Archbishop Coakley delivered somber news through his social media platforms in the late afternoon of Jan. 2.
“I have just learned of the sudden and unexpected death of Sister Veronica Higgins, CST earlier today, Jan. 2. Please pray for the repose of the soul of Sister Veronica, the Carmelite Sisters of Saint Therese, and all who grieve her passing. Eternal rest grant unto her O Lord.”
Immediately, hundreds of comments and tributes poured in from near and far, with many mourning her passing along with celebrating her impact and example during 49 years as a nun in the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City.
“What Sister Veronica — our very own singing nun — gave to my boys and me and so many people who became so important to us was enough to pave a stairway to heaven,” Jeanne Devlin wrote on Facebook.
“This breaks my heart. Her smile could light up the world. Rest in Peace Sister Veronica, you were such a positive light in this world,” wrote Dian Putman.
“The pearly gates just gained an angel like no other. RIP Veronica you are so loved by so many!” Grayson Estes wrote.
“Sadness for us and joy for her that she gets to see Jesus in Heaven. Sing on, Sister. Your brightness will be missed. Pray for us!” wrote Theresa Henrichs Hurt.
On X, Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt shared, “To know Sister Veronica Higgins was to have your faith in humanity constantly restored. Sister Veronica was a light in the lives of so many for so long. I know I’ll miss her encouraging messages and prayers. Rest in peace, Sister.”
A Vigil Mass was held for Sister Veronica, 74, on Jan. 10 at The Cathedral of Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Oklahoma City, preceding a Mass of Christian Burial on Saturday, also at the cathedral, where overflowing crowds attended to pay their respects.
Sister Veronica was born May 9, 1951, in Chattanooga, Tennessee. She was adopted by Tolton and Alease Higgins, who each preceded her in death.
Her education included a Master of Arts, plus degree work and advanced studies in the fields of English, education, music and counseling. She studied English at UT-Chattanooga, where she participated in the Civil Rights Movement. She was a convert to the Catholic Faith, relocating to Oklahoma in the mid-1970s upon her decision to enter Religious Life.
She made her first vows in 1976, becoming the only Black sister in the order. She studied for a master’s degree in special education at the University of Central Oklahoma, graduating in 1984. She earned a second master’s degree in Christian Spirituality from Creighton University in 1991.
She served for years in education, as both a teacher and principal at the former Villa Teresa Catholic School in Oklahoma City. Sister Veronica continued to serve as a Catholic school teacher in the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City, before taking on work as a case manager at the Center of Family Love in 2016, where she loved and was loved.
“Our residents called her ‘mama,’ an endearing name that she cherished,” Debbie Espinosa, president and CEO of the Center of Family Love, said in a statement. “It melted her heart to know they saw her as their mother. Many residents would wait by the window every morning before her arrival just to greet her and give her that first morning hug. She said that she loved completing her career at CFL because God had called her to serve the orphans, the poor and the needy.
“She brightened each day of our residents’ lives with her engaging spirit through her beautiful music, kindness, love, and even dancing. Our residents loved singing along with her as she played her guitar almost every day.”
Sister Veronica was also noted for outreach to immigrants, death row inmates and the poor. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Saint Therese Endowment fund. Checks are to be made out to the Catholic Foundation of Oklahoma and mailed to Carmelite Sisters Convent, Attn: Sister Barbara Joseph, Superior, 7501 W. Britton Rd. No. 140, Oklahoma City, OK, 73132.
In his homily at the funeral Mass, an emotional Archbishop Coakley gave tribute to Sister Veronica, calling her “A beloved woman of God.”
“This is a church full of friends, drawn together by an appreciation for the gift that Sister Veronica Higgins has been to our Church, to our community, to our lives,” Archbishop Coakley said. “Sister Veronica had a way of standing out, wherever she was. Face it, in Oklahoma, you don’t see many African American religious women.
“And certainly, none with a smile as broad and radiant as Sister Veronica always had.”
The archbishop also noted Sister Veronica’s commitment to advocating for justice, whether on social media or in letters penned to those in power.
“Wrote to the governor, the district attorney, to the mayor … to the archbishop,” he said, drawing laughs.
“Sister Veronica had many, many talents … many virtues, many beautiful human qualities, of friendship, a sister, disciple, teacher, an advocate.
“All of these things and more.”
John Helsley is editor of the Sooner Catholic.
Photo: (top) Sr. Veronica Higgins, CST, attended The Cathedral of Our Lady of Perpetual Help 100 Year Anniversary celebration on Oct. 13, 2024. Photo Chris Porter/Sooner Catholic.
Sr. Barbara Joseph, CST, reflects in silence at the funeral of Sr. Veronica Higgins, CST, Jan. 11 at The Cathedral of Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Oklahoma City. Photo Avery Holt/Sooner Catholic.
A resident from the Center of Family Love closed the funeral hearse door for Sr. Veronica Higgins, CST, Jan. 11 at The Cathedral of Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Oklahoma City. Photo Avery Holt/Sooner Catholic. Sr. Veronica Higgins, CST, with residents from the Center of Family Love. Photo Center of Family Love. Photo Avery Holt/Sooner Catholic.