Mother Mary Kevin Kearney OSF

The Roadmap to Sainthood

Mother Kevin Kearney OSF (1875–1957): From Ireland to Africa, a Saint in the Making

“In the rolling hills of County Wicklow in the village of Arklow, a young girl named Teresa Kearney dreamed of serving God. Little did she know her journey would span continents, touch millions of lives, and ignite a spiritual legacy now recognized by the Vatican itself.

Welcome to the official website for the Beatification Cause of Mother Kevin Kearney, OSF—Franciscan missionary, founder of two Religious Institutes, and “Mother of the needy in education, health, social services and faith” in Uganda. Here, we invite you to explore her extraordinary life, witness the favors attributed to her intercession, and join a global community praying for her elevation to Sainthood. Together, let’s honor a woman whose faith moved mountains—and continues to move hearts today.”

Opening the Path to Sainthood
On November 6, 2016, the Vatican’s Congregation for the Causes of Saints took a historic step, formally accepting the Cause for Beatification of Mother Kevin Kearney, OSF, and declaring her a Servant of God—the first official stage on the journey to sainthood.

Mother Kevin’s spiritual legacy is deeply tied to the Archdiocese of Armagh. She founded the Franciscan Missionary Sisters for Africa in 1952, having separated from the original branch in England. She dedicated her new Religious Institute to serving marginalized communities specifically in Africa. Today, the Institute’s motherhouse stands in Mount Oliver, Dundalk, County Louth—a testament to her enduring vision.

Born Teresa Kearney in 1875 in Arklow, County Wicklow, she felt called to religious life at a young age. At 18, she moved to England and joined the Franciscan Sisters in London, taking the name Sister Mary Kevin upon her final vows in 1898.

Driven by a passion for mission work, Mother Kevin dedicated most of her ministry to Uganda. Her boundless compassion transcended barriers of race, ethnicity, religion, and politics. Despite personal hardships and illness, she:

  • Built schools, hospitals, and orphanages.
  • Founded teacher training colleges to empower local communities.
  • Established the Little Sisters of St. Francis in 1923, now a thriving congregation of over 800 sisters across Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, and the United States.

To support growing Irish vocations, Mother Kevin opened a new convent at Mount Oliver, Dundalk, in 1935. She became the first Superior General of the Franciscan Missionary Sisters for Africa in 1952, solidifying her dual legacy in Ireland and Africa. Today, Mount Oliver serves as a nursing home for retired and infirm sisters

Mother Kevin passed into eternal life in 1957. Though initially buried at Mount Oliver, her remains were returned to Uganda at the heartfelt request of its people. She now rests in Nkokonjeru, a place she loved dearly.

The Little Sisters of St. Francis and The Franciscan Missionary Sisters for Africa invite the faithful to:

  1. Pray for the success of Mother Kevin’s beatification cause.
  2. Report favors or miracles attributed to her intercession.

Intercessory Prayer for Mother Kevin’s Cause

Mother Kevin Kearney 1902

Mother Kevin Kearney

“Lord of the harvest, you blessed so abundantly the labours of Servant Mother Kevin, in her service of love for the establishment of your Kingdom in Africa.  During her lifetime, she showed love and mercy to all those in need.  Grant that through her intercession we may receive the favour we now ask: (make your petition here). We make this prayer through Jesus Christ our Lord. AMEN.”