The O Antiphons are part of the Vespers office recited during the seven days leading up to Christmas. This culmination of prayer contains an Old Testament promise of the Messiah. At the end of Advent, the Incarnation of Jesus on Christmas Day is the fulfillment of the desire of every human heart. The first antiphon is "O Sapientia" meaning, Wisdom. Together we pray: O Wisdom of our God Most High, guiding creation with power and love: come to teach us the path of knowledge!

ROME (12-10-2021) - The traditional lighting of the Christmas tree in St. Peter's Square and the blessing of the Nativity scene was held on December 10 during an evening ceremony in the Vatican's audience hall. Sister Raffaella Petrini, FSE, Secretary General of the Governorate of the Vatican City State, gave the closing remarks, acknowledging the masterful artistic work of the Peruvian artists who created the Nativity scene, and those who made it possible to erect the 91' spruce tree from Andalo, Italy, for this year's Vatican Christmas tree. The ceremony included colorful videos of children from the Huancavelica Region of Peru reenacting the nativity of Jesus in lively song and dance, and sending greetings to Pope Francis. A video from Andalo depicted the mountainous terrain of the region and breathtaking views of the town and surrounding areas. Sister Raffaella was appointed by Pope Francis on November 4 as Secretary General of the Governorate of the Vatican City State. It is a Vatican tradition that the officials of Vatican City State preside over the annual tree lighting ceremony. Click on photos to enlarge.

ROME (12-09-2021) - As Secretary General of the Governorate of the Vatican City State, Sister Raffaella Petrini, FSE, will preside with Archbishop Fernando Vergez Alzaga, President of the Governorate of the Vatican City State, over the traditional lighting of the Christmas tree and presentation of the Nativity scene in St. Peter's Square on December 10, at 5:00 p.m. Rome time. Sister Raffaella will present words of greeting during the ceremony. Delegations from the places of origin of the tree and the Nativity scene will be present. The tree comes from Andalo in northern Italy. The Nativity figures are from the Huancavelica Region of Peru. The display will remain in St. Peter's Square until the end of the Christmas season. Watch the ceremony on the Vatican YouTube channel.

MERIDEN, CT (11-20-2021) - The 30th Annual Franciscan Christmas Fair held Saturday, November 20, on the campus of the Franciscan Life Center in Meriden, welcomed hundreds of people of all ages. The sunny, picture-perfect weather matched the joyful disposition of fair-goers, many of whom expressed their enthusiasm to be back in-person at the fair. Last year the Franciscan Christmas Fair was a virtual event featuring videos of Living Creches from the past and online shopping. The event benefits Franciscan Life Center and Franciscan Home Care and Hospice Care. Click on photos to enlarge.

ROME (11-04-2021) - Pope Francis announced today the appointment of Sister Raffaella Petrini, FSE as Secretary General of the Vatican City State. As a Community dedicated to serving the Church and the Holy Father, we hold Sister Raffaella in prayerful support as she assumes her new mission within the Church. Sister Raffaella, a native of Rome, has served the Vatican Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples since 2005. She professed her perpetual vows in the Franciscan Sisters of the Eucharist in 2007 and was elected as a member of the General Council in 2017. She holds a Master of Organizational Behavior degree from the University of Hartford, a degree in political sciences from Free International University of Guido Carli, and a Doctorate in Social Sciences from the Pontifical University of Saint Thomas Aquinas where she is currently a professor.

Cardinal Fernando Filoni blesses the shawl with the insignia of the Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem presented to Mother Shaun Vergauwen, FSE as she is invested in the Order. MERIDEN, CT (09-20-2021) - The Franciscan Sisters of the Eucharist rejoice to announce the investiture of Co-foundress Mother Shaun Vergauwen, FSE in the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem as a religious dame. The Order's overarching purpose is twofold: to foster Christian holiness, and to support Christians in the Holy Land. As a religious dame, Mother Shaun's support will be that of prayer and apostolic relationship. Soon after the founding of the Franciscan Sisters of the Eucharist, Mother Shaun and Mother Rosemae Pender, Mother Foundress, sent Sisters in 1978 to take steps toward establishing a center in the Holy Land. Mother Shaun's dedication to the mission in the Holy Land has continued throughout the past 43 years as she has served the Community as Vicar General, Mother General and Mother Co-foundress. By inviting Mother Shaun to be a religious member of the Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem, Fernando Cardinal Filoni, Grand Master of the Order, recognized and honored Mother Shaun's many years of heartfelt spiritual and practical commitment to the Franciscan Sisters of the Eucharist's presence in the land of Christ. Through the years, the Sisters have served the Church in the Holy Land in various ministries - the Franciscan Custody, the Latin Patriarchate, Catholic Relief Services, Bethlehem University, Little Plot Preschool, teaching, counseling and pilgrimages - in Jerusalem and surrounding villages. In 1996 the Sisters founded the Holy Child Program, a therapy and educational center to address the needs of children [...]

Monsignor John Bevins celebrates Mass in the Prayer Garden of the Franciscan Sisters of the Eucharist, Meriden, Connecticut. MERIDEN, CT - The Motherhouse Community of Sisters, Brothers, Apprentices and friends gathered in the Prayer Garden on September 11 for a Mass to commemorate the 100th birthday of Mother Rosemae Pender, Mother Foundress. Mother Rosemae died in 2016 and is buried in the cemetery adjacent to the Prayer Garden. Prayers for all those affected by the September 11, 2001 tragic attack on the United States were also included in the Mass. Monsignor John Bevins celebrated the Mass on a rock altar built in the 1970s in honor of Mother Rosemae, the "rock of the Community." In his homily, Monsignor Bevins spoke about the solid-as-a-rock foundation laid by Mother Rosemae with the assistance of Mother Shaun Vergauwen, Co-foundress, for the growth of the new religious Community. He commended all those who carry on the legacy of Mother Rosemae to continue their work for the Church in union with her spirit of prayer, joy and dedication. Click on photos to enlarge. Mother Rosemae Pender, FSE September 11, 1921 - June 26, 2016 Remember the Rock from which you were hewn and the Spirit to which you are called.

Sister John Frances LaFever (center) with Mother Miriam Seiferman, Mother General (left), and Mother Barbara Johnson, Vicar General. MERIDEN, CT - Sister John Frances LaFever professed perpetual vows as a Franciscan Sister of the Eucharist on the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Sunday, August 15, 2021. The Reverend Christopher Tiano, pastor of Mary, Queen of the Apostles Parish, Derby, Connecticut, was the principal celebrant. In his homily, Father Tiano emphasized the overflowing graces, like a river, that Sister John Frances will receive in living out her vows through the intercession of Mary. He challenged all present to be a river of grace for others. Concelebrants were Monsignor John J. Bevins, pastor emeritus of the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception, Waterbury; and Reverend Jeffrey V. Romans, pastor of St. Bridget of Sweden Parish, Cheshire. Deacon Donald Philip of Meriden and Deacon Tom Grodek of Holy Spirit Parish, Annandale, Virginia assisted. Mother Miriam Seiferman, FSE, Mother General, received Sister John Frances' vows and expressed gratitude for the many people who have supported her process over the years. She specially thanked Father Tiano for his meaningful homily that beautifully captured the spirit and heart of religious life. Sister John Frances' parents, Janet and Kevin LaFever, members of Holy Spirit Parish, Annandale, Virginia, accompanied Sister John Frances in the entrance procession. Their daughters and spouses, Jessica and Paul Dexter, and Cynthia and Dave Trouteaud and son Alex also were present. Click on photos to enlarge. [...]

Sister Clare Hunter, FSE renews her vows during the jubilee Mass honoring her 25 years of vowed religious life. MERIDEN, CT  - The Franciscan motherhouse Chapel of St. John was the setting for a jubilee Mass celebrating the 25th anniversary of vows of Sister Clare Hunter, FSE on Sunday, July 18. Mother Miriam Seiferman, FSE, Mother General, received Sister Clare's renewal of vows during the Mass. Mother Barbara Johnson, FSE, Vicar General, and Mother Shaun Vergauwen, FSE, Co-foundress, each blessed Sister Clare, after which all of the Sisters renewed their vows. Sister Clare's parents, Janice and David Hunter of Cheshire, Connecticut, were seated with Sister Clare. The Very Reverend Paul Scalia, Diocese of Arlington, was the celebrant. Concelebrants were Reverend Daniel Hanley, Diocese of Arlington; Reverend Douglas Mosey, Congregation of St. Basil; Reverend Jeffrey Romans, pastor of St. Bridget of Sweden Parish, Cheshire; and Reverend John Paul Walker, OP, pastor of St. Mary Parish, New Haven. Following the Mass, a reception was held for all present. Later in the evening, the Franciscan Sisters hosted a private picnic for the family and out-of-state guests. Sister Clare lives with her Franciscan Community and is Assistant Professor of Fundamental Theology at St. Vincent de Paul Regional Seminary, Boynton Beach, Florida. During her 25 years of vowed life, Sister Clare's missions have included teaching at St. Paul High School in Bristol, Connecticut, campus ministry at University of St. Thomas, Houston; directing the Respect Life Office, Diocese of Arlington; and teaching in Burlington, Vermont. Click on photos to enlarge. [...]

Sister Christianna Hamman, Sister Mary Kolbe Heffern, Sister Francesca Silver and Sister Faith Marie Woolsey move furniture into the dining room. LEWISTON, ME (07-23-2021) - The Franciscan Sisters of the Eucharist received a hearty welcome when their cars and box truck arrived in Lewiston on July 5 for their move into the St. Croix Parish convent. Priests, religious women and lay faithful were on hand to unload the truck, clean rooms, pick up donated beds and chapel items, move furniture and prepare the house for the Sisters. A crew of eight Sisters from the motherhouse accompanied Sister Christianna Hamman and Sister Francesca Silver as the two Sisters begin the new mission in Maine. The next morning, Father Seamus Griesbach offered Mass and reserved the Blessed Sacrament in the newly set up convent chapel. As newcomers to Lewiston, the Sisters continue to experience the friendliness and wholeheartedness of parishioners and are enthused about this new mission. Click on photos to enlarge.