Bringing the Order of St. Michael to Life
Inspired to make the world a better place and fueled by goodness in all that they do, the members of the Order of St. Michael (OSM) are dedicated to serving the St. Michael’s College School (SMCS) community while standing as role models for our past, current, and future students.
“The Order of St. Michael is an exceptional opportunity to publicly acknowledge members of our community who have devoted their lives to the school and its values,” says Michael Bookman ’99, chair of the OSM advisory committee. “The calibre of the people who have been formed by the school — and by those who invest and contribute to it — is one of many reasons to be proud of our school, its mission, and its future. The Order ensures that we raise up those important people in the school’s and its members’ pursuit of Goodness, Discipline, and Knowledge.”
The Order of St. Michael is the highest honour that SMCS can bestow on a member of its community and is awarded to individuals who embody the Basilian Fathers’ motto, “Teach me Goodness, Discipline, and Knowledge,” through their contribution to the spiritual, academic, or material welfare of the school and the greater community.
The next induction ceremony will take place on September 17, 2025, perfectly aligned with the 75th anniversary of SMCS at its Bathurst St. campus. Nominations for this new round of inductees are currently being collected.
“I have been involved in the Order inductions since 2015. Every time we embark on another induction cycle, I look forward to three things,” says Bookman.
“First, it is a privilege and an honour to carry the responsibility of recognizing our school’s finest people. I am always inspired by getting to know the people who are nominated, all of whom are wonderful examples of the school’s good work.
“Second, I look forward to working with my fellow alumni and members of our community on the OSM committee. We meet regularly for more than a year before the induction gala. I have made many friends from decades prior to and since my graduation. These are friends that I probably would not have known but for the Order.
“Lastly, the induction gala is a poignant and joyful evening to gather as a community. The inductees tell stories of their time at the school (many of which are true!) that make me recall why St. Michael’s College School is among the most important communities of people in my life.”
Next year will mark seven years since the last induction ceremony, which took place in 2018 and honoured six model citizens from within the SMCS community. A full list of OSM members can be found here.
OSM induction ceremonies have historically occurred every 3-4 years, but with the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, gathering in the years immediately following was not possible.
“To bring the Order to life every cycle, we depend on members of our community to make worthy nominations and to attend our induction ceremony on September 17, 2025,” adds Bookman. “We are grateful for the continued efforts that people make to nominate worthy individuals and join us at the induction gala. We look forward to once again gathering together as a community and celebrating the Order’s newest inductees. Please join us.”
Our community is encouraged to submit a nomination through our online nomination form at OSM2025.com. All nominations must be received by November 1, 2024.
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