BORSTADT, CHRYSOSTOM, OP (1874-1963)

Sister Chrysostom Borstadt, OP, (1874-1963) was a talented musician and a master teacher of string instruments. Born in Denver, Colorado, Mary Borstadt followed her calling to be a music educator and religious. In 1897, she professed religious vows as a Dominican Sister at Sinsinawa, Wisconsin, receiving the name, Sr. Chrysostom. Assigned to Visitation convent, she continued her violin studies in Chicago. Under the leadership of Mother Samuel Coughlin, OP in 1905, she was given an unusual opportunity, at that time, to study in Europe along with Sr. Hyacintha, voice teacher. They spent a year in Florence, Italy, and a year in Munich, Germany. On their return, they took charge of their respective departments in St. Clara College and Academy at Sinsinawa, Wisconsin until St. Clara College became Rosary College in River Forest, Illinois, in 1922. Sister Chrysostom continued in River Forest as chair of the violin department while Sr. Hyacintha became the first prioress and president of the college. Sr. Chrysostom set high standards for her students and succeeded in transmitting to them her own spirit of dedication and excellence. In working with individual students and in orchestral groups, she achieved remarkable quality.

After eleven years at Rosary College, she was assigned to St. Clara Academy in 1933 for a lighter program. She continued to teach, however, and the violin students in the Novitiate and Academy benefited from her expert direction. Under her direction, the St. Clara String Orchestra blossomed and presented many admirable concerts.

In the fall of 1954, due to failing health, she had to give up her music teaching schedule at St. Clara. She died at St. Dominic Villa, in Dubuque, Iowa, at 90 years of age on December 30, 1963, in the 67th year of her profession.

Her legacy endured through the students and fellow sisters whom she influenced with her spirit of dedication both at Rosary College, St. Clara Academy and many more school music departments throughout the country, eg. Srs Mary John Kallal (at Rosary), Mary Frederick Volz, Charles Borromeo, Dora Kenney, Theresa Mary Bach, Reginalda Loofbourow and many others.