FMOL makes significant donation to FranU

Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University received a significant monetary gift from Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady Sisters for the chapel in the university’s new signature building, set to be complete December of this year.

The gift is a historically significant gift for the university and the sisters who wish to emphasize its meaning. They hope it will promote further good will within the community. 

Sister Ann Catherine Nguyen, FMOL regional minister said, “Today is a very special day as we dedicated this chapel in the Franciscan tradition by naming it La Verna. In Hebrew it means ‘wise friend.’ Hopefully, this chapel will be a friend to all students here, especially during exam time.”

“Named for the sacred place where St. Francis received the stigmata, the marks of the wounds of Christ, LaVerna Chapel at St. Francis Hall is the building’s centerpiece. Just as St. Francis was permanently changed at LaVerna, so the Franciscan mission transforms our students, and becomes part of who they are and what they do,” explained Dr. Tina Holland, president and CEO of FranU. 

The chapel will be approximately 1100 square feet and two stories tall with a balcony for meditative prayer. All furniture will be interchangeable to fit the needs of specific events. A San Damiano Cross has been commissioned and will be displayed and customized to include the images of saints that the FMOL sisters and the university take inspiration from St. Francis, St. Clare, St. Elizabeth of Hungary and St. Bonaventure. The liturgical furnishings and tabernacle, along with the San Damiano cross, are hand crafted in Oberammergau, Germany by the Albl. 

The modern design will complement the buildings overall aesthetics. 

The chapel will hold services weekly and on special feast days of the church. Throughout the year the chapel will be host to the Way of the Cross, reconciliation, Crowning of Mary, Divine Mercy gatherings, reciting of the rosary and eucharistic adoration.

“The chapel is central to our Catholic identity.   It will encourage the campus community to engage in prayer, celebrations of the Mass and ecumenical services as a visible sign to the faithful. In particular, the beautiful San Damiano cross will draw the curious as it did St. Francis to seek understanding while contemplating the mystery of God’s call in their personal lives,” said Tammy Vidrine, campus minister.  

The diaconate program at FranU will also benefit greatly from the chapel. Professor of theology David Whidden explained, “The intellectual formation of deacon candidates at FranU will be significantly enhanced by the presence of a dedicated chapel on campus. It will allow these candidates to engage in prayer and the Daily Office before and after class. 

“It will give them a place to practice the liturgy, and it will give them a location where they can also practice their homilies. The new chapel will allow these future deacons to better merge their intellectual and liturgical life in a way that will make them even more effective after their ordination.”

St. Francis Hall is the first major building project in the history of the university. The 75,000 square foot, three-story building will be dedicated to academic and student development functions at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. 

It represents the initial step in the development of the university’s campus master plan. Located at the corner of Brittany Drive and Picardy Avenue, the building will serve as the front door to a cohesive and identifiable campus.

Anyone interested in partnership or investment opportunities can contact Judith Roberson at 225-526-1754. 

More information on St. Francis Hall can be found at franu.edu/stfrancishall.