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History

Two hundred years and counting! Loretto has responded to the call of God to serve God’s people. From children to adults, from elementary to graduate-level education, from eldercare to advocacy for the homelessness and underserved, Loretto has left its mark on the world as it seeks to “work for justice and act for peace.” Learn more about the history of Loretto.

Home » History

Glimpses of Loretto’s Agricultural Past

By Susanna Pyatt / May 31, 2023 /
Black and white archival photo of two men standing by a large garden.

While the Loretto Heritage Center contains a lot of archival papers that document Loretto’s past, one aspect that is difficult to see in the archives is the history of agriculture…

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A peek behind the scenes at the Loretto Heritage Center

By Loretto Community / May 22, 2023 /
Black and white photo of a nun in habit looking down at a young girl. They stand next to a spinning wheel in a room surrounded by Christian art and artifacts.

What is it like to work at a museum and archive? This week, the Loretto Heritage Center is giving a glimpse into what goes on behind the scenes by highlighting…

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History Colorado Recognizes Pancratia Hall Lofts

By Loretto Community / May 17, 2023 /

In late April, History Colorado recognized Pancratia Hall Lofts at their annual Stephen H. Hart Awards for outstanding archaeology and historic preservation projects across Colorado. A huge thank you to Mary Nelle Gage SL…

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Loretto celebrates 211 years of community life, serving others

By Loretto Community / April 24, 2023 /
A crowd of smiling people waves for the camera

Tracing ancestors has become a wonderful adventure for many families. Maps can fill a dining room table, with lines connecting each generation and often names of people family members have…

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“Related to Many in the Society”

By Susanna Pyatt / April 6, 2023 /
Three-by-three collage of nine nuns, eight of which are in habits. The most recent photo is the woman in the lower right corner who is not in a habit and is in color.

A note in Sr. Matilda Drury’s file mentions that she was “related to many in the Society and in the priesthood.” Like the Bowling family highlighted in January’s LOREtto post,…

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Studying the Sisters of Loretto’s involvement in the Native Boarding School Era

By Loretto Community / March 14, 2023 /
Four Sisters of Loretto stand side by side in the snow in heart shaped habits.

Loretto wishes to share with you the research of the congregation’s study of the history of Native Boarding schools operated by the Sisters of Loretto.  Why We Study the Native…

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Loretto Shares Research To Date on Native Boarding Schools It Operated

By Loretto Community / March 13, 2023 /
Archival photo of large two story building with a balcony running the entire length of the second floor. A habited nun is standing in front of the building, next to a clothesline.

In 2012 the Loretto Community was dismayed to learn of the Doctrine of Discovery, the religious, political and legal justification for colonization and seizure of land not inhabited by Christians.…

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A Rewarding Visit to Shaker Village

By Eleanor Craig SL / March 1, 2023 /
Visitors enjoy a carriage ride through historic Shaker Village with a white horse.

Recently a small group from Loretto Motherhouse paid a neighborly visit to the site of one of Kentucky’s oldest religious communities. We sought wisdom from their experience, so like Loretto’s.…

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Loretto and the Arts

By Susanna Pyatt / February 28, 2023 /
Students in an art class, standing at easels and painting portraits of a man smoking a pipe.

The Sisters of Loretto were founded in 1812 with a mission of teaching, but what were their schools like? To answer one aspect of this question, an upcoming exhibit at…

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Loretto Magazine – Winter 2022-2023

By Loretto Community / February 26, 2023 /
Magazine Cover listing the articles inside. Teaser text reads: Inside ... Loretto's retreat centers offer respite Loretto Outreach fosters connections Celebrate Loretto's jubilarians! Loretto marks 170 years in New Mexico Weeping with the women of Pakistan ... and more

Download Read Loretto Magazine Loretto Spotlight Video – Susan Classen CoL A Letter from Loretto President Barbara Nicholas SL In a previous issue, I wrote briefly about my few days…

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Loretto celebrates its New Mexico legacy

By Loretto Community / February 17, 2023 /
Two women lean in for a photo together.

Community members and friends gathered this past September to celebrate Loretto’s 170th anniversary of working and serving in New Mexico. “Our Lady of Light,” the painting donated to the Museum…

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Intrepid sisters travel to Santa Fe in 1852

By Eleanor Craig SL / February 17, 2023 /
Ink drawing of a horse-drawn buggy bearing three bonnetted women.

Adapted by Eleanor Craig SL from PJ Manion SL’s “Beyond the Adobe Wall” Santa Fe, historic capital of New Mexico, has long been known for its jewel-like setting at the…

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