Sister Helen Jean Brinkman, eldest FSE, dies at 97
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 [...]
The Community mourns the death of Sister Colleen Ann Nagle, FSE
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 [...]
Sister Damien Marie Savino, FSE completes book on integral ecology
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 [...]
Franciscan Sister proclaims reading at Papal Mass
ROME (05-09-2025) - Sister Mary Mercy Lee, FSE considered it a privilege to proclaim the First Reading at the newly-elected Holy Father's Mass for the Cardinal-electors today in the Sistine Chapel. Sister Mary Mercy serves in the English language section at a Vatican office. She professed perpetual vows in the Franciscan Sisters of the Eucharist community last year on May 26 and began ministering at the Holy See in August.
FSE Community offers prayers for our new Holy Father, Pope Leo XIV
MERIDEN, CT (05-08-2025) - The Franciscan Sisters of the Eucharist world-wide offer heartfelt prayer and support for our new Shepherd of the Church, Pope Leo XVI. May the Lord bless him and keep him, show His face to him and give him peace.
Motherhouse Chapel of St. John celebrates new Holy Father
MERIDEN, CT (05-08-2025) - The Chapel of St. John at the Franciscan Sisters' motherhouse saw an immediate change as the white smoke emerged from the Sistine Chapel at the Vatican, signifying a new pope had been elected. Brother Leo Maneri, Franciscan Brother of the Eucharist (pictured on ladder), and Land Care Assistant Frank Critelli, with the help of Sister Monica Navalta, FSE were at the ready to change the bunting over the main entrance of the chapel from the black mourning cloth to a [...]