Episode 101 - “Operation Sacred Rescue” The Reburial of the Sisters of Loretto near Denver, Colorado
Dianne and Jennie have often discussed cemeteries that have been moved, meaning the dead have been disinterred and moved to a new burial site. In this episode they cover just such a story that took place in the suburbs of Denver, Colorado on August 22, 2022 and caught the attention of many local cemetery enthusiasts across the state. They discuss what led to the move, the process of reburial, and they delve into the story of the Sisters of Loretto, an order of Ordinary Extraordinary Catholic nuns who dedicated their lives to God as religious women and educated poor children.
To see video of the recommittal ceremony, follow this link: https://youtu.be/AnVgtxjpi0k
Video biography for each of the 62 sisters:
https://youtu.be/mU4iRBnGHWc
Resources used to research this episode include:
Community , L. (n.d.). Our History. https://www.lorettocommunity.org/. Retrieved September 11, 2022, from https://www.lorettocommunity.org/about/history/
Community , L. (2022, July 28). Tales from the Ledgers: Bartering in Early Loretto Academies . https://www.lorettocommunity.org/. Retrieved September 11, 2022, from https://www.lorettocommunity.org/tales-from-the-ledgers-bartering-in-early-loretto-academies/
Community , L. (2022, August 1). ‘Gentlemen, if you take the house, you will have to take the sisters also!’ . https://www.lorettocommunity.org/. Retrieved September 11, 2022, from https://www.lorettocommunity.org/if-you-take-the-building-you-have-to-take-the-sisters/
Community , L. (2022, July 26). Loretto Roots: Loretto’s Involvement with Enslaved Persons and Educating Indigenous Children . https://www.lorettocommunity.org/. Retrieved September 11, 2022, from https://www.lorettocommunity.org/loretto-roots-lorettos-involvement-with-enslaved-persons-and-educating-indigenous-children/
Catholic Funeral & Cemetery Services, A. D. O. D. (2022, August 22). Sisters of Loretto Recommittal Memorial Mass at Mt. Olivet Catholic Cemetery . https://cfcscolorado.org/. Retrieved September 11, 2022, from https://cfcscolorado.org/sisters-of-loretto/
Formwork. (2018, December 28). BELMAR, LORETTO, AND COLORADO’S WOMENS’ HISTORY . https://formworksdesigngroup.com/. Retrieved September 11, 2022, from https://formworksdesigngroup.com/2018/12/28/belmar-loretto-and-colorados-womens-history/
Academy , S. M. (n.d.). Mission, Vision, and History . https://www.stmarys.academy/. Retrieved September 11, 2022, from https://www.stmarys.academy/about-us/mission-history
Drey, S. R. (n.d.). August 15, 1864: Faith and Courage to Carry On . https://www.stmarys.academy/. Retrieved September 11, 2022, from https://www.stmarys.academy/d/~board/regina/post/august-15-1864-faith-and-courage-to-carry-on
Drey, S. R. (n.d.). Remembering Sisters of Loretto on Whose Shoulders We Stand . https://www.stmarys.academy/. Retrieved September 11, 2022, from https://www.stmarys.academy/d/~board/regina/post/remembering-sisters-of-loretto-on-whose-shoulders-we-stand
Church, H. R. (n.d.). Feast of the Assumption - History . https://holy-rosary.org/. Retrieved September 11, 2022, from https://holy-rosary.org/feast-of-the-assumption
"Loretto Heights Academy - Denver, CO." https://www.waymarking.com/. 15 June 2015. www.waymarking.com/waymarks/WMP217_Loretto_Heights_Academy_Denver_CO. Accessed 11 Sep. 2022.
Historic Women Marker Initiative, The New Mexico. "MOTHER MAGDALEN AND THE SISTERS OF LORETTO." https://www.nmhistoricwomen.org/. www.nmhistoricwomen.org/location/mother-magdalen-and-the-sisters-of-loretto/. Accessed 11 Sep. 2022.
Ravikumar, Vandana. "NATIONAL Graves of nuns to be moved as cemetery will become housing, business space in Colorado Read more at: https://www.newsobserver.com/news/nation-world/national/article262097627.html#storylink=cpy." https://www.newsobserver.com/. 2 June 2022. www.newsobserver.com/news/nation-world/national/article262097627.html. Accessed 11 Sep. 2022.
, André Escaleira, Jr. "Exhumed Sisters of Loretto lovingly laid to rest at Mount Olivet ." https://denvercatholic.org/. 25 Aug. 2022. denvercatholic.org/exhumed-sisters-of-loretto-lovingly-laid-to-rest-at-mount-olivet/.
Whaley, Monte. "Sister seeks protection for old Loretto Heights College cemetery where 62 nuns are buried ." https://www.denverpost.com/. 3 July 2017. www.denverpost.com/2017/07/03/sister-seeks-protection-old-loretto-heights-college-cemetery-62-nuns-buried/. Accessed 11 Sep. 2022.
Simmons, Marc. "Trail Dust: Sisters of Loretto welcomed to Santa Fe 160 years ago ." https://www.santafenewmexican.com/. 4 Sep. 2012. www.santafenewmexican.com/news/local_news/trail-dust-sisters-of-loretto-welcomed-to-santa-fe-160-years-ago/article_1fc1ccf4-a952-5e6b-8b50-af8bcf945895.html. Accessed 11 Sep. 2022.
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