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Wake Up With Purpose!: What I’ve Learned in My First Hundred Years
Known to millions as simply "Sister Jean," the Loyola Chicago matriarch and college basketball icon invites you into her remarkable memoir filled with history, wonder, and common-sense wisdom for this century and beyond. As Sister Jean wisely says, "I've seen so many changes in the last 102 years, but the important things remain the same." Part life story, part philosophy text, and part spiritual guide, Sister Jean's wit, wisdom, and common sense has broad appeal and application that transcends religious creed, belief, and even feelings on Loyola's basketball team. Along with her collaborator Seth Davis, an award-winning writer, broadcaster and New York Times best-selling author, Wake Up with Purpose! lets you experience: The driving force inside Wake Up with Purpose! is the narrative of Sister Jean's fascinating life--from teaching at a Catholic school during the Second World War to serving on a Chicago college campus in the sixties and beyond to cheering from the sidelines of a men's basketball tournament in March 2018. As you learn about Sister Jean's century-long life, you'll feel just like the Loyola students 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.
222 pages, Hardcover
First published February 28, 2023
369 people are currently reading
3530 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 333 reviews
March 21, 2023
With March Madness upon us I can’t help but think of Sister Jean, the sister who brought Loyola luck all the way to the final four a few years ago. At the ripe age of 103 Sister Jean has written her memoirs with the help of sportscaster Seth Davis. As it is also women’s history month, I couldn’t think of a better way to honor it than by reading about the life of a centenarian. If anyone has been fortunate to live as long as Sister Jean, they have seen how the world has changed for good and bad. Jean admits she was born as the First World War was coming to a close and now here we are at a time where people communicate by pressing buttons. I found Jean’s life fascinating and chuckled when I found out that she has actually been chaplain of the basketball team for over forty years, after she was supposed to have retired. It is little wonder to me that a talented Loyola team with an ear to the heavens marched through March. Another aspect of women’s history month, is that I am now a busy working woman with little time to read much less review so I am fortunate to have jotted down some thoughts on Sister Jean, a Chicago institution in her own right.
4 stars
4 stars
February 16, 2023
OK, so if you haven't heard about the wonderful woman that is Sister Jean, you need to know her! She is one of the most positive people that I have ever heard of. She is a wonderful Cheerleader and woman. This is her story and the things that she learned over her life. I enjoyed this book and leaning more about the wonderful woman she is!
October 1, 2023
I thoroughly enjoy this book. I selected it because I enjoyed what she stood for in the March madness games for Loyola of Chicago university.
The book is full of so much wisdom from a person who was 100 years old when she brought it she touches many areas of life and it is quite remarkable
I thoroughly it and I hope you will as well.
I recommend it.
The book is full of so much wisdom from a person who was 100 years old when she brought it she touches many areas of life and it is quite remarkable
I thoroughly it and I hope you will as well.
I recommend it.
July 6, 2025
My thanks to libro.fm and Harper Select for an ALC of this book to listen to and review.
Sigh...ok. I really WANTED to like this. I did, but the political bent, when it occurred, just booted me out.
It wasn't in your face or constant, but I am sensitive to anything political now and decided I didn't want to drive angry. I listen to audio books to keep me calm, awake and engaged while driving. When a book makes me huff sighs, roll my eyes or exclaim out loud, it is not doing it's job.
The narrator was good. I don't recall having to mess about with the volume to hear her.
It was an interesting story about a very interesting individual, but it wasn't quite what I was hoping for.
2, not a bad book it just wasn't for me YMMV, stars.
Sigh...ok. I really WANTED to like this. I did, but the political bent, when it occurred, just booted me out.
It wasn't in your face or constant, but I am sensitive to anything political now and decided I didn't want to drive angry. I listen to audio books to keep me calm, awake and engaged while driving. When a book makes me huff sighs, roll my eyes or exclaim out loud, it is not doing it's job.
The narrator was good. I don't recall having to mess about with the volume to hear her.
It was an interesting story about a very interesting individual, but it wasn't quite what I was hoping for.
2, not a bad book it just wasn't for me YMMV, stars.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 26, 2023
In the 2018 NCAA men’s college basketball tournament, the Ramblers from Loyola University of Chicago made a run all the way to the Final Four and their success brought an even bigger story than their victories on the court. The team chaplain, Sister Jean Dolores Schmidt, affectionately known as “Sister Jean”, won the hearts of viewers of the tourney, whether they were cheering for the Ramblers or not. It was amazing to see how a gentle 98 year old sister became a media sensation and now, five years later, she is sharing the story of her life.
While it was basketball that made her known around the world, and she does talk about sports throughout the book, there is much more to her story than her time with the Loyola basketball team. From her childhood in California to her decision to attend the Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary (BVM) in Dubuque, Iowa, she talks with fond memories of those times and the family and friends she shared them with. It was in her time at the BVM when she confirmed that her belief that she should embark on a life of service to God was the correct one, and she lived her life with that purpose.
She talks much about her time as an educator, which encompassed all levels of schooling, from elementary school to college. Of course, the school at which she has had the longest tenure was Loyola, including her time as a teacher and administrator at Mundelein College, an all-women’s school that merged with Loyola due to declining enrollment.
That change, one of the more major ones in her life, was one that she handled just like the others: she accepted it and enthusiastically embarked on whatever changes she had to face. She always believed that God had a purpose for her and if took this change, then she was going to do it. Sister Jean always shares her humor and her wisdom through each phase of her career and life and also her viewpoints on some social aspects such as abortion, racism and women’s rights. They don’t fit one particular political spectrum, which really fits her since she does not make overt political statements.
Of course, her time with the men’s basketball team, especially the 2018 team, is discussed by her in great detail and with great joy, even when the team wasn’t too successful. There’s enough of this discussion that basketball fans will enjoy the book, but it is so much more than a sports book – it’s a great memoir of a wonderful lady with joy in her heart and much love to share with all.
I wish to thank Harper Select for providing a copy of the book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The views expressed are strictly mine.
https://sportsbookguy.blogspot.com/20...
While it was basketball that made her known around the world, and she does talk about sports throughout the book, there is much more to her story than her time with the Loyola basketball team. From her childhood in California to her decision to attend the Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary (BVM) in Dubuque, Iowa, she talks with fond memories of those times and the family and friends she shared them with. It was in her time at the BVM when she confirmed that her belief that she should embark on a life of service to God was the correct one, and she lived her life with that purpose.
She talks much about her time as an educator, which encompassed all levels of schooling, from elementary school to college. Of course, the school at which she has had the longest tenure was Loyola, including her time as a teacher and administrator at Mundelein College, an all-women’s school that merged with Loyola due to declining enrollment.
That change, one of the more major ones in her life, was one that she handled just like the others: she accepted it and enthusiastically embarked on whatever changes she had to face. She always believed that God had a purpose for her and if took this change, then she was going to do it. Sister Jean always shares her humor and her wisdom through each phase of her career and life and also her viewpoints on some social aspects such as abortion, racism and women’s rights. They don’t fit one particular political spectrum, which really fits her since she does not make overt political statements.
Of course, her time with the men’s basketball team, especially the 2018 team, is discussed by her in great detail and with great joy, even when the team wasn’t too successful. There’s enough of this discussion that basketball fans will enjoy the book, but it is so much more than a sports book – it’s a great memoir of a wonderful lady with joy in her heart and much love to share with all.
I wish to thank Harper Select for providing a copy of the book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The views expressed are strictly mine.
https://sportsbookguy.blogspot.com/20...
April 18, 2023
I don't know a soul who doesn't adore Sister Jean. What a fascinating life and many great insights from a centenarian. I loved that she reads the prologue in the audiobook. She is a Chicago icon and national treasure.
March 30, 2024
I enjoyed this book and was left wanting to know more about Sister Jean’s life. Readers interested in the lives of nuns, living with open-hearted faith, or college basketball will enjoy this book.
Read more of my thoughts on the book on my blog at https://bit.ly/Sister-Jean
Read more of my thoughts on the book on my blog at https://bit.ly/Sister-Jean
November 2, 2023
I can't describe this book any better than the blurb did and I quote:
"remarkable memoir filled with history, wonder, and common-sense".
The memoir is written in a simple straight forward manner and I have been markedly affected by it.
I plan to go back to some of the nuggets of wisdom and reflect on them from time to time.
Here is one example:
"Sometimes the most important part of love is showing up."
Priceless!!
5 stars
"remarkable memoir filled with history, wonder, and common-sense".
The memoir is written in a simple straight forward manner and I have been markedly affected by it.
I plan to go back to some of the nuggets of wisdom and reflect on them from time to time.
Here is one example:
"Sometimes the most important part of love is showing up."
Priceless!!
5 stars
April 19, 2023
Reading Sr. Jean’s very positive memoir helped me get back to sleep after middle of the night wake-ups. It was as if she was talking to me. She’s 102 and still waking up with a purpose every day. Having spent 16 years with nuns as teachers I loved reading her stories of the various schools where she taught and the positions she filled. She was and is a talented leader and rose all the way from elementary school teacher to professor and then her still current job as Chaplain for Loyola Chicago’s basketball team.
May 31, 2023
Feel guilty giving this book a mediocre review but it wasn't at all what I expected. Most of the book is her life story and while it is interesting, and I'm grateful for her service, it doesn't match the title. Still don't know how to wake up with purpose beyond having faith and remembering to turn on my cpap machine
April 13, 2023
Sister Jean is a 103 year old nun who has lived a pretty amazing life, so I’m not sure how to rate this book any lower. I do believe she touches on just about everything her heart wanted. I enjoyed how much history she lived through and hearing her thoughts. Enjoying sports myself and watching her at the height of Loyola’s run, it was unique hearing her tell it. My favorite quote from the book was “That’s the beauty of God- we never really know what He’s doing or why. We have to trust Him to do His part, and then it’s up to us to do ours.” I want to always believe that.
September 11, 2023
104 years old and still going....amazing!
Sister Jeans words of wisdom should be required reading for every young teacher, and some of us who are not so young.
The quotes from this book will long be repeated. My favorite will always be:
"When an old person dies, a library closes." So it shall be when our world loses Sister Jean. She is one if a kind!
This us a great book!
Sister Jeans words of wisdom should be required reading for every young teacher, and some of us who are not so young.
The quotes from this book will long be repeated. My favorite will always be:
"When an old person dies, a library closes." So it shall be when our world loses Sister Jean. She is one if a kind!
This us a great book!
January 30, 2024
Being so fr when I first heard she wrote a book I was like no way. I was a hater. But she proved me wrong.
Read
March 30, 2025amen god bless and go blers
April 2, 2023
Perfect read for March Madness! Sister Jean’s memoir is upbeat and positive; fun whether you like basketball or not. Had to dock her a star for her not even mentioning the other two teams in the 2016 Final Four: Kansas and ahem, Villanova. As Sr. Jean said, “Life is a team sport, after all!”
December 20, 2025
An enjoyable and inspiring read.
September 29, 2023
Sister Jean's memoir starts out as incredibly interesting. She recounts her childhood in San Francisco and years spent in the convent preparing to become a Sister. As the book continued, I was less interested in the many chapters of basketball. I didn't know this when I purchased the book, but Sister Jean is famous as the chaplain for the Loyola boys basketball team - and she definitely loves her basketball!
I give the book great praise for the interesting first chapters, as well as being clean and uplifting. I wish Sister Jean had shared some of her deeper thoughts, or even some of her struggles. I was expecting a bit more of life's lessons and advice than the book offered.
I give the book great praise for the interesting first chapters, as well as being clean and uplifting. I wish Sister Jean had shared some of her deeper thoughts, or even some of her struggles. I was expecting a bit more of life's lessons and advice than the book offered.
November 13, 2023
This book is a great resource to support the idea that serving God and others can be fun, nonrestrictive, & without judgement. Basically Sister Jean is a teacher, organizer and cheerleader. First learned of Sister Jean when her team beat my team in 2017 in the NCAA tourney.
https://youtu.be/INIBYFBOAPA
https://youtu.be/INIBYFBOAPA
June 13, 2023
Sister Jean is not just a bobble head.
The idea of Sister Jean's "first hundred years" is brilliant because with her attitude one doesn't know whether she might not survive us all. More than just a team chaplain, Sister Jean is involved with all of the students and faculty she encounters.
It's not Pulitzer Prize writing, but a feel good story about a remarkable woman.
The idea of Sister Jean's "first hundred years" is brilliant because with her attitude one doesn't know whether she might not survive us all. More than just a team chaplain, Sister Jean is involved with all of the students and faculty she encounters.
It's not Pulitzer Prize writing, but a feel good story about a remarkable woman.
June 13, 2023
3.5 stars. A remarkable woman, but the memoir feels superficial and thin. There are some anecdotes about times when she faces challenges, but they are skipped past lightly. Surely a woman of such faith and passion would have much more wisdom on facing adversity.
March 31, 2023
You know it’s good when you read it in a day! Sister Jean continues to amaze!
May 27, 2025
4 stars rounded up for the way this book made me feel and for how much I am inspired by this wonderful centenarian (now 105! I googled her and she’s still hanging in there). I listened to the audiobook and Sister Jean read the prologue herself, which is worth hearing all by itself, even if you don’t want to hear her life’s story. That and the epilogue were my favorite parts. The rest of the book is fine, and her work as chaplain for the Loyola men’s basketball team is fun and made me smile, but there’s a lot of detail that could be skimmed if reading in print.
While not a Catholic, I was raised with the same moral and Christian values by parents who were born about the same time as Sister Jean (1916 and 1918) and who lived to be 95 and 100, so there was much to relate to in this book. What a blessing it must have been to be one of her students or otherwise a part of her life. She is indeed a gift to this messed up world.
While not a Catholic, I was raised with the same moral and Christian values by parents who were born about the same time as Sister Jean (1916 and 1918) and who lived to be 95 and 100, so there was much to relate to in this book. What a blessing it must have been to be one of her students or otherwise a part of her life. She is indeed a gift to this messed up world.
April 5, 2023
Solid, positive & hopeful are the words that come to mind to describe this memoir / autobiography. Sister Jean tells of her lengthy & remarkable life through the lenses of academics, faith & most of all, sports!
Sister Jean has served as a faith leader, student advocate & team chaplain in her years at Loyola & her pride in & gratitude for those roles is palpable in the telling. Admittedly there are moments where the roster stats get a little wonky, but we are talking about a sports story in some ways so I can let it slide.
Overall, Sister Jean’s message is one of simple pursuit, of the hard work that comes with success & of a life of looking for God in everyday life. Her faith seems to be based within the idea that we can pray but we also need to put in the work.
Sister Jean has served as a faith leader, student advocate & team chaplain in her years at Loyola & her pride in & gratitude for those roles is palpable in the telling. Admittedly there are moments where the roster stats get a little wonky, but we are talking about a sports story in some ways so I can let it slide.
Overall, Sister Jean’s message is one of simple pursuit, of the hard work that comes with success & of a life of looking for God in everyday life. Her faith seems to be based within the idea that we can pray but we also need to put in the work.
April 17, 2023
I started reading this book during March Madness as I remember seeing Sister Jean in the stands a few year ago when Loyola was making a run deep into the NCAA tournament.
This book shares the life of Sister Jean, how she became a nun and the road her career and ministry took her from a young girl in California to the chaplain of the Loyola men's basketball team.
As someone who has lived over a hundred years on the earth, she has lots of wisdom and inspiration to share with readers of this book. I love how she is inspired by young people and her optimism about life, even when there are losses and setbacks.
This book shares the life of Sister Jean, how she became a nun and the road her career and ministry took her from a young girl in California to the chaplain of the Loyola men's basketball team.
As someone who has lived over a hundred years on the earth, she has lots of wisdom and inspiration to share with readers of this book. I love how she is inspired by young people and her optimism about life, even when there are losses and setbacks.
February 23, 2024
How many people can actually boast of having lived over 100 years with clear and concise memory, bountiful enthusiasm for life, sports, spirituality, wit, wisdom, humour and so much more. Sister Jean deserves 10 stars just for that.
Sister Jean describes her fascinating life.. from teaching at a Catholic school during the Second World War to serving on a Chicago college campus in the sixties and beyond to always showing up to cheer for her favourite men’s basketball team.
Till this very day Sister Jean stands loyal to her Loyola students who often knock at her office door and asks if she has time to chat, an activity that she does daily.
Sister Jean loves being around young people and always having a purpose.
She is still with us at 104, still going strong and still waking up with a purpose.
She has become a Super Celebrity.
May God bless her and keeps giving her strength to continue sharing her wisdom.
Sister Jean describes her fascinating life.. from teaching at a Catholic school during the Second World War to serving on a Chicago college campus in the sixties and beyond to always showing up to cheer for her favourite men’s basketball team.
Till this very day Sister Jean stands loyal to her Loyola students who often knock at her office door and asks if she has time to chat, an activity that she does daily.
Sister Jean loves being around young people and always having a purpose.
She is still with us at 104, still going strong and still waking up with a purpose.
She has become a Super Celebrity.
May God bless her and keeps giving her strength to continue sharing her wisdom.
November 12, 2025
Short & sweet, just like Sister Jean! Unfortunately, she passed when I was about half way through the book but her life & legacy will extend far beyond her death. Though I was recommended this (audio)book by a friend, I have sweet memories of watching her on TV during basketball games with my dad. Her life stood as a beautiful testament that despite differences in belief, love & empathy are powerful!
July 20, 2023
“life’s a team sport, after all”
this book was a much needed reminder of so many of the things I care about🫶 ty sister jean!
this book was a much needed reminder of so many of the things I care about🫶 ty sister jean!
April 28, 2023
A true Saint.
April 7, 2023
What more can I say than inspiration. Sister Jean goes through the beginnings of her life and how she has adapted, accepted and flourished in all her surroundings. As she states in the Prologue, “adaptability is my superpower”
Yes, there is a lot of basketball information in this book but if you look at it regards to Sister Jean’s experiences and how she tells them you can benefit greatly. Her life of purpose can be a tool to learn. As she states, “I do think having a daily, consistent purpose has kept me not only alive but young and vibrant.”
Much of the research on aging will definitely backup her findings.
Yes, there is a lot of basketball information in this book but if you look at it regards to Sister Jean’s experiences and how she tells them you can benefit greatly. Her life of purpose can be a tool to learn. As she states, “I do think having a daily, consistent purpose has kept me not only alive but young and vibrant.”
Much of the research on aging will definitely backup her findings.
May 21, 2023
For what this is (a memoir written by a Sister and Chaplain for a college basketabll team), I really enjoyed it. There was some good advice in there, some talk about the value of athletics, and of course many references to faith. It was one of a kind to me, and I loved that it was published so recently and even referenced the pandemic of 2020. May buy a copy in the future for my personal library.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 333 reviews