Oldest FSE dies at age 101

POCATELLO, ID (09-11-2006) - Sister Chrysologa Perkins, F.S.E., died peacefully at the Franciscan Center in Pocatello on September 11th. The eldest Franciscan Sister of the Eucharist, Sister Chrysologa would have been age 102 on September 30th.

She was born in 1904 in Galesville, Wisconsin, and was one of eleven children. She entered St. Rose Convent, La Crosse, Wisconsin, in 1920 and professed her first vows in 1924 in the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration. She received a bachelor's in education from Viterbo College and taught in several parish schools in Wisconsin and Iowa and also served as a local superior.

In 1969 she went to help in St. Bernard's parish in Blackfoot, Idaho, and in 1973 she became a founding member of the Franciscan Sisters of the Eucharist. From 1973 to 1981 she helped start the Franciscan Life Process Center in Lowell, Michigan. In 1981 she was missioned to the Holy Land, after having expressed repeatedly to Mother Rosemae Pender, Mother General, her life-long desire to be a missionary in a foreign country. Her dream fulfilled, she returned to the United States in 1986 and lived the remainder of her years in the Pocatello, Idaho, community.

Sister Chrysologa was known for her seemingly boundless energy that challenged even the most physically fit youth who met her. In her later years she took on a ministry of stamp collecting as a way of helping the Franciscan Family Life Center raise funds. She also maintained a letter-writing apostolate that included hundreds of friends and people in need. She became legendary in the community for the warm-hearted cards and newsy, handwritten letters which she sent to each Sister on the occasion of the Sister's birthday. She loved visiting with people of all ages, and had a deep devotion to Mary, the Blessed Virgin. Thus, the community aptly celebrated yearly the Marian Feast of the Visitation, May 31st, as Sister Chrysologa's special feast day. In the same spirit of visitation and hospitality, the Sisters dedicated their newly-built guest house to Sister Chrysologa at the time of her 75th anniversary of vows.

A vigil will take place on Tuesday, September 19th, at St. Anthony Chapel, Pocatello, in the afternoon, and continue on Tuesday evening at the Franciscan Sisters' Presentation Chapel. The Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Wednesday, September 20th, at the Franciscan Center followed by burial in the Franciscan Cemetery.