Loretto Heritage Center

08/26/2026

We're sharing a photo today in honor of National Dog Day! We don't have the name of this lovely photo-bombing canine but we do enjoy the fact that they were documented here at the Loretto Motherhouse with this group of Sisters and Postulants. They are posing in front of Rhodes Hall which was built in 1832 and served as our first Loretto Academy.

Only two of the individuals were identified and documented on the back on the photograph: "Postulants extreme right Pauline Sweeney (S. Patrice) Anglum (S. Francis Paula) ; Late 1916 or before April 25, 1917."

To see more fun and interesting images, explore our photograph database! https://lorettocommunity.canto.com/v/Archives/landing

07/24/2026

We found today's while searching through our photograph database, selecting images to print for an exhibit. This image was made in West Las Vegas, NM and documents Sisters and students marching for world peace. It reminds us of just how long the Sisters of Loretto have been advocating for peace, social justice, education, and the environment. The Sisters first journeyed to New Mexico in 1852 and expanded their mission to West Las Vegas, NM in 1869. Back of photo: "Procession for World Peace / W. Las Vegas, N.M."

Photograph by Rex Studio, Las Vegas, NM. Year unknown.

06/26/2026

Many Marion-countians may remember St. Monica School which was located next to St. Augustine Church in Lebanon, KY. St. Monica's educated black Catholic students for more than 50 years and still has an active alumni group. However, not many people are aware that before St. Monica School there was another Catholic school for black students in the St. Augustine parish. This school, run by the Sisters of Loretto, was open from 1872 until St. Monica School opened in 1914. While we don’t have many records from the school, we do have this single photo. The year is documented as "1883 or 1884" in the photograph’s catalog record.

06/12/2026

"Devotions of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, Arranged for Each Day of the Month of June" Cunningham's improved edition, printed by Peter F. Cunningham, Catholic Bookseller, in Philadelphia, 1859. The front cover is stamped with his initials in gold.

June is traditionally dedicated to the Sacred Heart, a special time to reflect on Christ’s passion and the 12 spiritual promises as revealed to St. Margaret Mary Alacoque during a series of apparitions between 1673-1675.

Discover more hidden gems at this link: https://www.lorettocommunity.org/about/motherhouse/heritage-center-archives/explore-our-collections-2/

05/26/2026

Our friends at Marion County Historical Society have moved, reorganized, and have a new location in the former Lebanon Enterprise building. As it goes when moving and downsizing, they have an excess of goods which will be auctioned. See their message below and submit your bids!
"Over the years, we’ve collected a wide variety of items. Going forward, part of being good stewards is making thoughtful decisions about what we can properly house, preserve, and interpret within our current space and mission. Some pieces that could not come with us are now being offered through an online auction."
"This is an opportunity for these vintage and historic items to find new homes with people who will appreciate and treasure them, while the funds raised will directly support the Historical Society’s continued operations, preservation efforts, and community programming. If you love vintage finds, local history, and one-of-a-kind pieces, we invite you to take a look at the auction."

05/22/2026

May, the month of Mary, has prompted us to share a favorite from our photograph collection. This view of Mary's Lake was captured in 1926, during its reconstruction. The lake was built in 1917, reconstructed in 1926, and a statue of the Virgin Mary was added in 1927.

You can find many current and historical views of our peaceful lake by following this link: https://lorettocommunity.canto.com/v/Archives/landing

Images from our website are subject to terms & conditions: Images are for personal use only. Please contact [email protected] for commercial or public exhibit use.

05/13/2026

Warm greetings to you today on the Feast of Our Lady of Fatima! We pulled a most beautiful object from the collection to show you today; this banner was made at the St. Columban Embroidery School in Shanghai, China. After establishing a mission in Hanyang, China in 1923, the Sisters of Loretto also operated a school in Shanghai until 1952. In addition to teaching at these two schools, the Sisters served the people of these communities in countless ways through times of war, floods, epidemics, and political unrest.

The silk brocade front is embellished with embroidery and in the center is a painting of Our Lady of Fatima. On the back is the school's seal and the letters OSJ, OSM; “O Suffering Jesus, O Sorrowful Mary” was a short prayer used in all Loretto Schools. The students likely embroidered this piece but we currently do not have any information about the painting.

Enjoy our object collection, published resources, and photograph collection online: https://www.lorettocommunity.org/about/motherhouse/heritage-center-archives/explore-our-collections-2/

05/01/2026

We wish you a Happy May Day with our snapshot! This is a 1968 view of the May Day Procession and Crowning at St. Augustine Church in Lebanon, KY.

St. Augustine is one of many churches founded by Father Charles Nerinckx; in 1815 he began the process of erecting the church on four acres which Benedict Spalding had set aside for a Catholic church; Father David A. DeParcq took over in 1820 and completed the church. Father DeParcq also established the first parish school there, in 1833, which was served by the Sisters of Loretto.

[Photo from our online database, dated 1968; the people in the image are unnamed]

To see more views of St. Augustine Church, visit our photograph collection online: https://lorettocommunity.canto.com/v/Archives/landing

04/17/2026

Inspired by National Poetry Month, we're sharing eloquent words from the pen of a Loretto Sister. Mary Valena Eppler, SL (1878-1964) was an artist and teacher as well as a published author; she wrote plays, short stories, and poetry. This particular selection was one of three poems included in The Yearbook of Modern Poetry, 1939. This page, ripped from the book, was found in Sister Mary Valena's personnel file as was the photograph. A handwritten note on the back of the photograph reads "Sister Mary Valena in the Old Green House at Loretto Heights" and is undated.

04/15/2026

Our latest blog post is up! Today's content discusses the care and preservation of the framed pieces in our artifact collection and the ever-changing field of conservation framing.

In 2024, The Loretto Heritage Center received grant funding from the KY Historical Society, through the Local History Trust Fund, to fuel our project to reframe the most sensitive framed…