by Therese Horvat
Special to The Leaven
KANSAS CITY, Kan. — Hermana Nery Lourdes Abad Pulache, SCL, tried not to get her hopes up about Cardinal Robert F. Prevost, OSA, in the recent conclave.
She regarded him highly, based on his many years of ministry in Peru. But she prayed only that the Spirit would guide the cardinals in their selection.
With the official proclamation of the name “Prevost” from the balcony, however, she was overcome with surprise, gratitude and a profound sense of joy. So much so, that she found it hard to contain her excitement in her classroom of fifth graders in Chalaco, Peru.
Meanwhile, in the United States, Sister María de los Milagros Orozco Olaya, SCL, heard the election’s outcome — and cried tears of joy.
Then, she called friends in this country and in her native Peru and excitedly repeated, “It’s Bob! It’s Bob!”
Several Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth (SCLs) — both those who are native Peruvian Hermanas (Sisters) and those who were U.S.-born missionaries — have happy recollections of now-Pope Leo XIV, formerly Cardinal Prevost, and before that “Father Bob.”
They had met him at liturgies, meetings and social gatherings when he was serving in Peru. A few SCLs even had talked one-on-one with the Augustinian priest who had just became the 267th pope of the Catholic Church.
As recently as last summer, two SCLs attended an August 2024 celebration of the 60th anniversary of the Diocese of Chulucanas at which Cardinal Prevost presided. Hermana Lourdes was invited to proclaim the first reading at the Mass. She recalls that the cardinal’s homily that day was very profound. And she treasures the photo taken on that occasion with him and another SCL.
“He conveys serenity,” said Hermana Lourdes, “and is attentive to people and everything that is happening around him.”
Years ago, Sister María met Father Bob at gatherings of clergy and religious in Peru. As a young Sister in formation, she heard him speak to men and women pursuing religious vocations. At diocesan pastoral meetings, he spoke knowledgeably on a range of topics. Sister Maria, who has served in the United States for the past 21 years, was impressed by Father Bob’s simplicity, humility and closeness to the Peruvian people.
A missionary in Peru for 44 years, Sister Regina Deitchman, SCL, once enjoyed lunch and conversation with the future pope at the SCL convent in Chalaco. Chalaco was a midpoint for Augustinian priests traveling distances between parishes, and a good stopping place for a meal break with the Sisters and the local pastor.
Although she never worked directly with Pope Leo, Hermana Esther Vilela Gutiérrez, SCL, director of the community’s Latin American missions in Peru, understands him to be a person characterized by simplicity and kindness. She recognizes his commitment to social justice and as a voice of common sense and practical concern for the church’s work on behalf of the poor. She, too, acknowledges his love of and dedication to the people of Peru.
Sister Helen Therese Mack, SCL, who served 42 years in Peru, remembers the new pope as a very unassuming person. But she also recognized in him someone who is direct and doesn’t skirt the issues. She describes him as attentive and a good listener and considers him “exactly the person to continue the synodal process in the church.”
While she couldn’t believe the cardinals would elect an American pope, Sister Regina is very happy that someone with ties to the United States and Peru was elected.
“Pope Leo is an international person who can communicate in different languages,” she said. “I think he will be very, very good in his new role.”
Sister Helen Therese’s prayer is that Pope Leo will assume the mantle of leadership with humility and awareness of the needs of the world and the church. Sister Esther prays that he will continue the reform, transformation and renewal of the church.
Hermana Lourdes believes his whole life has prepared Pope Leo for this new and monumental ministry.
“He is a pope for our time,” she said. “My prayers are that he will continue to listen to the Spirit of the risen Christ and be open to the different calls of the signs of the times.”
