The Missouri diocese has given an update on the exhumed nun whose body did not decompose: "Atypical."

The bishop of the Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph announced on Thursday that a team of experts was unable to determine why a Missouri nun who died in 2019 had not decomposed.

According to Bishop James V. Johnston of Kansas City-St. Joseph, based on what has been observed during this time, Sister Wilhelmina Lancaster's body does not seem to have undergone decomposition as expected under previous burial conditions, as stated in a statement published on the diocesan website.

On May 29, 2019, at the age of 95, the Most Holy Rosary, the founder of the Benedictines of Mary, Queen of Apostles, passed away.

In 2023, four years after her death, the nuns exhumed her body to re-inter her in a new altar they were constructing. Despite not being embalmed and being buried in an unsealed wooden coffin, her body was found to be in a "remarkably preserved condition," as reported by Planet Chronicle Digital.

In May 2023, thousands of people flocked to Gower, Missouri, to pay their respects to Wilhelmina's body, which was considered a modern-day miracle by pilgrims.

Johnston commissioned a team of local medical experts to examine and evaluate Sister Wilhelmina's body less than a month after it was discovered that she had largely not decomposed in the four years since her death.

The team was led by a pathologist, assisted by two other medical doctors and a former Missouri county coroner, according to Johnston.

Lancaster's habit and other clothing "showed no features of breakdown."

"The team conducted interviews with eyewitnesses to events preceding the burial in 2019 and the exhumation in April 2023, in addition to examining her body," he stated.

Johnston stated that the investigative team observed that Sister Wilhelmina's body during the examination did not show any signs of decomposition.

Lancaster's clothing "showed no features of breakdown," despite the casket lining having "completely deteriorated," Johnston stated.

He stated that although the investigative team could only conduct a limited examination, they concluded that the condition of the body was highly unusual for the four-year interval since her death, considering the environmental conditions and the findings in associated objects.

He continued, stating that the history of Sister Wilhelmina's death and interment does not suggest conditions conducive to preventing decomposition.

Johnston stated that soil tests revealed "no unusual elements" that would hinder the decomposition of an un-embalmed body.

In both the Catholic and Eastern Orthodox traditions, it has been discovered that some individuals do not decompose as anticipated following death.

This is called "incorruptibility," according to the Catholic Answers website.

The site stated that, like how the Father prevented Jesus' body from decaying while in the tomb (Acts 1:27), God ensures that the remains of some of his devoted followers will not experience physical corruption.

The Catholic Church does not have an official protocol for labeling a deceased person as incorrupt, Johnston stated in his statement.

Sister Wilhelmina is not being considered for sainthood due to the bishop's statement that incorruptibility is not a requirement for sainthood, and there is no current plan to initiate a cause for her sainthood.

According to the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops' website, a person in the Catholic Church must be deceased for at least five years before an official cause for canonization can be initiated. Lancaster has been dead for just over five years.

"I pray that Sister Wilhelmina’s story continues to open hearts to love for Our Lord and Our Lady."

"Sister Wilhelmina Lancaster's remains have sparked curiosity and prompted significant inquiries, as Johnston stated. I hope that her tale will inspire people to embrace love for Our Lord and Our Lady."

The Benedictines of Mary, Queen of Apostles, published a detailed statement on their website about their foundress's legacy following her death and the subsequent media attention.

The miraculous preservation of Sister's body allows us to reflect on the many blessings God bestows upon us daily, including those that are not immediately apparent.

"Even though Sr. Wilhelmina's life and death were miraculous, and her legacy continues to point to God's Resurrection and the life of glory that awaits us."

The abbey's church now houses Lancaster's remains in a glass case.

The Benedictines of Mary, Queen of Apostles, website states that visitors can view her remains daily from 8:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.

The Benedictines of Mary, Queen of Apostles, were contacted by Planet Chronicle Digital for a comment.