Venerable Edel Quinn
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Edel Quinn was born on the feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, September 14, 1907 at Greenane in the parish of Castlemagner near Kanturk, County Cork. Father Greene, the parish priest of Castlemagner, baptized Edel on the 18th. Her father, a bank employee, was transferred often. This meant many moves for Edel, her three sisters, and brother; the family finally settled in Monkstown, County Dublin in 1924. Like the rest of her family, Edel adored sports. An avid rugby supporter, she played tennis and cricket. She loved to cycle, especially at high speeds – and to dance; many who knew her, spoke of her exuberant nature and cheerful outlook. Edel at 4 years old Edel at boarding school, England On completing her education in Ireland, she went to boarding school in England for a brief spell. On her return she undertook a commercial course. At age twenty Edel was working as a secretary proving to be most efficient and conscientious. At this time the spiritual side of her life was becoming more dominant. She joined the Legion of Mary in Dublin. Edel’s destiny was to be linked to the Legion perhaps more than she knew. In 1932 when about to join the poor Clare Convent in Belfast, a contemplative order, it was discovered she had advanced tuberculosis of the lungs. This would eventually end her life. An eighteen-month stay in a sanatorium followed. Towards the end of 1933 she went back to her office job and her beloved Legion. She spent time visiting the sick and the needy. In 1936, with her health still failing, Edel responded to a call to go as envoy to Africa. Understandably the central council of the Legion was reluctant to agree. “How could this slight, waif-like creature possibly have the stamina required for extensive travel throughout Central Africa?” A determined Edel remarked that she was going in with her eyes open and didn’t want to “go on a picnic”.
Within five months, Edel had founded the first Curia, (a governing council of the Legion for guiding praesidia). Sheer necessity brought about the purchase of a six year old Ford V8 coupe. When her newly acquired driver proved unreliable, in true Edel fashion she learned to drive. Harrowing journeys, in her “Rolls Royce” as she called it, were all part of the job – “She was utterly undaunted” Frank Duff, the Legion’s founder once said of her, “Just laughed her way through obstacles that would have beaten almost anyone else.” In the period 1937 – 1940 she introduced the Legion to Uganda, Tanganyika (Tanzania), Nyasaland (Malawi) and Mauritius in the Indian Ocean. She organized the translations and printing of prayers in several different languages and dialects. During her many hospital spells she continued her work through correspondence. By 1943, the tuberculosis was well advanced and even Edel had to admit she was slowing down considerably. Yet she still continued her travels. By November 1943, her hard labor had paid off. Hundreds of Legion groups were thriving on African soil thanks to this single-minded Irish woman.
The disease, fought for so long, finally defeated Edel on May 12, 1944. Receiving the last rites at the Convent of the Sisters of the Precious Blood in Nairobi, she spoke her last words: “What is happening to me? Is Jesus coming?” She was 36 years old. In 1963 the process of her canonization was opened in Nairobi and Dublin. On December 15, 1994 Pope John Paul II solemnly proclaimed her heroic sanctity, declaring her “Venerable”.
Edel Quinn - Role Model Edel was an idealist, a quality rare enough in people. We find lots of ambition and materialism, but idealism not so much. Yet deep in every human heart is the desire to emulate those persons with lofty ideals. There is a quotation by John Oxenham (English novelist and Religious Poet) in the Handbook of the Legion of Mary which reads: “To every man there openeth A way, and ways and a way. And the High Soul climbs the High Way And the Low Soul gropes the Low, And, in between, in the misty flats, The rest drift to and fro. And to every man there openeth A High Way and a Low, And every man decideth The Way his soul shall go.” She chose the “High Way” and stated “an idealist who does not put his ideal into practice is not worth much.” Edel’s ideals were generated by her strong, unclouded Catholic Faith and her totally unselfish nature. Edel’s ultimate goal was to attain to an eternal loving relationship with God. Her life plan was to get to know Him, the Object of her Desire, to reciprocate His love for her. Edel was called by God to lead a contemplative life in the midst of intense activity as a family member, a working girl, an active member of the Legion of Mary, as a patient in a sanatorium and finally as an envoy of the Legion of Mary on Africa. Her life plan remained constant. The Church in declaring her Venerable has confirmed that she achieved the ultimate goal. How inspirational is Edel Quinn for people today? Her mother stated that Edel never knew fear. She was a very strong character with great wisdom and a vibrant sparkling personality. She was courageous, unselfish, compassionate, sensitive, a capable leader and organizer. She was not knocked off course by change of plans or ill health What guidelines has she got to offer to young people, so many of whom become discouraged and depressed with the prevailing attitude that materialistic success is the only thing worth having. Seeking to escape the pressures they resort to abuse of alcohol, drugs, sex and tragically some end it all by suicide. Let them “tune in” to the source of Edel’s strength and joy. Her strength came from the life of grace, nourished daily. Some spiritual notes found in her possessions give us an insight into this.
“We must prove our
love by fidelity to prayer.” “Meditation each morning for one hour if I have the strength for it.” “I could never refuse Our Blessed Lady anything I thought she wanted.” “I could assist at Mass all day long.” “Without the Eucharist what a desolation life would be.” "Mary loves Jesus in me, caresses and compassionates Him for all His wounds. But, above all, she speaks her gratitude for the Eucharist, and gives thanks to the Eternal Father for that Gift. Without the Eucharist, what a desolation life would be! " "We can find Him, at every free moment, on the Altar. Be with Him there. Better than all books! " "Thank the Trinity over and over again for this Gift." "Rest in His presence, and my Guardian Angel will adore Him for me. Silence." "At Mass I united myself to the victim Christ, through Mary’s hands, for the glory of the Trinity, in thanksgiving for everything, and on behalf of souls. At Mass always to have special intention of offering and hearing it on behalf of those who cannot hear it themselves by reason of sickness, distance, work or war. Place this intention in Mary’s hands." Favors received through the intercession of Venerable Edel Quinn Out of many favors received and recorded in the International Center of the Legion of Mary, these are but a few… Cyst suddenly disappears I wish to report a favor I received through the Ven. Edel Quinn. A large cyst on my back was very badly infected. My doctor said he would not touch it and told me I would have to go to hospital. I had to wait a week before admission. I prayed to Edel Quinn that week so very hard. One morning when I woke up the cyst was gone. I thank Edel for all her help. (N. Ireland). Throat Cancer disappears I wish to inform you of a very interesting fact about Edel Quinn. A friend suffered from a cancer of the throat that was very advanced. In her first visit to the doctor, he said to her: “Madam you will never talk again as long as you live”. On hearing this, a number of us prayed with great faith to Edel Quinn. Still unable to eat after three weeks, she went to receive Holy Communion saying to herself: “Jesus Christ will certainly open the way for food.” Slowly the cancer began to diminish. Today she is perfectly well. She again visited her physician who with great surprise said: “Madam we see no trace of your disease, you are perfectly cured.” Glory to God and to Edel Quinn! (Canada). Double cure of Arthritis Last October I was very worried about the use of my right hand which was badly afflicted with arthritis which I also have in my spine. I gave up going to doctors and using medication, as this was useless. At that time I was given a leaflet with the prayer for the Cause of Venerable Edel Quinn, and I stared praying for a cure, if it was God’s will. Now, not only is my hand back to normal, but I notice that the arthritis, in general does not worry me. To me this is nothing short of a miracle and I will continue to pray for her Cause. (Ireland). Prayer for the Beatification of Venerable Edel Quinn Eternal Father, I thank you for the grace you gave to your servant, Edel Quinn, of striving to live always in the joy of your presence, for the radiant charity infused into her heart by your Holy Spirit and for the strength she drew from the Bread of Life to labor until death for the glory of Your name in loving dependence on Mary, Mother of the Church. Confident, O Merciful Father, that her life was pleasing to you, I beg you to grant me, through her intercession, the special favor I now implore (here pause for silent thought of intention) and to make known by miracles the glory she enjoys in Heaven, so that she may be glorified also by your Church on earth, through Christ Our Lord, Amen We place our petition in the hands of Mary to whom Edel turned in every need. Hail Mary.... with ecclesiastical approval When favors are received or petitions granted please ensure they are reported in writing to: The International Centre Legion of Mary De Montfort House, Morning Star Avenue Brunswick Street Dublin 7, Ireland Phone: (353-1) 872-3153, (353-1) 872-5093 Fax: (353-1) 872-6386
Ever on the march for the conquest of souls His Grace Archbishop
Ndingi Mwana’a Nzeki of Nairobi (On right of photo) wishes to see Venerable
Edel’s prayer in every language and a greater effort made by all to promote her
Cause. We all have a role to play in making her way of life known. A heroic
life of prayer combined with action! In May 1944 Edel Quinn was laid to rest in the Missionaries’ Cemetery, Nairobi, Kenya. Sixty years later, Kenya will lead the world commemorating her 60th Anniversary, in the grounds of St. Austin’s Church, Nairobi. What has happened in the last sixty years? The Legion of Mary councils Edel helped establish have grown and now mobilize millions into service of the Church. These councils are a fitting memorial to her. Suffering ill health and encountering many obstacles, all joyfully borne, the cross was to play a major role in Edel’s short life. “She was so full of mirth and good humor that she was like a sunbeam, shining on everyone who encountered her. She kept the thorns of life for herself; the flower and the fragrance she gave to others. “(Cardinal Leon Suenens) She accepted God’s will and gave her life to His service in Africa. What about the Future? Our hope and prayer is that one day soon Venerable Edel will be canonized. One miracle attributed to her intercession is still required for her Beatification. Let us take up the challenge of making Edel known the world over and in doing so help continue Edel’s march for the conquest of souls for Christ through Mary.
Her sensitivity She had a highly developed sensitive quality and her nature must have thrilled to every one of the natural signals. She loved her family intensely, especially her mother, but she never intended to back to them again. She loved all her set of friends tremendously, but she walked away from them. I think everybody was in tears when her ship, the “Llangibby Castle”, moved out from Tilbury Docks, except the young lady herself. What is the explanation of the mystery? The best explanation I am able to give is this one: that to an extent which is very seldom met with, spiritual motives were in possession of the center of her being. I might put it more simply and say that The Lord and His Mother were living there in a way that they are not in most of us. Her natural qualities In her outward behavior Edel was the most natural of people. She would eat what was put before her, within certain limits. The things which could be acts of self-denial were so guarded from public attention that only a close observer would be led to comment on them. In which case she would insist it was a matter of liking and not of deprivation. She did not talk much. In a group it was not Edel’s voice which was heard. When this is pointed out to those who knew her well, they are at first incredulous, so much did she make her presence felt in any company. She was not conspicuously silent. She seemed to play her part in conversation while at the same time it was others who were doing the major part of the talking. And very definitely there was an atmosphere of grace and peace about her which softened people. The note of any group where she was would be that of good humor and harmony. Her Unselfishness I had the pleasure of listening in to the questioning of her family by Cardinal Leon Suenens. It was a stirring experience. At an early point he asked what was her dominant characteristic as a young child. Without taking even a moment to reflect, her mother answered, “Her unselfishness”. And at once the others chimed in with their comment: “Yes, Edel was completely unselfish”. Then the question came “At what age did that develop in her?” Her mother said: “It was always in her from the time she was a baby!” Which always produced from us the objection: “But that could not be. Babies are at best selfish little articles and they have to learn the better things from the grown up people!” “No, No, No!” almost indignantly: they had never seen a sign of selfishness in her. And that incredible assertion was adhered to. The Carmelites and other Orders in Africa speak of her comings to them as being “angels’ visits”, leaving an overwhelming impression. This means that eminently holy people regarded it as a spiritual favor to come in contact with her – an astounding evaluation to make of anyone! Everybody who had such a visit from her talks about it.
Her charm of manner was supreme, but it went far deeper than the surface. There was nothing of the artificial in her. She attracted people very strongly. In trying to analyze this fact, one is thrown back on the suggestion which Chesterton makes about St. Francis of Assisi: that the secret of the Saint’s power lay in the conviction which people gained that he really was interested in each one of them. I would say that anyone who spoke to Edel Quinn ended up with that same idea. As a consequence they loved her and wanted to do what she asked of them.
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In November 1936, she arrived in
Mombasa, Kenya. Within 14 days she had set up the first praesidium, Legion
group, called “The Immaculate Conception”. Like everything else she had tackled
previously, Edel threw herself into fulfilling her role, which was to bring
Catholics of all ethnic backgrounds to work together through Our Lady. 
