During the NBA playoffs, the players on the court aren’t the only stars grabbing the attention of sports fans.
As the San Antonio Spurs continue their quest to beat the New York Knicks and become NBA champions, the Salesian Sisters of St. John Bosco have become stars in their own right as members of the San Antonio chapter show up in the stands and support the players.
Nicknamed the “Spurs Nuns,” these ladies offer spiritual support to the team while also spreading Pope Leo XIV’s prayer intention for June to focus on the value of sports and their potential to promote peace and respect globally.
As the NBA finals continue, Us Weekly is taking a closer look at the “Spurs Nuns” before they are spotted inside the Frost Bank Center once again. Keep reading to learn more about the Salesian Sisters of St. John Bosco:
Do the ‘Spurs Nuns’ Truly Love Basketball?
While some fans are discovering the “Spurs Nuns” during the NBA playoffs, Sister Bernadette Mota assures fans that the Sisters check the team’s score all season long.
After all, they love the organization’s “loyalty and unity.”
“These are great values and virtues for society today,” Mota explained to The New York Times in June 2026, “because there’s a lot of division in our world out there.”
Mota played basketball in high school before lettering in cross country and track during college. She briefly coached high school basketball before devoting herself to the convent in 2005 at the age of 25.
What Do San Antonio Spurs Players Think of the ‘Spurs Nuns’?
During the Western Conference Finals in May 2026, San Antonio Spurs player Luke Kornet received a special blessing before game time. His team went on to beat the Oklahoma City Thunder in a 103-82 victory.
“We’re gonna fly them to OKC,” Kornet joked to reporters after the game. “I don’t know, we got to get ’em on the plane.”
It’s safe to say the sisters wouldn’t object.
“I just really look up to the way he’s not afraid to share his faith on the public scene,” Mota recently told Sojourners when describing Kornet.
She also praised Victor Wembanyama as “the best player,” and noted Dylan Harper once graduated from one of their Salesian schools.
Who Are the Salesian Sisters of St. John Bosco?
Described as the largest congregation of women religious with over 10,500 Sisters serving in 97 countries, the Salesian Sisters of St. John Bosco were founded in 1872 and are dedicated to evangelizing young people through reason, religion and loving kindness.
For the Sisters serving at the San Antonio chapter, attending Spurs games is a unique way to meet young believers where they are at.
“We’re serving the poor and the young,” Mota previously shared with National Catholic Reporter. “And in order to reach the young where they’re at, you have to love what they love and then they’ll love who you love. So, we have that affinity with the Spurs because it gives us an avenue to do our mission with the young people that we serve.”
How Do the ‘Spurs Nuns’ Get Their Tickets?
According to The New York Times, the Sisters receive basketball game tickets as gifts, including four seats for the NBA Finals from a car dealership.
Before going viral, the Sisters said they would occasionally be recognized in the San Antonio community. Now, they have thousands of fans online asking to pray for a Spurs victory.
What Is a Day in the Life for the ‘Spurs Nuns’?
According to Mota, there is no special prayer that allows the San Antonio Spurs to win.
On game day, the Sisters follow a normal routine, which includes attending chapel at 6:30 a.m. for 30 minutes of prayer and meditation. Mass, liturgy of the hours and breakfast as a group follow.
The afternoon includes various forms of ministry before saying the rosary in the evening.
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