Briege McKenna facts for kids

Briege McKenna (born in 1946) is an Irish-American Catholic nun. She is known for her work in the Catholic Church. Many people believe she has special spiritual gifts, including the ability to help others through prayer.

Her Early Life and Calling

Briege McKenna was born in Newry, a town in Northern Ireland. Her father worked as a farmer. When she was just 14 years old, she decided to join a group of nuns called the Poor Clares.

A couple of years after becoming a nun, she moved to Tampa, Florida. She went there to teach and also for her health.

A Special Healing Experience

When Briege McKenna was 24, she says something amazing happened. She had a condition called rheumatoid arthritis, which causes pain and swelling in joints. She believes she was cured of this illness during a special church service. This happened at a prayer meeting where people felt a strong spiritual presence.

After this experience, Sister Briege says she received a special gift from God. She believes this gift allows her to help heal people through prayer. She also shares her faith with others, which is called evangelism.

Helping Priests Through Prayer

In 1974, Sister Briege felt a strong spiritual calling to work with priests. Since then, she has held special gatherings and workshops for them. She has worked with over 1,000 priests, offering them spiritual support.

From 1985 to 2018, she worked closely with Father Kevin Scallon. Today, she continues her work with Father Pablo Escriva de Romani. They hold retreats in Palm Harbor, Florida, to help priests grow in their faith.

Sister Briege has also been recognized for her important work. She was a key speaker at a big international meeting for priests at the Vatican. She has received awards, including the Poverello Award in 1988 and the Outstanding Leadership Award in 2009.

She also shares messages about the Virgin Mary from a place called Medjugorje. She became involved after a healing experience at a conference in 1981.

Her Books

Sister Briege McKenna has written books about her experiences and faith:

• Miracles Do Happen: The Inspiring True Story Of The World-Famous Healer And The Reality Of Miracles (1992)
• The Power of the Sacraments (2023)