Sr. Francis Dominici Piscatella, right, a Sister of St. Dominic of Amityville, N.Y., who is recognized as the world's oldest nun, chats with Sr. Joanne Walters before attending Mass on her 113th birthday at the Dominican Sisters' motherhouse in Amityville April 20, 2026. (OSV News/Gregory A. Shemitz)
by GSR Staff
A Dominican sister who turned 113 April 20 has once again captivated international attention after Guinness World Records has named her as the world's oldest nun — for the second year in a row.
Sr. Francis Dominici Piscatella, from Long Island, New York, has been a religious sister for 95 years.
Last year the record-keeping organization gave Piscatella the same title of "oldest nun," and with it came widespread attention in national media: She has appeared in People magazine, the New York Post and "Good Morning America," as well as in local newscasts and international outlets.
She joined the Sisters of St. Dominic of Amityville, New York, in 1931, Guinness says in its entry, and served primarily as a teacher.
"Piscatella was born in Central Islip, a small hamlet of New York. Her left forearm was amputated at two years old which caused her to be turned away from many religious organizations, but she was eventually accepted by the Sisters of St. Dominic," Guinness said.
A feature story on her distinction in Our Sunday Visitor in 2025 said she has several physical challenges, is hard of hearing and needs to be cared for, but still attends daily Mass and participates in some community activities.
A newscast from ABC7 in Chicago shows a video of Piscatella saying "I've given up counting my years."
When the New York Post asked in 2025 about her secret for longevity, she said: "Teach until you die."
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