Sister Jean Still Has Stories to Share

In 2018, Sister Jean Dolores Schmidt became the most famous fan of the Loyola University men's basketball team.  

The Cinderella story of the Loyola Ramblers as they went all the way to Final Four of the NCAA Tournament made "Sister Jean" (as she is known) an international celebrity at age 98.

"I couldn't believe (in 2018) when the team managers said reporters were in the lobby and wanted to talk to me," recalls Sister Jean, now 104. "I don't know if it was because of my age or because I am a nun who loves basketball, but I became quite popular."

With the help of co-author Seth Davis, Sister Jean wrote a book, Wake Up with Purpose: What I Have Learned from My First 100 Years. about her life, spirituality and how she became an icon simply by being her authentic self.

Many people consider nuns stern, strict, or all-around no fun. It may be part of the reason that Sister Jean became so popular. "I am touched by the influence I have to give people a different perspective on what it means to be a nun," says Sister Jean. "I guess people are surprised that a nun could be into basketball, but I have always loved sports."

Sister Jean is humbled by the many letters and emails she has received from around the world. She says, "I hear from Catholics who tell me they haven't been to church in years, and I inspired them to go back. That touches my heart. I also get letters from people of other religions and cultures who feel a connection with me."

Her appeal has been intergenerational as well. "I've heard from children as young as 8 years old and people in their 90s who see me as a role model," says Sister Jean. "I'm grateful that I can bring so much joy to people and bring attention to the Loyola and my religious community."

Sister Jean spent her entire adult life as a teacher, mentor and volunteer. She worked at elementary and grade schools in Los Angeles and Chicago and then began working with college students. In 1994, after retiring, she became the Loyola Men's Basketball team chaplain.

While some older adults judge the younger generation, Sister Jean's philosophy is that all generations can learn from one another. "Back in the '60s, people criticized the hippies, the flower children," says Sister Jean. "I don't think it was beneficial then to criticize young people, and I don't think so now. We are all God's children, regardless of race, religion, or age."  

She adds, "I've always enjoyed being around young people. I can teach them things, but I can also learn from them simply by listening."

One of the big changes during Vatican II in the 1960s is that nuns had the option to wear contemporary clothes and not wear habits. Sister Jean was happy with the change, saying that she thought the habit contributed to the image of nuns being very strict and worthy of fear. She believes that by not wearing stereotypical nun clothing, young people are more comfortable opening up to her.

But just because she had changed her style does not mean Sister Jean isn't still old-fashioned. She doesn't think women should be invited into the priesthood. She also doesn't condone underage drinking, premarital sex or cursing. "I don't believe everything needs fixing," says Sister Jean. "But I am open to changes for the good. The church has made positive changes over the years and I am interested to see what decisions they make next."

From a young age, Sister Jean loved sports. She remembers watching San Francisco 49ers football with her parents.

In high school, Sister Jean played club basketball. "It was different than today," she explains. "More of a slow, passing game. I was too short to be allowed to shoot, but I still liked playing and the competition." 

Several of the schools where Sister Jean worked over the years didn't initially offer sports programs. "Sports teach life lessons about teamwork, hard work and loss," she says. "I went to the administrators and told them how important I thought sports were for young people. They said if I would run these programs, we can have them and of course, I agreed to do so."

Sister Jean thinks she and the entire Loyola basketball team received so much attention because their story made people feel good. Many people cheering on Loyola were riding the wave and hadn't even been fans before. "It was such a high," says Sister Jean. "These young men were playing their hearts out, which was so exciting."

She continues, "With so many bad things going on in the world, people needed something to be happy about. The team brought positive attention to the college, community and the city of Chicago."

Part of the reason Sister Jean has always liked sports is because of the way teams unite people. She explains, "You don't need athletic ability to be part of a sports team. Fans can play an important role, too. Sports bring together people from different backgrounds, colors and cultures to cheer on the same team."

Some may question, "What does God care about the score of a basketball game?" Sister Jean believes he does care. "I see God as our friend," she explains. "Prayers are a way of keeping God informed, We are in a relationship with him, and just like in a relationship with a good friend, we can talk to him about anything, including basketball.

In addition to praying with the team before a game, Sister Jean says that she is also in contact with him during the game. "I believe he likes to hear from me," laughs Sister Jean. "God hears from me often, especially during a close game!"

"I get my longevity from my dad's side of the family," says Sister Jean. "My dad and my aunts and uncles on his side all lived well into their 90's."

Around age 95, Sister Jean began thinking perhaps her time on Earth might soon end. "I'm ready when God wants to take me, but until then, when I wake up each day, I think that there must still be work for me to do here," she says.

She starts each day with a prayer, thanking God for another opportunity to serve him, followed by thirty minutes of meditation.

In the book, Sister Jean writes about an African proverb she came upon that reads, "When an old person dies, a library closes." She says, "I am still here, so my library remains open with stories to share."

Randi Mazzella is a freelance writer specializing in a wide range of topics from parenting to pop culture to life after 50. She is a mother of three grown children and lives in New Jersey with her husband.  Read more of her work on randimazzella.com. Read More