Antonia Feldmann was born on April 21, 1930, the youngest child of Heinrich and Gertrud Feldmann of Ochtrup of Muenster, Germany. At the age of 21, she entered the convent of the Holy Spirit Adoration Sisters on May 4, 1951, and a year later received the habit on May 21.

She made her first profession at the motherhouse in Steyl, Netherlands, on May 21, 1954, and for the succeeding three years renewed her vows. She was sent to the sisters’ convent in Philadelphia after her third profession and had been in all the other U.S. houses of the congregation: St. Louis; Austin, Texas; Lincoln, Nebraska; and Corpus Christi, Texas. In Europe, she had been assigned in Bad Driburg and Steyl, but also in convents at Soesterberg, Netherlands, and Berlin. In whatever community she found herself, big or small, she made herself fit in.

Sister Maria Lucia had a special fondness for the eucharistic hymn, “Adore Te Devote” because for her it encapsulated what her religious vocation was all about and what she longed for in the life hereafter. She is remembered for being a devout adorer of the Most Blessed Sacrament, spending hours in adoration in the oratory during the day and taking the first hour nocturnal adoration.

Until her most recent confinement in her room in the last two weeks of her life, Sister Maria Lucia zealously prayed the Liturgy of the Hours and joined the eucharistic celebration with the community in the oratory, even though it entailed the slow and painful walk to the oratory from her private room and back.

Likewise, she did not let her physical limitations hinder her from actively participating in community activities and joining the community at mealtimes, even though it meant leaving her room way in advance so she would not be late for any gathering. She was inspiring to the congregation in suffering quietly and patiently.

Enclosed in the convent, she had a missionary heart nonetheless. She continued to be interested in what is happening in the world especially to her beloved Germany and to all the places she had been assigned. She was eager to hear news about her people, especially their leaders, and kept them in her prayers.

She was a good listener, but a better talker. She would willingly share her wisdom and advice to anyone who would ask. She was also witty and had a sense of humor and saw the better side of things.