Welcoming All to Full Communion: A Ministry of Hope and Inclusion for the Transgender Community.

Mother Grace Ferris is one of the very few transgender Catholic priests in the world. She is also a fully vowed sister in the Franciscan Community of Reconciliation. Previously a Southern Baptist minister and a graduate of the seminary at Jerry Falwell’s Liberty University, Mother Grace responded to a call from the Holy Spirit during the pandemic, which prompted her to begin tandem transitions—one from Baptist to Catholic and the other from Gary to Grace. A survivor of a 1991 suicide attempt, she has dedicated herself to ministry to a community deeply affected by suicidal ideation. Her ministry to the transgender community earned her the Cross of Saint Charles, the highest honor awarded to clergy by the Catholic Apostolic Church.

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Mother Grace graduated with a BA in English from Niagara University, where she was inducted into the Delta Epsilon Sigma National Catholic Honor Society. She earned a master’s degree from Liberty University. She is, as well, a classically trained vocalist. Although she no longer performs in public, she is a regular soloist during Mass at Saint John of God Parish in Schenectady, NY, where she is also associate pastor. She can be found on most Saturday evenings during the summer at Drum Corps International competitions, competing as a member of the fabled Hawthorne Caballeros.

About the Mission
The Saint Wilgefortis TRANSmission is the world’s only Catholic ministry to the transgender community that seeks to welcome transgender people into full communion with the Catholic Church. It does not simply welcome transgender people, it ensures that they have full access to all seven sacraments.

When the ministry was launched, the COVID-19 pandemic was in full swing. Because of that, the ministry was entirely online, operating on tandem Facebook pages—one public and one private. The public page was then, and still remains, available to anyone on Facebook. The private page can be accessed only by those who have agreed to a confidentiality policy. The original concept was that the page would be an interactive space where participants could interact in real time, and where various programs would be offered. However, that level of activity never materialized, likely due in part to “Zoom fatigue” that grew as the pandemic ended.

Saint Wilgefortis TRANSmission has evolved into a deeply personal ministry. Those engaged with the ministry—regardless of where they live—have direct access to Mother Grace, the transgender Catholic priest who serves as pastor. Much of her ministry activity involves individual communication over the phone, via email, and by text messages. Utilizing these communication channels, Mother Grace provides pastoral care and administers the sacrament of reconciliation to transgender people across the country. She frequently connects transgender people with affirming churches in their own communities where they can receive the sacrament of Holy Communion. In addition, Mother Grace annually attends the Keystone Conference, where she ministers to transgender people face-to-face. Many of the approximately 200 people who interact with the ministry are among the 1,000 people who attend the conference.

About its Patron Saint
Saint Wilgefortis was the teenage daughter of the pagan king of Portugal during the 600s. She had converted to Christianity and dedicated herself to a life of service. Her father, however, had promised her hand in marriage to a pagan prince. Unable to get out of the betrothal, she went to bed and prayed that God would intervene and cause her fiancé to call off the wedding. She woke the next morning having sprouted a full beard. Upon seeing it, her suitor called off the wedding. Wilgefortis was elated because her prayer had been answered. Her father, however, was furious. He told her that she would die the same death as her Savior. He then had her executed on a cross. Wilgefortis died a virgin martyr for the faith. Her feast day is July 20.

Meet Mother Grace Ferris

Saint Wilgefortis TRANSmission

A ministry of the Catholic Apostolic Church in North America

Ministry Focus:

Saint Wilgefortis TRANSmission offers a unique Catholic ministry to the transgender community, welcoming individuals into full communion with the Church and ensuring they have access to all seven sacraments. Mother Grace provides pastoral care through personal communication and attends national conferences, ministering to those in need of spiritual support and connection.