Francis Regis Feise, CSJ

(S. Albert Marie)

Positive, kind-hearted, loving

On October 12, 1929, Joseph and Mary (Meinert) Feise of St. Louis welcomed a daughter, Marianne Therese. She had two older brothers and, later, a sister arrived. The extended family called her Annie, and friends and classmates just called her Feise. She attended Holy Rosary Grade School and Rosati-Kain High School. After high school, she accepted a position as a substitute teacher at St. Matthew’s elementary, working with the Sisters of St. Joseph (1947). She entered the CSJ community that following February (1948).

She engaged in social work during her school years, so when she received the habit, she asked for and received the name Francis Regis, after the Jesuit social worker and saint, whom she admired. She earned a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Fontbonne College (now University) in St. Louis (1960) and a master’s in special education for the emotionally disturbed from Loyola University in Chicago (1964).

Sister Francis’ ministry began in St. Louis at St. Joseph’s Home for Boys (1950), instructing the boys by day and supervising a dorm of about 25 boys by night. Next, she taught intermediate and junior high at St. Anthony of Padua Grade School (1955), followed by St. Leo Grade School (1956). In 1958, she moved to Chicago to the St. Joseph Home for the Friendless. There, she attended night school to earn her master’s degree. Her next assignment was as assistant administrator and teacher at St. Joseph Male Orphanage in Washington, Georgia (1963). “We had a farm with cows and a horse, and while I was there, we took in 15 Cuban boys who were refugees from Cuba,” said S. Francis.

In 1966, she became an assistant administrator and teacher at the Village of St. Joseph, a home for boys built by the diocese of Atlanta.

Returning to St. Louis in 1969, she became principal at Most Holy Rosary Grade School until 1977, when she returned to the Village of St. Joseph to serve as a cottage supervisor. Moving to Waco, Texas, in 1980, she taught at St. Mary Grade School. While there, she was asked to return to child care in New Orleans by Fr. Paul Sheridan, SJ and Sister Margaret Gregg who were opening a new place called Boys’ Hope (1983). This was a place for boys at risk and part of the Jesuit Living/Learning Program. Initially, she declined the offer but then agreed and took a position there as a residential counselor.

One incident in her life that was so close to her heart was when a young man, whose parents weren’t a part of his life, said to her, “I need somebody, and I love you very much. ... Will you be my mother?” S. Francis started to cry and replied, "I’ll do what I can." From then on, they became very good friends.” (Present Day: That young man gives talks sharing his life story at the different Boys’ Hope places.)

S. Francis returned to St. Louis in 2001 and ministered with CSJ Care in home service for the elderly. In 2006, she received the Fontbonne University Founder’s Day Award in recognition of her distinguished service to at-risk youth. In 2007, she retired and volunteered for various ministries until 2019. She then moved to Carondelet Manor at Nazareth Living Center to join in the ministry of prayer and presence.

By S. Helen Oates

Watch S. Francis' online vigil

Watch S. Francis' funeral service