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1 day ago

Happy 25th Silver Jubilee to Loretto Sister Jeannine Gramick SL!

Sister Jeannine shares the following about her life in Loretto, “In 2001, I came to Loretto because of a series of conflicts with the Vatican. My former religious community, the School Sisters of Notre Dame (SSND), had assigned me to LGBTQ ministry for 20+ years. During that time, SSND leaders warded off complaints from bishops and Vatican officials, and by 2000, Vatican pressure had so mounted that the general leadership informed me that I would be dismissed if I continued a ministry to LGBTQ persons.

“After a year of discernment, I continued to feel God’s invitation to remain in this ministry as a woman religious. This would necessitate transferring to another religious congregation. Although two congregational leaders invited me to consider their communities, the decision to apply to Loretto was an easy one because of a number of friendships I had formed with the Loretto Sisters.

“In the National Coalition of American Nuns, I worked with Anne Patrick Ware, Mary Ann Cunningham, Mary Ann Coyle, Ginny Williams and Mary Louise Denny. I also worked with Maureen Fiedler in her justice work at the Quixote Center. All these Loretto Sisters inspired me with their sense of integrity, wisdom and courage to speak publicly in the face of prejudice toward the underdog. I also knew that the Loretto Community was a leader in the call of the Second Vatican Council to adapt to the modern world, and I wanted to be a part of this exciting group of women!

“In 2001, I made my first vows in the Loretto Congregation with two expectations: 1) of receiving ministerial support and 2) of participating with a group who lived and worked on the peripheries (as Pope Francis would later say) of the Church. My hopes were not disappointed.

“Until Pope Francis’ election in 2013, the Vatican bureaucracy harassed the Loretto leadership, as it had the SSND leadership. Loretto leaders honestly, and competently, responded to Vatican letters while enabling the ministry to continue. This was not an easy task for the leadership, and there were painful and even fearful moments for Community members. I regret all the pain and fear, the hurt and the grief, but ultimately Loretto enabled the Catholic Church to achieve a greater acceptance of LGBTQ people. The years of heartache once again confirmed that ‘for those who love God, all things work together unto good (Rom. 8:28).’

“Besides providing ministerial support, Loretto has been an ideal Community to nourish my social needs and my desire to work toward a more just society. Participation in a Community group and in a number of Loretto committees and networks over the years has enriched my life with many friendships. I loved all the committee meetings and programs we provided, especially in the Loretto Women’s Network (as it was called in the early days), the Earth Network and the Racial Justice Committee.

“I believe God led me to Loretto to enable me to be happy and at peace and to contribute to the lives of an oppressed minority. I truly love all the Loretto Community members I know and feel loved in return. I feel proud that I cast my lot with Loretto’s early founders who struggled on the frontier to bring the Good News to the poor and disenfranchised. And I feel privileged that I cast my lot with the Lorettos of today who work to improve the fate of those who suffer from injustice, oppression and deprivation of dignity.

“In my final vow ceremony at the Loretto Motherhouse, I made a public commitment to a religious and Christian life and ministry. I vowed to live simply, to share any material and spiritual resources I may have, to love rightly and reverently, and to continue to discern and follow God’s call for me. I have been so very blessed to live these vows and minister for 25 years as a Sister of Loretto.”

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