Province - Retreat Center History

              

Fr. Urban Wagner, OFM Conv. - Founder

    When Fr. Urban Wagner received permission in the late 1950s to raise money for a retreat center in Minnesota, he was off and running. In 1959 he hosted the first Franciscan International Award (FIA) as a way to not only raise funds and but to recognize achievements that exemplified Gospel values.

     Construction began in 1965 and Franciscan Retreats opened in 1966, when the Province of Our Lady of Consolation sent its first group of Franciscan Friars to serve as the retreat team and staff. 
   The FIA dinner continues to be an annual celebration, always scheduled for the Thursday prior to Mother’s Day. Past recipients include well-known persons like Lawrence Welk, Charles Mayo, and Dr. Billy Graham; pastoral composers and musicians like Fr. Michael Joncas (On Eagles Wings) and Marty Haugen (We Walk by Faith); to more local servants like Mary Jo Copeland and Gina Tupy. Additionally, many organizations such as the Knights of Columbus, AA, NET ministries, and Loaves and Fishes have been recognized. You can read the full list of prior honorees here.

    In 2026 we honor the Province of Our Lady of Consolation (OLC) as she celebrates her 100th jubilee. (A province is a regional jurisdiction of religious men or women that is somewhat similar to a diocese.) The OLC province has not only sent scores of priests and brothers to serve here, but following the success of Franciscan Retreats, developed other retreat centers in Indiana and New Mexico. In fact, our province is known nationally as the “retreat province.”

     Notably, while the province celebrates its 100th anniversary, the retreat center celebrates its 60th— All the more reason to give praise and thanks to God!

     Bishop John Stowe, a member of the Province of Our Lady of Consolation and the bishop of the Diocese of Lexington, KY, will confer the award and share about the history and mission of the province. We are also greatly honored to have Archbishop Bernard Hebda present at the event and who will introduce Bishop Stowe.

      A number of friars who served at Franciscan Retreats will also attend, including past directors Br. Bob Roddy and Fr. Ken Bartsch. Fr. Conrad Sutter will also be there. In 1966 he was in that first group of friars assigned here and oversaw the kitchen. In those days he was known as Br. Conrad. 

 
     It’s hard to imagine all the retreats and programs the center has held these last 60 years, just as it is difficult to ponder the life of the friars that have made up the province this past century, friars who have served in Minnesota and New Mexico, Texas, Georgia and Ohio, Honduras and Zambia and Italy; and in a variety of ministries from retreats, parish, education, soup kitchens, and overseas missions. 

     The Spirit that led the friars in the 19th Century to the Midwest US, and later to the Southwest, and then to Africa and Central America is still encountered in all that Franciscan Retreats and Spirituality Center has come to be for all those who come down the driveway to Find the Missing Peace.

      We hope you can join us for such a wonderful and Spirit-filled event!

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