Brief History of the Marian Friary

The history of the foundation of the North American mission of the Franciscans of the Immaculate began in December 1990 when the first friars arrived and took residence in a small room in the Holy Apostle Seminary in Cromwell, CT. In the beginning of 1991, the friars transferred to a small house near the seminary for a monthly rent paid by benefactors. There the first vocations came who were attracted to the Franciscan-Marian life and in 1992, in order to accommodate more space for vocations, they transferred into a bigger house which was given for use to the friars by the Sisters of Charity of Our Lady, Mother of the Church in Baltic, CT.

Following a donation of a piece of land on the part of a Catholic benefactress, Eileen Brown, and having received permission from the bishop, in the autumn of 1998, the friars began the construction of a novitiate and the Mother House of the American mission. The work was finished in August 2000. Hence, the friars from Baltic moved to the new friary on August 19, 2000. Bishop Hart of Norwich blessed the new community in the presence of the Father Founders, Fr. Stefano M. Manelli and Fr. Gabriel M. Pellettieri. The same bishop consecrated the chapel constructed in English Franciscan Gothic style on August 25, 2001.

Brief History of the Church

The Chapel of the Our Lady of Guadalupe has an old history. That edifice was erected initially by the Presbyterians in Tudor style in 1853 and then abandoned in 1869. The local parish of the Immaculate Conception, which administered to the poor working class of the area, without a Church, obtained the structure and renovated it for Catholic services. It was consecrated in 1909 and remained in use until 1972 after a fire incident; it was abandoned and practically left without ever having it repaired.

With the arrival of the friars in 1993, the work of restoration of the chapel began. The new chapel was solemnly consecrated by Bishop Hart on August 25, 2001 and on October 28, 2001 it became a center of Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament.

Location

How to Visit the Friary at Griswold
199 Colonel Brown, Griswold, CT 06351; Tel # (860) 376-6840

Directions to the Friary:

From New York City:
Take I-95 North into Connecticut. In Waterford take Exit 76 for I-395 North toward Norwich. Take Exit 85 (a few exits beyond Norwich). At 2nd traffic light turn right onto Rt138 East. See directions From I-395 below.

From Boston, MA:
Take I-90 west to Exit 10, I-395 South. Take Exit 85 for Griswold. Take a left at first traffic light onto Rt138 East. See directions From I-395 below.

From I-395:
Stay on Rt138 for 1.7 miles then take a right at traffic light onto Bethel Rd. After 1.4 miles take right at fork in road onto Colonel Brown Rd. Friary is one mile down on the right.

From Providence, RI:
Take I-95 South to Exit 5A to Rt 3. Go right on Rt 3. After 1 mile take a right onto Rt 165 West. Follow into CT. Stay on 165 at Voluntown (flashing amber light). Cross over two lake causeways, past Bethel Rd, and then make first right onto Old Voluntown Rd (difficult to see). Take right onto Colonel Brown Rd. Friary is half mile on left. If you see the Dog Pound on your Right, you have gone too far.

Schedule of Masses and Devotions

Schedule of Masses:

Main Church:
Weekdays: 7:00 AM EST
Sunday: 9:30 AM EST
First Friday: 7:00 AM EST, 11:00 AM EST, 6:00 PM EST (TLM)
First Saturday: 7:00 AM EST, 11:30 AM EST
Marian Feasts and Solemnities: 7:00 AM EST, 7:00 PM EST

St. Joseph Chapel
Wednesday: 5:30 PM EST

Eucharistic Adoration

The Friary Chapel is open seven days a week and twenty-four hours a day for Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration. Please write us for more information about signing up for Perpetual Adoration.

All the Faithful are cordially invited and warmly encouraged to come and visit their Lord, God and King, so humbly and meekly concealing Himself under the appearance of bread.

Annual Celebration

Annual Feast of the Queenship of Mary

The Feast of the Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary is celebrated every year in the liturgical calendar on the Saturday nearest to August 22. During this feast the friars offer a solemn Mass for friends and benefactors of the Institute.

All are welcome to join us in this annual joyful celebration.

Apostolate of the Friary

The friars help parishes and other Churches of the Diocese of Norwich with the celebration of Holy Mass and hearing confessions upon request.

The Marian Cenacle of Our Lady of Guadalupe, presently has 50 consecrated members and 35 tertiaries. They are assisted by the friars spiritually and in formation.

The friars began an internet video blog known as AirMaria.com with the regular updates of ten minute broadcast of homilies, conferences and other programs dealing with current problems on Mary and Catholicism. Theological themes are also delivered given by Fr. Peter Damian Fehlner with the collaboration of friars and tertiaries alike.