A Hundred Years Later
2026 is the Centennial Anniversary for the Conventual Franciscan Province of Our Lady of Consolation!
In June of 1912, the Conventual Fransican Friars of the Immaculate Conception Province based in New York came to serve the Shrine at the request of Bishop Schrembs. Just 14 years later, a new province was formed to serve the Midwest. Although the province is centered at Mount St. Francis in southern Indiana, because of the friars’ devotion to our Blessed Mother at the Shrine in Carey, they chose to name the province after Our Lady of Consolation.
Their ministry has been extraordinarily fruitful in this holy place for over a century and we rejoice and celebrate the Conventual Franciscans who have served here and continue to serve!
Jubilee Event – May 3, 2026
Friars returned to the Basilica & National Shrine of Our Lady of Consolation on May 3, 2026 for a special 100th Anniversary Mass which fell on the Fifth Sunday of Easter in the liturgical calendar. The principal celebrant and homilist for the occasion was Very Reverend Martin Day, OFM Conv., the Minister Provincial for the Province of Our Lady of Consolation. For the Mass, the Our Lady of Consolation Shrine Chorale and Children’s Choir joined together to lead the community in song. Following Mass, there was a catered luncheon and video presentation celebrating the province in the Shrine Cafeteria. A wonderful video produced by Brian Dearinger of the province office was shown. The video and photos from the celebration can be viewed below.
Province 100th Annivesary Video
Photo Album
Song in Honor of Our Lady
Mr. Anthony Gallina, the Director of Music Ministries, composed a special song in honor of the 100th anniversary and dedicated it to the friars of the province. The song, “O Maria, Consolatrix Afflictorum” has a Latin refrain invoking the prayers of Our Lady of Consolation as the source of our hope. The verses are a litany with invocations being adapted from the Litanies to Our Lady of Consolation, Our Lady of Sorrows, and the Litany of Loreto. The worship aid and music selections from the Mass are below!