Sister Jean at 103: Worship, work, and win!

With the publication of Sister Jean's memoir, out today, titled “Wake Up With Purpose!! What I’ve Learned in My First Hundred Years” (written with broadcaster Seth Davis), the spotlight is again on this much loved 103-year-old muse/chaplain of the Loyola Ramblers men's basketball team. Actually, since 2018, when her Ramblers reached the Final Four, she has always been a media darling. But at age 103, one would expect a slowdown not an acceleration but that is exactly what is happening.

In her first book, she recounts her life that began in 1919 as Jean Dolores Schmidt in San Francisco. She first considered becoming a nun while she was in the third grade.

As a student at St. Paul’s High School, she played on the girls’ basketball team. After graduating high school in 1937, she entered the Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary (BVM) convent in Iowa. In 1941, by then a sister, she returned to teach in California, and in 1961, she moved from California to teach at Mundelein College in Chicago.

She was hired by Loyola in 1991 when Mundelein merged into Loyola and has worked as the team chaplain and inspiration for the Ramblers men’s basketball team since 1994. In 2016, she was presented with an honorary doctorate from Loyola.

Sister Jean’s morning routine begins early. “I wake up at 5 a.m. every morning because I have so much to do.” After prayers for the day ahead, she reads the Gospel on her tablet. “I guess there aren’t too many nuns using Ipads these days- there aren’t too many 103-year-olds, period,” she writes in her memoir.

In a Reader’s Digest feature, she shared some of her tips for living a long life:

“I love life so much and enjoy being with young people. They’re the ones who keep me going because they bring such joy into my life -- and they keep you updated on what’s happening in their world.”

“I can tell you the secret to living a happy life. Everyone needs to know what they have done well, a pat on the back. Tell other people what they do well, and then do that for yourself, too.”

“Always have a protein and a vegetable at every meal.”

“Make at least one of your fun activities to be active. I’m a huge fan of sports, obviously, and playing sports is so good for children. It teaches life skills, exercise, nutrition, and sociality.”

“Get outside every day, no matter the weather. The cold is good for you. Just bundle up and you’ll be fine.”

“Every morning, I wake up and immediately pray, thanking God that I’m still here.”

“My three Ws are work, worship and win.”

“If you’re not moving forward, you’re going to get left behind really quick. Adaptability is my superpower.”

Sister Jean has not only captured the hearts of Chicago, but she is also beloved the world over. We are so lucky to have her here in the Windy City! Everywhere she goes in her wheelchair, wearing her signature maroon and gold scarf (ala Harry Potter), fans gather and clamor. She always obliges, taking selfies and signing autographs - as long as she is NOT watching a Ramblers game! Then, fans know not to approach her.

We will follow her anywhere and are so excited to see what she does next. When asked about writing another book, she said, “Absolutely! When I’m 200, I’ll write the next one.”

(You can find Sister Jean’s inspirational book, out today, here on Amazon)

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