THE 2026 IRL NATIONAL MEETING
"Mary, Mother and Model of the Consecrated Life"
was held on
Friday, April 10 to Sunday, April 12, 2026
at the University of Saint Mary of the Lake in Mundelein, Illinois
The presence of Our Lady, Mother of us all, was warmly felt
by everyone who attended the exceptional gathering of
IRL affiliates, friends, and benefactors this past Divine Mercy weekend!
Father John Burns opened the meeting on Friday with his talk on
"Mary as Paragon: A Decisive Antithesis to a World Askew"
Sister Miriam James Heidland's talk was "The Heart of Mary: Healing, Hope, and Transformation"
Father Thomas Nelson, O.Praem. led the panel discussion on Friday afternoon
Both the Friday Session for Religious and the Saturday General Session were attended to capacity!
The Sisters of the Chaldean Catholic Church and the Daughters of Mary Immaculate were all smiles between talks!
Members of the Canons Regular of St. John Cantius in Chicago enjoyed the talks on Friday and Saturday
We were pleased to present several original artifacts and writings by the IRL's founder, Father John A. Hardon, SJ
in commemoration of the 25th anniversary of his death
Sister Mary Eucharista Muse of the Daughters of Mary, Mother of Healing Love spoke on "To Love with the Heart of a Mother"
as she opened the Saturday morning General Session
Father James Kubicki, SJ, gave a talk on Saturday morning entitled, "Mary and the Evangelical Counsels"
It was a special treat to have Chicago's own Bishop Perry talk endearingly on Our Lady and his own dear mother
Antonella Di Piazza, FKMI, member of the Father Kolbe Missionaries of the Immaculata, wrapped up the day of incredible talks with her presentation,
"Following Christ on the Path of the Evangelical Counsels and Marian Consecration"
The Vigil Mass on Saturday evening was a joyous Eastertide celebration
Most Reverend Donald Hying was the Main Celebrant and Homilist at the Chapel of the Immaculate Conception at the heart of the USML campus
The Marian Sisters of Santa Rosa, California provided the exquisite singing for all of the Masses during the weekend
The weekend culminated with IRL Board Member and dear friend, Father James McCurry, OFM Conv.,
being awarded the 2026 Pro Fidelitate et Virtute Award during the Saturday evening banquet.
Congratulations, Father McCurry!
Bishop Donald Hying, President of the Institute on Religious Life, bestowed the Pro Fidelitate et Virtute Award upon Father McCurry,
along with IRL National Director, Father Thomas Nelson, O. Praem. and Jeffrey Karls, IRL Executive Director
Father McCurry's twin sister, Susan Michaud (left) and cousin Pauline Ahearne (right) enjoyed celebrating Father's achievement!
Gloria Dodd, President of the Mariological Society of America, and her husband, Ennis Dodd, honored Father McCurry, who has been a past president of the Society.
Father McCurry was warmly congratulated by his Franciscan confreres of the Saint Bonaventure Province
MANY THANKS TO OUR INSPIRING SPEAKERS, GENEROUS BENEFACTORS &
VOLUNTEERS, USML STAFF, AND DELIGHTFUL ATTENDEES!
OUR LORD AND OUR LADY BLESSED US ALL!
To order the CD collection of the National Meeting talks,
please visit our catalog HERE