Catholic School News

Sisters of Loretto celebrate 200 years of service

 Catholic Foundation / 
5/2/2012 4:39:07 PM

The Sisters of Loretto at the Foot of the Cross this year are celebrating 200 years of consecrated life in service to God and his people.

The Loretto Sisters came to the El Paso Southwest in 1879 when they established St. Joseph Academy in San Elizario. The academy was later moved to downtown El Paso where it operated until it was closed in the 1950s.

Over the years the sisters founded Loretto Academy, taught in many of the diocese’s parish schools, and have been active in various ministries at the parish and diocesan level, and in general community service.

The first wholly American sisterhood, the Sisters of Loretto at the Foot of the Cross were founded in Kentucky, in 1812, by Father Charles Nerinckx, who first called them “The Little Society of the Friends of Mary at the Foot of the Cross of Jesus”. The Holy See approved the institute under the title: The Sisters of Loretto at the Foot of the Cross.

In covered wagon and stagecoach, the sisters joined with the pioneers to bring Christian education to the children of the rugged frontier towns.

The sisters are marking the order’s 200th anniversary with various events in the El Paso Diocese.

ATribute to the Work of the Sisters of Loretto in the Borderplex was on display in the El Convento Ballroom April 10-20. The exhibit showcased the work of the sisters from when they settled in the region, the schools they built, the non-profits they started, their missionary work, and how they have impacted the border region.

El Paso County Commissioners Court honored the work of the Sisters of Loretto in El Paso with a special proclamation April 16, marking the celebration of Foundation Week.

Following Mass in Hilton-Young Hall, the Loretto community presented activities to learn about the history of the school and Sisters of Loretto at the Foot of the Cross.

Sisters of Loretto in El Paso were scheduled to take part in the order?’s jubilee ceremonies at the motherhouse in Kentucky April 25.

A Jubilee Homecoming reception is scheduled for Loretto Academy alumna at 4:30 p.m. Sept. 14 on the El Convento Patio.

A Jubilee on the Border Luncheon is scheduled Sept. 16 at El Paso Country Club.

Mass will be celebrated at Noon, with a luncheon to follow.

A trip to Italy, led by Loretto Sister Helen Santamaria is scheduled Oct. 14-25.