Servant of God Mary Kevin Kearney OSF | |
|---|---|
 Photograph of Teresa Kearney in early twentieth century | |
| Missionary | |
| Born | Teresa Kearney 28 April 1875 Knockenrahan, Arklow, Ireland |
| Died | 17 October 1957 (aged 82) Brighton, Massachusetts, United States |
| Venerated in | Roman Catholic Church |
Mary Kevin Kearny, OSF, CBE (born Teresa Kearney; 28 April 1875 – 17 October 1957) was a teacher, Franciscan Sister, and missionary, who founded a new Franciscan order. Born in Arklow, Ireland on April 28, 1875,[1] she became a Junior Assistant Mistress at 17 and taught in Essex, England.[2] On December 2, 1902, she left to begin missionary work in Nsambya, Uganda,[3] working as a Franciscan Sister of Saint Mary's Abbey, Mill Hill, London.
In 1952 Kearney founded the Franciscan Missionary Sisters for Africa.[4] Kearney's work in East Africa resulted in the formation of multiple hospitals and training of nurses throughout the region. Her name serves as the root of the word Kevina, which means "hospital" or "charity institute" in Uganda. On November 6, 2016, the Roman Catholic Diocese of Lugazi opened her formal beatification process, securing her the title Servant of God.[5][6]
- ^ Bryan, Deirdre (1 January 2006). "From the Files of the "DIB": Mama Kevina, 'Flame in the Bush'". History Ireland. 14 (4): 66. JSTOR 27725494.
- ^ "Mother Kevin, a prophetic woman - Catholicireland.net". Catholicireland.net. 30 November 1999. Retrieved 12 December 2016.
- ^ "FRANCISCAN MISSIONARY SISTERS FOR AFRICA". www.fmsa.net. Retrieved 12 December 2016.
- ^ "Teresa Kearney (Mother Kevin), Uganda, Catholic". www.dacb.org. Retrieved 12 December 2016.
- ^ "1957". newsaints.faithweb.com. Retrieved 6 May 2016.
- ^ "Cause of Beatification of Mother Kevin Kearney OSF (1875–1957)". armagharchdiocese.org. 5 January 2018. Retrieved 5 January 2018.