Br. Peter Mankins, SCJ, died Saturday, March 4, at Sacred Heart at Monastery Lake in Franklin, WI. He had been anointed shortly before his death. Br. Peter was 93, professed his first vows with the Priests of the Sacred Heart (Dehonians) in 1963 and made his perpetual profession in 1967.
As soon as news of Br. Peter’s death became public, dozens of people shared memories of his impact on their lives.
“I was saddened to hear of Br. Peter’s passing. We became friends with Br. Peter while he was at Immaculate Heart Seminary in Lenox, MA,” wrote Marie Gormalley of Pittsfield, MA. “My dad, Mario Tristany, worked as a chef one day a week at the seminary. This enabled the sisters there to have a day off. Quite often Br. Peter and others would visit our home. They were like extended family. No matter when we saw Br. Peter he was always smiling. He was a kind and humble person with an inviting memorable smile. My prayers and sympathy to all of his brothers and friends and family.”
A Chicago native, Br. Peter’s first assignment was at Divine Heart Seminary in Donaldson, IN. It became a stepping stone to a lifetime devoted to formation ministry. Br. Peter served at the province’s seminaries in Massachusetts and was on the formation team with the province’s undergraduate program when it was located in San Antonio. His last full-time assignment was with the combined formation program in his hometown of Chicago where he worked with candidates and as assistant novice master. He was also responsible for the community’s bookkeeping. He was a retired member of the Sacred Heart Community at SHML at the time of his death.
“I am so saddened to hear of Br. Pete’s passing,” wrote David Klause, who studied for several years in the province formation program. “He was a such a kind and gentle soul. I have very fond memories of Br. Pete at the Formation House in San Antonio.”
“Br. Pete was my hero and friend in Lanesboro,” wrote Ronnie Farmer, an alumnus of Lanesboro. “Heaven gained a good man!”
“He was my first formation director and always a model for religious life,” wrote Fr. David Szatkowski, SCJ, who now serves on the pastoral team in northern Mississippi.
Funeral arrangements for Br. Peter are pending. Br. Peter is pictured on the right on his 92nd birthday.
