No pie at Saint John's, but motherly solicitude at Saint Benedict's
Saint John’s
The College regulations were read to us. We had to rise at 5 o’clock, say our morning prayers, attend daily Mass, then study and 7 o’clock breakfast; i.e. a cup of coffee—if such it could be called—and dry bread, no butter or molasses or sugar there. After breakfast free for one half hour, at 8 o’clock classes began and lasted until eleven; then dinner.
At dinner a watery black soup with plenty of bread in it invariably made its appearance, presumably an edition seconde of the soup prepared by Lycurgus for the boys of Sparta. After soup came potatoes and meat—never more than one kind—then bread. Our drink was water. We never had pie or delicacies—in fact, there is serious doubt whether our culinary lord ever knew of these agreeable items.
After dinner, free time until one o’clock, then classes resumed. At three we received a piece of dry bread. From 4 to 6 we had to study, at 6 o’clock supper. From 7½ to 8½ study time, then night prayers and to bed. After night prayers silence reigned supreme, no talking whatever was allowed.
[Recollections by Anthony Edelbrock (who became, as Alexius, second abbot of Saint John’s) on the earliest days of Saint John’s in the late 1850s, published in The Record, February 1888. Quoted in Colman Barry, OSB, Worship and Work, 3rd ed. (Collegeville: Liturgical Press, 1993), 57-58.]
Saint Benedict’s
[Newspaper Advertisement]
St. Agnes Academy. Under the Guidance of the Sisters of St. Benedict. Corner of St. Germain Street and Hanover Ave., St. Cloud, Minnesota.
The academy is situated in one of the healthiest and most convenient parts of St. Cloud, and offers an extensive view upon the city, whilst the playgrounds about the building offer to the students opportunity for healthy exercises. The curriculum embraces all branches which are of use to young ladies. Time and attention will be given especially to those students whose relatives wish that they acquire a knowledge of languages, sewing, music, drawing, and painting, which subjects can also be registered for without following the regular school courses. Upon the health of the students care will be bestowed with motherly solicitude and their progress in virtue and science will be cultivated with the greatest zeal.
No student will be admitted for a shorter period of time than one term. Spending money and stamps must be given over to the directress; likewise all incoming and outgoing correspondence is subject to inspection.
Instruction in English, German, and sewing, embroidering, as well as vocal lessons will be given. For tuition, board, and laundry a charge of $50.00 is asked.
[Der Nordstern, January 18, 1877. Quoted in M. Grace McDonald, OSB, With Lamps Burning, American Benedictine Academy, Historical Studies: Monasteries and Convents, 4. Convent of Saint Benedict (St. Joseph, Minnesota: Saint Benedict’s Convent, 1957), 70-71.]