PALM BEACH GARDENS | Hundreds of local faithful gathered June 23, 2026, to hear Sister Deirdre “Dede” Byrne share insights into her ongoing work in the pro-life arena. Her appearance at the Cathedral of St. Ignatius Loyola was sponsored by the Diocese of Palm Beach’s Respect Life ministry.
Deanna Herbst-Hoosac, respect life director with Catholic Charities and emcee for the evening, said, “We are very blessed and grateful to have Sister Deirdre Byrne here on the eve of the Roe v. Wade anniversary (of the Supreme Court’s 2022 decision overturning nationwide abortion on demand) sharing her healing message.”
Sister Byrne is a member of the Little Workers of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary, a board-certified surgeon, retired Army colonel who was deployed to Afghanistan and Iraq, and a missionary physician who has served in Haiti, Sudan and Kenya. Sister Byrne also worked as Mother Teresa’s personal physician when she visited the United States in 1997.
Leisa Marie Carzon, author of “Sister, Soldier, Surgeon” about Sister Byrne’s life, gave a brief summary of her book. After hearing about the sister’s pro-life commitment, Carzon knew she wanted to meet her. When they spoke, she asked Sister Byrne if she could write a book about her and her ministry. Sister’s answer was, “Oh, you must be writing a comic book. Can’t you wait until I’m dead?” Carzon said, “No, I’m sorry, Sister. Unfortunately, we can’t wait.”
On Sept. 11, 2001, Sister Byrne ministered to those in need at Ground Zero in New York. But she spoke about the horrific loss of life occurring today in mothers’ wombs.
“The total number of abortions in the United States actually has increased following the overturning of Roe v. Wade on June 24, 2022, giving authority to the states instead of the federal government to rule on abortions,” she said. “RU-486 (mifepristone) has claimed over 600 million babies worldwide. It is considered the most lethal drug ever manufactured.”
Offering hope and healing, Sister Byrne said, “Today, we clinicians can reverse mifepristone and save the life of the unborn baby.” She has had “80 percent success” reversing the effects of the abortion pill at her pro bono clinic in Washington, D.C.
Sister Byrne warned that people working in the pro-life movement need to be in a state of grace, free of mortal sin. She stressed that proper spiritual nourishment includes the Eucharist, confession, daily Mass, quiet prayer in adoration and the rosary.
“If you are not in a state of grace, you are experiencing what I call spiritual cataracts,” Sister Byrne said. “The devil is going to play havoc with you if you’re not prepared for battle.” She compared being in a state of grace to a soldier on the battlefield wearing protective body gear and helmets as extra protection.
Prior to the event’s start, Barbara Harvey told the Florida Catholic, “I read her book a couple of months back and I am so excited to be here,” adding that “she is going to be another St. Mother Teresa.”
Also attending the event were Deacon Ted Jorbowy, a retired prison chaplain, his wife Nancy and Jerzy Bogdziewicz, president of the Polish American Congress of Florida, who brought an image of St. Maximilian Kolbe to be signed by Sister Byrne. The image was first signed by Franciszek Gajowniczek, whose life was spared when Father Kolbe stepped forward to take his place at Auschwitz.
Waiting to get a book signed, Dorothy Patricia Duffy said, “I read the book through my church at St. Martin de Porres.”
To learn about the pro-life movement in the Diocese of Palm Beach, contact Herbst-Hoosac at dherbst@ccdpb.org or 561-360-3330.
