From the Office of the Superintendent: Building the Foundation for the Future

Dear Alumni, Parents, Students, Faculty, Staff, Monastic Community and Friends,

With hearts full of gratitude, we begin the celebration of the 135th Anniversary of Saint Bede
Academy.

For 135 years, Saint Bede has been a place where young people are invited to seek God, pursue
excellence and grow into lives of purpose, leadership and service. Rooted in the Benedictine
values of faith, community, hospitality, stewardship and scholarship, our Academy has shaped
generations of students while remaining faithful to its founding mission..

As we celebrate this milestone, we give thanks for all who have been part of the Saint Bede
story: the monks whose vision established the school, the faculty and staff who have dedicated
their lives to its mission, the families who have entrusted us with their children, and the alumni,
benefactors, and friends whose generosity has sustained this community across the decades.

Our anniversary invites us to remember a remarkable beginning.

On the 7th of September, 1891, Saint Bede opened its doors on this historic site overlooking the
Illinois River Valley. What emerged from the rich farmland of north-central Illinois was more than
a school. It was a bold act of faith and a commitment to the transformative power of Catholic
education. The Benedictine monks who founded Saint Bede believed that education was a
sacred ministry—one that would form both minds and hearts.

At a joyous celebration at Saint Bede on October 10, 1891, Bishop John Lancaster Spalding
delivered his Dedication of St. Bede College address remarking on the enduring contribution of
the Benedictine tradition, observing that “faith and love, humility and patience are the saving
principles. They fertilize the earth, illumine the mind, strengthen the heart.” More than a century
later, his words still capture the mission of Saint Bede Academy.

Saint Bede today looks different from the Academy that opened in 1891. In those early years,
nearly every role on campus was filled by monks—teachers, prefects, administrators, coaches,
maintenance staff, groundskeepers, and spiritual leaders. Over time, as the monastic community
evolved, a new generation of talented lay educators and staff stepped forward to continue this
important work. Today, Saint Bede is blessed with exceptional faculty, dedicated personnel, and
support staff who, under the guidance and inspiration of the monastic community, faithfully
advance the Benedictine mission. The people have changed, but the values endure.

Those founders built for a future they would never see. We are the beneficiaries of their faith,
sacrifice, and foresight. Now the responsibility is ours.

As we honor our past, we must also prepare for our future. A strong future for Saint Bede
depends on remaining accessible, mission-driven, and financially sustainable. Central to that
future is our responsibility to build a lasting endowment.

An endowment is more than a financial asset; it is a lasting investment in the Academy's mission.
it supports scholarships and financial aid, strengthens academic and student programs, attracts
outstanding faculty, and provides stability during changing economic times. In many ways, an
endowment is the bridge between generations—linking the generosity of yesterday with the
needs of tomorrow.

One of the greatest benefits of a strong endowment is that it helps keep a Saint Bede education
within reach for families. While tuition remains essential, tuition alone cannot sustain everything
that makes this school exceptional. Simply put, endowment is what allows a school to make
decisions based on mission rather than financial pressure.

As stewards of this institution, we are called not merely to preserve Saint Bede, but to
strengthen it. May this anniversary deepen our gratitude, renew our commitment to our

mission, and inspire us to invest boldly in the future.

Together, let us celebrate 135 years of Benedictine education and ensure that Saint Bede
continues to flourish for generations to come.

With gratitude and prayers,

Eve Postula ’84

Saint Bede Academy Superintendent

"That in all things God may be glorified."
— Rule of Saint Benedict 57:9