A dream that triggered Teresa’s decision to become a Religious Sister

Teresa Kearney’s call to consecrated life began with a disturbing dream, but one that she took as a divine intervention.  About the dream O’Hara writes; “what Teresa allegedly told was this:  she had what she could only describe as a ‘dream’ – although she said not an ordinary kind of dream – in which she was conscious of being called to help some people who were in dire need.  Her way to them led through the most terrifying type of country where there was desolation and danger, and the people were dark-skinned. It seemed to her, in this dream, that St. Joseph had something to do with her call.  There was, also, a dark-skinned man who appeared to be someone of importance, and kept saying to her, ‘Your work is to help my people.’ This dream occurred on three consecutive nights, and was extraordinarily vivid and compelling.”[1]  Teresa sought God’s Will from a Priest who advised that they pray for the guidance of the Holy Spirit.  During a visit in a Dublin church Teresa became convinced that she was being called to sacrifice human love and embrace religious life.  That is when she refused the marriage proposal and continued to reflect on her future path, while being guided towards her final choice in life.

Entry into the Convent

On November 21, 1895 she was admitted to the Franciscan Convent at St. Mary’s Abbey, Mill Hill, London.  The new Religious Institute was called the Franciscan Sisters of the Five Wounds.  In the formation she was schooled into the essence of consecrated life: the three vows of Obedience, Poverty and Chastity, all lived in the medium of Community life and generous service towards the poor and needy.  As the Franciscan Sisters at the Abbey were both contemplative and active, meaning they spent ample time in prayer as well as dedicating some time to reaching out to those who needed care and love around them.  In that spirit of love of the poor and needy, the Institute had extended their presence to USA in Baltimore to serve among the negroes that had just been set from slavery.    In her formation Teresa was also well grounded in the. Francis can spirit which the Institute had chosen to follow as members of the Third Order Regular of St. Francis of Assisi.  “In April 1897, Teresa received the holy habit of St. Francis and, with it, the name Kevin…”[2]  “On April 21^st 1898 she made her profession of perpetual vows, and became Sr. Mary Kevin of the Sacred Passion, taking as her motto the words that had been her support during her time of training: For Thee, Lord.”[3]  All this time, Teresa harboured a secret consuming desire to go to USA to serve among the black Americans.  Surely she thought this was the place where she would realize her earlier dream to go and serve among the unknown blacks.  However, the Superiors appointed her serve the sick Sisters in the infirmary at the home convent.

[1] Love is the Answer, p. 12.
[2] Sr. Mary Louis, OSF. Love is the Answer. P. 17
[3] Ibid. p. 20