THE SISTERS OF LORETTO

An American Inspiration

The “Sisters of Loretto at the Foot of the Cross” were the first religious community of women founded in the United States. Their Lorettine Mother house was located in Nerinckx, Kentucky with no European affiliation. Father Charles Nerinckx of Belgium began the ministry at the mission Church of St. Charles on Hardin's Creek. He presented veils to the first three homespun- dressed women on April 12, 1812 thus marking the founding of the religious community that numbered as many as eleven hundred members by the mid-1900s.

The Sisters of Loretto were divided into Provinces throughout the United States, teaching in 70 grade schools, 12 high schools and 2 colleges. Their mission in China, started in 1922, terminated in the early 1950's when Sister Isabelle was martyred and they were expelled by the communists. Two new missions were later opened in South America, one in Bolivia.

The original head dress of the Sisters of Loretto resembled a modified sunbonnet or the arch of a Conestoga wagon. The habit changed twice over the first 150 years. Pope Pius X requested the first change in 1909. Two red hearts, one representing the Heart of Christ, the other, Mary, were removed from the front of the habit. The second change, simplifying the veil, was made in the mid-1900s. By the late 1900s, the habit was abandoned and the Sisters were not distinguished by their clothing.

Sister Benedict was the first to arrive in Deerfield when there was no Catholic school. Three portable schools ("tin- cans" in the parlance of the day) opened in September 1937 to 46 pupils taught by Sister Benedict and Sister Vera Marie.

The story of this pioneering sisterhood which blazed a brilliant trail in the history of the American Church in some ways parallels the story of the Sisters of Loretto at Holy Cross School in Deerfield. The good Sisters did not have to go barefoot in the winter as they did in pioneer days. They did not have to sleep on straw mattresses or restrict meat to one meal a week. At Holy Cross Convent, they woke at 5:15 a.m. instead of the customary pioneering hours - 4:00 a.m. in summer and 4:30 a.m. in winter.

In Deerfield, their day begins with Divine Office and a half-hour Meditation, followed by Mass at 6:30. Hours of the Office is followed by breakfast after which all pitch in on chores before leaving for school between 8 and 8:15.

In contrast to the beautiful Holy Cross School today with an enrollment of more than 400 student, the first school might be compared to the first log cabin. The Sisters commuted between Highland Park and Deerfield until 1957 when the locally historic Ender farm home was acquired and transformed into the convent.

Sister Norbertina, principal, came to Deerfield in 1951 along with Sister Evangeline. Born in St. Louis, her teaching career included the cities of Rockford, East St. Louis, Highland Park and Deerfield.

Sister Ann Marie, gentle and gracious, handled one of the two first grades. Sister Evangeline whose fastidiousness is almost a trade- mark, taught 3rd grade. Young, dark eyed Sister James Mary was 5th grade teacher. Sister Fidelia, extroverted and enthusiastic taught 8th grade. Statuesque Sister Mary Raymond was music teacher. Good- natured and witty, Sister Catherine Mary served as housekeeper.

After school, the Sisters were aided by specially- trained volunteers of the Confraternity of Christian Doctrine to teach Catechism to public school children between 4 and 5 p.m. two days a week.

Spiritual reading at 4:45 p.m. was followed by more Hours of the Office; Vespers for 20 minutes and then, dinner.

Between 7 and 8 p.m. came the first chance to relax. They watched their favorite television show, listened to music, played games for awhile, then it was back to work correcting papers and preparing outlines for the next school day. Evening prayers, called Compline, were held in their little chapel to complete the day. They retired at 10 p.m. for 7 hours of rest.

During summer they continually accumulate more knowledge by attending Institutes and work shops, doing post- graduate work. They make an annual 8-day retreat.

Their contribution to Holy Cross was a progressive, intellectual order of the highest caliber with roots solidly planted in pioneer America. With tremendous admiration, every member of Holy Cross parish joined Father John O'Mara and Father Edward Reilly on October 2, 1962 to celebrate a special observance of the sesquicentennial anniversary of the order. Everyone extended prayerful congratulations to the entire community of Sisters of Loretto and in particular, the 7 Sisters we were privileged to have among us.

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