Father Dennis Kelleher's Kevo

Father Dennis Kelleher, C.S.S.R.

Father Dennis Kelleher affectionately known as the “healing Redemptorist priest” was born on September 8, 1937. Many healings of the mind, body and spirit were attributed to him during his lifetime. He was the son of warm and loving Irish immigrant parents and the sixth of eight children. Father Kelleher grew up in Brooklyn, New York and was a very happy and outgoing child who loved sports. He later became a great fan of the New York Mets.
Even as a young child, he held a special devotion to the Blessed Mother. During his early years, while attending Our Lady of Perpetual Help grammar school in Brooklyn New York, he served as an altar boy. He entered the Redemptorists after completing elementary school and professed first vows in 1953. Father Kelleher was ordained on June 23, 1963. Two years later, he earned a licentiate in sacred theology from The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., and was assigned to teach Latin at the Redemptorist preparatory seminary in NorthEast, Pennsylvania. In the early 1970s he was named vocation director for the Redemptorists' Baltimore Province, working from a base at the college-level seminary then in Suffield, Connecticut.
Father was influential in promoting healing ministry in the United States. Father Kelleher's own gift for healing was discovered with the help of Father Edward McDonough, C.S.S.R., who conducted healing services in Boston, Massachusetts. and who had invited Father Kelleher to join him in praying over people at healing services.
Father Dennis Kelleher was always present in prayer to all who came to him and had abundant compassion for all. He started the Marian Healing Ministry in November 1980, with the blessing of the Redemptorist. He traveled all over the world on pilgrimages and his ministry grew. The pews in the churches were filled to capacity and overflowing with people who had come to pray, to be healed and to hear Father Kelleher preach the Gospel. The Marian Healing Ministry established one of the earliest prayer lines. They also had a newsletter published which contained countless testimonials of healings encompassing more than twenty years of the Marian Healing Ministry. He led Pilgrimages to Medjugoria, the Holy Land, Lourdes, Knock, Quebec, and many other holy places. Masses were said in Churches all over the United States. Father Kelleher was featured on television and in newspapers for his many healings.
A faithful, humble and loving servant of God, he simply said he was the vessel and that the Holy Spirit was working the miracles. Many people experienced a phenomenon known as “resting in the spirit” when Father Kelleher would pray over them, so overcome they would fall straight back unless there was a “catcher” standing behind them.
Father Kelleher never missed a promised Mass. Twice a year he offered Masses especially for those who wanted to conceive a child praying for the intercession of Redemptorist St. Gerard Majella, patron of expectant mothers. “Jesus healed through him." Father John McGowan, C.S.S.R., rector of St. Alphonsus Retreat House in Long Branch, New Jersey said. "Just about any place you'd go, people would ask about Father Kelleher. He was always known as a Redemptorist. He gave us a great name wherever he went."
Father Kelleher died on July 7, 2004, at the age of 66 from a series of strokes. Many of his followers say they still pray to him and that he continues to intercede in prayer.