Celebrating 150 Years in Mankato

The School Sisters of Notre Dame were literally the answer to a prayer made by the citizens of Mankato, Minn. In the final years of the Civil War, members of SS. Peter & Paul’s Catholic Church sought to establish an enduring and all-encompassing educational system for Mankato’s citizens. After a failed first attempt in 1864, Mother Caroline Friess from Milwaukee’s School Sisters of Notre Dame was able to provide sisters to teach in their school in 1865.

Among the several events planned to note the 150th anniversary of SSND in Mankato is a concert that includes narration depicting their story. The concert will be 1 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 20, in the chapel at Good Counsel. Admission is free and a reception with refreshments will follow.

In honor of the milestone, Sister Mary Ann Osborne, SSND, has created a wood carving that depicts historical highlights. The carving includes the blue of the Minnesota River, which takes a turn from a southeasterly path to the northeast at Mankato. Four women represent Sisters Ambrosia, Johanna of the Cross and Rebeccah, along with candidate Mary Helling, who traveled from Milwaukee to Mankato in 1865. For a full description of the elements in the carving and how they relate to history, click here.

Following a five-day journey from Milwaukee that included traveling by train, boat and mail coach, the three sisters and a candidate arrived in Mankato on Sept. 3, 1865, and began offering classes in the new church and school built for the purpose. For the first couple of months, instruction of the 250 children and young people was focused on preparing them for First Holy Communion. Beginning in November of that year, 87 students took on the usual subjects and education took hold.

As the schools grew so did the need for more sisters and a permanent home for them. A gift of land was arranged, in no small part by the students of Sister Mary Isidore Schumacher who were then among the city’s most affluent businessmen. In 1912 the first building at Our Lady of Good Counsel opened. Others followed, including a chapel opened in 1926.

Although fewer in number, the School Sisters of Notre Dame continue to play a role in education in the Mankato area, as landlord to Loyola Catholic School and operators of The Good Counsel Learning Center, founded in 1967 and now expanding its role as educators of immigrant families adapting to a new home and new culture.

How do you react when you’re unable to get what you think you need?

Photo credit: Sister Mary Ann Osborne