When Dana began to think about running for the Presidency, she discussed it with Mother Angelica, the founder of the Eternal Word Television Network based in Birmingham, Alabama, on which the Derry woman broadcasts to the US and the world.
"We talked about it," the 73year-old nun told the local newspaper. "I told her, `You probably don't have a chance but go for it. You could speak to the people'. "
Mother Angelica added: "I don't think she'll win. But that's not the point. She has a chance to say `I think this is wrong and here's what to do about it'. Life is not about winning."
When Dana surprised many people by securing a nomination, The Irish Times asked for a reaction from Mother Angelica. Back came the short response: "Mother Angelica and the nuns are praying for her and wishing her well."
Does Mother Angelica still think that Dana cannot win? "She did not say anything about that," said her spokeswoman, Ms Amy Murray.
In Mother Angelica, Dana has a powerful supporter. She is founder and head of EWTN, the world's largest religious cable TV network which can reach more than 55 million homes in 38 countries. The programmes carry a Catholic message and are transmitted 24 hours a day.
In addition, the station has a shortwave radio facility broadcasting around the clock to a potential world audience of 700 million. Since 1996, there is also an FM/AM service which uses the satellite reach of the TV network to transmit to radio stations which want its service in English or Spanish. The service is also available through the Internet, so saturation coverage is assured.
The network's website, which has an announcement about Dana's candidacy, projects aspects of an organisation that seems to be deeply traditional, both in its own outlook and in the image of the church it wishes to project. There is a heavy emphasis on Mary and the traditionally popular saints like Therese of Lisieux, and on the Rosary.
The website's catalogue section includes books on offer such as The Life of Mary as Seen by The Mystics and, on special offer at $20, four volumes about angels.
EWTN programmes (in Spanish and English) include documentaries, weekly series hosted by leading theologians, live coverage of church events, prayers and devotionals, seasonal music specials and Mother Angelica Live, which the nun hosts every Tuesday and Wednesday night.
Mother Angelica is described by Greg Garrison, religious correspondent for the Birmingham News, as a "conservative Catholic, very loyal to the Pope and a critic of liberal Catholicism". With her media operation, she is a "powerful force in the Catholic world", Mr Garrison says, adding that she recently interviewed Cardinal Arinze, the African member of the
Curia who is regarded as a possible successor to Pope John Paul II.
A recent book on the Catholic Church in the US by Charles Morris says Mother Angelica "keeps a gimlet eye even on the Vatican's orthodoxy and has engineered nationwide letter-writing campaigns at a hint that a Curial cardinal is veering from the straight and narrow".
Dana moved to Birmingham to be near this influential broadcasting operation. Until her foray into Irish politics, she had a weekly series on EWTN called Say Yes. It was a mixture of music, songs and talk. Ms Murray said EWTN did not have a separate audience measurement for Dana's show apart from the 55 million estimated audience.
Asked what was the subject or themes of Dana's show, Ms Murray said it was "ever changing" and that one should ask Dana herself. She agreed that the aim was to help people live closer to God.
Dana's programme is produced by the separate company, HeartBeat Records, of which her husband, Mr Damien Scallon, is managing director. The company, based in Donnellson, Iowa, produces and distributes Dana's increasing output of albums and videos.
Heartbeat describes itself as "an independent international record and video company concentrating on quality releases for and from the Catholic market. HeartBeat Records is the first recording company in the USA to bring contemporary Christian music to people within the Catholic faith."
In Ireland, its products are distributed by Veritas.
Mother Angelica moved to Birmingham in 1962 from Ohio. She founded a Catholic monastery in this heart of the Protestant Bible Belt. After building up a large Catholic book network, she began taping religious talks for the local TV station.
When she heard that the station was going to show a "blasphemous movie", she decided in 1981 to build her own recording studio in a garage. From there she has expanded to the worldwide TV and radio network which makes her the foremost Catholic communicator today.
The EWTN website address is http://www.ewtn.com