Eudist Sister Featured On EWTN

Sister Mary Francis is from an Irish Catholic family who attended Mass regularly. She is the third of 11 children and helped raise her brothers and sisters. Her father was an Air Force pilot and the family relocated frequently in the U.S. and around the world. Sister Mary Francis married at 19 years old and raised three sons. Both she and her husband joined the Air Force soon after getting married. She held several professional positions in her career in both the Air Force and as a civil servant. She worked as an accountant and federal manager in a variety of roles including international affairs for the Pentagon. Throughout her early life she dealt with physical suffering and persevered in her career with Rheumatoid Arthritis and Fibromyalgia. She and her husband divorced after 23 years of marriage.

Following her divorce, she describes her faith practices as lazy and that she had become a negative person. She was an empty nester and felt alone and that she needed God. Her friend encouraged her to explore a relationship with Jesus. After studying the Bible, she recognized how her Catholic faith and the Sacraments were steeped in scripture. She went back to church regularly and it became her priority. She says she felt inner peace and it really helped her chronic pain. She received a calling from God and retired as a federal manager. She welcomed Jesus into her heart with all her being.

In her calling she heard the Lord telling her 4 things: to become a nun, write a book, quit watching so much TV, and that every day you are not serving the suffering – you make them wait for you. She consulted a priest who told her these things were normal when God calls. Our calling often happens with Scripture, through others, and with inspired thoughts from God through the Holy Spirit.

At age 55, Sister Mary Francis looked for a religious association that would accept her. There were no takers due to her age and health concerns. A friend told her to speak with Sister Lillian in Texas about an association founded by Mother Antonia called the Eudist Servants of the Eleventh Hour. The association was founded for those wanting to serve later in life and it was a perfect fit. Each Eudist Servant vows to spend their time in prayer and works wherever they are called throughout the US and Mexico. They are known as Ministers of Mercy to those they serve. Sister Mary Francis says that more than anything, God has put the Eudist Servants in places to listen to people.

Sister Mary Francis has served as the Spiritual Advisor for the Georgia State Board of Directors of St. Vincent de Paul Society. She also has published a book entitled Finding Freedom in God’s Illogical Ways. It is published by Eudist Press International and can be found as both a paperback and on audio. The paperback is on Amazon in English and Spanish. The audiobook (in English and narrated by the author) can be purchased at many retail sites that carry audiobooks. Paperback is recommended as a variety of pictures help to tell the story. 

(The full EWTN interview with Sister Mary Francis is on YouTube and runs about 28 minutes with the channel’s introduction and wrap up.)

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