Loyola's Sister Jean Turns 103, Has CTA Red Line Plaza Named For Her

CHICAGO — Sister Jean Dolores Schmidt has gotten accustomed to the attention she receives as perhaps Loyola University Chicago’s most recognizable face, but when she turned 103 on Sunday, a new honor awaited her.

Sister Jean’s name is now included on a Chicago Transit Authority Red Line stop near Loyola after officials including Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot turned out for a birthday party honoring the long-time Loyola basketball chaplain.

Sister Jean was all smiles during the festivities, which included a new sign at the Loyola Red Line stop in front of the plaza that now bears her name. The honor came two days after The National Bobblehead Hall of Fame honored Sister Jean with a dashboard bobblehead and holiday tree ornament.

But on Sunday, surrounded by friends and fans like Pritzker and Lightfoot ­— both of whom wore Sister Jean’s trademark maroon and gold scarf — the campus fixture and international celebrity who found herself on a national stage during the Ramblers’ 2018 Final Four run thanked well-wishers in her own unique way.

“I thought to myself, ‘Someway, you fit into some prayer that I say every morning,’” Sister Jean said during the ceremony. “So remember that when things get hard. Just say, ‘God, where’s Sister Jean’s prayer?’ Not that I have direct contact with him, but I let him hear things every once in a while.”

After the celebration, Pritzker called Sister Jean a role model.

“You are a role model to us all, inspiring us to love our neighbors and build strong communities,” the governor wrote. “I’m thrilled to be a part of your 103rd birthday celebration and to officially unveil the Sister Jean CTA Plaza. She is an exemplary Illinoisan and has devoted her life to service. Here’s to 103 and many more!”

Lightfoot praised Sister Jean for her efforts, especially with the Loyola students and athletes she prays with before each home basketball game and sends emails to after each game.

“She keeps her players' focus, not just on the game, but on their studies and character development,” the mayor said Sunday.

Sister Jean’s next stop will be at Wrigley Field on Tuesday, when she will throw out the ceremonial first pitch at the Cubs game against the rival Cardinals.

Sister Jean said in an interview last week that she still believes she has work to accomplish, even though she thought her time on earth might not last as long as it has.

“About 95, I thought I better get ready to go to my creator,” Sister Jean told Fox 32 in an interview. “But I thought, oh, just keep living until He wants you.”