholic churches. After that, the department began making artworks for other denominations….
Sister Powers designed the miter and stole worn by Pope John Paul II during his visit to St. Louis in 1999, according to the order.
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Found in 5 Collections and/or Records:
File
Identifier: HARC_003_9_1_4_4_0000
Scope and Contents
The embroidered figure of Christ the Teacher was made for Saint Francis de Sales Church in 1920 It was painted by Sister Anselma and embroidered by the Sisters in the Ecclesiastical Art Department After it was no longer used in the parish Father Edwin Kastner a boy from Saint Francis de Sales requested and received the vestment He asked the Sisters in the Department to mount the figure on a background for framing After many years in parish work Father returned the picture to the Sisters to...
Dates:
Existence: Majority of material found within 1845-2024
File
Identifier: HARC_003_9_1_4_8_0000
Scope and Contents
This red silk stole was presented to Pope John Paul II during his visit to St Louis in January 1999 He wore it at the youth prayer rally at Kiel Center on January 26 and returned it to the St Louis Archdiocese where it is now on display in the cathedral crypt Hand embroidered on the right side of the stole are the three primary patron saints of the St Louis Archdiocese St Rose Philippine Duchesne St Vincent de Paul and St Louis IX King of France On the left side framed in embroidered gold...
Dates:
Existence: Majority of material found within 1845-2024
File
Identifier: HARC_003_2_1_1_0000_0006
Scope and Contents
Detailed historical and architectural narrative prepared in connection with the National Register documentation for St. Mary's Institute. Covers the congregation's European origins and migration, establishment and architectural development of the O'Fallon motherhouse, Assumption Parish and O'Fallon's German-American community, educational institutions, water infrastructure, international missions, and the Ecclesiastical Art Department. Particular attention is given to Sister Hiltrudis...
Dates:
2007
File
Identifier: HARC_003_4_1_4_2_0008
Scope and Contents
The 1958 Sea Chapel stained glass windows honor six women—Elizabeth, Caecilia, Agnes, Judith, Esther, and Mary—symbolizing courage, service, sacrifice, and faith. Designed by Sr. Hiltrudis Powers, they depict stories emphasizing integrity, charity, and suffering. Donations from alumnae and benefactors funded the windows and related chapel furnishings, celebrating women's inspiring virtues.
Dates:
1957
Series
Identifier: HARC_003_9_0000_0000_0000_0000
Scope and Contents
The Ecclesiastical Art Department of the Sisters of the Most Precious Blood (CPPS) in O'Fallon, Missouri, was a renowned artistic ministry. Established in 1858 in Germany, it provided vital income for the fledgling community before relocating to the United States in the 1870s. For more than a century, the department created liturgical artwork for Catholic and other denominational churches around the world. Its portfolio includes stained-glass windows, custom-designed installations,...
Dates:
Existence: Majority of material found within 1845-2024
