Madonna Della Strada Chapel on Loyola University’s Rogers Park campus was packed Wednesday night, a sea of formal wear contrasting with Loyola gear and backpacks worn by students who came to memorialize the woman made famous through prayer and basketball.
It was the first day of services for Sister Jean Dolores Schmidt, whose funeral is scheduled for Thursday morning.
Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker and Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias arrived early Wednesday to pay their respects at Sister Jean’s wake. Following remarks from several high-profile Loyola figures, President Mark Reed among them, a line of students and alumni wrapped out the door and around the building for visitation.
“Through her own gentle touch, her presence, her look, her comments left a mark on your life,” Reed told those gathered inside the chapel. “Hopefully what most overwhelmingly we feel is gratitude for her long life, her presence and her impact.”
Natalie Battaglia, a photographer for the university from 2013 to 2017, told the Sun-Times she loved capturing Sister Jean “in her element,” especially “how much joy she brought the people around her.”
“Everyone just lit up in her presence,” Battaglia said.
That light had been missing in the days since news broke of her passing, according to Loyola seniors Sarah Booth and Mia Olitan.
“Campus has just been a lot quieter this week,” Booth said.
During the service, Lucas Williamson, the player with the most wins in Loyola men’s basketball history, said he and Sister Jean found themselves in “similar spaces” as they were thrust into the spotlight during the team’s 2018 Final Four run. In the ensuing five years he played for the team, she stepped into a mentor role, guiding him with her principles and some on-court advice.
He told the crowd he wants to continue her legacy by living as she did.
“At 106 years old, she was angry she couldn’t continue to serve,” Williamson said. “Sister Jean cared for people, she remembered them and she lived her life in service of others. … I don’t think anybody set the world on fire like Sister Jean.”
Williamson said Sister Jean would often bless his hands before a matchup so he could “make his shots,” while also praying the opposing team “wouldn’t have their best game.”
Will Alcock, a Loyola men’s basketball player from 2018 to 2022, said the team chaplain’s pre-game prayers were more often “like a scouting report.”
But what stood out most to him was the light she brought to the Damen Student Center, where her office was located. No matter what students brought her way, she was always listening and giving advice.
The wake served as a reunion for school’s recent golden era men’s basketball teams, reuniting Williamson, Alcock, Tate Hall, Keith Clemons and Tom Welch, among others at the service. Some former players in international leagues, such as big men Cameron Krutwig and Aher Uguak, couldn’t make it back in time, but had spoken with former teammates.
Alcock said the former players who are local stay in touch. But this put them in one place.
“It’s sad circumstances, but she’s still bringing us all together,” Alcock said.