A Habit Of Activism

The Sisters of Loretto have a long history of social activism. You don’t want to mess with these nuns!

   * * * * * * * * * * * * 

Let me tell you about an extraordinary group of nuns from Nerinx, Kentucky. They live at the Loretto Motherhouse (the homebase for their order) and regularly take up worthy causes. It’s part of their service to the community.

Smart, educated, good-humored, and socially savvy, the Sisters are known to be formidable activists. Ten years ago, a private fracking company tried to put a pipeline across 800 acres of the Motherhouse. The company thought they could railroad a bunch of little ol’ nuns into giving the land away. But they ran into a hornet nest of activists! The nuns protested, organized, and brought in the national media. The New York Times called them “Bad Ass Nuns” and they were correct!  Wisely, the pipeline company turned tail and left, giving the Sisters a triumphant win.

These days, you can find a dozen Sisters of Loretto in downtown Lebanon every Wednesday, doing what they know best – protesting against injustice.

A friend and I joined the Sisters recently. The nuns sat in lawn chairs on four corners of the main intersection and held up signs advocating for a host of social issues.

I was pleased to see them supported by the local community. Lots of folks waved, honked, or stopped to chat. Only one dirtbag yelled, “You go home!” To which I felt compelled to reply: “We are home!”

The local sheriff watches out for the Sisters. Should anyone gripe, he will explain: “They have a right to be here.”

Sisters of Loretto set up their protest in downtown Lebanon every Wednesday from 10:30 to 11:30. Religiously.

After their hour-long duty was done, they packed up the signs and chairs. “We do what we can,” one sister explained to me.

I plan to join them again this summer. Come out and support the Sisters of Loretto if you can. Visitors are always welcome at the Motherhouse!