Lorna Byrne

Last updated

Lorna Byrne
Born(1953-03-25)25 March 1953
Dublin, Ireland
Years active2008–present
Notable worksAngels in my Hair, Love from Heaven
Website
www.lornabyrne.com

Lorna Byrne (born 25 March 1953) is an Irish author and peace ambassador. [1] She is best known for her bestselling memoir, Angels in My Hair (2008). A Message of Hope from the Angels (2012) and Love from Heaven (2014) debuted at No. 1 on the UK Sunday Times Book Chart. [2] Her books have been translated into 30 languages and published in over 50 countries. [2] Byrne says that she sees angels and spirits on a daily, continuous basis. She has been featured in many media outlets, including the BBC, [3] CNN, [4] The Economist , [5] The Observer , [6] and the Daily Telegraph . [7]

Contents

Biography

Early life

Byrne was born in Dublin, and grew up in poverty in the Dublin suburbs of Kilmainham and Ballymun. She relates that she has seen angels since she was a baby. "I see angels physically and I have done so since I was a baby. I know this is hard to believe, and I know that there are some people who will never believe me, regardless of what I say or do. I have no idea why I see angels and others don’t; I am just an ordinary woman. When I have asked the angels around me about this, their reply has simply been "Why not you?" [8] She was labeled as "retarded" when very young, and speculates that this might be because she was so often in her own world. [9] Lorna's childhood was challenging for many reasons, including difficult family relations because Lorna was often observed as different resulting in something of an ‘outsider’ status. Despite a specific learning difficulty that makes it hard for someone to learn to read, write and spell correctly, as well as a misconception as to her learning capabilities, Lorna has achieved many things. [10]

Marriage and children

Byrne married Joe in 1976. She relates that when she was young an angel showed her a vision of the man she would marry, and told her they would be happy and have children, but that she would need to care for him and that he would die young. Their married life was spent in a cottage near Maynooth, in County Kildare. They had four children. As she conveys having been told, Joe was often in poor health, and he died in 2000.

Public life

Byrne has said that the angels told her many years ago that she would write of them. "When I was a child the angels used to tell me I would write about God and them," she has said, "but I didn't use to take any notice of them… but even when Angel Michael said to me that it is getting near your time I was telling him, 'Stop pestering me. How does God expect me to write a book when I can't read or write at all?' He said help would be sent to me. And it was." "It filled me with fear of being laughed at and ridiculed," she has said. "But right from when I was a child the angels told me that my story would go all around the world, that it would be a bestseller, though they did not use those words." [11]

Writing

Angels in My Hair is a memoir of her early and married life. Stairways to Heaven (2010) is a memoir of life after the death of her husband, including the story of writing her first book and becoming a public figure. She states that it contains many details of how angels work in the world. A Message of Hope from the Angels is about the importance of hope "in these challenging times". [12]

Love from Heaven (2014) introduced the topic of what she describes as a lack of love in the world today, and discusses the importance of loving oneself, which she says is necessary for being able to love others. She also stated for the first time that she sees the force of love as she does angels. The Year With Angels (2016) helps readers to recognise their spiritual side through the different seasons of the year, and includes photographs of Ireland in the four seasons. Angels at my Fingertips (2017) is a sequel to Angels in my Hair, containing descriptions of events throughout Byrne's life and taking her autobiographical writing up to 2017. It contains descriptions of visionary experiences of historical figures and detailed exercises for connecting to guardian angels.

A book on prayer, Prayers from the Heart, was published in 2018. This includes advice on how to pray, and prayers for many situations. My Guardian Angel, My Best Friend (2020) is a book of stories for children, inspired by real life, written to remind children they each have a guardian angel. Illustrations in the book are by Aideen Byrne, Lorna's daughter.

Byrne regularly writes a newsletter for e-mail subscribers and posts on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram and from 2013 till 2017 also blogged for The Huffington Post [2]

Charitable work

In 2015, Byrne established the Lorna Byrne Children's Foundation, [13] which supports the work of charities helping children in need. Funds the Foundation raises are currently split between UNICEF Ireland, which is supporting children affected by the Syrian Civil War; APA — A Partnership with Africa, which supports the self-empowerment of women and children in Ethiopia and Tanzania; and in Limerick, Narrative 4, which uses the power of storytelling to grow empathy in children and help them improve their lives and communities, and the Children's Grief Centre, which supports children experiencing loss by bereavement of parental separation. From 2015 until 2017, Blue Box Creative Learning Centre, which provides art therapy was funded. Money is raised through public donations and speaking events. [14]

Lorna Byrne and a group of friends, guided by the angels and shared values, have established a non-profit organisation named The Seraph Foundation. The Seraph Foundation has established a retreat facility, called Sanctuary, at Kilfane Demesne, which includes Kilfane House, in Thomastown, Co. Kilkenny. Since 2023, retreats for the general public, led by Byrne, are regularly being offered at Sanctuary. The object of the Seraph Foundation is for people from around the world, of all backgrounds and beliefs to come together, promote religious & social tolerance, inspire hope, encourage mindfulness & wellbeing while developing spiritually, guided by the teachings of Lorna Byrne and the Angels. [15]

Travel and peace work

Since becoming a well-known author, Byrne has engaged in book tours, and has spoken in other contexts to many public audiences across Europe and the United States.

She has travelled repeatedly to the United States, a country she believes is pivotal in the future of the world.

I am told America will play a huge role in the evolution of mankind. That from America will come many of the ideas and initiatives that will create a better world and will help unify countries. The angels tell me America is supposed to be a beacon of hope for the world. [16]

In 2011, Byrne expressed her support for Occupy Wall Street. [17] In 2014, she attended the UN Climate Summit and the People's Climate March. In 2014 and 2015, much of her work was devoted to fostering unity between Sunni and Shia Muslims in America, which Byrne believes is important in influencing American foreign policy in the Middle East.

"Muslims have been gathered over the years from different countries and different strands of Islam to America. If Muslims who have come to America can unify, can leave behind their historic and outdated baggage and become one, they will send out a powerful sign to Muslims living in other parts of the world. They will provide an example by living together in peace side by side. [18]

In February 2014, the Nobel Peace Prize laureate Betty Williams joined Byrne at the Sufi Mosque at Tribeca for a prayer event for unity among Muslims.

Media appearances in the United States have included a 2012 interview on CNN, and interviews in 2010 and 2012 on Coast to Coast AM with George Noory. [19] [20]

Byrne has travelled to be a subject in two full-scale documentaries: the American production The Lady Who Sees Angels, which was directed by Ted Yacucci and released in 2015; [21] and, to raise funds for the Lorna Byrne Children's Foundation, an Irish production filmed in Ethiopia, The Future belongs to the Young, directed by Hugh Chaloner and released in 2017. [22]

In 2014 she stated that the war in Syria had the potential to spread, and poses a great danger to the rest of the world.

"I have been shown what could happen if the situation in Syria is not resolved; I have been shown how a major conflict could develop that leads to a massive loss of life all around the world, with consequences that impact us all. I have been shown the survivors of humanity feeling such despair and anger that we, the people of the world, had not done enough to diffuse [sic] this situation, that the leaders of the world and Syria didn’t do enough to stop it, and that the people of the world were too preoccupied with that was going on in their own lives to stand up and demand that their leaders act. [23]

She has organised a day of prayer for peace in Syria.

Views and beliefs

Spiritual views and beliefs

Byrne says that she sees physically and communicates with angels on a day-to-day basis. She most strongly emphasizes, and is best known to the public for saying, that everyone regardless of belief has a guardian angel, who loves the person they protect, never leaves their side for an even a moment, and can be asked for help. The guardian angel can also allow other angels to help the person in their life.

I see them as physically as I see someone standing in front of me. I have never seen anyone without a guardian angel. I see them with people of all religions and none, with people who are good and bad, with people who believe in angels and with those who don’t. I understand that for some people it’s hard to believe that there could be such a thing as an angel, or even that I can see angels. I can't prove the existence of angels, or that I see them. I wish I could. All I can do is tell you what I see and am told and then leave it up to you. [24]

Your guardian angel loves you unconditionally and knows you to be wonderful, to be perfect and to be innocent. Your guardian angel wants to help you to reconnect with your innocence because it will make your own life happier and easier and also because if we all reconnected with this innocence, our world would be a much better place. If we all recognised the innocence in everyone else in the world there would be no war or killing. There would be much less hunger and injustice. We would have a much more peaceful world. I am not talking about naivety; rather, I am talking about a pure innocence that allows us to see the good in ourselves and in others. I am not talking about immaturity, rather a maturity that is deepened by the awareness of the innocence of everyone. The more we understand our own and one another’s innocence, the more we grow and the better people we will become. [25]

We have been trivializing angels for some time — turning them into good luck charms rather than acknowledging them as the powerful and important forces they are. In truth, by degrading angels we have been degrading ourselves. [26]

I have no idea why I can see them and others can’t. I am dyslectic and uneducated and have never read a book. The only education I have is the education that God and his angels have given me, but that education is not recognized in this world. [26]

Some of the angels Byrne has written about talking to are those of the Abrahamic religions: for example, Michael, Gabriel, and Elijah. However, she emphasizes that the angels appear to her in forms she would be comfortable with as a Catholic, and that they would appear to people from other cultures and religions in forms that would be comfortable for them. She has said that she has seen Archangel Gabriel dressed as "what we might call today," a biker. [27]

In Love from Heaven, she stated that most people lock the love they have inside them. She writes that it is vital to love oneself, and that one is unable to love others if one does not love oneself. [28]

Byrne states that all religions have access to God, and no person should think theirs better than the others. She maintains that God and the angels would like all religions to worship together, each according to their own understanding, none trying to convert the others. [29] "It needs to become normal for all of us, regardless of our education, our status in life or our method or place of prayer, to come together with open hearts — without any agenda — to pray to God in whatever way feels appropriate to us." [29]

She has talked and written about the importance and power of prayer, and of recognising hope in the world and in everyone's own lives.[ citation needed ]

Views on public matters

Inspired by what she says angels have told her, Byrne has expressed views on matters of public concern.

She has made statements on the environment, saying that, "Far too many decisions that affect our environment are tainted by greed and lobbying of special interests. We are all required to stand up and to make sure our leaders at neighbourhood, community, regional, national and international level know we care about this planet and our environment, and will hold them accountable." [30]

The underpinning for activity to protect the environment should be love: "We all need to wake up and be more aware of the beauty and the gifts of nature that surround us. If we do not appreciate and love nature's incredible beauty, there is no way we will be prepared to do what is required to protect it." [31]

Byrne has said that particular attention should be paid to repairing the damage to the ozone layer. Failure to do so will make other challenges such as combating poverty and disease much harder. The means by which this challenge is met are important: "It will not be solved if people are just out for themselves or wish to make unjust profit out of the process." [32]

She has also expressed opposition to fracking in all circumstances. [33] She believes trees should be planted in very large numbers, as a long-term contribution to the environment. [34]

Byrne has written that children have birthrights which should be upheld, among them the rights "to be a child", "to be treated equally", "to have food and water", "to breathe clean air", "to be born into a peaceful world", "to a full education", "to full medical care". [35] To these ends, individuals need to "stand up for children and demand that our government, leaders and international institutions do the right thing by children, and hold these authorities to account if they don't". [36]

Reception

Reaction to Byrne's statement that she sees angels and spirits has been varied, ranging from scepticism and disbelief to belief and endorsement.

In 2014, Byrne met and was endorsed by the theologian Matthew Fox. John L. Esposito, professor of International Relations and Islamic Studies at Georgetown University, said, "A Message of Hope from the Angels offers a message of hope that speaks to the crises and everyday problems that many struggle with in today’s world." [37] John Carty, an endorphin release therapist, said Byrne's ability to see energy in the human body has helped him in his work. [38]

Larry Dossey, MD., NY Times bestselling author, writes, "Since recorded history, certain individuals have sensed, seen, and conversed with angelic presences. Since we are appallingly ignorant about the nature of consciousness, it is premature to dismiss these reports as fantasies, which is too often done. Lorna Byrne’s ‘Angels in my Hair’ is captivating. It is both a challenge to skeptics and an inspiration to those whose experiences confirm transcendental realities." [39]

Byrne's response to her critics is often a reminder of free will: "I am not here to force anyone to believe, or say you have to listen, but maybe you should listen to me and open to the possibility that you really do have a guardian angel." [26]

Books

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Our Lady of Fátima</span> Title for Mary, mother of Jesus

Our Lady of Fátima is a Catholic title of Mary, mother of Jesus, based on the Marian apparitions reported in 1917 by three shepherd children at the Cova da Iria in Fátima, Portugal. The three children were Lúcia dos Santos and her cousins Francisco and Jacinta Marto. José Alves Correia da Silva, Bishop of Leiria, declared the events worthy of belief on 13 October 1930.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Guardian angel</span> Protective and tutelary angel

A guardian angel is a type of angel that is assigned to protect and guide a particular person, group or nation. Belief in tutelary beings can be traced throughout all antiquity. The idea of angels that guard over people played a major role in Ancient Judaism. In Christianity, the hierarchy of angels was extensively developed in the 5th century by Pseudo-Dionysius the Areopagite. The theology of angels and tutelary spirits has undergone many changes since the 5th century. The belief is that guardian angels serve to protect whichever person God assigns them to. The Memorial of the Holy Guardian Angels is celebrated on 2 October.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Thérèse of Lisieux</span> French Discalced Carmelite nun and saint (1873–1897)

Therese of Lisieux, in religion Therese of the Child Jesus and the Holy Face, was a French Discalced Carmelite who is widely venerated in modern times. She is popularly known in English as the Little Flower of Jesus, or simply the Little Flower, and in French as la petite Thérèse.

<i>Purgatorio</i> Second part of Dantes Divine Comedy

Purgatorio is the second part of Dante's Divine Comedy, following the Inferno and preceding the Paradiso. The poem was written in the early 14th century. It is an allegory telling of the climb of Dante up the Mount of Purgatory, guided by the Roman poet Virgil—except for the last four cantos, at which point Beatrice takes over as Dante's guide. Allegorically, Purgatorio represents the penitent Christian life. In describing the climb Dante discusses the nature of sin, examples of vice and virtue, as well as moral issues in politics and in the Church. The poem posits the theory that all sins arise from love—either perverted love directed towards others' harm, or deficient love, or the disordered or excessive love of good things.

Lara Martin is a musician and songwriter, most widely known as the former worship pastor of Abundant Life Church in Bradford, England. Lara moved away from the church, for personal reasons, in 2008 to Romania to help with disadvantaged street children. She is now based in Ilkley, West Yorkshire and works as a funeral director.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Billy Paul</span> American soul singer (1934–2016)

Paul Williams, known professionally as Billy Paul, was an American soul singer, known for his 1972 No. 1 single "Me and Mrs. Jones". His 1973 album and single War of the Gods blends his more conventional pop, soul, and funk styles with electronic and psychedelic influences.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Reuben Morgan</span> Australian musician

Reuben Timothy Morgan is an Australian worship pastor at Hillsong Church and one of several worship leaders and songwriters in Hillsong Worship group. Prior to this he was a worship pastor at Hillsong Church in Sydney, Australia. He has written songs such as "Eagles Wings", "Hear Our Praises", "I Give You My Heart", "My Redeemer Lives" and "Mighty to Save", which won the Worship Song of the Year at the 40th GMA Dove Awards. In 2005 his first solo worship album, World Through Your Eyes, debuted at No. 3 in the Australian Christian Charts.

Dann Lee Huff is an American record producer, studio guitarist, and songwriter. For his work as a producer in the country music genre, he has won several awards, including the Musician of the Year award in 2001, 2004, and 2016 at the Country Music Association Awards and the Producer of the Year award in 2006 and 2009 at the Academy of Country Music. He is the father of American singer and songwriter Ashlyne Huff, a member of Giant and White Heart and brother of drummer David Huff.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Christian child's prayer</span> Easily memorable prayers recited by children

A Christian child's prayer is Christian prayer recited primarily by children that is typically short, rhyming, or has a memorable tune. It is usually said before bedtime, to give thanks for a meal, or as a nursery rhyme. Many of these prayers are either quotes from the Bible, or set traditional texts.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gemma Galgani</span> Italian mystic and Catholic saint

Gemma Umberta Maria Galgani, also known as Gemma of Lucca, was an Italian mystic, venerated as a saint in the Catholic Church since 1940. She has been called the "daughter of the Passion" because of her profound imitation of the Passion of Christ. She is especially venerated in the Congregation of the Passion of Jesus (Passionists).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Coronet Books</span> Imprint of Hodder & Stoughton

Coronet Books was established in 1966 as the paperback imprint of Hodder & Stoughton. The imprint was closed in 2004 but then relaunched in 2010, publishing fiction and non-fiction in hardback and paperback, including works by Chris Ryan, Lorna Byrne, and Auberon Waugh.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cheryl Prewitt</span> American Christian evangelist, author, musician and former beauty pageant titleholder

Cheryl Salem is an American Christian evangelist, author, musician, and former beauty pageant titleholder, who was Miss Mississippi 1979 and Miss America 1980. Cheryl Prewitt has been married to Harry Salem II since 1985, to whom she had three children with. She was previously married to gospel singer Terry Blackwood in the early 1980s.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Thanksgiving after Communion</span> Christian spiritual practice

Thanksgiving after Communion is a spiritual practice among Christians who believe in the Real Presence of Jesus Christ in the Communion bread, maintaining themselves in prayer for some time to thank God and especially listening in their hearts for guidance from their Divine guest. This practice was and is highly recommended by saints, theologians, and Doctors of the Church.

Diane Charlemagne was a British jazz, soul, funk and electronic dance music singer and songwriter.

<i>Paradiso</i> (Dante) Third part of Dantes Divine Comedy

Paradiso is the third and final part of Dante's Divine Comedy, following the Inferno and the Purgatorio. It is an allegory telling of Dante's journey through Heaven, guided by Beatrice, who symbolises theology. In the poem, Paradise is depicted as a series of concentric spheres surrounding the Earth, consisting of the Moon, Mercury, Venus, the Sun, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, the Fixed Stars, the Primum Mobile and finally, the Empyrean. It was written in the early 14th century. Allegorically, the poem represents the soul's ascent to God.

Angels in My Hair is an autobiographical book written by Lorna Byrne about her communication with spiritual beings like Angels, souls and God. It is based in Ireland and was published in 2008 by Random House.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Angel Haze</span> American rapper and singer (born 1991)

Raykeea Raeen-Roes Wilson known professionally as ROES, is an American rapper and singer. In 2012, Wilson released the mixtape Reservation and later signed a record deal with Universal Republic Records before moving to Republic Records. On December 31, 2013, Wilson released their debut album Dirty Gold, which featured the singles "Echelon " and "Battle Cry". Wilson has released a number of mixtapes, the most recent being Back to the Woods in 2015.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Zechariah in Islam</span> Prophet of Islam

According to the Islamic doctrine, Zakariyā is a prophet of God, and the father of the prophet Yahya.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Edvige Carboni</span> Italian Roman Catholic

Edvige Carboni was an Italian Roman Catholic from Sardinia who relocated to Rome and became well known among the faithful and religious alike for her ecstasies and angelic visions. She recorded an extensive spiritual journal in which she recorded appearances from Jesus Christ as well as saints such as Gemma Galgani and John Bosco. Carboni was said to have experienced demonic experiences and stigmata.

References

  1. ↑ Byrne, Lorna (14 March 2014). "An Open Letter to American Muslims". lornabyrne.com. Retrieved 18 October 2020.
  2. 1 2 3 "Lorna Byrne". HuffPost. Retrieved 5 April 2022.
  3. ↑ "Lorna Byrne on Songs of Praise - BBC". YouTube . 8 February 2013. Retrieved 29 January 2015.
  4. ↑ "Author Lorna Byrne: I see angels". CNN. Archived from the original on 16 January 2013. Retrieved 4 April 2022.
  5. ↑ "Messengers in the modern world". The Economist. 20 December 2008. Retrieved 5 April 2022.
  6. ↑ Adams, Tim (2 December 2012). "Lorna Byrne: 'I believe in angels'". The Guardian.
  7. ↑ Stanford, Peter (17 July 2008). "Lorna Byrne: 'To me, seeing angels is natural'". The Daily Telegraph. London. Retrieved 29 January 2015.
  8. ↑ Byrne, Lorna (14 February 2013). "True Love Begins With Self-Love". HuffPost. Retrieved 5 April 2022.
  9. ↑ Byrne, Lorna (2008). Angels in My Hair (1st ed.). London: Century. p. 1.
  10. ↑ "About Lorna Byrne". Lorna Byrne. Retrieved 19 November 2019.
  11. ↑ Adams, Tim (1 December 2012). "Lorna Byrne: 'I believe in angels' – interview". The Observer. Retrieved 5 April 2022– via The Guardian.
  12. ↑ Byrne, Lorna. A Message of Hope from the Angels. London: Coronet. p. 1.
  13. ↑ "Lorna Byrne Children's Foundation".
  14. ↑ "Our Projects". Lorna Byrne Children's Foundation. Retrieved 18 October 2020.
  15. ↑ "Our Sanctuary". Lorna Byrne. Retrieved 18 October 2020.
  16. ↑ Byrne, Lorna (8 October 2013). "America - The Gateway to Humanity's Future?". HuffPost. Retrieved 5 April 2022.
  17. ↑ "Why We Should All Support the Occupy Wall Street Movement". YouTube. 14 November 2011. Retrieved 18 October 2020.
  18. ↑ Byrne, Lorna (6 March 2014). "Why American Muslim Unity is So Important to World Peace". HuffPost. Retrieved 5 April 2022.
  19. ↑ "Interacting with Angels". Coast to Coast AM. Retrieved 30 January 2015.
  20. ↑ "Kabbalah Secrets". Coast to Coast AM. Retrieved 30 January 2015.
  21. ↑ "The Lady Who Sees Angels". Ted Yacucci. 20 November 2015. Retrieved 4 December 2017.
  22. ↑ "The Future belongs to the Young". Lorna Byrne. 13 October 2017. Retrieved 4 December 2017.
  23. ↑ Byrne, Lorna (15 May 2014). "How Syria Could Affect the Future of Humanity". HuffPost. Retrieved 5 April 2022.
  24. ↑ Byrne, Lorna (12 July 2012). "'Where was the Guardian Angel When...?': A Response to Cynics". HuffPost. Retrieved 5 April 2022.
  25. ↑ Byrne, Lorna (20 December 2012). "See The World Through The Eyes Of A Child This Christmas". HuffPost. Retrieved 5 April 2022.
  26. 1 2 3 Byrne, Lorna (10 June 2013). "I Have God, So Why Do I Need A Guardian Angel?". HuffPost. Retrieved 5 April 2022.
  27. ↑ Adams, Tim (2 December 2012). "Lorna Byrne: 'I believe in angels' – interview". The Guardian. Retrieved 30 January 2015.
  28. ↑ Byrne, Lorna (2014). Love from Heaven. London: Coronet. p. 20.
  29. 1 2 Byrne, Lorna (8 April 2013). "Breaking Down the Walls Between Different Religions". HuffPost. Retrieved 30 January 2015.
  30. ↑ Byrne, Lorna (2014). Love from Heaven. London: Coronet. pp. 163–4.
  31. ↑ Byrne, Lorna (2014). Love from Heaven. London: Coronet. p. 162.
  32. ↑ Byrne, Lorna (2014). Love from Heaven. London: Coronet. p. 166.
  33. ↑ Byrne, Lorna (2014). Love from Heaven. London: Coronet. p. 167.
  34. ↑ Byrne, Lorna (2014). Love from Heaven. London: Coronet. p. 170.
  35. ↑ Byrne, Lorna (2017). Angels at My Fingertips. London: Coronet. p. 101.
  36. ↑ Byrne, Lorna (2014). Love from Heaven. London: Coronet. p. 131.
  37. ↑ Byrne, Lorna (October 2013). A Message of Hope from the Angels (1st US Hardback ed.). New York: Atria. p. i. ISBN   978-1-4767-0033-5.
  38. ↑ "What people have said about Lorna". lornabyrne.com. Retrieved 30 January 2015.
  39. ↑ "What Others Have Said - Lorna Byrne – Bestselling Author and Peace Ambassador" . Retrieved 18 September 2016.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.