Meet Br. Douglas Hawkins

The Midwest District interviewed Br. Douglas Hawkins, a Senior Brother who is happily enjoying his retirement by volunteering while living with his Brothers in Saint Paul, MN. He reflected on the Brothers who inspired him and his time in the classroom.

What inspired you to become a Christian Brother?

From 4th grade on, and especially after Confirmation in 6th grade, I was aiming at becoming a Priest. Then I went to high school. The Brothers were there. Young Brothers, involved with students, gym nights, service projects, and they looked like they enjoyed each other. Parish priest lives alone. Brothers are just as dedicated. My choice moved over. My chief Brother was named Brother Lorian Sixtus – later Brother Wm Gibson. My Junior year in high school, he was transferred, but I kept contact with him.

Tell us about some of the Brothers who inspired you.

Early in my vocation, practice teaching and my first year as a teacher was in the inner city of St. Louis. Brother Tom O‘Brien was the Master teacher. Br. Tom always got up before the sun for time of personal meditation and Spiritual Reading. He had a good balance of prayer life and Apostolate. I took his advice to heart, “Focus on the students. The subject could be any subject. Focus on the students.” Soon I was acting like a Special Ed Teacher – ten years before that label was even invented. 

Brother John Johnston was a Brother I learned so much from. He offered workshops for Young Brothers who were past the Scholasticate but had not yet professed their Final Vows. He had a way of saying what I knew in my spirit, but didn’t yet have words for. I went to as many of those weekend workshops as I could. One time he looked up, and said, “You’ve heard all this before.” I replied, “and one thing you say is that the Young Brothers only remember 10% of what they hear. I am trying to hear it 5 times.”

 A Senior Brother who inspired me was Brother Norbert Roseberry, with his white hair, he always looked older than he really was. I never lived with him, but knew of him. As Young Brothers started their first year of teaching, many were sent to the school where he served as Principal for his mentoring. He finished his days in Jefferson City, so beloved by the town that one year he was a Grand Marshall! I don’t have the qualities to be a Principal. I do have the qualities to have many quietly notice me, and keep long-time contact with me.

What are some fun experiences of living in Community with Brothers? 

Living in community with five other Brothers, who may have different hobbies and interests, requires sometimes doing things you weren’t expecting. I think of celebrating birthdays. 

One year, for my birthday, instead of a special meal – the group of us went to play miniature golf. The oldest Brother had difficulty stepping over the low wood dividers separating the holes. None of us got very good scores. But it was fun and different.

Another year, the group went to an activity that I chose – Professional Wrestling, a first for a lot of Brothers! 

And one year, we went to the State Fair in Missouri. I have always liked the carnival and rides. But, the other Brothers in the community all come from farming backgrounds. We spent 2 hours looking at tractors and animals. At the end of the day, there was a concert by country singer Charlie Pride that we all enjoyed.

What is one gift you would present to your students? 

I learned this through Br. Sixtus, Br. Tom, Br. John Johnston, and Br. Norbert, I don’t teach subjects or classrooms, I teach individual students. I have gotten further training to be able to work with Attention deficit, hyperactive, and those who learn in their distinctive individual ways. I want them to know their full worth and then turn it into their own gift to God.