In early July we welcomed a new team member. Celine Kelly is originally from the Burren area of County Clare, Ireland. She says: “I am delighted to join my older brother, Fr. Eamon, at Magdala. This is the first time in forty years that we are assigned to the same ministry and we look forward to sharing this adventure.”

Named after the sister of Saint Therese of Lisieux, Celine was raised in a devout Catholic family and felt the call to belong to God at an early age.  After high school, she studied for a year at Mary Immaculate College of Education in Limerick before her consecration to God in Regnum Christi, on Saturday, September 25, 1976, a few hours before her brother Eamon made his first profession as a Legionary of Christ.

Celine earned the degree Licenciatura en Educación y Desarrollo (Bachelor of Education and Development) at the Anahuac University of Mexico, as well as a Magisterio in Scienze Religiose (Magisterium of Religious Studies) from the Ateneo Pontificio Regina Apostolorum in Rome and more recently a Masters in Spirituality from Loyola University Chicago, with a concentration in Spiritual Direction and the Spiritual Exercises of Saint Ignatius.

Celine has directed Regnum Christi schools in Mexico, Ireland and the United States of America. Her ministry includes leading retreats and giving individual spiritual direction to women. “I love dedicating my life to helping others grow in their experience of Jesus,” says Celine and she continues, “Now in Magdala, in the Land of Jesus, it is a real privilege to minister to pilgrims.”

We are grateful that Celine has come to join the community of consecrated women at Magdala.