Local Author's Latest Work Features Lemont Convent

LEMONT, IL — Local historical mystery writer Pat Camalliere has featured various locations around Lemont and bits of Lemont history in her historical mystery series.

Her fourth and latest book, "The Miracle at Assisi Hill," is no different; once again featuring Lemont and a piece of its long history.

Camalliere, who is also an active member of the Lemont Area Historical Society, said this book features Mother Mary Theresa Dudzik and the Our Lady of Victory convent in Lemont.

A real-life historical figure, Mother Mary Theresa Dudzik founded the Franciscan Sisters of Chicago.

"She started what was one of the first homes for the poor, aged and homeless in Chicago," Camalliere said.

Mother Mary Theresa Dudzik is currently a "venerable" status with the Catholic Church, which is part of the process of getting sainthood, Camalliere said.

While Mother Mary Theresa Dudzik never lived in Lemont, her remains were moved to Our Lady of Victory Convent in 1972.

"To get sainthood, there needs to be a miracle," Camalliere said.

In the Catholic Church, people can only achieve sainthood after they die. As part of the canonization process, there must be documented miracles attributed to prayers made to the person after their death.

"Having people know about [Mother Mary Theresa Dudzik] is one of the primary things I'm trying to do," Camalliere said.

So, for her fourth book, Camalliere's main character is staying at the Lemont convent and "immersing herself in her religion."

"She runs into a young nun who is having visions of Mother Mary Theresa Dudzik, who is visiting Earth because there was something undone, and she's looking for someone to help her," Camalliere said.

Camalliere said that she hopes publicizing Mother Mary Theresa Dudzik will help make her a saint in the Catholic Church.

Merging religion and history, the fourth book in the Cora Tozzi series still features a mystery like its predecessors, Camalliere said.

The book was published in November, and can be purchased on Amazon, and at Smokey Row Antiques in Lemont, at Anderson's Bookshop in Downers Grove, and at Centuries and Sleuths in Forest Park.