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> FBB Foundress

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FBB Foundress

Stephanie Culhane, (Franciscan Missionary Sister Stephen)
Foundress and Moderator of FBB and FBB Branches around the world.

Born August 19, 1944 into a deeply Catholic, Irish - American family in Minnesota, USA, she was baptized Stephanie Kathleen Culhane. She had a solid Catholic education in elementary, high school, college, and graduate levels.

In the 1970's, she received Certificates in Theology from the Graduate Theological Union (California). At the Institute of Spirituality and Worship (JSTB), she also studied graduate level courses in "Charismatic Spirituality" and "Spiritual Direction", including the Ignatian Spiritual Exercises. In 1986, she had the privilege of special studies at École Biblique et Archéologique in Jerusalem.

In 1963, Stephanie entered Franciscan canonical formation in the Third Order Regular of St Francis.

In 1971, God called her to be the second founding member of a new charismatic Franciscan Religious Order, which was officially established in the Church in 1983. During that time, she received spiritual formation from the Camaldolese Monks in the monastic and heremitical life.

In 1986, she professed final vows as a Third Order Secular Franciscan in Assisi.

In 1990, she made final profession of Evangelical Counsels in Vatican City, as a Franciscan Hermit, Franciscan Itinerant Missionary, and Franciscan Mendicant. In that ceremony, she was given the name of "Sister Stephen' and a distinctive Franciscan dress, which she is free to wear as a sign of her Franciscan Vocation.

In 1982, on the Feast of the Most Holy Trinity, God called her to found the international Missionaries of the New Intercession in the Spirit of Jesus, called "The Fellowship of the Burning Bush" (FBB). In 1986, she met Pope Saint John Paul II He personally gave his blessing to her and to all current and future members of FBB Missionaries of the New Intercession.

As of the 40th anniversary of FBB in 2022, "Branches of FBB" have been officially established as an "Association of the Faithful" in some 16 Catholic Arch/dioceses in 12 nations around the world.

Under her Franciscan name of "Sister Stephen", Stephanie has authored many resources for the Missionaries of the New Intercession .... including: "Intercession in the Spirit of Jesus Training Course" on DVD and many Books on the "New Intercession in the Spirit of Jesus". All of these resources bear the imprimatur of the Catholic Church. Many of these have been translated into various languages, including Dutch, Japanese, Lithuanian, Spanish, and Swahili.

Glory to God for so many years of God's Favor and Great Blessing in all He has done! Alleluia!