“Strong courageous leadership” is the phrase most often used to describe the life of Sister Liguori Sullivan who lived and loved Benedictine Monastic life for seventy-four years. Born in Spring Fork, Missouri, Sister Liguori entered Mount Saint Scholastica in Atchison, Kansas in June of 1933 and made final monastic profession in January of 1938.
Sister received her B.S. at Mt. St. Scholastica College, her M.S. from Kansas State University and did postgraduate work at Creighton University and Kansas state Teachers College. During her many years of educational ministry, Sister Liguori was an excellent teacher and strong administrator…influencing many students…in both Catholic high schools and colleges, in Kansas and Colorado.
In August of 1963 Mother Celeste missioned Sister Liguori to establish a new Benedictine foundation in Colorado and to organize Benet Hill Academy for girls. Sister served as the first Prioress from 1965-1975.
In 1977 Sister Liguori responded to the educational needs of Catholics in Pueblo, and founded a private independent Catholic School, John Neumann K-9. In her later years, Sister established and directed the Adult Literacy Opportunity Program which prepared women and men to make their GED and citizenship goals a reality.
Her love of Benedictine Monastic Life, a belief in the importance of education, a need to “make this world a better place” and spontaneity in Irish wit combined with an intimacy with Christ lives on in her legacy to the Benet Hill Community. When Sister Liguori finished her service as prioress she said, “My greatest and most worthwhile achievement is that as foundress of Benet Hill. I have helped a pioneering group of dedicated women grow into a faith community eager to serve God’s people. This small community has something of lasting value to offer the people of God.”
