Marge Steinhage Fenelon, CPLC, BPS, SC, is an award-winning author, international speaker, spiritual mentor, and retreat leader who has written multiple books about Marian devotion and Catholic spirituality. She is a Certified Professional Life Coach, Strengths Champion Certified Coach, and Certified Brain Profiler, qualified in Emotional Intelligence, Clifton Strengths, the Four Temperaments, and Charisms coaching. She holds a Certificate in Marian Studies from the International Marian Research Institute and is a member of the Mariological Society of America. She has appeared on a wide variety of Catholic radio, television, and podcast shows and is a regular contributor to Relevant Radio’s Morning Air Show. Her podcast, Simply Holy, is available on many popular podcast platforms.
Marge is known for her warmth, perceptiveness, and ability to explain complex Catholic teachings in simple, understandable terms. She delights her audiences with a unique mix of humour, sensitivity, and sincerity. She has spoken both in person and virtually at large conferences, retreats, parishes, book clubs, and a range of other events. Learn more about Marge’s speaking talents and how to book her for your next event here.
Her coaching style is based on the premise that every person is a unique and loved child of God, capable of making autonomous decisions. Guided by enduring core values, Marge instinctively engages others and uncovers their unique worth. She seizes the moment and helps them recognize their created potential, motivating them to purposeful action. Learn more about coaching with Marge here.
International Journalist and Speaker
As both a journalist and speaker, Marge has traveled to many destinations abroad, She is a recipient of the Egan Fellowship for Excellence in Journalism through which she traveled to the Philippines to report on the ongoing reconstruction efforts in the aftermath of Super Typhoon Hayan; a Catholic Media Association/Israel Board of Tourism fellowship through which she traveled the Holy Land; The Church Close Up, a seminar for international journalists hosted by the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross held in Rome; and the Jordan Tourism Board Religious Journalist and Blogger Tour which took her throughout Jordan. Marge’s books have received awards from the Catholic Writers Guild, the Association of Catholic Publishers, and the Catholic Media Association. Learn more about Marge’s books here.
Ministry
Marge is a cradle Catholic, born and raised in the Midwest. She lives along the shores of Lake Michigan, a place in which she finds solace, inspiration, and beauty. She is a wife, mother, and grandmother who is deeply dedicated to her family. Marge is solidly committed to the teaching of the Magisterium and considers herself a Blessed Virgin Mary fan girl. As an infant, she was consecrated to Mary by a holy priest, and since then, her entire life has been devoted to the Blessed Virgin. Her ministry and purpose are to lead the world to Christ through Mary.
Background
Marge has a bachelor’s degree in Public Relations/Journalism from the University of Wisconsin and worked as a public relations consultant for a time. She has a Certificate in Marian Studies from the International Marian Research Institute and a Certificate in Spiritual Mentoring from Cardinal Stritch University. She earned her Professional Certified Life Coach certification from the Professional Christian Coaching Institute, her Level 1 Certification from the International Coaching Federation, and her Brain Profiler Certification from Six Seconds: The Emotional Intelligence Network. Marge is a member of the Catholic Marketing Network, the Catholic Writers Guild, the Mariological Society of America, Catholic Life Coaches, the Communion of Catholic Coaches, and the Apostolic Movement of Schoenstatt.
Spiritual Heroes
St. Margaret of Scotland
St. Margaret of Scotland (1050-1093) is Marge’s patron saint. She was a woman of strong character, determined to maintain the freedom to be herself, to love God, and to serve others. Having fled the cruelty of William the Conqueror, St. Margaret and her family were shipwrecked off the coast of Scotland and were befriended by King Malcolm. The King was captivated by the beautiful and gracious young woman, and in 1070, they married. Queen Margaret reformed not only her rough and uncultured husband, but also the entire country. She promoted the arts, education, and religious reform, and with King Malcolm, founded seven churches. The King so valued St. Margaret’s wisdom that he often consulted her on state matters. The couple had six sons and two daughters, all of whom St. Margaret educated herself. Privately, Queen Margaret lived an austere life of prayer, spiritual reading, and fasting. She went to great lengths to care for the poor and never ate herself until she had first fed the orphans and beggars at her table. St. Margaret of Scotland died four days after learning that her husband and eldest son had been killed in battle.
St. Francis de Sales
Marge looks to St. Francis de Sales (1567-1622), the patron saint of writers, for guidance. Despite his best efforts to coerce his son into the legal profession, St. Francis de Sales’ father finally conceded his entry into the priesthood. From the start, he was quite successful in converting others to the Catholic faith by distributing pamphlets he had written himself. He became a bishop at age 35, preached, heard confessions, catechised, and quickly became known for his ability to win souls with his gentle character. His two best-known books are Introduction to the Devout Life and A Treatise on the Love of God, but he also wrote many pamphlets and a vast correspondence. His writings are addressed to laypersons, and his primary focus is to help them understand that they, too, are called to be saints. He shared a chaste and heartfelt friendship with St. Jane de Chantal, with whom he founded the Sisters of the Visitation.
Mother Thrice Admirable
The Blessed Virgin Mary, under the title Mother Thrice Admirable, has been a part of Marge’s life since she was one year old. At that time, she was consecrated to her by a very holy priest of the Apostolic Movement of Schoenstatt during a chance meeting between the priest and her mother. She firmly believes that at that moment, Mary grabbed hold of her and has never let go. The Blessed Virgin has carried her through some of the most unimaginable trials and suffering. She has always been there for Marge, and because of that, she often refers to her as “Mama.”