Every month, we share a photo from our archives! – Celebration of the Feast of Corpus Christi in Chipman, Alberta, at the first altar in front of the Merchant’s Bank, 3 Jun 1920. (…)
- From the Archives
- 20 June, 2022
From the Archives
On this page, we share from time to time the things that our archivist found and wants to share with you! It tells you about our history in Canada and how our mission began and developed over the years. "From the Archives" currently draws on content from the Franciscan Archives of Western Canada, which contains records from BC, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba. To learn more, visit us at archives.franciscanfriars.ca.
As a continuation of the previous post, after the friary in Regina was dedicated as a retreat house in 1931, the Franciscans prepared to open the Regina Minorum Friary to visitors and retreatants. This included the following enthusiastic welcome found in the opening pages (…)
- From the Archives
- 6 June, 2022
Every month, we share a photo from our archives! — Three friars enjoying the sun and “rain” from a garden hose outside St. Anthony’s College in Edmonton, Alberta, 1942-1943. In the photo is Fr. Abel Mireault (left) and Fr. Raymond Pennafort-Willey (centre). (…)
- From the Archives
- 16 May, 2022
The decision to establish a Franciscan friary in Regina, Saskatchewan, dates back to May 1930, when Archbishop elect James Charles McGuigan was on retreat with the friars in Edmonton in preparation for his episcopal consecration. It was at that time that he first mentioned (…)
- From the Archives
- 2 May, 2022
Every month, we share a photo from our archives! — We all look forward to the arrival of Spring, as parts of Canada are still waiting for the spring weather to come! St. Francis Friary in Vancouver had a large garden with a variety (…)
- From the Archives
- 21 April, 2022
In 1946, the Franciscans were invited by Archbishop George Cabana of St. Boniface to take over Lac du Bonnet parish in Manitoba and its attached missions. Maple Creek was one of these missions, located approximately 20 km northwest of Lac du Bonnet. The friars (…)
- From the Archives
- 5 April, 2022
Every month, we share a photo from our archives! — Friars in Montreal’s Rosemont Friary in their bookbinding workshop, 1924. (…)
- From the Archives
- 21 March, 2022
Fr. Boniface Heidmeier was no stranger to the cold and snow of Canadian winters. Arriving in Alberta in 1909, Fr. Boniface and the Franciscan community served north Edmonton and its surrounding missions. With numerous towns to visit even when the temperature was way below (…)
- From the Archives
- 4 March, 2022
Fr. Boniface Heidmeier’s first visit out to Chipman, Alberta, was in August 1909. At that time, Mass was held in the house of a local family, the Diederichs. When everyone came for Mass, the house was so full that Fr. Boniface once thought to (…)
- From the Archives
- 24 January, 2022
Every month, we share a photo from our archives! – Photo from the Christmas party at Regina Cleri friary in Regina, Saskatchewan, 1957. (…)
- From the Archives
- 29 December, 2021
