by Sr. Rita Kelly, MMM                      Ireland                17.06.2026

Recently, Sr. Sheila Campbell came up to me. She knows I had written a book about Mother Mary Martin, our Founder, told through the eyes of a child. I co-wrote this book a couple of years ago with Dr. Briege Rafferty, a dear friend. Sheila also knew I was beginning work about the small group of women who surrounded Mother Mary and who were key to the success of her vision. “Write me a blog about Magdalen”, she asked. So here goes…

Sr. Magdalen O’Rourke, known as Brigid (Bridie to her family) was one of the first pioneers to support Marie Martin in her vision for a new missionary congregation. She was born in 1909 From an early age Bridie was a prolific writer. Through her letters and memoirs, one gets a picture of her life story. While working in the Civil Service in Dublin for “eight years a happy and fulfilled life” a call to religious life to train as a nurse and go to Africa emerged. She was a woman of her era. There was a strong Missionary Movement both in Ireland and at Global level.
Through her Spiritual Director she was introduced to Marie Martin. From the first meeting, in 1934, Bridie was inspired by Marie’s vision of a new missionary order to serve the needs of Mother and Child. But Marie, an astute woman, recognized Bridie’s leadership, business and organizational skills.

In 1935 Bridie accompanied Marie to the Benedictine Monastery in Glenstal, Co. Limerick, for Spiritual formation. In 1936 “as a half a midwife” she set sail for Nigeria. She spent only two years on “mission”. By 1938 she was back in Ireland. She was the trusted assistant to Mother Mary Martin promoting MMM, fund-raising, and the first Editor of the magazine. She was adaptable, courageous and responded to Mother Mary Martin’s wishes with the attitude of Fiat- “God’s will be done”

This good and faithful servant was called home in November 2008 a few days before her 99th Birthday.