An Episcopal Identity Statement aims to formally articulate what it means for us to be an Episcopal school and be more united around how we live out this faith as a community. Such statements, though painfully short, are a common practice among schools like ours; they help to stay committed to the character, spirituality, and religious practice of the Episcopal tradition with greater clarity, confidence, and fullness. Both a touchstone and a compass, this statement also illuminates the connection between our faith heritage and our commitment to inclusion, service, and building a beloved community.

Through rigorous but tender discussions and multiple rounds of feedback, we worked hard to authentically represent a wide range of St. Anne’s voices, perspectives, and aspirations. With a firm commitment to the legacy of the Sisters and their Christian faith, we strived to be responsive to the needs of our diverse and evolving community and create a common language for a living expression of what it means to be St. Anne’s Episcopal School in the City of Denver today.

We hope that this statement conveys the spirit of our Founders as well as a warm welcome felt by many who step foot on campus and opens a door for all to consider a St. Anne’s education. Knowing that St. Anne’s Sisters were wholeheartedly dedicated to God and to following Him in the world, the statement reflects our deep respect for the variety of religious and secular backgrounds of our families and serves as an invitation for a continued dialogue about questions of faith, belief, and belonging.

We are proud to share this statement with the full St. Anne’s community so that together, we may continue to practice what has guided this school since its founding with authenticity and grace. We look forward to the conversations, reflections, and shared experiences this work will continue to inspire. 

(Owned by one of our Sisters, with the Medal of St. Anne)

The rosary is a prayer tool in the Christian tradition, especially within Catholicism, used to guide meditation on the life of Jesus and the Virgin Mary. Each bead represents a prayer, and together they form a rhythm of reflection and devotion. This rosary includes a medal of St. Anne, the mother of Mary and grandmother of Jesus, who is honored as a model of faith and family love. By including it in our display, we recognize the deep role of prayer, tradition, and family within Christianity and in the life of our school’s namesake, Saint Anne.

“The habit of the Order of St. Anne shall be grey, with a grey girdle and a black wooden cross.” Crosses like these were given to the Sisters upon joining the Order and served as a symbol of belonging, commitment, and faith. The habit altogether is not only a way to distinguish a noun from lay people, but also to remind those who wear it of humility and service to God. 

A Tibetan prayer flag is a colorful rectangular cloth, often found strung along trails and peaks high in the Himalayas. They are used to bless the surrounding countryside and for other purposes. Prayer flags are believed to have originated within the religious tradition of Bon. Traditional prayer flags include woodblock-printed text and images. One doesn’t have to be Buddhist to use prayer flags, but must handle them with respect and good intentions. Tibetan prayer flags come in sets of five, with one flag in each of the five colors. Blue symbolizes sky and space, white - air and wind, red - fire, green - water, yellow - Earth.

Across the world, plants like sage and sweetgrass have long been used in spiritual and religious practices. In ancient Roman rituals, sage was associated with wisdom and purification. In parts of Europe, it was burned to ward off illness and misfortune. Sweetgrass has been used in Nordic and Baltic traditions as a fragrant offering or to prepare sacred spaces. While these plants appear in many belief systems, they hold unique and sacred meaning in Indigenous cultures. In Native communities—especially among tribes with ancestral ties to the lands now called Colorado sage and sweetgrass are not simply useful plants; they are living medicine, deeply woven into ceremonial life, storytelling, and community identity.

Sage and sweetgrass are deeply rooted in the spiritual and cultural traditions of many Indigenous nations. Their use is ceremonial and guided by specific practices that have been passed down through generations. Sage is burned to cleanse people, spaces, and objects of negative energy. Sweetgrass, braided and burned, invites positive spirits and blessings. Both plants carry prayers to the Creator and are considered sacred medicine.

Lifeways of the Ute Tribes in Colorado
In Colorado, the Southern Ute and Ute Mountain Ute Tribes maintain a strong connection to the land. Sage is often used in purification ceremonies, including sweat lodges and community gatherings. While sweetgrass is more commonly used by Northern Plains nations, its role in drawing in good spirits aligns with broader Indigenous understandings of harmony and connection. These traditions are still practiced today and are protected as expressions of cultural and spiritual identity.

Ceremonial Practices and Protocols
The act of burning sage or sweetgrass is called smudging. It is done with intention, guided by knowledge keepers and Elders. These practices are ceremonial and not for entertainment or display. The plants are gathered respectfully, often with prayer and offerings, and their use follows specific teachings. Their power comes not only from the plants themselves but also from the relationships built with land, community, and spirit.

Respecting Tradition in Contemporary Contexts
Some challenges arise when these sacred practices are removed from their original context. Selling sage in stores or using smudging as a trend can cause harm and disrespect. Overharvesting has made white sage scarce in some regions. It is important to support Indigenous sovereignty over cultural practices and to seek guidance when learning about or engaging with these traditions.

Walking with Respect and Purpose
Let this be a call to honor the teachings, traditions, and sovereignty of Indigenous peoples. White sage and sweetgrass carry the wisdom of ancestors, the strength of ceremony, and the guidance of spirit. Approach these sacred practices with humility. Listen deeply. Learn from those who hold the stories and the knowledge. In doing so, you help protect what is sacred, and you walk in solidarity toward a more respectful and just world.