Seasonal & Holidays

Loyola's Sister Jean Turns 102

Officials from Loyola University Chicago said the Men's Basketball chaplain will celebrate with a virtual birthday party.

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Sister Jean Dolores Schmidt, Loyola University-Chicago's soon-to-be 102-year-old chaplain, is known for her pre-game prayers.
Sister Jean Dolores Schmidt, Loyola University-Chicago's soon-to-be 102-year-old chaplain, is known for her pre-game prayers. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

CHICAGO — Sister Jean, Loyola University Chicago's unofficial mascot, will turn 102 on Saturday. To celebrate, the university is throwing their beloved chaplain and March Madness majesty a virtual birthday party.

Loyola officials said Sister Jean Dolores Schmidt will be online for the event and will be reading birthday wishes from students, alumni and other fans. People can even submit their favorite photos of or with Sister Jean to help celebrate her special day.

So far, over 200 people have signed up to attend the ZOOM party.

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The nun made headlines when Loyola's Men's Basketball team went to the Final Four in 2018. Since then, she's been memorialized in LEGO and bobblehead form, but is still a regular in-person around campus.

Register for the birthday event online.

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