She’s a surgeon, Army officer, and religious superior

Sister Deirdre “Dede” Byrne is superior of the Little Workers of the Sacred Hearts community near Catholic University in Washington, D.C. She is a physician and surgeon, as well as a retired U.S. Army colonel. Bishop William Byrne of Springfield, MA, is her younger brother. She will speak at Legatus’ Summit 2024 at the Monarch Beach Resort in Dana Point, CA, in January.

Did you grow up in an observant Catholic home?

Yes. I grew up in a great family in the Washington, D.C. suburbs, one of eight children. My father was a surgeon and a devout Catholic. Both he and my mother were daily communicants, receiving Jesus and bringing Him into the world in a real, profound way. 

What led you to a career in medicine and the military?

I was influenced by my dad, who loved his work and cared for people. When I was miraculously accepted to Georgetown School of Medicine, joining the Army was my way of helping defray the cost.

What are some of your most memorable assignments in the military?

I was sent to the Sinai Peninsula, located alongside the Red Sea, where I was able to swim and scuba dive. I became close to the monks of St. Catherine’s Monastery, located at the foot of Mount Sinai, where Moses received the Ten Commandments. I would visit monthly, bringing different dignitaries and offering medical care to the monks and Bedouins. It was a beautiful location in the desert, and as I was discerning my religious vocation, the monks welcomed me to pray with them.

I also had fantastic experiences working in South Korea, where I met a Precious Blood sister who gave me some Lourdes water and told me, “Now you’re Jesus’ doctor.” I worked in a hospital serving the poor in India, and as a surgeon in Kenya and Sudan. Five times I have worked at war fronts, and Sudan was the worst. Local villagers were being hit by fragmentary bombs that would explode and tear off body parts. I also worked as a missionary in Iraq helping displaced Muslims and Christians.

Saint Teresa of Kolkata and Cardinal James Hickey of Washington were among your patients. What were they like?

Mother Teresa exuded a beauty and holiness that would make people light up and feel joy. She had been my hero since high school when I decided that, like her, I wanted to serve the poor. Cardinal Hickey and I became very close. He was like a father, talking to me about my spiritual journey and encouraging me to continue my discernment.

What led you to join the Sacred Hearts community?

I had not initially been looking to be part of it, but as I joined them for daily Mass and prayer, God opened my heart to them.

You spoke at the Republican National Convention in 2020.

Yes. In August before the election, I was apologizing to the Lord for not doing enough for the sanctity of human life. I said, “Lord, let me be your voice for life.” Two hours later, the Trump White House called and asked me to speak at the convention. Trump had many Catholics working for him, and they agreed to let me speak on the sanctity of life.

I received a lot of hostile calls after my presentation, to the extent that we had to leave the phone off the hook. But I also started receiving many invitations to speak to pro-life and Catholic groups, including Legatus. 

What will you speak about to Legatus members at the Summit?

I will share about my vocation. I also want to say that in our difficult time, we need to be more dedicated to our Catholic faith, staying in the state of grace, praying, and going to Mass and Confession. We need to be as pure as we can so that God will work through us.