September 29, 1932 – October 2, 2026
Please pray for the repose of the soul of Sister Brigid McDonald, who died in the early morning of October 2, 2026 at Carondelet Village in St. Paul, Minnesota.
Sister Brigid was a loving, patient teacher, a protector and guide for those in poverty, a tenacious advocate for peace and a proud daughter of Ireland who carried that heritage into all that she did.
She was born on a farm in Waverly, Minnesota, on September 29, 1932, to Kenneth and Margaret (Burns) McDonald. Following in the footsteps of her two sisters Rita and Kate, Brigid entered the community of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet (CSJ) in St. Paul in 1952. She was first missioned to teach first and second grade at several CSJ-sponsored schools while working toward her bachelor of arts in sociology and education from the College of St. Catherine in St. Paul (1962).
After more than 25 years of teaching, and in the wake of Vatican II, Brigid felt compelled to dedicate her life to the work of peace and justice. Of note, was her work with Volunteers in Diocesan Action (VIDA), where she was missioned to Pueblo, Colorado in 1981. This assignment stretched her in ways she could never have imagined, and in the midst of deep poverty, she served as hospital chaplain, offered homilies in nursing homes and taught adult and high school students.
Brigid carried these gifts to new communities where her compassionate counseling, fierce advocacy, and “fun therapy” as she called it, gave hope and purpose to the women and children she served at Ascension Place (1982-84), and Incarnation House (1983-1994), which she co-founded with fellow Sisters of St. Joseph Rita McDonald and Marguerite Corcoran.
In her retirement, she continued to be a valued volunteer at Incarnation House, and along with allies from Women Against Military Madness (WAMM), and many CSJ sisters and consociates, was a constant presence at the Lake Street Bridge peace protests.
Brigid spent a lifetime believing that “Jesus never said ‘worship me,’ he said ‘follow me,’ and that is what I am trying to do.”
Brigid will be greatly missed for her exuberant presence at the St. Patrick’s Day Parade, for boldly speaking out for justice and peace and for her curious and creative way of making each neighbor feel seen, heard and loved.
Brigid is preceded in death by her parents; sisters Margaret Mary Borer, Dorothy Vidlund, Rita McDonald, CSJ, and Kate McDonald, CSJ; brothers Ewan, Patrick, Edward, Kenneth and Phillip McDonald. She is survived by her sister Jane McDonald, CSJ; many cousins, nieces and nephews; grand and great grandnieces and nephews; dear friends; and the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet and Consociates.
A Celebration of Life will take place on Friday, October 23, 2026, at 11:00 a.m., in Our Lady of the Presentation Chapel, 1884 Randolph Avenue, St. Paul, with burial following at Resurrection Cemetery in Mendota Heights.
Memorials preferred to the Sisters of St. Joseph Retirement Fund.
Dear Brigid, rest in love and peace.