Sister Irene O'Connor is an Australian Roman Catholic nun from the

Franciscan Missionaries of Mary The Franciscan Missionaries of Mary are a Roman Catholic centralized religious institute of consecrated life of Pontifical Right for women founded by Mother Mary of the Passion (born Hélène Marie Philippine de Chappotin de Neuville, 1839–190 ...

order and a musician. In addition to traditional hymns, O'Connor is known for mixing religious music with popular music, most famously on the 1973 album ''Fire of God's Love''. ''Fire of God's Love'' and O'Connor's story were covered in an

Australian Broadcasting Corporation The Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) is Australia’s principal public service broadcaster. It is funded primarily by grants from the federal government and is administered by a government-appointed board of directors. The ABC is ...

segment and in an article entitled 'Sister Act', page 68 in the 29th April 2023 edition of 'The Economist'. Her signature vinyl LP has become a highly sought after album.

Career

Sister Irene O'Connor recorded several albums during the 1960s while teaching children in Singapore. While in Singapore she met Sister Marimil Lobregat who was en route to Indonesia. The two became friends, and recorded ''Fire of God's Love'' after reconnecting a decade later. The two recorded the album entirely on their own, with O'Connor writing, singing and performing all instruments on the recording, and Lobregat handling all of the recording, engineering and sound production.

References

Franciscan Missionaries of Mary Living people Australian musicians 21st-century Australian Roman Catholic nuns Year of birth missing (living people) 20th-century Australian Roman Catholic nuns {{Australia-reli-bio-stub