AUBURN —

The memoir opens when a nun and a priest, each newly assigned to the same parish school in Waterville, Maine, are introduced to one another. Sister Maureen discovers she has fallen in love with Father McGillicuddy, and, after deep soul searching, leaves the convent. Reclaiming her original name, Elaine shares the story of her two-year underground relationship with Father Francis. Together they follow the optional celibacy debates in Rome, await with some doubt, but yet with some hope, a Vatican decision in its favor. Such an outcome would have allowed Father Francis to become a married Catholic priest. But when that door is shut in December, 1971, a Francis exodus ensues and the wedding date is set. Their life together comes to a climax when in 2009, Francis’s cancer diagnosis leaves them only 100 more days together.

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