A soft-spoken yet resolute 112 year-old woman from Long Island, New York, USA officially became the Guinness World Records title holder for oldest nun living, after serving the Catholic Church for over 94 years.
Sister Francis Dominici Piscatella was born in Central Islip, a small pocket of New York’s Long Island, on 20 April 1913. She became the oldest nun after the death of Sister Inah Canabarro Lucas (Brazil, b. 8 June 1908), who passed on 30 April this year, as confirmed by LongeviQuest.
Francis entered the Dominican order when she was 17 years old, becoming a teacher and working in administrative roles until she was 84 – spending 52 years in service of her community and 94 years in service of the church.
Since she joined the order in 1931, she has witnessed nine Popes come to power, 20 US presidents, two world wars, and multiple pandemics.
And the nun has just four words for those seeking to know the secret to her longevity:
“Teach until you die,” she said, also adding: “You have to be a saint before you get to heaven.” | GWR
