A Quick Look at the Founding History
The Sisters of Loretto
Hardin’s Creek, Marion County, KY
The Sisters of Loretto, originally known as the Little Society for the Friends of Mary at the Foot of the Cross of Jesus, was founded in 1812 as an American Order with no European counterpart or roots. Foundresses Mary Rhodes, Ann Havern, and Christina Stuart, all born in the U.S., began by teaching the children on the Kentucky frontier. When they decided to form a religious community, they turned to Father Charles Nerinckx, a Flemish missionary priest serving the area, and enlisted his help. He assisted in writing their rule and receiving approval for the new community.
The First Superior
Mother Ann Rhodes, was elected Superior in June 1812 but died in December of the same year. Following her death, he was succeeded by Mother Mary Rhodes as the second superior of the Sisters of Loretto. She served from December 1812 to 1822.
The first sisters dedicated their lives to God as religious women and educated poor children of the area. They derived strength from communal living and prayer. They later took the name Sisters of Loretto at the Foot of the Cross. Today, the name Loretto Community incorporates the two types of membership in Loretto: sisters who make a public profession of vows and co-members who affiliate with the spirit and mission of the community.
The Sisters of Loretto live in the hills of Kentucky, the desert Southwest, cities dotting the East and West coasts, and many places in between. Some live in Europe, South America, Africa, and Pakistan. Their spirit and mission are grounded in the Gospel. Like their early sisters who called themselves Friends of Mary, today’s Sisters of Loretto stand at the Foot of the Cross as they strive to bring the healing spirit of God into the world. They commit themselves to improving the conditions of those who suffer from injustice, oppression, and deprivation of dignity.
Artifact Spotlight
Embroidered Hearts
Embroidered OSJ/OSM hearts from Mother Mary Rhodes’ habit were donated to the Loretto Heritage Center by Mrs. Andrew Hesidence, great-niece of Mothers Mary and Ann Rhodes. Typically, the Sister who wore the habit was the one to embroider its hearts.
“Little Loretto” Intaglio Engraving Print
Commissioned by Rev. Charles Nerinckx in 1816, this trilingual intaglio print—labeled in Dutch, French, and English—was a likely tool for his European fundraising and recruitment efforts. It illustrates the Sisters of Loretto at their original home, “Little Loretto,” showing seven log buildings nestled within a zigzag fence. At its heart is a powerful allegorical scene of the Sisters kneeling at the foot of the Cross alongside Mary.
