'All or nothing' Northern Irish nun takes first step on path to sainthood

A nun from Northern Ireland who was killed in an earthquake will be a step closer to becoming a saint, following a special ceremony in Spain on Sunday.

Clare Crockett, from Londonderry, was a "larger-than-life" character who had been an actor before dedicating herself to the religious life.

She was just 33 when she died in Ecuador in April 2016, when the building where she had been teaching music collapsed.

Her motto in life was "all or nothing" and she has been previously associated with fertility-related miracles. A person usually requires two verified miracles to ascend to sainthood.

The opening of the cause for the beatification of Sister Clare was scheduled to take place in the Cathedral of Alcala de Henares in Madrid at 4.30pm UK time.

Ms Crockett's sister Shauna Gill said her family is "very proud and excited" for her sister to take the first step to becoming a saint.

"No one knows how long it can take, 10 years, 20 years, two years, it depends on how fast things move."

She said more than 100 people have travelled to Madrid for the event, which will be livestreamed online and at the Brunswick Moviebowl back home in Derry.

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Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland Eamon Martin said Sister Clare's story is an "inspiration for young people", adding that it was a "very special day" for her family and the Servant Sisters of the Home of the Mother order.

He added that there had been a "burgeoning of awareness" about Sister Clare around the world in the years after her death.

The bishop said there was a party atmosphere among the group in Madrid, adding: "The people of Derry are so proud of her. There's a group of people from all ages and backgrounds have travelled from all over."

A self-confessed party girl earlier in her life with ambitions to become a famous actress, Sister Clare changed direction after having a religious experience in 2000.

She turned down a chance to present on children's TV channel Nickelodeon to become a nun.

She said friends were in disbelief when she declared she was going to be a nun while holding a "beer in one hand and a cigarette in the other".

(c) Sky News 2025: 'All or nothing' Northern Irish nun takes first step on path to sainthood