Bro. Don Champagne, SVD

A Life in Harmony: Bro. Don Champagne's Journey of Music, Ministry and Mission 

At 88, Bro. Don Champagne, SVD has learned that you never really know where God will take you in life, but if you let the Holy Spirit work through you, the journey is sure to be a memorable one. Looking back, he acknowledges the challenges but treasures the friendships he forged and the deeply fulfilling ministries he embraced along the way. 

Early Life
Growing up in Milwaukee, Bro. Don attended a Catholic elementary school where he was impressed by the dedication of the religious women who worked there. Their love for their students and unwavering commitment to their vocation left a lasting impact. 

“It was their dedication that inspired me,” he said. 

In eighth grade, a Maryknoll priest visited the school, introducing him to the concept of missionary life. Around the same time, family friends shared stories about their own son, a brother novice with Divine Word Missionaries in Techny, Illinois. Intrigued, Don agreed to visit and learn more.

At that time, Techny was home to 450 people, including clerical novices, professed brothers, brother novices, theologians, philosophers and religious sisters, who performed domestic work. 

“The brothers ran everything. They were carpenters, plumbers, electricians, painters, auto mechanics, shoe repairmen, tailors, they even ran a farm with pigs and cattle,” Bro. Don recalls. “They seemed to be so happy. They had a sense of humor about them. When I came back, I told my parents, I want to go there.”
 

In 1961, Bro. Don was assigned to the new high school seminary in Perrysburg, Ohio, where he worked in the business office and served as the community’s organist. Managing the business office was a challenge since he had no formal bookkeeping training, but he embraced the responsibility. He later traveled to Rome for a tertianship, a period of reflection and discernment. When he returned in 1970, at 36 years old, Bro. Don enrolled at Divine Word College in Epworth, Iowa where he fulfilled his core undergraduate requirements.

Through a music connection at nearby Clarke College, then an all-women’s institution, Bro. Don enrolled in additional courses. In most of his classes, he was the only male student except for chorus. The women he studied with at Clarke became more than classmates – they became friends. Over the years, he sang at several of their weddings and remains in touch with them today. 

In 1991, Bro. Don was assigned to serve as the Music Minister at Miramar, an SVD retreat center in Duxbury, Massachusetts. For 32 years, he planned music for Masses, as well as morning and evening prayer. 

He was appointed and elected as Director and Rector of the Retreat Center from 2005-2011 and re-elected as Rector in 2017.

During his time at Miramar, he also felt called to serve people living with HIV/AIDS. After reading about the Amaryllis Foundation, a volunteer organization that assisted individuals with HIV/AIDS, he reached out and got involved. At the Robins Nest, a supportive center, he answered phones, performed clerical work, and participated in a buddy program, offering companionship to those affected by the disease.  

“I just felt that God was calling me to this,” he said. 

Bro. Don met a family with three young men who had hemophilia and contracted HIV through blood transfusions. By the time he learned their story, one brother had passed away. He bonded with another, but months later, he too died of AIDS. Their mother asked Bro. Don to sing at the funeral.

Years later, the third brother’s wife requested the same support buddy his late brother had. For five years, Bro. Don met with him regularly, visiting daily in his final days. After his passing, the family again turned to Bro. Don for music and support at the funeral.

After several years at the Robins Nest, Bro. Don created a retreat program at Miramar for people living with HIV/AIDS. The program provided participants time and space to focus on their well-being. 

In January 2024, he moved back to Divine Word College. Despite being diagnosed with multiple myeloma 16 years ago, his doctors say his health remains stable. Though knee issues prevent long walks and Dupuytren’s contracture affects his ability to play the piano, his spirit remains undeterred. He still sings, serves as a conversation partner for international students learning English, and sets an example for young men discerning religious life as Divine Word Missionaries.

Reflecting on 67 years of religious vows, Bro. Don is grateful for the family-oriented support of the Society of the Divine Word. He hopes young people will continue to consider religious life, embracing its adventure and unpredictability.

“Be open, and let the Spirit work through you – but that's with any vocation,” Bro. Don said. “You just don't know where God's going to take you or what He's going to put in front of you.”