The Loretto Visit

A Group of Area People Meet With the Loretto Team on Saturday Evening.

---

Quite an Honor to Have Them Here ...
On the weekend of December 2-3 three representatives from the Loretto Archives, Nerinx, Kentucky, visited St. Paul to learn more about their history, and about us.  The group consisted of: Loretto archivist, Sister Eleanor Craig; new archivist, Katie SantaAnna and videographer, Neil Tucker.  The end destination of their trip is Denver where they will be part of the closing of the Loretto Center on December 8.  Along the way they were stopping at important Loretto historical sites including Santa Fe Trail sites near Kansas City and Dodge City.
​

Mother Bridget Hayden

But the Osage Mission site has been on Sister Craig's mind for several years.  During a visit to the Kentucky Motherhouse in 2013, Sister Craig told Rosie and I that the Osage Mission story was one of her favorites.  Sister Craig is very aware of the family relationship among the three "Hayden Sisters": 

• Mother Magdalen Hayden of Santa Fe founded the Our Lady of Light Academy and built the famous Loretto Chapel;
• Mother Elizabeth Hayden was Superior-General of the Loretto order from 1870 through 1876; 
• Mother Bridget served the Osage Mission Indian school and St. Ann's Academy from 1847 until her death in 1890[1]. 

​These three women played an important role in the development of western frontier education and Catholicism during the 19th century.​

---

Sister Craig asked for some details regarding the Loretto's time here at Osage Mission - St.  Paul.  They left with much of the information and more will follow.  But more importantly, she wanted to meet some of our parishioners — especially those with ties to the Lorettos or St. Ann's — and we did not let her down.  Saturday afternoon and evening several locals joined them during a cemetery tour and at the museum.  Sunday morning another group of parishioners greeted them after 10:00 Mass.   Sister Craig, Katie and Neil left around 11:30 Sunday and I think everyone believes the visit was a success.  It will also open the door for a future exchange of information between the Loretto Archives and St. Francis Parish.
​

---

Some Reference Information:
1.  Mother Bridget's time at Osage Mission was interrupted by a temporary assignment in Cape Girardeau, Missouri from 1863 to 1866.  For more information about Mother Bridget Hayden and her sisters, follow THIS LINK. 
2.  For more information about the Loretto's St. Ann's Academy, follow THIS LINK. 
3.  Many thanks to Kelly Standley, his mother, and his crew of workers for getting St. Ann's ready for the Loretto visit.  

    — By Ron & Rosie Brogan.