Sister Mary Auguste Biache

1946 – 2022

Treasuring God's Word in the Bible, Sister Mary Auguste Biache
would ponder passages that she could apply to her life. In the book
of Sirach, she heard God addressing herself, saying, "My child, when
you come to serve the Lord, prepare yourself for trials. Be sincere of
heart and steadfast, and do not be impetuous in time of adversity.

Cling to him, do not leave him, that you may prosper in your last days."
The life of Sister Mary Auguste Biache conformed to this advice. Despite many trials, she
remained steadfast in her love for God, and even in the final days of her life, she was faithful
to her Spouse Jesus Christ. Early in the morning of July 21, 2022, the night nurse found her
clutching the crucifix of her Savior tightly as she made her transition from life to eternity. Sister
Auguste was 75 years old and had been a Felician Sister for 58 years.

Born in 1946 to August and Madeline Walachy Biache, she was baptized Mary at Saint Michael
Church in Trenton. She was the oldest of five children – four girls and one boy. Her brother
and sister born after her were twins. In her autobiography, she stated that her childhood was a
happy time and she had many fond memories.

Mary attended Saint Hedwig School in Trenton and gave tribute to her teachers Sisters
Mathilda, Philippine, Crescentia, Bernardine, Angelis, Redempta, Sponsa, Callista and
Honorata. In fact she began helping the Sisters in the convent at a very young age and in
eighth grade began learning the role of a sacristan under their guidance.
Attending Notre Dame High School in Lawrenceville, New Jersey, she was an outstanding
student and became involved in several extracurricular activities including the Sodality of the
Blessed Virgin Mary, glee club and journalism.

Although her parents tested her desire to become a religious sister after high school, in
the end they were happy she entered the Felician Sisters in June of 1964 and was formally
accepted on August 15, 1964. In 1965 she lovingly accepted the Felician Franciscan habit and
the name Sister Mary Auguste. In 1966 she made her first profession of vows. Five years later
she professed her final vows in 1971.

God granted many gifts of mind, spirit and heart to Sister Auguste and she used them well.
She earned an Associate of Arts Degree at Immaculate Conception Junior College, the
forerunner of Felician College. She graduated from Felician College with a Bachelor of Arts
Degree in Education. She received a Master of Arts Degree in Religious Studies from Saint
Joseph's Seminary in Yonkers, New York.

Her formal degrees were enhanced by fulfilling the requirements for a New Jersey Permanent
Teaching Certificate, a certificate in Spiritual Direction issued by the Archdiocese of New York,
and certification as an advanced Reiki Practitioner.

Her Felician Community called forth the talents of Sister Auguste in a variety of ministries.
She taught ten years on the elementary level, eleven years on the secondary level, and was a
principal of an elementary school for two years. She was a Director of Religious Education for
four years and did administrative/clerical work in a healthcare ministry for several years.

Sister Auguste always went above and beyond in every ministry to which she was assigned.
For example, at Immaculate Conception High School in Lodi she taught theology, moderated
the student council, directed the school choir, chaperoned dances and weekend ski trips. She
drove students in the school van. She was a regular spectator when the students competed
in sports and helped to monitor students when school plays were presented. She always gave
her wholehearted support to the people she served.

At the same time, Sister Auguste answered the call of community when there was a need.
She did extensive work as a Director of Retirement and as a Director of Associates. She not
only worked with the Associates in Lodi but she also was a director of Associates in Enfield,
Connecticut when she was organizing the provincial archives in that location. During her
brief stay at Immaculate Conception Parish in Spotswood, New Jersey she began forming an
Associate program for those who lived in that area.

Throughout her life, Sister Auguste was summoned to pioneer other projects or services.
When she lived in Lodi, she tutored the international Sisters studying at Felician University.
She also critiqued their homework and their academic papers. When Lodi was still a province,
she began a website available to the Sisters and the public to update everyone on the life of
Lodi Felicians. When the Lodi Province published newsletters, she was a regular contributor.
Sister Auguste was liturgist in Immaculate Conception Chapel and Our Lady of Lourdes
Chapel. She was a leader of song in both chapels as well as a cantor. Sister Auguste did
retreat ministry in Mount Arlington and was a staff member in the finance office. It was truly
remarkable how she succeeded in a variety of ministries.

Her giftedness was apparent in a multitude of other ways. She wrote beautiful poetry and in
her religious personnel file there is a booklet containing 65 poems, most written in the 1990s.
She did much work as mission leader of Immaculate Conception Convent in the last years
of her life. She was chairperson of the spiritual life committee at Immaculate Conception
Convent. She was an excellent driver and talented in directions. She loved her family,
especially her dear parents of beloved memory and her deceased Uncle Joe, who was a
religious missionary. Her nieces and nephews were her pride and joy. She had a great sense
of humor and always affirmed others. She laughed with those experiencing joy and cried
with those who were despairing.

Her sisters in community claimed she knew all the answers for the TV program "Jeopardy."
They encouraged her to apply to be a contestant. Her cooking skills were acknowledged
by all. And only God knows how many rosaries she made for mission areas and for the sick.
She crocheted blankets and caps for family, friends and the poor. Her greeting card hobby
brought happiness to those who received the cards she printed. Her designs were better than
Hallmark's.

Sister Auguste found strength to use her many talents and abilities because of her deep
spiritual life. In 2002 she made a 30-day Jesuit retreat. To be alone with God was important
to her then and throughout her life. Her spiritual life was enhanced by her friendships with
many holy priests, whether diocesan or members of religious orders. She always promised to
pray for these priest-friends and she requested their prayers as well.

Her time with God and her love of prayer prepared her for the trials of life described in
Sirach. Her first battle with cancer was in 2002. She rebounded but then cancer came again,
especially this year. The diagnosis of cancer was compounded with a diagnosis of Covid as
well as other medical conditions. From early February until July 13, 2022, Sister Auguste was
mostly a patient at Hackensack University Medical Center and sometimes in nursing homes.
How she missed the convent and her Sisters in Christ. However, she did come home on July
13 to spend the last days of her life with the Felician Sisters. Only God knows her interior
struggles as she coped with pain, infection, weakness and fear during the final days of her life.
Surely God rapidly admitted her to His Kingdom upon death. She had imitated His Beloved
Son in carrying a burdensome Cross.

Sister Auguste was pre-deceased by her parents, August and Madeline Biache and her
sister Kathleen Ann Burek. She is survived by her brother August Biache of Washington,
Michigan: her sister Madeline Skarpetowski of West Windsor, New Jersey, her sister Theresa
Biache of Yardley, Pennsylvania. Her death is mourned by many nieces, nephews, and other
family members as well as by her religious community, Felician Associates, professional and
ministerial colleagues and friends.

The funeral Mass was offered in Our Lady of Lourdes Chapel in Lodi on Tuesday, July 26, 2022,
at 11:00 a.m. Burial followed in the Felician Sisters' Cemetery in Lodi.

Eternal rest grant unto her, O Lord . . . May she rest in peace. Amen.