font - holy water

font - holy water

Blue ceramic holy water font, "ML" in raised letters on back side. Designed by Sr. Jeanne Dueber, SL (1937-). Jeanne Dueber entered Loretto in 1959 from Webster Groves, MO, and has studied art, taught art in Kansas City, and worked as an artist-in-residence at Rhodes Hall, Loretto Motherhouse, since 1977. This holy water font was made by novices and junior Sisters when the St. Louis House of Studies was opened in 1960. The letters "M" and "L" stand for "Mary Loretto." Father Nerinckx said, “O Loretto Sisters! Let Loretto be Loretto forever- Loretto houses, Loretto dresses, Loretto labors, Loretto hardships, Loretto food, Loretto furniture, Loretto sisters, Loretto scholars!” It became a custom to label things with the M.L. name to signify the lack of personal ownership of items. Holy water fonts were used to hold blessed water that would be used to sign oneself when entering and leaving as a sign of devotion.

Sr. Jeanne Dueber

1960

3.5" x 3"

Religious objects

0533