Dynamic Catholic speaker with a passion for adult faith formation and development. Anna brings over three decades of international experience and pastoral work in Scotland, Canada and the United States and speaks on a range of topics including Marian Theology, Contemplative Spirituality, Prayer, the teachings of the Doctors of the Church. She seemlessly incorporates deep theological themes with discernment of everyday life challenges and offers strategies and tools which empower the individual on the path to holiness.
Born in Glasgow, Scotland, Anna Rae-Kelly OCDS has worked for over three decades in the Catholic/Christian education field as a College Professor, Retreat Leader, Faith Formation Director and School Teacher across the full spectrum of educational needs in Scotland and North America. Professor Rae-Kelly holds a Masters of Theology from the University of Glasgow and a Masters of Science from the University of Strathclyde (Scotland). Due to the influence of St. Louis de Montfort in her life, Anna has journeyed from vocal, liberal feminism to total obedience to the Magesterium and devotion to Carmelite Spirituality.
In her faith journey, Anna spent her formative years working for the Frontier Apostolate missionaries in northern British Columbia, Canada; began an urban soup outreach program in the frozen winter streets of Prince George, British Columbia; led school retreats and residential spiritual camps; lived in and later assisted in the establishment of L’Arche community homes in the United States.
Anna has authored and presented multiple Catholic and Christian Education series, days of recollection, and retreats for adult lay groups and religious. She is a regular contributor to Catholic media and blogs regularly on Contemplative Prayer, Marian Theology, and the Documents of Vatican II. She has custom developed and presented whole parish programs following the 33 Day Total Consecration to Jesus Through Mary in the model of St. Louis de Montfort.
In 2004, she established ARK Ministries to offer pastoral presentations, programs and retreats on Marian theology and contemplative spirituality. In 2006, Anna founded the annual, global Lay Fast Day for Priests which has grown to over 50 countries across all continents of the world and draws thousands of lay Catholics to a common day of prayer and sacrifice to support the priesthood. She has appeared on multiple media outlets to promote the Lay Fast Day for Priests. Anna has also developed the Homebound Missionaries program and leads an annual retreat on this way of life with a community of nuns in Rhode Island. Since 2010, Anna has written and presented the annual Holy Week Retreat at the National Shrine of Our Lady of La Salette in Attleboro, Massachusetts.
In 2009, Anna joined the Order of Secular Carmelites and is currently completing a book on spiritual direction entitled “Soul Bytes”.
