Our History
After more than twelve years of careful discussion, education, discernment and preparation, on December 8, 2022, the Benedictine Sisters of St. Scholastica Monastery in Duluth, Minnesota, received approval from the Vatican to transition sponsorship of their ministries to a new ministerial public juridic person (MPJP). This news was joyfully received as the change in sponsorship ensures that the Sisters’ diverse ministries will continue their Catholic identity and Benedictine charisms long into the future. The change in sponsorship also allows capable and trusted laypersons to assume increasing oversight, responsibility and leadership for the ministries and the MPJP.
For over 125 years, the Sisters had been the sole sponsor of five ministries that are increasingly important to the people and communities they serve in healthcare and education. These ministries include Benedictine (long-term healthcare in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Missouri and North Dakota), The College of St. Scholastica (Minnesota), the Catholic facilities of Essentia Health (Minnesota, Wisconsin and North Dakota), St. Mary’s Health (Idaho) and St. Francis Regional Medical Center (Minnesota).
On July 1, 2023, the new ministerial public juridic person - called Duluth Benedictine Ministries (DBM), along with its civil entity, Duluth Benedictine Corporation - began operations.
Our Mission
We are called to faithfully follow and enhance the foundational mission and values of the Benedictine Sisters of St. Scholastica Monastery by advancing the loving works of Jesus through our sponsored ministries in Catholic education and healthcare.
Our Vision
In light of our Benedictine values and by God’s grace, we work to cultivate within our sponsored ministries a wellspring of growth, welcome and fullness-of-life in body, mind and spirit responding to the needs of the Church and the people we are called to serve.
Our Values
HOSPITALITY
We welcome all as Christ. From the Rule of St. Benedict, we strive to listen with the ear of our heart. We openly offer encouragement and foster a warm sense of community. This is fundamental to our way of life as Benedictines. We work to be open to new ideas and change.
STEWARDSHIP
At all times, we strive to exercise wise and respectful use of God’s gifts to us — material, natural and financial resources — keeping in mind that we are stewards for future generations. We recognize the importance of our human resources and our responsibility to care for them. We encourage and promote ongoing formation, education, development and application of God given talent in all we do — work, learning, creativity, recreation, prayer and worship.
JUSTICE
We work to support those in need in all our communities. We strive to develop and maintain respectful relationships in our communities, our families and within ourselves. We promote diversity, equity and inclusion while practicing open and fair decision-making. We work together to create a community culture that reflects that we are all God’s children.
RESPECT
We cherish and promote the worth of God’s precious creation, especially human life. We strive to treat each person with dignity and reverence. We honor and support the unique spirituality of each person. We value the dignity of all work, as it is both a vocation and a calling. We engage and support the participation of all people in the decisions that affect their lives. In all that we do, we focus on the best interests of the people and ministries we serve.