World’s oldest nun turns 113 and reveals secret to long life: ‘My whole mind is on God’

Born in 1913 and entering the Dominicans at age 17, Sister Francis Piscatella has lived a life of service as a teacher.

A Dominican nun from New York recognized by Guinness World Records as the worldʼs oldest living nun celebrated her 113th birthday this week.

Sister Francis Domenici Piscatella was born on April 20, 1913, on Long Island.

“My whole mind is [on] God. He has kept me going all these years,” she told Fox 5 News.

“God gives us a certain amount of years to live, and we try to live out that number of years,” the nun told Fox News. “I’ve given up counting my years. I never really thought I would get to be that age.”

Sister Piscatella, a member of the Sisters of St. Dominic of Amityville since 1931, has dedicated 94 years of her life to the service of the Church. “I wanted to be someone important to the sisters,” she remarked, although those who know her attest that she has had a profound influence on generations of students and religious alike.

A life marked by faith and resilience

The nun lost part of her left arm at the age of 2 in an accident, but it did not prevent her from pursuing her vocation. “I had to show them that the fact that I had only one arm didn’t in any way impede me,” she told Channel 7 Eyewitness News.

“No one ever had to help me. If anyone helped someone else, I was the one who did the helping,” she said.

“I always ran to church and prayed all the time,” she recalled, highlighting the role of faith in her life.

She was a teacher for 52 years. At Molloy College in Rockville Centre, New York, she taught geometry, drawing perfect circles on the blackboard with her one good arm.

A testimony that inspires generations

Those who know her highlight her tireless spirit. Even at the age of 110, she continued performing household chores and attending Mass daily. “I hope you saw something good about this old lady,” she said humbly.

During Sister Piscatellaʼs lifetime, there have been 10 popes, 20 U.S. presidents, two world wars, and several pandemics. According to Guinness World Records, she became the world’s oldest nun following the passing of the Brazilian religious Inah Canabarro Lucas.

During the celebration of her 113th birthday, she said: “It’s very kind of everybody who came and made this such a lovely day.” She even received a proclamation from Pope Leo, the 10th pontiff to be elected in her lifetime.

With a life that continues to bear fruit, Sister Piscatella has become a living symbol of persevering faith and quiet service, leaving an indelible mark on the Church and on those who have passed through her classrooms.

This story was first published by ACI Prensa, the Spanish-language sister service of EWTN News. It has been translated and adapted by EWTN News English.