A lifetime of service, laughter, and faith

New Orleans - Sister Mary Innocente Wiltz, S.S.F.—affectionately known as “Sister Innocente” or simply “Inn”, a native of St. Martinville, celebrated her Historical Jubilation of her 80th Year of Ordination as a Nun last Saturday at St. Maria Goretti Catholic Church in New Orleans.

Born on April 16, 1927, Sister Innocente was one of nine children of Gabriel and Felicia (née Dugas) Wiltz. Raised in a loving, faith-filled family, she and her siblings— Martin, Harold, Jack, Hilda (Robertson), Anita (James), Rita (Rattliff), Mary (Hebert), Theresa, and Philomena “Alice” (Andrews)—shared a strong bond, though all have now passed on. Notably, her sister Theresa also became a Catholic nun, joining the Holy Family Order in New Orleans.

Sister Innocente answered her call to serve at the young age of 17, bravely boarding a train to the Mother House in New Orleans, accompanied by her sister Rita. There, she began a life of joyful dedication to Christ—a journey that has spanned over 80 years.

Her ministry has touched countless lives. She taught first and second graders in New Orleans and Lafayette, spent time in California, and devoted many years to missionary work in Belize, Central America—often before modern conveniences reached the villages. Her family has always been overjoyed to have not one, but two “Brides of Christ” among them.

Known for her wisdom, humor, and boundless energy, “Inn” is beloved by generations of nieces, nephews, and extended family. She is always ready with good advice, a prayer, a joke, or a playful snowball (as her caregivers discovered during the Great Snow Phenomenon of 2025!). Her motto: “Where two or three are gathered together in My name, there am I in the midst of them.”

On April 16, 2025, Sister Innocente celebrated her 98th birthday at the LaFon Nursing Facility in New Orleans, surrounded by her “Sisters in Christ” and friends—with her favorite thin-crust pizza, chicken drummettes, “angel eggs,” cakes, and more!