About Us

The History & Tradition of Loretto Catholic School

Loretto Catholic School is one of the 25 Catholic Schools in the Diocese of Tucson, AZ. Located in Douglas, AZ, Loretto was constructed through a donation from Mrs. Elenita Brophy in memory of her late husband and her daughter. Her gift included both the land and the funds for the school’s construction. The school officially opened in 1924, administered by the Sisters of Loretto. The original name of the school was Loretto Catholic Central School.

In 1948, the Sisters of St. Dominic of Adrian took over the administration of the school. From 1981 to 1987, the school was managed by a lay principal. In 1987, the Carmelite Sisters of the Most Sacred Heart of Los Angeles were honored to take over administration and teaching at the school. Throughout its history, Loretto has at different times served as a grammar school, high school, and a boarding school.

We are fully accredited by the Western Catholic Educational Association(WCEA). We are a member of the National Catholic Educational Association(NCEA).

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The Carmelite Sisters

 

The Carmelite Sisters of the Most Sacred Heart of Los Angeles live according to the Gospel, the Church, and the spirituality of Carmel. We are inspired and led by the life and words of our foundress, Venerable Mother Maria Luisa Josefa of the Most Blessed Sacrament. God’s grace has blessed our school, Loretto Catholic School, with the Carmelite charism which has a long-standing tradition throughout history.

Both St. Teresa and St. John of the Cross were inspired by the Carmelite tradition. Carmel means “enclosed garden in which God Himself dwells.” Teresa’s doctrine is rooted in God’s dwelling within the soul. Therefore, our vocation is to both reflect and to take action in serving the Church and our world, encouraging others to engage in a deeper spiritual life through education, health care, and spiritual retreats.

God calls us to be a light in the world, spreading the joy and compassion of His love through prayer and service. Our divine mission takes place in the heart and in the world as we commit ourselves to contemplation and to helping our community. As our foundress, Mother Luisita, described our mission, “the soul of each Carmelite raises herself to Christ, Who is her heaven, while her shadow falls in charity upon earth doing good to all people.”

Contemplative Tradition of Carmel Blended with Works of the Apostolate

As Carmelites, prayer is the foundation of everything that we do. Every aspect of our lives is dedicated to developing that union with Christ from which all our apostolic activity must flow.

Union with God, of itself, is the most fruitful of all apostolates according to St. Teresa and St. John of the Cross. Whatever work is entrusted to us flows from, and is part of, our union with God.

The specific charism of Mother Luisita, which led to the foundation of our Institute, blends contemplation and apostolic works in loving service of the Church.

As we live and develop the charism left to us by Mother Luisita, a variety of apostolates has emerged in our Institute.

“Even as a cypress tree raises its branches to heaven and casts its shadow upon the earth, so the soul of each Carmelite raises itself to Christ, Who is her heaven, while her shadow falls in charity upon earth doing good to all people.”

 

 

 

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A Prayer from St. Augustine

“Late have I loved you, O Beauty ever ancient, ever new, late have I loved you! You were within me, but I was outside, and it was there that I searched for you.

In my unloveliness I plunged into the lovely lovely things which you created. You were with
me, but I was not with you. Created things kept me from you; yet if they had not been in you they would not have been at all.

You called, you shouted, and you broke through my deafness. You flashed, you shone and you dispelled my blindness. You breathed your fragrance on me. I drew in breath and now I pant for you. I have tasted you, now I hunger and thirst for more. You touched me, and I burned in your presence.”
-St Augustine

 

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For more information about our school’s history or the tradition of the Carmelite sisters, or to learn how you can make a donation, please contact us today at 520-364-5754. We look forward to welcoming you and your child into our family!

Discover why Loretto Catholic School in Douglas, AZ is the right choice for your child, from our safe and secure facility to our excellence in academics and our commitment to Catholic values. Contact us today at 520-364-5754 to learn more!

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