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.
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). (…)
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 (…)
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 (…)
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 (…)
Every month, we share a photo from our archives! — Friars in Montreal’s Rosemont Friary in their bookbinding workshop, 1924. (…)
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 (…)
Every month, we share a photo from our archives! – Photo from the Christmas party at Regina Cleri friary in Regina, Saskatchewan, 1957. (…)
From the personal records of Fr. Oswald Fuchs, there is a Christmas reflection he wrote in 1991 about the first time he had to chance to go back to his hometown of Sedley to preach a homily: Sedley Revisited (The little Fuchs goes home (…)
Every month, we share a photo from our archives! – A view of San Antonio Gold Mines in Bissett, Manitoba, 1940s. The Franciscans served several missions in northern Ontario and Manitoba around this time. (…)