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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Renowned Catholic missionaries to grace nat'l clergy retreat in Cebu

Renowned Catholic missionaries to grace nat'l clergy retreat in Cebu

Published Aug 10, 2023 11:04 am

The Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) announced the speakers for the upcoming National Retreat for Priests (NRP), which will take place in Cebu from Nov. 7 to 9.

 

CBCP guest speakers.jpg
Sr. Briege McKenna and Fr. Pablo Escriva de Romani (Photo from CBCP)

 

With the theme "Priesthood: A Call to Holiness," the NRP aims to provide a profoundly enriching and spiritually rejuvenating experience for all priests.

Read: https://mb.com.ph/2023/6/29/national-retreat-in-cebu-aims-to-spiritually-rejuvenate-priests


The CBCP said that among the speakers are Sr. Briege McKenna and Fr. Pablo Escriva de Romani.


Irish missionary

Sr. McKenna's journey unfolds in the Northern Ireland city of Newry, where she was born and joined the convent of the Sisters of St. Claire at the age of 14.

However, during her years of religious formation, Sr. McKenna had rheumatoid arthritis, a debilitating condition that grew more severe after she took her vows and began her ministry in Florida.

Nonetheless, the trajectory of Sr. McKenna's life took a profound turn in 1970 when she experienced miraculous healing from her illness—these moments paved the way for a healing ministry that has since carried her across the globe.

"Through this experience, I got a new understanding of the priesthood. I got a new love and a deep reverence for the sacrament of Holy Orders," Sr. McKenna said in The Universe, a Catholic newspaper, in 2002.

"I came to understand that priests were in need of great prayers, and great consolation," she added, referring to her "visions" about the priesthood in front of the Eucharist.

For over four decades, Sr. McKenna worked in collaboration with Fr. Kevin Scallon until his passing in June 2018. Their closeness was centered on ministering to priests and sharing the gift of healing.

 

Mission with Fr. Pablo

Presently, Sr. McKenna continues her mission with Fr. Pablo Escriva de Romani, a devoted priest from the Archdiocese of Madrid. His work extends to the Diocese of Limon in Costa Rica, where he serves as a missionary.

The CBCP added that Fr. De Romani accompanied Sr. McKenna in her around-the-world missionary work for priests to preach in parish missions and retreats.

In an interview with St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York, he underscored the challenges priests face in today's media and social pressure to exercise their ministry because it is oftentimes mistreated for it.

He noted, "Trying to find the poorest of the poor, I realize it was us priests."

"So I think it's a joy to be able to really rediscover with Sr. Briege all that the priesthood is," Di Romani added, who is said to be known for his work in war zones and his missionary retreats worldwide.

At least 3,000 priests are expected to attend the retreat at the IEC Convention Center.

The retreat was initially built for the 51st International Eucharistic Congress in 2016 and was planned as part of the celebrations for the 500th Anniversary of Christianity in the Philippines in 2021 but was postponed due to the pandemic. (Rhowen Del Rosario)

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