2018 WITNESS SPEAKER

Glenna Bradshaw

Glenna was born in Minneapolis and lived in eight different cities before moving to Memphis, where she currently resides with her husband, Sonny, and two spoiled greyhounds. Happily, her daughter, son, and four beautiful grandchildren live close by. She has been a nurse for forty years and holds a Masters in Nursing from Arkansas State University.

Spiritually, she is a daughter of St. Ignatius of Loyola, having received careful formation from her Jesuit Spiritual Directors for the last 30 years. During that time, she’s been privileged to make Ignatius’ Spiritual Exercises fifteen times under their guidance. She is currently an Oblate in the order of the Handmaids of the Precious Blood, whose primary charism is prayerful support of the priesthood.

Here is the 2018 WMOS Witness Speaker, Glenna Bradshaw. The sound from the mike at the beginning has some echo but once Glenna begins – the sound is clear and her message is timely, humble, and profound. Please listen…

2018 KEYNOTE SPEAKER

Mother Dolores Hart, O.S.B.

Mother Dolores Hart, O.S.B. is a Benedictine nun who has celebrated over 50 years of vowed life. Before entering the religious life, she was a prominent actress who made ten films in five years, starring with some of the most famous leading men of the time, including Elvis Presley! In the early 1960s, she surprised many in Hollywood when she entered the Abbey of Regina Laudis in Bethlehem, Connecticut, where she has served her monastic community for many years. She has held positions of authority as Prioress, member of the Council, and Dean of Education.

Mother Dolores has written the acclaimed autobiography The Ear of the Heart: An Actress’ Journey from Hollywood to Holy Vows.

Here is Mother Dolores Hart’s talk from WMOS 2018. Set aside an hour to watch it because it is worth it! She spoke to over 1,000 of us as if we were the only person there. The mic at the beginning has a slight echo but Mother’s talk is clear, engaging, sincere, funny, and “on cue”… And her love for our Lord is evident as she shares stories from her days as an actress, her journey toward her vocation, and her present life as a contemplative Benedictine nun at the Abbey of Regina Laudis in Bethlehem, CT. (Oh yeah, she even talks about Elvis!)