“O, the Places You’ll Go!”

In the life of Loretto, an early prayer greeting created by our priest-founder Father Charles Nerinckx calls us “O Dear Sisters and Scholars.” Yes, we are all learners and realize the need as scholars to continue our learning, no matter our age. If your family was like many we know, books were everywhere, calling all who saw them to broaden their vision and open their hearts and minds. Who could forget Dr. Seuss telling us kids, “You can find magic wherever you live. Sit back, relax, all you need is a book!” Another author, lifelong learning expert Michael Edmundson, offers this intriguing suggestion: “We need to learn not simply to read books but to allow ourselves to be read by them.” 

Dear sisters, brothers and scholars, let us not forget, as Ralph Waldo Emerson said, “Some books leave us free, and some books make us free.” Former Loretto President the late Mary Ann Coyle SL, writing on the importance of continually learning for Loretto, noted it was essential to hear new ideas “that expand our understanding of life in and beyond the universe.” What new ideas in your reading have grabbed your attention? How has a book changed you? Please share your favorite titles and authors on Loretto’s Facebook page. We want to learn from you.

We think lessons will be learned from the bold books included in our Facebook posts this week, too. Many Loretto members recall watching their parents read and so they did, too. Loretto readers recall books that have taken them deeper into their own life, for as Dr. Seuss says, “All you need is a book. If possible, thank someone, or certainly think of that person, who read to you or taught you to read.” We hope you enjoy our book selections and look forward to reading yours!