San Antonio, Texas, Jun 7, 2007 / 09:12 am
In the sparse setting of their convent, the 23 nuns of the Salesian Sisters of Mary Immaculate Province have a new prayer intention, that the San Antonio Spurs win the championship.
With basketball players' names pinned to white smocks beneath their habits, the nuns have become ardent supporters of the Spurs.
It all started when Sister Filomena Conte, took up the cause. Sr. Filomena was the most avid fan in the convent. She watched or listened to every game, praying for the team and even corresponding with Coach Gregg Popovich.
The enthusiastic sister’s support knew no limits. When she suffered from a congestive heart condition and was ordered onto bed rest, she would listen to the games on the radio. When she was ordered to a hospital, she had one question as she waited with another sister: "Am I going to have a room before the game starts?"
Unfortunately, Sister Conte passed away on March 8th. Since her passing, the rest of the sisters have taken up her passion. “We pray for them to win, but we also pray for them to continue their sportsmanship," said Sister Sandra Neaves, the superior of the order in the Western U.S.