Hope is a gift, a light that shines even in the darkest places. For Sister Loretto Emenogu, a Nigerian nun serving in Indianapolis, that hope is most alive in children’s hearts. As the coordinator for the Missionary Childhood Association (MCA) in the Archdiocese of Indianapolis, she dedicates her life to nurturing young hearts in the faith and inspiring them to be missionaries in their way.
“If you want to take away my life, take the children away,” Sister Loretto says with conviction. “But if you want to keep heaven going, bring the children to Christ.”

A Mission Rooted in Family and Faith.

Born and raised in Nigeria, Sister Loretto comes from a profoundly Catholic family. “My parents were role models of what the Catholic Church calls for in parents,” she recalls. “They taught me that mission starts in the home. If we have strong Christian families, we will have strong missionaries.”

As the eldest of six children, she grew up in a household where faith was a daily reality. Her mother read Bible passages each night, teaching her and her siblings about Jesus, heaven, and what it means to live a life of love. It was in that setting that her vocation took root.

“My mother read the Passion of Christ to us, and I remember crying,” she shares. “One day, I told her, ‘I think I have to give back my life to that Jesus.’ She corrected me, saying, ‘Don’t say it’s that Jesus, say you give it back to Jesus.’”

Not long after, she dreamt of a beautiful young girl inviting her to church. The girl introduced herself as Saint Agnes and told her that God was calling her to religious life. That experience, along with her mother’s faith, sealed her vocation.

A Journey to America.

Sister Loretto was sent to the United States for studies and missionary work. She attended Barry University in Florida and later worked with Food for the Poor. Eventually, she was invited to Indianapolis, where she began working with Catholic Charities and later transitioned into the mission office.

“I was asked to do cultural orientation for refugees and migrants,” she explains. “Then, after a few years, I was invited to lead the Missionary Childhood Association.”

For Sister Loretto, working with the MCA was a dream come true. “When I came into this role, I felt like I had finally found my true mission,” she says. “The children are my heart.”

The Missionary Childhood Association: Forming Young Missionaries.

The Missionary Childhood Association, one of the four Pontifical Mission Societies, seeks to instill in children a missionary spirit by teaching them about the needs of their peers in mission territories and inviting them to offer prayers and material support. Sister Loretto has taken this mission to heart, visiting schools, faith formation classes, and parish communities to spread the message.

“I tell children, ‘You are missionaries. Once you are baptized, you are called to be a missionary.’”

Children have raised thousands of dollars for mission projects worldwide through her work. Inspired by her visits, St. Mary of the Knobs School raised $16,000 in 2022—well beyond their initial goal. “It brought tears to my eyes,” she says. “The children told me, ‘Sister Loretto, you love us, and we love you. You love every child in the world.’”

She emphasizes to children that their donations can change lives, no matter how small. “Even a dime can feed a child. When you give, you are giving to Jesus, who asked you to help.”

A Life Marked by Sacrifice and Perseverance.

Sister Loretto’s missionary journey has not been without hardship. A car accident left her with permanent spinal damage, yet she remains undeterred. “No matter what, I must take a giant step for my God,” she says. “There is nothing that sweetens my heart more than loving people.”

She is also profoundly aware of the suffering of the Church in Nigeria, where violence and persecution continue to threaten the faithful. Yet, she remains hopeful. “The people in Nigeria suffer so much, but their faith keeps them going,” she explains. “Even in poverty, they go to Mass, sing with joy, and give like the widow’s mite. It is not about wealth—it is about love for God.”

Despite the dangers, she plans to return home for a visit. “People ask me, ‘Aren’t you afraid?’” she says. “But I trust in God. And when I go back, I don’t just rest—I cook for older people, I bring rosaries and gifts for the children. I want to bring joy wherever I go.”

A Missionary of Hope.

In this Jubilee Year of Hope, Sister Loretto embodies what it means to be a missionary of hope. She sees the face of Christ in every child she encounters, and she helps them know that they, too, are called to be lights in the world.

“To keep the mission going, we have to start with the little ones,” she says. “They are precious saints in the making.”

Through her work, her faith, and her love, Sister Loretto is shaping the future of the Church, not only young missionaries. And as she continues her mission, her words ring true:

“I must take a giant step for my God. I must take a giant step for my fellow human beings. Because that is what love demands.”