The Sisters of St. Joseph, the Christian Brothers, and the Benedictines are the three charisms of BSM. These charisms are credited with starting the school and helping it grow and have had an undoubtedly large impact on BSM. This year, faculty and staff are trying to make their presence more visible.
BSM stands out among the other Catholic schools having three charisms, whereas most only have one. Despite this, the BSM community feels they have not emphasized their importance and influence in the past few years nearly as much as they should. With this year being BSM’s 50th anniversary, faculty and staff believe they should honor the legacy these groups have left behind. “I think we’re emphasizing charisms more because it’s our 50th anniversary. We really want to give thanks for the great foundation that we have…I don’t think we’ve taken enough time in the past to really show our appreciation for all the good things that have happened. Because really, we are what we are today because of all those charisms,” Campus Minister Mike Jeremiah said.
BSM’s history begins with the Sisters of St. Joseph. In 1907, the Sisters opened St. Margaret’s Academy with the goal of providing a Catholic education for young girls. The Sisters of St. Joseph have continued their involvement with BSM to this day, coming into different theology classes and being present at school events. BSM is acknowledging all of the work the Sisters have done for the school that has continued to thrive to this day. “Finding ways to invite the Sisters of St. Joseph into the school and even priests, brothers, [and] sisters from other walks of life is kind of one of the goals, I think, just to make some visibility,” Service Learning Coordinator and Theology Teacher Peg Hodapp said.
In 1956, the Christain Brothers opened up Benilde High School, not far from St. Margaret’s Academy. The two schools dealt with affluence up until the 1970s, when enrollment in high schools started to decline. The two schools were met with conflict and the notion that they would close. However, the Benedictine community of St. John’s Abbey in St. Cloud agreed to provide faculty and staff members to Benilde High School, allowing it to stay open. Then, in 1974, Benilde High School and St. Margaret’s Academy merged, creating Benilde-St. Margaret’s. “The Sisters of St. Joseph and all the work they did for St. Margaret’s Academy, the Christian Brothers and all they did with Benilde, and the Benedictines coming down to truly saving our school…these three religious orders have really served as the foundation of all that we are,” Jeremiah said.
This year, it is evident to students and faculty alike that there is a newfound admiration for BSM’s three charisms. New policies have been introduced, including the extension of prayer during announcements, where BSM asks St. Benedict, St. Benilde, and St. Margaret to “pray for us.” “How we as BSM show up in the world is a reflection of those charisms, so the way we start prayer, how we made those adjustments, and that really incorporates all three of our founding orders,” President of BSM Danielle Hermanny said.
Every day that BSM is open is a tribute to the three charisms. Our charisms make BSM unique, and each group brings a special aspect to the school. “BSM is really fortunate to have these three orders that helped found the school as it is today. I think honoring the legacy and the tradition of those founding orders is really important; they’re part of our history, part of our legacy, and part of who we are,” Hermanny said.