One of Two Nuns Killed in Mississippi was a Massachusetts Native

JACKSON, MS — One of two nuns found slain in Mississippi on Thursday was a native of Stoneham, according to multiple reports. The Catholic Diocese of Jackson announced Thursday that Stoneham native Sister Paula Merrill, 68, and Sister Margaret Held were found dead in their Durant, Mississippi, home after the two did not show up to the Lexington Medical Clinic, where they both worked.

Multiple reports indicate that police are still investigating the deaths of the sisters but that there were signs of a break-in and the vehicle of one of the victims is missing.

“These were the two sweetest sisters you could imagine. It’s so senseless,” the Rev. Greg Plata told a reporter on the scene, according to the Catholic Diocese of Jackson.

Merrill grew up in Stoneham and worked as a nurse practitioner with the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth in Mississippi. According to the Boston Globe, Merrill was raised in a close-knit family in Stoneham who remember her as a woman devoted to helping those in need.

The Sisters of Charity of Nazareth also released a statement in light of the tragic death of the sisters.

We are so grateful for the many prayers and words of comfort and support we are receiving from around the world as we mourn the loss of Paula Merrill, SCN, and Margaret Held, SSSF. We are in shock and continue to grieve as we attempt to absorb this news.

It was only last weekend that Sister Paula had visited the Motherhouse in Nazareth, Kentucky. We remember her loving spirit and compassionate care for those she served.

Sister Margaret, a longtime friend and partner in ministry with Sister Paula, ministered with the people of Mississippi since the early 1980s.

Our mission statement calls us to risk our lives and resources as we work for justice in solidarity with oppressed people. These Sisters did exactly that.

We join in prayer with all Sisters of Charity of Nazareth, the School Sisters of St. Francis, the families of Sister Paula and Sister Margaret, their coworkers, St. Thomas Parish, the people of Durant, Mississippi, and all who will miss their loving presence. We pray for all whose lives have been touched by violence.

Mississippi Secretary of State Delbert Hoseman also released a statement of condolence.

“Lynn and I grieve the loss of Sisters Paula Merrill and Margaret Held, who were found violently killed in their home in Durant, Mississippi, this morning. Unbridled love and care for mankind has been met with unparalleled savagery. These faithful nuns worked tirelessly at the Lexington Medical Clinic to make the Holmes County community and Mississippi a better place to live.

We hope justice will be swiftly served.”

Image courtesy of Sisters of Charity of Nazareth