NEWS & VIEWS
from a CATHOLIC perspective

      STEUBENVILLE, Ohio (CWNews.com) - Franciscan University of Steubenville announced this week that it will honor Sister Peter Claver Fahy, MSBT, with its highest award, the Poverello Medal, on December 8. The 99-year-old nun has spent over 70 years ministering to the poor, the imprisoned, and many others who suffer from discrimination of various kinds.

      "Franciscan University considers it a privilege to award the Poverello Medal to Sister Peter Claver Fahy," said Father Michael Scanlan, TOR, president of Franciscan University. "Throughout her life she has demonstrated a St. Francis-like charity and has brought healing, strength, and empowerment to thousands of God's little ones."

      The twelfth of 14 children, Hannah Elizabeth Fahy was born to Sarah Jonas, a convert from Judaism, and Thomas Fahy, an Irish immigrant. At age 26 she joined the Missionary Servants of the Most Blessed Trinity, taking the name of "Peter Claver" for the Spanish-born Jesuit who ministered to African-Americans. She has spent the last 73 years serving the poor, abandoned, neglected, and imprisoned.

      Sister Fahy evangelized, taught school, and organized charitable organizations for the poor and oppressed throughout this century in New Jersey, Alabama, Pennsylvania, Mississippi, and Georgia, including missions for African-Americans in New Jersey, on the Choctaw Indian Reservation in Mississippi, and Hospitality Houses for battered women and children in Pennsylvania and Georgia. She continues to serve in ministry as she approaches 100 years old, beginning a prayer and Scripture group for inmates in last year.

      The Poverello Medal, named in honor of St. Francis of Assisi, patron of the University, symbolizes the spirit of charity that filled the saint's life. Previous Poverello Medal recipients include Dr. Jonas E. Salk, Mother Theresa of Calcutta, Dorothy Day, Ferdinand Mahfood, the Salvation Army, and Special Olympics.