Br. Robert Smith

Robert Smith grew up going to Cretin High School in St. Paul, Minnesota — a Brothers' school where perhaps thirty Brothers taught, half over forty and half considerably younger. It was those younger Brothers who first got his attention: his hockey coaches, his Sophomore English teacher, his freshman religion instructor. They were, as he recalls, "young, energetic, fun, down to earth." He was deep into student government, and a couple of those young Brothers were the moderators. Almost all of them eventually left the Institute — but not before they had planted the seed of his vocation.

The Brother who stayed most firmly in his interior life is Brother Damian Steger — a man who never left Winona from the first day of his novitiate, who spent his entire ministry at Saint Mary's Press in various roles including the final 27 years as President and CEO. Br. Robert entered the Brothers at Saint Mary's and lived in community with Damian, asking him to serve as his Sponsor when he entered the Congregation. What he found in Damian was a man who was "low-key, level-headed, wise, spiritual, enjoyed sports and the outdoors, never — well, hardly ever — took life too seriously." They became very good friends, worked together at the Press, and vacationed together annually for years.

Another formative moment came during a talk by Brother Charles Severin, who said something like: "I could land anywhere on the globe, and there would be a need I could respond to." Asked later what he would do if he were the last Brother in Winona and needed help, he replied that he would go to the hospital or social services, present himself, explain that he had spent 50 years serving young people, and ask to be taken care of. That spirit of selfless service and trust in Providence, Br. Robert says, was both moving and memorable.

His wish for the next generation? Peace. Racial justice. Economic equality. A world in which creation is reverenced and protected. His gift to students? Self-worth. A passion for justice and equity. A belief in and celebration of the Divine. Opportunities to know, learn from, and celebrate differences in people, cultures, and traditions.