Authority Persons

The Institute of the Franciscan Sisters of the Eucharist is governed by a major superior called the Mother General. The current Mother General is Mother Miriam Seiferman, FSE who was elected in July of 2017 and reelected in 2023. She succeeded Mother Shaun Vergauwen, FSE who served as Mother General from 2005 to 2017. Mother Rosemae Pender, FSE, Mother Foundress, had served as the major superior since the founding of the Community in 1973 until the election of Mother Shaun in 2005.  A Vicar General assists the Mother General. Mother Barbara Johnson, FSE was elected Vicar General in 2017 and reelected in 2023. A General Council comprises four Councilors and the Vicar General to help the Mother General in governing the Congregation. The four Councilors, elected in 2023, are Sister Veronica Schueler, Sister Mary Elizabeth Endee, Sister Raffaella Petrini and Sister Clare Hunter.

Every six years, the Community holds a General Chapter to elect the major superior and the General Council. Each house of the Community has a Superior appointed by the Mother General and the Council.

The Franciscan Sisters of the Eucharist believe that the role of authority, given by God, through the Church, is to hold the Community into its charism and mission for the Church, to center the Community in its growth and to be authors of life for each member and each situation faced by the Congregation.

Mother Shaun Vergauwen, Mother Co-foundress, center, stands with the newly elected Sisters, from left, Sister Raffaella Petrini, Sister Mary Elizabeth Endee, Mother Barbara Johnson, Mother Shaun, Mother Miriam Seiferman, Sister Clare Hunter and Sister Veronica Schueler. (July 17, 2023)