Sister Concilia Smolko

May 6, 1911 – March 18, 1929

Among the candidates who entered our community at St. Gabriel Convent in Pittsburgh, Pa., there is one whom our Lord destined to be his little violet; a young Sister who was born in Spring, died in Spring, hidden and unknown all her life. This privileged soul was Sister Concilia. 

She was born on May 6, 1911, at St. Benedict, Pa. She attended a public school at St. Benedict, then completed eighth grade at St. John School in Barnesboro, Pa. At age 14, she followed her three sisters into religious life, entering our community on September 26, 1925. She received the habit on August 11, 1926. During these two years, she prepared for the diocesan examination, which she passed successfully at the end of her novitiate.

Early in her religious life, Sister Concilia gave marked signs of a very correct understanding of the religious life. During her novitiate, her childlike obedience was especially noticeable. Her novice mistress once remarked of her, “She is so obedient that if I’d assign her the most disagreeable task, she will do it without hesitation.”

Sister Concilia made her first vows on August 13, 1927.  The next year, she was assigned to teach at St. Mark School in McKees Rocks, Pa., where her first attempts at teaching were successful. The Sisters also liked her good, sincere, simple character. Her sincere devotion to the Little Flower of Jesus obtained for her a gradual cure of a foot malady, but this did not last very long. In September 1928, she began teaching second grade at St. Gabriel School, but soon the signs of her failing health became evident.  Therefore, on the Feast of St. Francis — October 4, 1928 — she came to the new Motherhouse at Mount Assisi Convent in Bellevue, Pa., as a first patient.

During her illness, Sister tried to attend Sunday Mass until her growing weakness prevented it. On Christmas Eve, she joined the Sisters in the dining room for the last time, later remaining confined to the infirmary. She bore her illness with resignation to the Will of God; however, it grieved her greatly that she could not visit Jesus in the Chapel. “I would gladly roll down the steps if I could only go again to the Chapel,” she would remark.

She was anointed several times and received Holy Communion to the last. In her last days, a severe temptation and worry over her faults assailed her. Having called her Superior, she confessed; “I am very sorry that I did not always mend my stockings and that I threw away some bits of bread which I was unable to eat.” Having atoned for these, she became peaceful again. Seeing that her end was approaching, she prayed earnestly to Saint Joseph to come for her.

On the vigil of Saint Joseph, March 18, 1929, she died. She was buried in St. Joseph’s Cemetery in nearby West View, Pa. Later her remains were transferred to Mt. Assisi Cemetery.

Sister Concilia is buried in St. Francis Cemetery at Mt. Assisi Place in Pittsburgh, Pa.