A special Mass was observed Monday evening in honor of a nun from Suffolk County who is missing in Europe.

The Mass at St. Anthony of Padua Church in East Northport honored Sister Eileen Christie. The 72-year-old disappeared in July while traveling alone in Hallstatt, Austria.

For nearly five months, fellow members of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Brentwood prayed for Christie's safe return. But with the passage of time and word from Austrian authorities that the search had been called off, their hope faded.

During the Mass, parishioners celebrated Christie's life, which she dedicated to the Diocese of Rockville Centre.

Christie, in her nearly 50 years of service, touched many lives as a nun and teacher of theology. Friends say her greatest lesson was appreciating the beauty of life and sharing it with others.