The Great Monastery Pumpkin Adventure
Last week we had a fantastic celebration for Sr. Mary Dolores in honor of her Golden Jubilee of Passionist Profession of vows. Sister entered the monastery in February 1962 and made her first profession of vows on February 27 (feast of St. Gabriel of our Lady of Sorrows) in 1964. You can read about her life and see some great photos here.
For her Gaudeamus day the younger sisters re-enacted a quite memorable experience from Sr. Mary Dolores' days from managing the kitchen. This took place sometime in the mid - to - late 1980's.
ENJOY!
The Great Pumpkin Adventure SMD Golden Jubilee Skit
Cast:
Narrator Sr. Mary Delicious Sr. Mary Agnes Mother Margaret Mary (life-size face) - Sister who was superior at this time. Two sisters to hold curtain
Props/Costumes:
sturdy table (refectory) 2 step-stools 2 kitchen aprons 3 large bowls 2 large strainers 2 large spoons chef’s hat inscribed “Sr. Mary Delicious” orange “tea towel” bandana pumpkin balloons 2 laundry baskets orange crepe paper torn up in bowls life-size face of Mother Margaret Mary Orange “curtain” large sign “Five Pumpkins Later”
Narrator: Once upon a time, in a monastery not so very far from here, there lived a beautiful Passionist Nun with her sisters. Sr. Mary Delicious, as she was called, worked in the kitchen for many years. She was famous for her magnanimous generosity and hard-work-ethic as she prepared delicious meals for the community.
One fateful day, however, she may have gotten a little carried away, when a certain relative of one of the nuns gifted them with a veritable mountain of pumpkins. That looooooong day in the kitchen was one not to be forgotten. If it had been captured in song, it might have gone something like this….
Stack of pumpkin balloons at one side of table.
Sr. Mary Dolores (SMD) standing at table. Sr. Mary Agnes (SMA) comes up to her.
SMA: Jesus, Mary and Joseph be praised!
SMD: Forever and ever! May God reward you for coming in early, Sister. This morning we will be cooking and processing all these wonderful pumpkins that came in. Here’s your bowl – start stirring!
SMD and SMA standing at table, stirring bowls of pumpkin, singing merrily:
27 pumpkins stacked at the door, 27 pumpkins stacked! Take one down, pass it around: 26 pumpkins stacked at the door!
[Curtain, Sign: Five Pumpkins Later…]
Narrator: 11:00 AM…
SMD and SMA standing on stools at table, looking tired, stirring bowls of pumpkin, singing resolutely:
21 pumpkins stacked at the door, 21 pumpkins stacked! Take one down, pass it around: 20 pumpkins stacked at the door!
[Curtain, Sign: Five Pumpkins Later…]
Narrator: 3:00 PM…
SMA sitting on table (now wearing tea towel bandana), SMD sitting on floor, looking exhausted, slowly stirring bowls of pumpkin, singing slowly:
15 pumpkins stacked at the door, 15 pumpkins stacked! Take one down, pass it around: 14 pumpkins stacked at the door!
[Curtain, Sign: Five Pumpkins Later…]
Narrator: 6:00 PM…
SMA sitting on table holding bowl of pumpkin, SMD standing and stirring it slowly with her whole upper body, singing exhaustedly: 9 pumpkins stacked at the door, 9 pumpkins stacked! Take one down, pass it around: 8 pumpkins stacked at the door!
[Curtain, Sign: Five Pumpkins Later…]
Narrator: 9:00 PM…
SMD collapsed on floor, SMA collapsed on table, next to bowls of pumpkin.
Three pumpkin balloons remaining un-processed.
Mother Margaret Mary walks through: SISTER, DON’T YOU EVER,EVER DO THAT AGAIN!
SMD and SMA: Yes, Mother!!!
[Curtain.]
Narrator: And so it was that Sr. Mary Delicious and her assistant valiantly conquered a mountain of pumpkins, and surely saved many souls from purgatory in the process! The next day, a new challenge awaited her: what should be done with so much delicious pumpkin puree???
SMD at table, reading from a piece paper: Let’s see now… Monday, make pumpkin bread. Tuesday, make pumpkin cookies. Wednesday, make pumpkin pudding. Thursday is a feast day. Make pumpkin spice cake. Friday, make pumpkin soup. Saturday, make pumpkin pies. Maybe I’ll try making pumpkin jam, too….
All cast members throw balloons, crepe paper, etc. at SMD, crying out:
NO PUMPKIN JAM!!!!
All come out and ceremoniously crown the Jubilarian with her Chef Hat.
Mother Catherine Marie: Sr. Mary Dolores, in honor of all your years of cheerful, generous, and hard work in the kitchen – and in the many other ways you have served God and our community over the past fifty years – we crown you with this Jubilee Chef’s Hat! Thank you, dear Sister, for your faithful love to your Divine Bridegroom. It is a joy to be your sisters!
