Wake Up with Purpose!: What I’ve Learned in my First Hundred Years

by Jean Dolores Schmidt

Known to millions as simply "Sister Jean," the Loyola Chicago matriarch gives readers a remarkable memoir filled with history, wonder, and common-sense wisdom for this century and beyond."I've seen so many changes in the last 102 years, but the important things remain the same."Part memoir, part philosophy text, and part spiritual guide, Sister Jean's wit, wisdom, and common sense seems to appeal to the broadest possible audience--religious and non-religious, old and young, male and female, sports fan and non-sports fan. Along with her collaborator Seth Davis, an award-winning writer, broadcaster and New York Times best-selling author, the book captures not just Sister Jean's words but also her spirit, as well as her sharp sense of humor. The reader feels just as the students at Loyola do when they knock on her office door, plop down in a chair, and ask if she would have time to chat, an activity that she still does daily at the age of 102.The driving force inside Wake Up with Purpose! i s the narrative of Sister Jean's fascinating life. She dips into her prodigious memory bank and draws the reader in as she retraces her path from a young girl growing up in the Bay Area of California (where her father kept a pet monkey and family ark beached on the shore and where she walked with her mother across the Golden Gate Bridge on the day it opened) to her studies to become a Sister at the BVM Mother House in Iowa to her long tenure as an elementary school teacher in Chicago and Los Angeles to her decades on university faculty at Mundelein College and Loyola University to, finally, her unexpected turn as a centenarian celebrity with multiple bobblehead dolls crafted in her image. Alongside those detailed recollections, Sister Jean lays out the life lessons she gleaned and expounds on broad, universal themes that tie everything together, providing priceless wisdom from a woman who's become a national treasure.

Genres: Audiobook, Nonfiction

Audio CD

Published February 28, 2023

Reviews

[Carol · Rating 4 out of 5]

AWWW I love her!! I learned so much about the school and everything she's contributed to it. It makes me feel less nervous about next fall and life in general. It literally felt like I was talking to my own grandmother (mine's not even close to 100 though).

[Marian · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sister Jean has been the team chaplain for Loyola University's men's basketball team since 1994 and became a viral sensation. I only chose this novel because of the cover, her beaming face and smile, and an ongoing interest in what seniors want to share when they've lived beyond one hundred years. The lower rating is only because this book had less life wisdom and more basketball memories and stories. I'd give her 5 stars though for the clear influence she's had on the lucky students she's mentored.

[Gwen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked Sister Jean so picked up this book. Now I love her, her love of basketball, her subtle political comments, her modesty and humor but mostly her love of God. Many life lessons in her 103 years.

[Mary Salisbury · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lesson in faith, service, love, tolerance, understanding, learning, attitude, thankfulness, and so much more. And it’s all done without a heavy hand. Thank you Sister Jean!

[Greg Talbot · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book took a year to write but a century to make (p.217), and your life will be a little better for having read it.

Sister Jean shares her story in this inspiring and forward-looking memoir. An integral member of the Loyola Community, venerable nun of the Sister of Charity of the Blesaed Virgin Mary, and a truly kindhearted person who shows how a life of service to God is a rich life.

Although she wears many hats , I was taken by how Sister Jean's ambitions were always in service to the women of Mundelieb university or Loyola University. Her religious faith and universal love are reminders of how, despite a long life brings, goodness and joy prevail if we choose the happy path.

She always makes space to give credit to the players and their sacrifices. I have no doubt Sister Jean could school myself and most people in creating an all star team. I really appreciated her stories of prayer for the fans and teams. I also loved her advice to teachers , owning to her last century values , and her daily morning prayer schedule.

Reading her biography, I came to appreciate just how much the world has changed. It may be Sister Jean's outward praising toward young people who brought me so much joy. As an educator who has seen dramatic changes in the student body and ethos of young people, she remains an open and heart of forbearance.

I would imagine this is a quick read for many, but I trust it's worthwhile to most people. Our world seems troubled by a lack of trust and loneliness. Sister Jean's life of service shows we were built most strongly when we build up others. Her Jesuit values, emphasis on liberation theology, and abiding by human decency show a portrait of how to build a meaningful life. Many blessings to Sister Jean - her work in this world, and all her students are only beginning.

[Sonia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a straight forward account of Sister Jean’s live and her passions. It shares , perhaps, some of her most memorable times as a centennial sister serving others.
She shares advise on how to be happier and live a meaningful life. I interpret this advise to be:
Pursue yours dreams & passions,
be kind and help your fellow humans,
meditate in silence and prayer,
have fun everyday,
keep up with the times and keep learning new things especially the technology
Don’t take yourself too seriously
Make connections with others
Surround yourself with young people as they help you stay young in spirit and mind
Trust in God
Be grateful that you wake up each day

[Gabby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Was so excited to find out about this book. I’m a proud 2019 graduate of Loyola. I was there for the big season that took Loyola to the Final Four. I remember watching the games in the student center and the electricity that flowed between us. We knew Sister Jean was special before the rest of the nation/world discovered her. She was a mainstay celebrity well before the March Madness run. She was one of the first people mentioned at orientation my freshman year. I remember her coming around during finals and giving us pieces of paper with prayers on them. She is such a rockstar.

[Barb · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an inspiring story! It was amazing to discover the life story of this beautiful 104 year old sister and #1 fan of Loyola University in Chicago. Knowing that she spent much of her life as an educator whose goal was to dispel the fears of students expecting a crabby, strict beyond reason for their nun teacher in Catholic school. Filled pages of solid advice on how not to live just a long life but one full of purpose, love, faith and fun.

[Daniel Haas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Full disclosure I am a Loyola season ticket holder for many years and knew about some of the stories in the book. Regardless, I thoroughly enjoyed her story and very positive outlook on life. After finishing the book, it makes you want to go out and be the best person you can be and to help and love one another. She is a down to earth great person and a true treasure for Loyola.

[Melinda Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow what a story Sister Jean has. The Loyola Chicago matriarch and college basketball icon tells all of her secrets in this remarkable memoir. Sister Jean’s wit, wisdom and common sense at 102 years old can teach us all a few lessons.

[Carrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s a good book. I enjoyed her stories of things she’s seen in her earlier years. It seemed a bit choppy in places but I read it like a conversation she was having with me. Her faith is awesome and loved how she wrote about it to show it in every aspect of her life.

[Don Lawless · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have enjoyed the exploits of Sister Jean through the NCAA tournament coverage. This was a nice book to look at her life and what she has accomplished. Quite the story and I enjoyed every minute of my reading.

[Sue Tegge · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great book. It tells Sister Jean’s life story as well as talking about her purpose in life. It is very motivating

[Mary]

Hilary Clinton - high principles?!

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book!!! What a quick read and a refreshing outlook on life!

[Karissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice autobiography of a Loyola legend. For those who are alumni and/or Catholic this book would mean a lot.

[Jeana Havlovic · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s a light read. I’d rate it a more of a 3.5, but rounded up. Fun to learn about Sister Jean with plenty of practical wisdom sprinkled in.

[Bean Burgess · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s good for a self help type book. Kind of mundane and a lot about sports which I couldn’t care less about, but I love old people so that made it worth reading. Would not recommend. 😂

[T · Rating 4 out of 5]

She has led quite an interesting life.

[Hilda Hansen · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a delightful book, from a thoroughly delightful centenarian who has lived her long life serving God and his people

[Seth Petok · Rating 5 out of 5]

She's a saint, always optimistic and supporting

[Beach026 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I skipped chapter 17 when it started on about Covid ie politics. Other than that I absolutely loved the book. Sister Jean definitely put purpose to every moment of her life.

[Susan J · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good book! Sister Jean is an inspiration!

[AHeld · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really fun and optimistic life story from a warm-hearted nun that reminds me of my nana.

[Bright · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed learning about her younger years, growing up in California around the time of the depression.

[Caroline Lyngen · Rating 5 out of 5]

A queen, a legend, a beautiful human. Amen, god bless, and go ramblers

[Neg · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read!! So uplifting and motivational!

[Alex Scheidecker · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a Loyola alumna, I could not put this book down. Sister Jean was such a huge part of my time at Loyola, and is so much more than the “basketball nun.” Sister Jean gives such insight into what’s important in life and how she has overcome the challenges of a fast changing world.
Hearing about my time at Loyola in her own words is something incredible. It brought me to tears to relive my college years in this way. She even brought up my graduating class, and the struggles we faced during the COVID-19 pandemic.
I highly recommend this book to people who are searching for their purpose. Sister Jean has so much to give from being alive for over 100 years.