Capuchin Retreat Center

In May, we hosted our Annual Captains Meeting. Our Captains are the liasons between the parishes and the retreat center: promoting the weekend retreats, taking sign ups, and sharing about the retreat center. We could do our work without them! We were grateful to be able to gather with them to go over the successes of the last year and to thank them for all of their hard work!

"Would you take 450:1 odds?

That’s what Elijah did in his confrontation with the prophets of Baal before the people of Israel. But he knew something they didn’t. The odds weren’t 450:1 but 450:2, and the one standing with him was the God of the universe as well as the God of Israel, though many of them had forsaken him."

Read the latest blog by Fr. John Celichowski, OFM Cap. at:

Fire from Heaven | Fuego del Cielo Inspired by the gospel of Jesus and the example of Francis of Assisi, the Capuchin friars of the Province of St. Joseph together with our partners in ministry, prayerfully build sister-brotherhood in the world. We attend simply and directly to the spiri...

There is still time to get tickets for our A Gouda Evening Summer Fundraiser on June 14 from 3:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. We hope you'll join us for a lovely evening of delicious food, live music, raffle and auction - all in support of the Capuchin Retreat Center! Get your tickets at https://www.capretreat.org/program/a-gouda-evening-summer-fundraiser/

We had a lovely weekend over May 15-17 hosting a group of women for a silent, weekend retreat. These weekends are a time to step away from the busyness of life and encounter the Lord. If you attended this weekend, let us know your experience in the comments below!

The Capuchin friars elected new leadership at their 49th Provincial Chapter. Br. Steven Kropp, OFM Cap. was elected Provincial Minister. Br. Nicholas Blattner, OFM Cap. was elected First Councilor and Vicar Provincial. Br. William Hugo, OFM Cap. was elected Second Councilor. Br. Igor De Bliquy, OFM Cap. was elected Third Councilor. Br. Roach Gaspar, OFM Cap. was elected Fourth Councilor.

The newly-elected council will serve a three-year term from 2026-2029 that begins today. More information on the new leadership team is available at https://www.thecapuchins.org/news-releases/midwest-capuchin-friars-elect-provincial-leadership-for-2026-2029

Deo gratias and please pray for the new Provincial Minister, Vicar and Council.

📸: Bas Bogaerts

"Before they perished in a tyrant’s fire after a forced march through the jungle, St. Charles and his companions had already stirred into flame the gift of faith they had received. Though young and vulnerable, they already possessed a spirit of “power and love and self-control.”

Read the latest blog by Fr. John Celichowski, OFM Cap. at:

St. Charles Lwanga and Companions | San Carlos Lwanga y sus Compañeros | Capuchin Franciscan Province of St. Joseph Inspired by the gospel of Jesus and the example of Francis of Assisi, the Capuchin friars of the Province of St. Joseph together with our partners in ministry, prayerfully build sister-brotherhood in the world. We attend simply and directly to the spiri...

Pray for the Capuchin friars as they come together for the 49th Provincial Chapter of the Capuchin Franciscan Province of St. Joseph.