In Loving Memory
Sister Mary Paul (Collette) Ludwig, OSB, 90, died at St. Scholastica Monastery on May 7, 2010. On August 30, 1938, she entered the Duluth Benedictine community as a postulant, was admitted to the novitiate July 9, 1939, professed monastic vows July 11, 1940, and made her final monastic commitment July 11, 1943. She celebrated her Silver Jubilee in 1965, her Golden Jubilee August 12, 1990, and her Diamond Jubilee August 12, 2000.
Sister Mary Paul was born February 20, 1920, in Duluth, Minnesota, one of ten children born to Charles and Verena (Rodenkirch) Ludwig. She attended Duluth Cathedral Grade School and Stanbrook Hall High School. She received a B.A. in Elementary Education from The College of St. Scholastica in 1953 and an M.E. in Elementary Supervision and Administration from Marquette University, Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Other professional training included courses for educational planning for Latin America offered by the United Nations in Santiago, Chile, and completion of a course for certification as an Executive Housekeeper through Normandale College, Minneapolis, Minnesota.
During her active career, Sister Mary Paul ministered in many and diverse capacities, but she admitted her favorite ministry was in Chile. In 1963, to prepare for her work in South America, she attended the Center of International Formation in Cuernavaca, Mexico. The next year she was in the first group of Sisters from the Monastery to go to Antofagasta, Chile. While there she was Principal and Director of grades K-12 at the Colegio San Jose and, later, served as Curriculum Director and Master Teacher at the high school level.
The last four years Sister was in Chile, until her return to Duluth in 1973, Sister Mary Paul worked with FIDE, the Federation of Chilean private schools in Santiago. She served in a number of positions there, including: Director of the National Linguistic Reading Program for the Federation of Private Education in Santiago, technical advisor to the Ministry of Education, Technical Advisor to the Ministry of Education, Coordinator of the private schools in Santiago, Supervisor and Coordinator of the reading program in Chile, and Consultant to the American Book Co. for its publications regarding teaching English as a second language. She also founded and contributed to several educational magazines in Chile.
When Sister Mary Paul returned to Duluth, and until 1993, she worked in diverse ministries: Co-chaired the Benedictine Community Renewal Process, was Executive Coordinator of the Duluth Diocesan Pastoral Council, and Director of Environmental Services at the Benedictine Health Center. She attracted national attention when she was appointed by Bishop Paul Anderson as Administrator of Our Lady of Mercy Parish, Duluth. In 1985 she worked in the College Library, co-directed the Monastery Gift Shop, directed the Enrichment Center at the Monastery, and tutored high school students in Spanish.
In 1995 Sister Mary Paul retired but continued putting in as much time as her health permitted, working in Hospice at St. Mary’s Medical Center and Solvay Hospice House and organizing and providing breads and jam for the Sisters annual Christmas sale as well as doing craft work, and sewing for the Sisters. She helped with the Rhubarb Festival sponsored by CHUM and made quilts, hats, mittens, and scarves for the homeless and made complete newborn baby kits, including Christmas stockings and quilts for the Pediatrics department of St. Mary’s Medical Center Duluth, Minnesota.
Sister Mary Paul was preceded in death by her parents, Charles and Verena (Rodenkirch) Ludwig, four brothers: Charles, Urban, Paul and Joseph, and four sisters: Marguerite (Merritt-Shearer), Henerietta (Payson), Eda (Christianson), and Mary (DeChantal-Nelson). In addition to the Sisters of St. Scholastica she is survived by her sister, Mrs. Richard (Therese) Piekarski, Glenwood, Minnesota, and many other relatives and friends.
A wake service was held at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, May 11, in Our Lady Queen of Peace Chapel at St. Scholastica Monastery, with visitation until 10:45 a.m. The Mass of Christian Burial followed at 11 a.m. with Father William Graham as presider. Interment was in Gethsemane Cemetery.
MINISTRIES
Education Ministry
- St, Timothy’s, Chicago, IL
- St. Thomas School, International Falls, MN
- Assumption School, Hibbing, MN
- Cathedral Grade School, Duluth, MN
- Cathedral Junior High, Duluth, MN
- St. Thomas Parish, Phoenix, AZ
- Holy Name School, Wayzata, MN
Administration
- Principal and Director of grades K-12, Santiago, Chile
- Curriculum Director and Master Teacher for high school, Santiago, Chile
- Director of the National Linguistic Reading Program for the Federation of Private Education, Santiago, Chile
- Technical Advisor to the Ministry of Education, Santiago, Chile
- Supervisor and Coordinator of the reading program in Chile
- Consultant to the American Book Company for its publications regarding teaching English as a second language, Santiago, Chile
- Founded and Contributed to several educational magazines in Chile
- Administrator of Our Lady of Mercy parish, Duluth, Minnesota
Prayer Ministry