O Radiant Dawn, splendor of eternal light, sun of justice: come and shine on those who dwell in darkness and in the shadow of death. When John the Baptist was born his father, Zechariah, spoke this Canticle: "In the tender compassion of our Lord The dawn from on high shall break upon us, to shine on those who dwell in darkness And the shadow of death, And to guide our feet into the way of peace." (Luke 1:78-79)

O Key of David, opening the gates of God’s eternal Kingdom: come and free the prisoners of darkness! David is the King of Jerusalem with the keys to the kingdom of Israel. Christ is the King of Creation with keys to the Kingdom of Heaven. "And I will place on his shoulder the key of the house of David. He shall open, and none shall shut; and he shall shut, and none shall open." Isaiah 22:22

O Root of Jesse’s stem, sign of God’s love for all his people: come to save us without delay! Jesse was a landowner in the town of Bethlehem and the father of King David. It is through his lineage that Joseph brought his wife, Mary, to the little town where Christ was born.

O Leader of the House of Israel, giver of the Law to Moses on Sinai: come to rescue us with your mighty power! In ancient times it was unthinkable for faithful to use the name of God, so they would refer to him with the title "Adonai". The word "Adonai" simply means "Lord". The title is also used in the Old Testament for King Saul and King David. Jesus is the true Lord and King, the "Adonai" of heaven and earth.

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 [...]