LEWISTON, MAINE (05-17-2026) - Sister Jacinta Coscia, FSE received a Doctor of Ministry in Liturgical Catechesis from Catholic University of America at the commencement ceremony on May 17, 2026. Sister Jacinta studied for three years in the University's online program and participated in the in-person component during the past three summers held in Washington, DC. The title of Sister Jacinta's treatise was "Forming a Group of Women Parishioners to use their Gifts of the Feminine Genius to be the Listening Church for Catholics Affected by Church Closures.” Her project consisted in training women to be empathetic listeners for those who were alienated by closings in order to bring them back to practicing their faith. She executed her project at Prince of Peace Parish in Lewiston, Maine. Sister Jacinta has lived at the FSE center in Lewiston for the past three years. Sister Jacinta's newly-earned DMin degree adds another professional credential to her educational preparedness to meet needs of today's Catholics. Sister Jacinta also has received a Bachelor of Education from Southern Connecticut State University, a Bachelor of Education and Formation from LUMSA University in Rome, a Master of  Education from Central Connecticut State University and a Master of Theology from Holy Apostles College and Seminary. Congratulations to Sister Jacinta for your latest achievement which will benefit the entire mission of the Franciscan Sisters of the Eucharist. Sister Jacinta on the campus of Catholic University of America, Washington, DC.

SOUTH BEND, IN (05-17-2026) - The University of Notre Dame awarded an honorary degree to Sister Raffaella Petrini, FSE during commencement ceremonies held at the Notre Dame campus stadium. She and six other distinguished leaders were selected to receive this prestigious honor. Sister Raffaella serves as president of the Pontifical Commission for Vatican City State and president of the Governorate of Vatican City State. Notre Dame President Rev. Robert A. Dowd, C.S.C. in mid-March announced Sister Raffaella as the primary speaker for the commencement ceremonies: “Sister Raffaella is an extraordinary leader who works tirelessly for the common good and radiates the peace, love and hope of Christ. As the highest-ranking woman in the Vatican, she embodies the future of women’s leadership in the Church, having served Pope Francis and now Pope Leo with deep wisdom, unfailing dedication and true humility,” Father Dowd said. “It is a privilege to have her address the members of the Class of 2026 and their loved ones who are sure to be inspired by her words and prophetic witness.” Sister Raffaella Petrini, FSE delivers commencement address. The crowd of over 20,000 heard Sister Raffaella's words of hope, "Your time at Notre Dame here on this beautiful campus has prepared you well to embrace the future with hope . . ." Continuing the theme of hope as promoted by Pope Francis and Pope Leo XIV, she reminded the graduates that "Christians are always called to communicate hope." She then illustrated "how do we do that?" and pointed out attributes of hope - hope is generative, active, collaborative, participatory and engaging, and "you will be people of hope" if those attributes are demonstrated [...]

MERIDEN, CT (03-30-2026) - Franciscan Sisters of the Eucharist in every center are celebrating with solemnity the sacred days of Holy Week. This week before Easter concludes the Lenten season and is a prayerful experience offered by the Church to reflect on, pray about, and identify with the sufferings of Christ in the days surrounding his Passion, death and resurrection. The liturgies on the days of Holy Week are rich in Scripture, symbol and ritual. Since their early years the Franciscan Sisters of the Eucharist have found spiritual and community nourishment in celebrating these days in unique ways within the community, with special foods and a focus for each day based on the Mass readings. The days of Holy Week are days "set aside" from a usual routine and become memorable. In several centers, lay faithful participate in the meaningful liturgies and services including Tenebrae in the night just before dawn on Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Holy Saturday. Below are a few images of the Palm Sunday blessing of the palms and procession at the motherhouse Chapel of St. John, Meriden.

MERIDEN, CT (02-11-2026) - On this date two years ago, Sister Bernadette Agustin entered novitiate and received her religious name commemorating St. Bernadette of Soubirous. Today, Sister Bernadette professed first vows during the Community Mass on the feast of Our Lady of Lourdes. A young girl of 14 years, living in the village of Lourdes, France, Saint Bernadette received the gift of an apparition of the Blessed Virgin Mary on this date in 1858. The Blessed Virgin appeared to the youth seventeen more times. The place of the apparitions, Lourdes, has become an international shrine of prayer and healing. Our Lady of Lourdes affirmed the dogma of her Immaculate Conception during one of the apparitions. With a prayerful and enthusiastic spirit, Sister Bernadette began the next step in religious formation with the profession of vows for three years. Mother Miriam Seiferman, FSE, Mother General, received the vows and confirmed Sister Bernadette's readiness for this step. The Mass was celebrated by the Reverend Christopher Tiano, pastor of St. Paul VI parish, Hamden. Father Tiano blessed the medal of the Community and the new cincture of three knots presented to Sister by Mother Barbara Johnson, FSE, Vicar General. After receiving blessings from Mother Miriam, Mother Barbara, Mother Shaun Vergauwen FSE, co-foundress, and Father Tiano, the Community sang the blessing of St. Francis for the newly professed Sister. Sister Bernadette has been serving Catholic students at the campus ministry of Quinnipiac University the past year. The university is within Father Tiano's parish. Click on photos to enlarge

In a spirit of joy of the Word made Flesh, and Mary's profound gift of motherhood to the Church, we Franciscan Sisters of the Eucharist wish you abundant blessings during the new year!

MERIDEN, CT (10-12-2025) - Sister Marie Emmanuel Tessier professed first vows during the Community Mass on Sunday, October 12, in the Chapel of St. John, the motherhouse chapel. The Reverend Lawrence Bock, senior priest of the Archdiocese of Hartford, and friend of the Community, celebrated the Mass. Mother Miriam Seiferman, Mother General, received Sister's vows for the customary three-year period. Sister Marie Emmanuel completed her two-year novitiate experience during which time she was mentored in discovering the meaning of religious life, living in community, Franciscan spirituality, the charism of the Franciscan Sisters of the Eucharist, prayer, the theology of the vows and the teachings of the Church, along with work on the land and with animals, cooking, caring for the house, hospitality to guests, and daily tasks of community life. Sister Marie Emmanuel's request for vows emphasized her love of the Community, gratitude for her vocation and for the love and support of her Sisters. Mother Miriam, in response, affirmed Sister's life-giving spirit within community and welcomed her into this next phase of formation. Sister Marie Emmanuel is the oldest of nine children of Carole and Robert Tessier of Warrenton, Virginia. She received a Bachelor of Science degree from George Mason University with a major in biology and a minor in music. Sister Marie Emmanuel is a veterinary technician at Becket & Associates Veterinary Services in Glastonbury, working with large and small animals in a variety of tasks at the work site and on farm calls in the neighboring area. She shares in the care of the Sisters' goats, sheep, chickens and bees at the formation center. Frequently, she is called upon to sing at the Sisters' Masses [...]

The Franciscan Sisters of the Eucharist invite young adults who are discerning or are interested in learning more about Franciscan spirituality to a weekend commemorating the passing of St. Francis into eternal life and celebrating his feast day. Time for prayer, work with creation and discussion. Call 203-237-8084 or email (see email address on flyer).

BRIDAL VEIL, OREGON (07-05-2025) - Sister Helen Jean Brinkman, FSE, a vowed Franciscan religious woman for 77 years, entered eternal life on July 4, 2025 after a brief illness. On the day America celebrates its birth as a nation, and begins a year-long celebration of its 250 years, her death seemed like God's stamp of approval on this life-long enthusiast of American history. Sister Helen Jean's own history began on March 7, 1928 when she, Frances Catherine, and her twin Franklin John were born to parents Alois and Helen Brinkman in Edgar, Wisconsin. The twins would be the second and third of eight children. As a youth, Sister Helen Jean was active in the high school band and glee club, and in the St. John the Baptist parish choir. She continued her love of singing throughout her life, as her low alto voice resonated in parish churches and Community choir. As a young girl, she also enjoyed skating and hiking. In 1945, Sister Helen Jean entered the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration, La Crosse, Wis., professing first vows in 1948 and perpetual vows in 1954. She taught in Wisconsin Catholic elementary schools in La Crosse, Lyndon Station, Menomonie, St. Mary's Ridge, and was a teacher and principal in Greenwood, Eau Claire and Stratford. In 1964 she was assigned as postulant directress at St. Rose Convent. In 1969 she was appointed superior of the Holy Trinity convent and taught history at Viterbo College until 1974. She was actively involved in the Community's program of renewal of religious life in the 1960's and early 70's and was part of a core group of Sisters who led the founding of the [...]

LOWELL, MI (06-16-2025) - God called Sister Colleen Ann Nagle, FSE, into eternal life on Saturday, June 14, 2025. This brought to completion a long journey of illness which she had embraced with deep faith. She was very peaceful about the critical turn her health had taken in the last few days, and she faced with grace the sudden arrival of “Sister Death,” as St. Francis of Assisi called the inevitable last moment of life. Sister Colleen Ann lived at our center in Lowell, Michigan since 1981 and was the Executive Director of the Franciscan Life Process Center. Sister Colleen Ann was the daughter of the late John and Colleen Nagle. She was born in La Crosse, Wisconsin, baptized at the local St. Wenceslaus Church, and received her first sacraments of communion and penance, as well as confirmation at St. Joseph Church, Waupun, Wisconsin. She graduated from Williams Bay High School in Williams Bay, Wisconsin, in 1967. A 1971 graduate of Viterbo College in La Crosse, Sister Colleen Ann was familiar with the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration who operated the college (now university).  During her college years, the Sisters had begun an experimental program of renewal of religious life as called for by Vatican II. As a young adult seeking direction, challenge and a full life, Colleen was attracted to the hope she saw in the Sisters. In 1973, the initial renewal program birthed the foundation of the Franciscan Sisters of the Eucharist and she and Mary Traynor (now Sister Mary Frances) were the first two women to join the newly-founded Congregation. Sister Colleen Ann began her formal journey of religious life in 1973, and has held [...]

LOWELL, MI (06-01-2025) - The Franciscan Sisters of the Eucharist are happy to announce the completion and upcoming publication of a new book by Sister Damien Marie Savino, FSE. Entitled Learning the Language of Creation: Catholic Social Teaching and Integral Ecology, the book is part of a series with Liturgical Press on Catholic social teaching and contemporary issues. Integral ecology is the central concept in Laudato Si', Pope Francis' encyclical on "care  for our common home." Integral ecology is grounded in the idea that caring for creation involves restoring both natural and human ecologies. The book will be published by Liturgical Press in January 2026, and can be pre-ordered now in paperback and e-book. Hard copy edition will be available in January. Liturgical Press summarizes the content: In his landmark encyclical Laudato Si’ on care for creation, Pope Francis connected contemporary ecological concerns and other issues tackled by Catholic social thought by popularizing the idea of integral ecology. In Learning the Language of Creation, professor of civil and environmental engineering and earth sciences, Franciscan Sister Damien Marie Savino, provides a vision for integral ecology grounded in the conviction that the healing of ecosystems and of human communities goes hand in hand, and that “the external deserts in the world are growing, because the internal deserts have become so vast” (LS 217). By engaging her expertise in science and theology, Sister Damien Marie frames integral ecology as a pilgrimage guided by a process of listening and learning the language of creation. In this book, she offers a new way of thinking about creation, human beings, and the relationship between them to realize the promise of integral ecology and put [...]