Magister
To reverence truth, desire goodness, and rejoice in beauty.
The Gilbertine Academy and
Holy House of Our Lady & St. John
Calgary
Holy House of Our Lady & St. Benedict
Edmonton
Villa Spiritus
Derwent
WISDOM Home Schooling
Alberta-wide
Supporting parents in the education of their children is the sole reason The Gilbertine Institute of Catholic Studies gained accreditation as an Alberta Independent School Authority. As stewards of our faith, employees recognize first and foremost the natural right and responsibility God provides parents to educate their children. We take it upon ourselves to support parents in this unique role, providing them with practical and spiritual assistance. The Institute employs experienced home school parents and graduates to assist parent-directed Home Education. The Institute also employs faithful Catholic teachers to provide full-time and part-time Catholic high school programmes and part-time instruction to home schooled students through Shared Responsibility.
Head of School
Deacon Kenneth Noster Head of School
Welcome to this issue of Magister. The name of our magazine is Latin for “teacher” or “master”, a title that bears significant responsibility for forming students in faith and right-thinking. Truly, our foremost Magister is the Church, and all staff of the schools of The Gilbertine Institute annually pledge obedience to the Magisterium of the Catholic Church.
In this issue, we wish to provide insights into the forming and character of each of our three schools, the unique communities they serve, and the unified effort they provide in planning each
year and supporting each other in teaching our solid Catholic curriculum. Across our schools, the intent is to provide students with artistic and academic skills that prepare them for healthy, faithful lives. Above all, our students sing. Music is essential to the development of each child of God, and we take seriously the impact it has on the intellect, heart, and soul.
I sincerely hope you enjoy reading this issue, immersing yourself in the mission and life of The Schools of the Gilbertine Institute.
kenneth.noster@gilbertineinstitute.com • 825.210.9691
Ab Clero •
Fr. Robert-Charles Bengry
Magister, the Companions of St. Gilbert Pastor, St. John the Evangelist, Calgary Chair of the Gilbertine Institute
It’s been some time since we published an issue of this magazine; I don’t even recall why we stopped printing. This rediscovery, or renoticing, of this thing we once did, but forgot about until now, has me reflecting on the deeper purpose of what we are doing as The Gilbertine Institute with our campus programmes.
Our schools aren't merely places where information is delivered; they are places where souls are formed. That’s my hope, in any case.
In our own age, this task of formation is not a small one. The modern world often treats education as a purely technical exercise: the accumulation of skills that will allow a young person to function in the economy. Yet Catholic education has always aimed at something much better. We do not simply prepare children to make a living; we prepare them to live: to live well, to live truthfully, and, above all, to live in friendship with God.
What we are attempting with The Gilbertine Institute isn’t new at all. It might seem like it because we’re doing something different from the other things on offer, but it’s not new. Far from it. Indeed, our approach to education stands within a very old tradition—one that reaches back, in fact, to our patron himself: St. Gilbert of Sempringham. The Saint is remembered (if remembered at all!) for founding the only monastic order native to England in 1131, but most don’t know how practical and attentive he was to the needs of ordinary people. As a parish priest in Lincolnshire in the twelfth century, St Gilbert was deeply concerned with the formation
of the young in his care. Education, in the medieval world, was not an abstract enterprise, but was part of the Church’s pastoral mission: forming Christians who could pray, think clearly, and live virtuous lives within their communities. From those early pastoral efforts grew something unexpected. What began as a simple initiative to guide and educate young boys and girls (which was very uncommon at the time) eventually blossomed into the Gilbertine Order itself—a network of communities that would endure for centuries and shape the spiritual life of England.
It is striking how often great things in the Church begin in precisely this quiet and unassuming way.
Someone begins with a small work of fidelity. A few families gather. A handful of students learn their prayers and their lessons. A priest or teacher simply tries to do the next right thing. And, with the providence of God, such beginnings can become the foundation for institutions that last for generations.
Gilbertine legacy entirely disappear, he founded a school in York. That school still exists to this day. How many young people who passed through that institution over the centuries were changed for the better? So many, surely. Each one at a time. Young people are still being educated, because of a decision made by the last Gilbertine, who believed that the education of the young truly mattered.
One of the most fascinating examples comes from the very end of the Gilbertine story. When the monasteries were dissolved in the sixteenth century, by bad King Henry viii, the last Magister of the Order—Fr. Robert Holgate—did something remarkable. Rather than simply watching the
It is a humbling thought.
The Gilbertines are in the earliest stage of our refounding. The very earliest stages as a de facto Private Association of the Faithful. Even now, Bishop Lopes is working with me on the Statutes that govern us— readying them for the next stage of things. As the first Gilbertine Magister since Fr. Robert Holgate was deprived of his office in 1545, I wonder: what does God have in mind for us?
Of course none of us knows what the future will hold for us, The Gilbertine Institute, Villa Spiritus, Gilbertine Academy, or for our Holy Houses. Our efforts may seem so small and insignificant in the grand sweep of history. But isn’t it true that God loves the little, the lost, the lowly? The insignificant? Isn’t it true that God chooses what is weak to shame the strong? Isn’t it true that he humbles the proud with we so foolish? And so, perhaps, it’s not entirely impossible to
imagine that the work begun by us and you might endure longer than we might imagine.
I’ve stood at the place where Fr. Robert Holgate’s school stands at Malton Priory. He could never have imagined, standing amongst the ruins of the Reformation, that nearly 500 years later, another Fr. Robert would seek to re-establish what he gave over, and to follow in his (and Father Gilbert’s) footsteps by founding schools. Sometimes, when I look in the mirror, I think I must be rather mad (and perhaps I am!), but other times I think God just might know what he is doing…
and when I meet people like you, when I visit with our families and students, our teachers and administrators, I am persuaded that God surely does know what he is doing—because the fruits are so very good. So very, very good.
Perhaps, centuries from now, someone will look back and see that something quietly important began here in our little part of Alberta. We’ll never know, but what I do know is this: what is lost is often found, and what is good, true and beautiful can return, and can endure.
fr.robert.bengry@gilbertineinstitute.com
A Word from the Board
Sean Hedley Vice-Chair
Have you ever given up on ordering a pizza, because you couldn’t remember your username and password? Spent hours deleting family photos to avoid cloud storage fees? Do you suspect you’d like your neighbours more if you weren’t social media friends?
In other words, are your human desires frustrated by life's inhuman scale?
Mine sure are. 2026 feels like a battle for human-scaled living. Our attention is stretched out physically and digitally, leaving us drained and distracted. Everywhere absent, and nowhere truly present.
C.S. Lewis, in his book The Four Loves, said: “The little knots of friends who turn their backs on the ‘World’ are those who really transform it.” Friends, this world sorely needs transforming. I believe our little schools are knots of transformation.
At home among family, the minds of our homeschoolers are calibrated to the human pace of their hearts. Our campus schools, structured intimately around the rhythms of learning, prayer and mass, exemplify how education can serve people, and not the other way around. In both our homes and churches, our desires are formed at the speed and scale of Christ’s love, not the world’s demands.
My six-year-old had his first sick day away from Holy House Calgary. At first, this was novel and exciting for him. But that evening at dinner, his sister told him one of his classmates had been asking after him and praying for him to feel better. “Dad, when can I go to school again?” he asked.
Our Board of Directors is proud of the culture our programmes foster. In this age of connected isolation, they are a beacon of light. Happy Easter; He is Risen.
Programme Overviews
The Gilbertine Academy and Holy House Edmonton are accredited independent schools serving Grades 1 through 12 (Calgary) and Grades 1 through 10 (Edmonton; a new grade will be added each year). In Calgary, Grades 9-12 meet in-person on Tuesdays through Fridays from 8.15 am to 4.00 pm, and Grades 1-8 meet in-person on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8.15 am to 4.00 pm. In Edmonton, Grades 1-10 meet in-person on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8.14 am to 4.00 pm.
Students in Grades 1-8 are enrolled in a Shared Responsibility Programme known as “Holy House of Our Lady and St. John” in Calgary and “Holy House of Our Lady and St. Benedict” in Edmonton. The programme assumes full responsibility for instruction in English Language Arts, fulfilling all Alberta Education outcomes. It also assumes full responsibility for locally-developed courses in Catholic Culture, Catechism, & Church History and Latin which are recognized by Alberta Education. In addition, it offers enrichment courses that supplement
home education in choir, science, art, and physical education. The programme is carried out in the tradition of classical education, combining a rich, knowledge-based approach to learning with an encounter with primary texts explored via Socratic discussion.
Students in Grades 9-12 are full-time students of Gilbertine Academy in Calgary, and of Holy House of Our Lady and St. Benedict in Edmonton. The programmes offer a rigorous classical education and enable a student to fulfill all requirements for the Alberta high school diploma. In the humanities, students read, discuss, and write about primary texts under the guidance of experienced teachers who provide historical context and assist students in mastering the tools of the disciplines; in the maths and sciences, teachers deliver a knowledge-rich curriculum while helping students cultivate skill by means of inquiry carried out in a spirit of wonder. The programmes also emphasize the important roles music, art, and physical education at play in both history and individual development.
The Gilbertine Academy and Holy House of Our Lady & St. John Calgary
Holy House of Our Lady & St. Benedict Edmonton
Programme Overviews
Both schools offer daily mass and prayers, and take inspiration from the charism of the Gilbertine order. Their days follow a monastic rhythm of work and prayer, embodying orderliness, industriousness, and balance, and providing a structure within which students are encouraged to strive for personal holiness. The schools cultivate an environment designed to help students mature academically, emotionally, socially, and spiritually, and to enable them to become strong, resilient, and engaged citizens and Catholics.
Those interested in enrolling their child(ren) in the Gilbertine Academy and/or Holy House of Our Lady and St. John should make an appointment to meet with the Headmaster, Mr. Yvan Beaudoin, for a tour of the school and information on further steps.
Those interested in enrolling their child(ren) in Holy House of Our Lady and St. Benedict should make an appointment to meet with the Headmaster, Mr. James Rauch, for a tour of the school and information on further steps.
Villa Spiritus is a shared-responsibility
Catholic high school in east-central Alberta, serving grades 9-12, with an in-person class schedule on Wednesdays from 9.00 am - 4.30 pm and one day of remote-learning at home each week. Other subjects are delivered by the parent via home education.
A choir school, Villa Spiritus also teaches high school math, science, art, religion, communications and foods. The wholesome environment allows each child to mature academically and in virtue with gentle and charitable guidance. Studies are
meant to emphasise and nurture the intellectual, historical, artistic and spiritual gifts of the faith. The ultimate goal is for students to discover the influence and beauty of Catholicism in every aspect of culture and their own lives, growing in holiness and drawing ever closer to God the Holy Trinity.
Those interested in enrolling their child(ren) at Villa Spiritus can complete an online application and schedule a meeting with the Headmaster, Mr. Pierre-Andre Beaudoin.
Villa Spiritus Derwent
The Gilbertine Academy & Holy House of Our Lady & St. John
Yvan Beaudoin Headmaster
It was just over two years ago that I was asked to step in as Headmaster for a humble little school in Calgary known as the Gilbertine Academy and Holy House of Our Lady and St. John. What an absolute blessing it has been!
At the time, I had just retired and was looking forward to beginning a new chapter in my life. My wife and I had even planned a trip to Medjugorje and had already booked our flights. But the good Lord had other plans. Not even a month after my retirement, I received a phone call from Deacon Kenneth Noster, Head of Schools for The Gilbertine Institute, asking if I would step in as Headmaster to finish the school year.
Having been involved in Catholic education for 33 years, I thought to myself that I could easily help out while giving Deacon Ken time to find a permanent replacement. There were, however, a few potential stumbling blocks. The first was a trip my wife and I had planned. Fortunately, the dates happened to coincide exactly with the school’s Spring Break. What are the chances? The Lord truly works in mysterious ways.
The other challenge was the distance from St. Paul to Calgary—a ten-hour round trip. Thankfully, my son and his family live in Calgary, and they generously offered to let me stay at their home whenever I traveled to the city. Their children even gave up their own bedroom to make room for me.
With all of this falling into place, it seemed that I was meant to accept the position.
I will never forget the first few months at the school. I was struck by the atmosphere. There was a genuine sense of family, and it was evident that what united them was the bond of faith. It was truly beautiful to witness. Amidst challenges the school was facing at the time, it was beautiful to see so many parents and students deeply invested in their faith and their desire to uphold the true, the good, and the beautiful.
It was evident that this was a strong, faith-filled community. What stood out most was that Christ was truly at the center of everything they did. Each morning, the students gathered in the church to sing and recite prayers before our Lord. At the beginning and end of every class, they stood together in prayer. At the very heart of the day, they attended Mass. Then, before leaving, they once again gathered in the church to conclude the
day with prayer.
In all my years in Catholic education, I had never experienced something so beautiful, rich, and profound. Faith permeated every aspect of their day.
As I visited the classrooms, I was also amazed by what the students were learning at such a young age. They were reading the great books as part of a multi-year historical cycle. They engaged in Socratic discussions rooted in grammar, logic, and rhetoric. They were being taught not only to think critically but also to pursue moral and intellectual virtue. They were taught to strive for holiness.
I must admit that I felt a little envious that my own children had not received this type of education. Nevertheless, I am grateful that eight of my grandchildren now attend Holy House. What an extraordinary gift that is.
At the end of the school year, I was asked if I would continue as Headmaster. I felt both honoured and humbled by the request. Since I had officially retired, I asked Our Lady to help guide my decision. Her response to the angel Gabriel kept echoing in my heart: “I am the handmaid of the Lord.”
With that in mind, I accepted the invitation to continue serving as Headmaster of the Gilbertine Academy and Holy House of Our Lady and St. John. Recently, I celebrated my second year at the school. It has been a tremendous honor to serve the wonderful staff, families, and students at Holy House. It has also been a humbling experience to be part of such a devoted and faith-filled community.
The Gilbertine Academy & Holy House of Our Lady & St. John
Holy House of Our Lady & St. Benedict
James Rauch Headmaster, School Verger
“I was glad when they said unto me, ‘we will go unto the house of the Lord’” Psalm 122:1
Thisverse taken from the introit of Mothering Sunday (Lent IV), famously set to music by Sir Hubert Parry for the coronation of King Edward VII in 1902, and used at the coronation of every sovereign since, speaks deeply of the character of Holy House Edmonton. The school is now in its fifth year, and I have had the privilege to see it grow from thirty-odd students meeting weekly in the basement of Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Sherwood Park to what it is today, a full shared responsibility programme anticipating around one
hundred enrolments next year. What lies at the root of Holy House Edmonton’s success? There are many factors that underpin the consistent growth of the school; however, the distinguishing feature I perceive is the sense of joy or gladness that issues forth from the various aspects of the programme.
Joy and education? Now there is an oxymoron for you. Modern education, founded upon the principles of scientific management, is the epitome of life under compulsion: one where human flourishing is subordinated to the demands of the clock, standardised assessment, specialisation, and practical efficiencies in preparation for the sensible world that lies outside of the classroom.
Is it merely a coincidence that some have pointed out the similarities between schools and prisons? In my previous teaching experience, it was not uncommon to find both teacher and student dulled by the ennui of the classroom, wistfully watching the clock until home time when one could take up life again.
At Holy House, this could not be further from the truth! Every school day I see the joyful faces of students filling the halls of St. Emeric Catholic Church: students with eyes alight with the wonder which begets wisdom in the classroom, students joyfully singing to the Lord during choir, students sharing the gladness of Christ-centred friendships along with a laugh or two during lunch. In my conversations with some parents I have heard that they were worried that their children could not handle the early mornings and long days we have at Holy House, only to be shocked that their children are up and getting ready for the day before they are! And why wouldn’t they be, when they get to come to a place imbued with goodness, beauty, and truth? Other parents have told me that our curriculum achieves the academic excellence expected of a liberal arts programme without the dulling rigor of daily homework that can taint the innate joy of learning.
This discussion of joy leads to the obvious fact that Holy House is not like other schools because it is not a school in the same way one usually understands the term. Our school has a homelike feel because our students and families are homeschoolers. It is a community of like-minded families who have come together to provide their children an excellent education, families who take their educational duties as parents seriously. As such, some of the joys of family life are brought into the school, and the school supports the
theological order of the family, the domestic church. Our school does not adhere to the dropoff and hands-off expectation that one may find in the publicly-funded schools because we are here to support parents in their roles as primary educators, not replace them. Accordingly, our approach to education and the school culture we nurture differs from others.
The great Canadian scholar and humourist Stephen Leacock, himself a one time teacher at the prestigious private school of Upper Canada College, gave his opinions on education in an essay entitled “The Lot of the Schoolmaster.” His principal concern for good education? The teachers! Leacock quips that “school buildings, as things are, are chiefly used to cover up the schoolmaster. They are like the white waistcoat and three inch collar of the feeble-minded man.” If these words were true prior to World War I, how should they be received now? With the facility challenges the school faces, I take great consolation that there is growing interest in Holy House Edmonton. This poses a problem due to our spatial constraints, but it is a good one to have. If nothing else, it means that we are doing many things right. Leacock might say that our faculty compensates for our facility as is meet and right. I myself have joked with several parents that people send their children here for the right reasons, our excellent staff and programme— nobody comes to Holy House for our amenities! And despite the challenges presented by our humble school building, there remains a tangible joy that characterises our day, itself an important metric of educational excellence.
Ultimately, Holy House Edmonton’s chief source of joy is that we go to school with the Lord and centre our entire effort around Him. We meet in a church, the house of the Lord, and we begin and end our
Holy House of Our Lady & St. Benedict
days in prayer, crossing our lips in divine praise and psalms, “O Lord, open thou our lips, and our mouth shall show forth Thy praise.” We break at mid-day to celebrate Holy Mass where we confess in the prayers of the Preparation, “I will go unto the altar of God, even unto the God of my joy and gladness.” In short, a day at Holy House embodies St. James the Less’ advice given in his epistle: “Is one of you unhappy? Let him fall to prayer. Is one of you cheerful? For him, a psalm.” (Jas 5:13, Knox Translation). Several times a day students pass before the sight of the tabernacle, moving from class to class whereupon they genuflect and cross themselves. These daily acts of piety that mark our day are a constant reminder of what we are doing here at Holy House, and to what end.
“Holy House is as unique and special as schools come. It is a real treasure to behold and we are very grateful it exists.” — Holy House Parent
In the second century A.D., St. Irenaeus of Lyons said that “the glory of God is man fully alive,” meaning that one achieves their highest purpose when they live in full communion with Him from whom every blessing flows with peace passing all understanding. Similarly, St. John Henry Newman, one of our dear friends among the saints, reminds us that “all education is to be founded on Revealed Truth… to fit men for this world while it train[s] them for another.” This truth, self-evident to every Catholic, passes from the mind to the heart when one begins and ends the school day on their knees in prayer, seeking the guidance of Him who is truth itself. For this, and many things at Holy House Edmonton, I am truly thankful. St Emeric Catholic Church, 12960 112 St NW, Edmonton AB T5E 6J1 james.rauch@gilbertineinstitute.com • edmonton.holyhouse.ca
Pierre-Andre Beaudoin Headmaster
Lastweek I was working in my classroom while the choir practiced in the chapel for their upcoming tri-campus Mass. The beautiful hymns echoed through the halls. In that moment, I felt a deep appreciation for the work that I do. What an incredible privilege it is to work at Villa Spiritus, for this community of faithful families. I also found myself thinking about how fortunate the students are to have parents who care so deeply about their education that they are willing to drive over an hour for them to attend the school. I could only imagine how much an environment like this would have positively impacted me as a high school student.
As the melodies continued to carry through the building, I reflected on some of the successes we have had at the school. Among them, the large graduating class of 2025, the many trips to the mountains, our tri-campus and bi-campus events, the Marian procession on the Feast of Our Lady of Walsingham, the very first school day, and many others. Above all these, one success stands out to me.
I was reminded of a Villa Spiritus alumnus, who conducted the Derwent adult choir for the first time at our Carols and Charcuterie event this year. This quiet young man came to us in Grade 10,
Villa Spiritus
during our inaugural year. He was very intelligent, but not particularly motivated. He mostly kept to himself, though he had friends at the school. He did not enjoy choir. He often preferred to lipsync and had difficulty carrying a tune. Still, he always attended and completed his work, even if somewhat half-heartedly. This continued for more than a year and a half.
Then, midway through his Grade 11 year, something changed. He fell in love with the music. Almost overnight he became one of our most motivated students. He spent hours practicing at home, because he suddenly wanted to take the lead in his vocal part. His parents, our staff, and his peers were all amazed by the transformation. He began improving in all of his subjects at school. His parents shared that sacred music was playing in their home at all hours, and that his example and enthusiasm had begun to influence his younger siblings as well. It was clear to see the Holy Spirit at work.
By Grade 12 he had become our male lead. He canted at our bi-campus event, began composing music on the piano, and was more motivated than ever. He decided that he wanted to pursue choral music after high school. He is currently working toward entering a university abroad to study choral music. His goal is to one day direct his own choir. In the meantime, he continues to volunteer with the Villa Spiritus choir to gain experience. He also travels great distances to sing with other choirs, continues singing in the Derwent adult choir, and has even helped other parishes with their music
programmes. His transformation is one I will always remember.
Our programme gives young people, like this boy, a chance to grow in virtue and to grow in relationship with Christ. It encourages our students to seek the Good, the True and the Beautiful, and provides a community where they feel that they belong and where they can joyfully and confidently share their faith. I have witnessed tremendous spiritual and academic growth in the students that have come to Villa Spiritus with an openness to the Holy Spirit. Truly, it is a special school to be a part of.
Soli Deo Gloria In Thanksgiving for:
Schools of the Gilbertine Institute
• God's continued provision of well-qualified staff who fit our mission and vision.
• Security for school choice in Alberta.
Calgary
• The installation of new acoustic panels in the Gilbertine Academy gymnasium, and all those who contributed generously to this endeavour.
• The Calgary Parent Advisory Council, and the wonderful work they have done since the beginning of the year.
Edmonton
• The overwhelming support of the programme in Edmonton’s first annual Gala on All Saints' Day.
• Excellent new instructors in Maths and Catechism for Holy House Edmonton.
Derwent
• The institution of Villa Spiritus’ new Art Programme, the successful hiring of an Art instructor, and the generous donation of art supplies by a local family.
• Villa Spiritus’ large graduating class of 7 students in 2025.
• The positive and collaborative spirit in which our staff approach daily work.
Deo Volente
UPCOMING
EVENTS
• Saturday, April 2
- Britannic Majes Tea & Exhibition, Calgary
• Friday, April 17
- Adult Literature Seminar, Edmonton
• Friday, May 1
- May Day Celebration, Edmonton
• Tuesday, June 2
- Perpetual Adoration, Calgary
• Saturday, June 6
- Villa Spiritus Year-End Mass, Derwent
• Thursday, June 11
- Gilbertine Academy & Holy House Year-End Mass, Calgary
• Saturday, June 13
- Immaculate Heart of Mary Mass & Dinner/Dance, Edmonton
• Saturday, November 7
- Gilbertine Academy & Holy House All Saints Gala, Calgary
• Saturday, November 14
- Holy House All Saints Gala, Edmonton
Benefactors
“...that we may honour thee with our substance…”
Prayer For Faithfulness In The Use Of This World’s Good, St. Gregory Prayer Book/Proverbs 3:9
Saul Noster Development Director
I was asked to give a development update covering this past year, but I’d like to begin by going back a bit further. In the fall of 2023, The Gilbertine Institute received Charitable status and hired me as a part-time Development Director while I still worked in the finance department. We quickly realized the need for more help and, by the end of 2023, brought on Joshua Bruce as a Development Assistant. Since then, Joshua and I have both transitioned to full-time as we work to lay the foundation of
a department which we hope will sustain and drive forward the mission of The Gilbertine Institute: to embolden, bolster, and support parents as primary educators to nurture their children to embrace Truth, Goodness, and Beauty.
Our work primarily involves communicating The Gilbertine Institute's mission and directly asking for support. This support comes in the form of prayers, volunteering, and charitable
giving, and it is translated into rich, parentled education where students are formed to become saints in heaven. Over the past year, we have been joined by several outstanding volunteers who have helped us to:
• Grow the student bodies in Holy House Edmonton and the Gilbertine Academy in Calgary through events and promotional videos;
• Kick off an annual fundraising gala in Edmonton, which eclipsed its $50,000 goal;
• Begin Becket’s Forum, a series of events hosted by Gilbertine Academy in Calgary, with the intention of gathering the local community for an evening of learning and conversation.
Looking forward, we are excited to plan:
• Becket’s Forum at the Gilbertine Academy on May 20th, featuring an interview with Deacon Kenneth Noster by Travis Callaway
• A gala for the Gilbertine Academy on November 7th, 2026
• A gala for Holy House Edmonton on November 14th, 2026
Among our primary goals is to foster love and support for the work The Gilbertine Institute is
doing within our greater community. To that end, I encourage you to share something you love about our institute with someone you love. Please also consider joining the Fellowship of the Lord’s Plate as a monthly donor of $25 or more. These dedicated individuals make up the foundation of support in our organization by making a consistent sacrificial gift. The community is named after the Gilbertine tradition, dating back to the 12th century, of “The Plate of the Lord Jesus”—the custom of setting aside a portion of the community’s best food to be shared with the poor and the hungry.
My deep gratitude goes out to all those who have supported this mission through their prayer, work, and gifts. May God bless you abundantly for the love you have shown to our families.
saul.noster@gilbertineinstitute.com • 780.581.1598
Looking to the Future
Jennifer Fast, PhD Academic Dean
Asyou have paged through our new edition of Magister, you have probably noticed that this past year was a time of tremendous growth for The Gilbertine Institute. You read about new headmasters, new support staff, new aspects of programming, and new community initiatives. All of these things are part of our response to an incredible increase in enrollment: in 2025-26, our three small campuses grew by a collective 58 students, with a median growth of 44%. Truly, it is springtime for The Gilbertine Institute.
But the buds of spring must be well-tended if they are to flourish in the summer and yield a good harvest. In this season of expansion, the Institute recognizes a valuable opportunity to better define its core vision and to consider how this vision can best be embodied in each of our programmes.
Thus, if 2025-26 was a year of growth, 2026-27 will be a year of cultivation. While we anticipate further upticks in our student populations, we will be working hard to make sure these new additions can root in rich soil and climb a strong trellis.
To that end, we look forward to continuing improvements to our infrastructure. Physically, we hope to acquire a new facility for Holy House Edmonton, and to expand our central office space. Academically, our schools plan to complete the development of the cyclical curriculum for Grades 1-8, as well as define internal outcomes for Grades 9-12 that offer a clear vision for authentic alignment between our mission and the goals of Alberta Education. Spiritually, we hope to continue to develop our liturgical culture, as well as offer
more opportunities for cross-campus worship. We also will endeavour to strengthen the relationships between and among all who share in the life of our programmes by holding more community events, creating a wider variety of opportunities for support, and providing greater connection to our culture through initiatives like Magister, so that everyone can enjoy the fruits of our work.
Josef Pieper reminds modern readers in his book
Leisure, the Basis of Culture that the ancient Latin word cultus (meaning “cultivation” or “care”) refers not only to physical but also to mental, social, and spiritual nurture and development. This meaning is best preserved today in the contemporary English idea of “culture”, as a way of life that is produced by careful stewardship and thoughtful conservation. We are grateful to you, our readers, for joining us this spring in caring for the culture of our Institute and helping it flourish.
jennifer.fast@gilbertineinstitute.com
Harvesting, by Jörg Breu (1500). This image shows Cistercian monks at work harvesting grain while St. Bernard of Clairvaux prays over them. The Cistercian order, the first major order to count an Englishman among its founders, provided significant spiritual inspiration for the Gilbertines.
