On April 3, four educators from the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis will receive the Cross “Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice” award for long and distinguished exceptional service to the Catholic Church, especially in Catholic education.
Fred Blonigen, currently a parishioner at St. Anthony in St. Cloud, is retired, having devoted 32 years of service at St. Agnes School in St. Paul, where he taught theology, including an introduction to Catholicism, Scripture, the sacraments and Church history at all four high school grades.
“My favorite course was Catholic apologetics. And I ended my career teaching a seminar-style honors course on the great Catholic books from the classics to the present,” Blonigen said.
“I particularly liked teaching the faith to that age level — it was my joy and privilege to deal with teens. What I treasure most was that St. Agnes was so faithful to the Church, which was a big draw to me, and the parents and their children.”
Always an educator, Blonigen is active locally and has spoken at many parishes in the Diocese of St. Cloud as well as the annual diocesan Men’s Conference.
His philosophy — “Never water down the truth, but tell what the Church teaches, and do it with charity” — was the same, whether for youth or for the adults he’s more recently taught. As his motto, he used the words of Joseph Pieper, “Love of truth and love of men: only the two together constitute a teacher.”
On the practical side, Blonigen said, “My one guiding principle was to encourage questions, about what was troubling them. That’s how you learn and grow.”
Archbishop Bernard Hebda will present the medallions and scrolls on April 3 during the Archdiocesan Catholic School Leadership Convocation at St. Mary in Stillwater, Minnesota.
Archbishop Hebda said, “As the Archdiocese begins its celebration of the 175th anniversary of our founding, I am delighted that the Holy Father has recognized the dedicated service of these faithful women and men in Catholic education. What a selfless gift they have given to countless children, families and schools. We are so grateful for their ongoing witness to Jesus Christ in their communities.”
Others receiving the award in Minnesota are Jane Bona, a retired principal at Immaculate Conception Catholic School, Columbia Heights, with 15 years of service; Sister Tresa Jose Athickal, Franciscan Clarist Congregati, a retired teacher at St. Therese School, Deephaven, with more than 50 years of service; and Gary Wilmer, a retired education administrator for the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis with 58 years of service.
“We are thrilled to be able to celebrate these deserving Catholic educators for their papal honor,” said Jason Slattery, director of Catholic education and superintendent of schools for the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis. “We are grateful for their tremendous contributions to help form students and educate them for life. What a remarkable legacy of helping hands on the Catholic faith.”
The Cross “Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice” (Latin for “For the Church and the Pope”) was established in 1888 by Pope Leo XIII. This is the first time that Catholic educators from the archdiocese have received the honor.