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.
An amateur astronomer and long-time member of the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada, Fr. Lucian Kemble is credited with discovering and describing a chain of stars that was named Kemble’s Cascade in his honour. In a time when science and faith is often perceived (…)
As we move into spring, here is a photograph of the garden of the St. Francis of Solano friary in Vancouver! The Franciscan Archives of Western Canada preserves and provides access to the history and heritage of the Franciscan Holy Spirit Province Saint-Esprit of (…)
On Mar. 11, 1947, a fire broke out at the St. Francis of Assisi Parish church in Edmonton, which was next door to St. Francis Friary and St. Anthony’s College. The fire completely destroyed the church building and everything inside, including a Casavant pipe (…)
We are excited to share more archival footage that was digitized thanks to a grant from the Academy of American Franciscan History! Below is a clip from a video reel showing views of several communities and parishes in western Canada, including Mount St. Francis (…)
In his book Pioneering in the West, Fr. Boniface Heidmeier concludes with what he’s learned from his years of ministry. And that is, no one can learn too much! “No one, specially a priest intending to do missionary work, can ever learn too much. (…)
Every month we share an interesting photo from our archives! — Inside the church of the Trappist Monastery at St. Norbert that the Franciscan friars in Winnipeg visited in the 1960s. The Trappists moved to a new building by 1978. In 1983, the vacated (…)
Our archives contains records from Regina Cleri Major Seminary in Saskatchewan, which was founded in 1932. In addition to administrative and student records, there are also photographs, scrapbooks, and correspondence. Here is an excerpt from the Seminary chronicles, recording what the students were up (…)
Some may have started their Christmas baking already, even if this year’s Christmas celebrations are drastically different than previous years. Whether baking gives you comfort and peace, a sense of fun and excitement, or inexpressible stress, we would like to venture in the kitchen (…)
As we move into the Christmas season, we hope everyone stays safe and warm! Students and staff clearing snow off the roof of St. Anthony’s College in Edmonton, AB, 1950s. (…)