Loretto Leaders Keep Fire Going As They Follow God’s Call

“Then I heard the voice of God saying, ‘Whom shall I send?’ I answered, ‘Here I am, send me.’”  ( Isaiah 6:8)

Loretto leaders are rooted in the rich soil of the Gospel and the Community’s charism.  Our leaders ask the Community to look carefully at faith and service and to live more deeply the call to mission. When called, our leaders answer, “Hear I am. Send me.”

Our leaders are called to do what must be done for the sake of the whole Community. Loretto leaders call forth the next generation in the Community to keep the fire going, making new space for the continuing progression of religious life. Religious life will look different from the past; it will call younger people to new forms. It will be of God. It will be Spirit-filled. It will be rooted in the Gospel. It will be holy.

Since the election of Sister Ann Rhodes as the first Superior General in 1812, Loretto leaders have been called to pay attention to what is emerging in community. Loretto leaders are called to be open to the Spirit who is living and active among us. We cannot think of our founders simply as a piece of history; they are not for one historical time, but for all times. Each former Loretto leader, Superior General, President, Vice President or member of a Council or Executive Committee – whatever title we give them – trusted in Divine Providence to get them through each day of service. They stood on the shoulders of those gone before, embraced their time as holy and their leadership time as gift, just as our leaders of today do, too.

 “The same Spirit who inspired and guided our founders gathers us in community today.”

 — (“I Am the Way,” Loretto Constitutions, #6)