Mother Lucille Cutrone, founding member of the Franciscan Sisters of the Renewal, peacefully breathed her last at 6:46 p.m. on October 27, 2024, at age 77. She was surrounded by the love and prayers of her sisters at the Convent of San Damiano in the Bronx, New York, where she resided. She had been recently diagnosed with AML Leukemia.
The recording of the Wake (including Eulogies) and Funeral Mass (at St. Patrick's Cathedral celebrated by Cardinal Timothy Dolan) for Mother Lucille can be viewed on the Sister's website at www.franciscansisterscfr.com.
She was laid to rest at Old St. Raymond's Cemetery in the Bronx, New York. In lieu of flowers and gifts, if desired, donations in memory of Mother Lucille may be given to support the Franciscan Sisters of the Renewal.
Born Lucille Angela Cutrone on August 7, 1947, to Frank and Filomena Cutrone, she grew up in Brooklyn where the religious sisters who taught her first inspired her religious vocation. It wasn’t until much later, though, that Divine Providence would lead her to be a part of the beginning of a new religious community in 1988.
After graduating from St. John’s University, she began a teaching career that spanned 20 years. She taught in public schools in both Virginia and New York, first as an elementary school teacher and then serving children with emotional disabilities and special needs. She went on to earn a Master’s in Education from St. John’s, an Ed.S in Counseling and Guidance from Eastern New Mexico University, and a Master’s in Special Education from Teacher’s College, Columbia University.
In the early 1980’s, her life began to move in a decidedly different direction after meeting now Servant of God, Fr. Walter Ciszek, SJ, who became her spiritual director for several years. Through his wise and gentle guidance, Lucille began to hear again the call to become a spouse of Christ, that same invitation she had once perceived as a young child.
It was through the late renowned spiritual guide, Fr. Benedict Groeschel, CFR (then a Capuchin), that in 1986, Lucille met Fr. Andrew Apostoli, CFR, one of the eight founding members of the newly formed Franciscan Friars of the Renewal who had recently begun in the South Bronx. “He reminded me so much of Fr. Ciszek,” Mother Lucille used to say of Fr. Andrew, “He had that same quality of holiness.” With the permission of John Cardinal O’Connor, Archbishop of New York at the time, and under the guidance of Fr. Andrew, on July 16, 1988, Lucille and five other lay women embarked upon the adventure of beginning what would eventually become the Community of Franciscan Sisters of the Renewal (CFR Sisters).
She was invested Sr. Lucille of the Immaculate Heart of Mary on August 2, 1989 and professed temporary vows two years later. Though the fledgling Community was enduring a period of great instability even at the time of her perpetual vows, Sr. Lucille remained clear and undaunted. On August 22, 1995, with the support of only one other temporary professed sister and a postulant, Sr. Lucille professed final vows with great certainty at St. Adalbert Church, Bronx, NY. “I never questioned it. I knew it was the will of God.”
Never could she have imagined what would become of her faithfulness. Today the CFR Sisters have five convents in three countries, serving the poor through outreaches such as a soup kitchen, an overnight shelter, food and clothing pantries, and a drop-in center. Some of their works of evangelization include parish missions, retreats, youth and young adult ministry, school visits, peaceful pro-life witness, and leading people of all ages in Eucharistic Adoration. Mother Lucille imparted to her sisters her own deep compassion for the poor and suffering. She was greatly loved by many who would otherwise have considered themselves alone in the world – these were the people toward whom Mother Lucille gravitated. She encouraged all to entrust themselves to the Blessed Virgin Mary and was never without a Miraculous Medal for those to whom she ministered. “Stay close to the Blessed Mother,” she would say. Her desire for all to come to know the love and mercy of Jesus, especially through the Sacraments of the Church, was a driving force in her life. She loved to teach children, as well as people of all ages who she would meet on the street, the same prayer that Fr. Ciszek had taught her years ago, “Lord, I’m with you.”
Mother Lucille served as the first General Servant of the Franciscan Sisters of the Renewal from 1995-2018. Simultaneously she served in every level of formation, most notably as Novice Directress until 2008 and Temporary Professed Directress until 2014. After beginning in the South Bronx, she opened five convents: Bronx, New York; East Harlem, New York; Leeds, England; Drogheda, Ireland; and Atlantic City, New Jersey. Mother Lucille was also a member of the Council of Major Superiors of Women Religious (CMSWR), served as an Advisor to their Board, and participated faithfully in their annual National Assembly and other programs in support of religious life in the United States.
Mother Lucille is survived by her religious community of 33 sisters; her brother Jack Cutrone; her sister Marie (Frank) Braccia; her brother Vito Cutrone; her sister-in-law Michele Cutrone; five nieces and three nephews, and seven grand-nieces and nephews, all who were very beloved by her. She was pre-deceased by Fr. Andrew Apostoli, CFR, the founder of the Franciscan Sisters of the Renewal; her parents, Frank and Filomena Cutrone; and her brother, Angelo “Lee” Cutrone.
The Franciscan Sisters of the Renewal wish to thank the many friends who have offered their support and prayers for Mother Lucille over the course of her illness. Amidst her many expressions of gratitude during her illness, Mother Lucille said to her sisters with great faith, “The best is yet to come.” May our loving Father now welcome her into His eternal embrace.
Eternal rest grant unto her, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon her. May she rest in peace. May her soul and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.
