Sisters Transfer Sponsorship to Duluth Benedictine Ministries
In June 2022, after twenty years of discernment and four years of concerted effort, the Duluth Benedictines submitted a petition to the Vatican for transfer of sponsorship from the Benedictine Sisters to a ‘Ministerial Public Juridic Person’ which would be called Duluth Benedictine Ministries. An MPJP is in canon law similar to a corporation in civil law. Approval was made official on December 8, 2022.
This transfer allows our Community to share our oversight of the educational and healthcare institutions that we founded. Duluth Benedictine Ministries (DBM), whose membership consists of both Sisters and laity, will help maintain our legacies in healthcare and education into the future, ensuring that they adhere to their Catholic identity and the Benedictine charism.
On September 28, 2023, sponsorship was officially transferred to DBM at a Solemn Mass, celebrated by Bishop Daniel Felton in Our Lady Queen of Peace Chapel. After the homily, Sister Beverly Raway, Prioress, commissioned Lori Collard as chair of the Governing Body of DBM. Ms. Collard then accepted the formal commitments of the canonical stewards, DBM leaders, and the presidents/CEOs and mission leaders of each sponsored institution. Each was presented with a pin with the new DBM logo.
‘Canonical stewards’ is a new term coined by the Vatican for what we would ordinarily call board members. Five Sisters and four lay men and women serve in this capacity, with leaders of our sponsored ministries as ex officio members.
Bishop Daniel was instrumental in obtaining the support of the bishops in the fifteen dioceses where our sponsored ministries are located, and has supported us with his prayers and practical help.
The sponsored institutions are Benedictine (formerly Benedictine Health System); The College of St. Scholastica; St. Mary’s Health in Cottonwood, Idaho; St. Francis Regional Medical Center in Shakopee, Minnesota; and the Catholic entities of Essentia Health. These last include St. Mary’s Medical Center and Polinsky Medical Rehabilitation Center in Duluth, St. Mary’s Hospital in Superior, St. Joseph Medical Center in Brainerd, St. Mary’s Hospital in Detroit Lakes, and Holy Trinity Hospital in Graceville.
