Matilda Pihart

While BSM is a Catholic School, it is also home to various other religions.

From monthly Mass to required theology classes, much of Benilde-St. Margaret’s identity ties to its roots as a Catholic School. While many parents choose to send their children to BSM because of its rich Catholic culture, the school’s distinguished academic reputation is an additional factor that draws in students from other religious backgrounds.

Given that BSM follows the Roman Catholic tradition, the school tends to teach from that lens. Nonetheless, Campus Minister Mike Jeremiah sees BSM as an all-inclusive Catholic school. “We have Mass, but… regardless of what faith tradition [you believe in], we respect that. And our basic thing is to help you grow in that, to help you… regardless of [your] faith belief,” Jeremiah said.

BSM aims to be inclusive of the various religions on campus by having students from different religions lead processions, as well as organizing interfaith prayer services. “…[At our interfaith prayer service,] We have Cantor Ben [Tisser] from Beth El who represents the Jewish faith. We have Tamim Saidi, who represents [the] Muslim [faith]… so all different faiths. I think the key word is respect and value because we value all faiths,” Jeremiah said.

In addition to this, BSM also offers a world theology class for seniors, where students are able to learn about the five major world religions outside of Catholicism. “I think world religions is one of the most important classes to take because it really does help you expand your worldview… [and] the more you know, the better able you’ll be to be in [a] relationship with people, [and] have meaningful conversations with people,” theology teacher Becca Meagher said.

As of now, world religions class is only offered to seniors at Benilde-St. Margaret’s, but there is potential for change. “In [the bishops curriculum] framework [that BSM follows], world religions is listed as an elective…. option for senior year. So we’ve always just had it there… But I think there is room for conversation about moving it,” Meagher said.

Interfaith students are not opposed to learning about Catholicism, and can even find connections between both faiths. “I feel like there are benefits to learning about Catholicism. As a Muslim, I feel like there’s a lot of connections between the two. But I feel like they should also represent other religions in a good way. If they don’t know how to represent the religions, then [don’t do] it at all,” senior Maya Sonbol, a practicing Muslim, said.

However, while some concepts between faiths may be linked, interfaith students face the obstacle of being able to stay in touch with their own faith. A study conducted in a Catholic school found that of ten main challenges reported by interfaith students, compulsory attendance in religious activities and attending classes on religious education subjects were the two main ones.

This trend is reflected throughout BSM as well, with students feeling as though being of different faith might hold them back from staying connected to their religious traditions. “Having [a] different faith is [hard because] you’re kind of forced to go to Mass and to these prayers… you don’t really know how to stay connected to your faith when the whole space around you [only celebrates one faith] 24/7,” Sonbol said.

Students of faith have also found trouble in holding their respective perspectives while still being able to answer theological questions from the Christian viewpoint. Although not all theology classes are closed to different viewpoints, Sonbol explains that she has gotten points marked off in the past because of her different beliefs. “In seventh grade, for example, we had to do these prayer services, and I couldn’t participate. So I got an F on it. I’ve [also] had some teachers comment on [my work] and say, ‘this isn’t right,’ when in reality, it’s my religion and my belief. So I had to alter it just to get a good grade,” Sonbol said.

This environment affects not just students of different religions, but can also cause difficulties for students who are in the process of exploring their faith lives. “[For] most of my sophomore year, one of the theology teachers tried to force Catholicism on me, even when I specifically stated that I really don’t know where I’m at [with my faith] right now,” senior Montoya Aguilar, an atheist, said.

The theology department is working on ways to improve these situations for all students. “I know within our department, there is a strong sense of making sure students of other faiths, especially students of non- Christian faiths, understand the concepts that we’re covering and [that we are able] to modify assignments so that they make sense to them,” Meagher said.

Yet while teachers may be attempting to work on in-classroom issues, interfaith students have noticed that it has turned into a social issue as well. “I feel like the way my religion is taught at Benilde has definitely taken effect [on] other people’s beliefs about my religion… Being known [as Muslim] has definitely taken a lot of my social life and made me see a lot of things…I’ve had a couple of friends kind of slip up and say some disrespectful things to me,” Sonbol said.

Meagher recognizes this, and admits that BSM still has ways to go. “I always think there’s room for improvement… whether it’s offering our Muslim students time to pray [or] supporting them during Ramadan… remembering our Jewish students… [or creating] affinity Groups… [It’s important] to ask the people who would need the [support],” Meagher said.

Benilde-St. Margaret’s may be centered around its Catholic core, but having interfaith students around campus is important. “[Having different faiths at BSM] gives us a broader view and it shows us the way our world is today… I think having so many different beliefs and having so many unique people, it helps us to understand and to be accepting of other people,” Jeremiah said.

BSM works to foster inclusivity by embracing the diverse student body. “I’ve always said that here at BSM. We are different… we don’t have to be like everybody out there… there are so many different talents and beliefs and values… we’re family brothers and sisters and let’s treat each other that way with respect,” Jeremiah said.