Marcella Pattyn

from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Marcella Pattyn (born August 18, 1920 in Thysville , Belgian Congo , † April 14, 2013 in Kortrijk ) was a Belgian religious and the last beguines . An 800-year history came to an end with her.

Life

The last living beguine

Marcella Pattyn has been almost blind since childhood. As a young woman she wanted to work and become a member of a religious order, but because of her visual impairment she could not be accepted into any order at that time. So at the age of 21 she joined the community of Beguines, who since the 13th century have also welcomed the “leftovers”. The first community in which she asked for admission, however, refused after a week. It was only after the intervention and donation of a wealthy aunt that she was accepted into the Beguinage of Ghent in 1941 , which then had 150 members.

Marcella Pattyn was musically gifted, she played the organ in the band and entertained the sick she cared for with the banjo and the accordion . She also knitted and wove for the livelihood of the community. She spent a lot of time in prayer, and the rosary was especially important to her , as she could feel the pearls in her hands as she was almost blind.

In 1960 she moved to the beguinage community of Kortrijk (Courtrai), where eight other beguines remained. None came more. On her 91st birthday, when it was already known that she was the last Beguine, the Mayor of Kortrijk and former Minister of Justice of Belgium said:

“You are a piece of world cultural heritage. You are not allowed to go yet! "

- Stefaan De Clerck

She died on April 14, 2013 at the age of 92 and was buried on April 19, 2013 in the cemetery of St. John in Kortrijk in the crypt of the beguines.

Web links

personal data
SURNAME Pattyn, Marcella
BRIEF DESCRIPTION Belgian nun, last beguine
DATE OF BIRTH August 18, 1920
PLACE OF BIRTH Thysville , Belgian Congo
DATE OF DEATH April 14, 2013
Place of death Kortrijk