The real story behind Spurs’ viral nun superfans, the Salesian Sisters of St. John Bosco

The Spurs’ most unexpected Finals stars are not coming off the bench; they are praying in jerseys over their habits.

The Salesian Sisters of St. John Bosco have become one of the most talked-about stories of San Antonio’s playoff run, but their connection to the team goes far beyond social media.

Their story is rooted in decades of Spurs fandom, a struggling school on San Antonio’s West Side, and a mission that uses basketball to connect with children and families.

Salesian Sisters turn Spurs fame into real support

ESPN reported that Sister Bernadette Mota wants the spotlight to highlight the sisters’ real work, rather than turn them into a Finals sideshow.

“We don’t want to be an advertising gimmick or anything like that,” Mota said. “Our life is dedicated to God… We’re in a very poor and impoverished area. We have a school that’s hanging on by an edge right now, so the amount of support that has come through is a real blessing because otherwise we wouldn’t be making it… This really is a godsend for us at this moment.”

That support has quickly become real. Spurs Impact provided 30 tickets for families the sisters work with, Kahlig Auto Group offered suite access, San Antonio Shoemakers gifted custom Spurs shoes, and the San Antonio Zoo donated 200 tickets and a gift basket.

The spotlight has also helped raise awareness for St. John Bosco School, where the sisters serve young people in one of the city’s poorer communities.

Spurs nuns built their bond through Popovich and prayer

The sisters’ connection to the Spurs goes back long before Victor Wembanyama’s Finals run.

After San Antonio’s 2007 title, Gregg Popovich visited the Provincial House with players, took photos, and spoke warmly with the sisters. Sister Gumzan, who died in 2018, later said Popovich knelt to talk with them and corresponded by letter.

Popovich also played in a charity golf tournament that helped raise money for the sisters and asked them to pray for the team. NBC reported that the sisters even wrote to him when they thought he had lost his temper on the sideline.

The modern face of that bond is Luke Kornet. Before Game 4 of the Western Conference Finals, Sister Mota asked to bless the devout Catholic backup center, who bent down so she could place her hand on his head and pray.

The sisters attended Games 1 and 2 of the Finals and are expected to be around the Spurs story again for Game 3 in New York. Their appeal is simple: in a series filled with stars, the “Spurs Nuns” feel real.

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