With great thanks and appreciation to Sister Judith, Sister Marie Agnes, Sister Louise Udovick, Sister Stefina, Sister Rose Henry, Sister Mary Eileen, Sister Francis Eileen, Sister Eleanor Clare, Sister Mary Ely, and with much love to Sister Margaret Ryan and Sister Marie Dolorosa.
God Bless You All!

History: The Sisters of Loretto at the Foot of the Cross, the first wholly American sisterhood to begin and continue without foreign affiliation was founded by Rev. Charles Nerinck in 1812 in Loretto Kentucky. In covered wagon and stagecoach, the sisters pioneered with the pioneers to bring Christian education to the children of the rugged frontier towns, including Denver.

Purpose: The Sisters of Loretto were founded for Christian education of youth and that continues to be their main work today. In addition to teachers, housekeepers, secretaries, librarians, accountants, dietitions, seamstresses and nurses are indispensable to the success of Lorettine educational work and missionary activities. 

Training Program: The postulancy of eight months is followed by a two year novitiate. The vows which the novice takes art the end of this time are renewed annually for four years. The sister then makes her final profession. Before entering into the active apostolate the sister completes the course leading toward her academic degree.

Traditional Habit: The Sisters wore a black habit and cape, and a rosary suspended from a black cincture (see above). Sometime around 1970, the habit was surpressed, and they became plainclothes nuns.