Briege McKenna (born 1946[1]) is an Irish-American Catholic nun, Christian mystic, and faith healer.

Life edit

McKenna was born in Newry in Northern Ireland. Her father was a tenant farmer. She joined the Poor Clares convent at age 14. Two years after her religious profession she was sent to Tampa, Florida, as a teacher, and for her health. She claims she was cured of rheumatoid arthritis at age 24[2][3][4] during the celebration of the Eucharist at a charismatic prayer meeting. McKenna recounts having received the gift of healing in prayer. She is also known as an evangelist.[5][6]

Ministry of Intercession for Priests edit

In 1974, McKenna claimed she received spiritual inspiration to work with priests. She holds retreats and seminars, and has worked with around 1000 priests.[7][8]

McKenna ministered to priests in collaboration with Father Kevin Scallon C.M. from 1985 to 2018.[9] She continues this ministry with Father Pablo Escriva de Romani, running retreats in Palm Harbor, Florida.[10]

She was the global rapporteur for an international retreat for priests at the Vatican.[11] In 1988, she was given Franciscan University's Poverello Award, and in 2009 the Outstanding Leadership Award of the Catholic Leadership Institute.[12]

McKenna is one of the spokespersons of the Marian messages broadcast from Medjugorje,[13] following a faith-healing experience at an international conference in 1981.[14]

Works edit

  • Miracles Do Happen: The Inspiring True Story Of The World-Famous Healer And The Reality Of Miracles (1992). ISBN 0-312-92972-2
  • The Power of the Sacraments (2023) (ASIN: B0BRQWZRC8)

References edit

  1. ^ GND 118901567
  2. ^ Georgia Bulletin
  3. ^ Catholic Ireland
  4. ^ "Five Questions for Sister Briege McKenna". Archived from the original on 4 March 2016.
  5. ^ Blakebrough, Denise S. (2006). La "renovación" en el Espíritu Santo [The "Restoration" in the Holy Spirit] (in Spanish). Salamanca: Secretariado Trinitario. p. 219. ISBN 849648811X. OCLC 434210257.
  6. ^ Schubert, Linda (2014) [1992]. Miracle Hour. Better Yourself Books. p. 2. ISBN 978-0963264305.
  7. ^ Perry, Nicolas (1988). Under the Heel of Mary. London: Routledge Publishing. p. 304. ISBN 9780415012966.
  8. ^ Collinson, Patrick (2003). Elizabethans. London: A&C Black. pp. 146–147. ISBN 1852854006.
  9. ^ "Tribute to Fr Kevin Scanlon". Independent Catholic News. 3 July 2018. Retrieved 16 November 2020.
  10. ^ Catholic Charismatic Revival, Retrieved 2023-04-10
  11. ^ "ICCRS Bulletin" (PDF). ICCRS Bulletin. Vol. XXXII, no. 2. Archived from the original (PDF) on 13 October 2009. Retrieved 16 June 2010.
  12. ^ Online, Catholic. "10th Annual Gala to Honor Four Outstanding Catholic Leaders on November 13th - Catholic PRWire and Events Calendar". Catholic Online. Retrieved 12 November 2022.
  13. ^ Keane, Brendan (22 June 2019). "Enniscorthy & District Noticeboard - Medjugorje conference". Enniscorthy Guardian. Retrieved 25 June 2019 – via Independent.ie.
  14. ^ Lindsey, David Michael (2000). The Woman and the Dragon: Apparitions of Mary. Louisiana: Pelican Publishing Company. p. 276. ISBN 1455614378.