Sabbatical stays
Looking to make a sabbatical? The Franciscan Spirituality Center in scenic La Crosse, Wisconsin, offers a peaceful, quiet and comfortable “home away from home” during your time of rest, study, renewal or discernment.
All extended stays must be arranged and approved in advance. Please email Laurie Swan, office manager, at lswan@fspa.org to start the process.
A private room, meals and optional spiritual direction is included. La Crosse is located in the western part of the state, along the Mississippi River and surrounded by bluffs and valleys (known as the Driftless Region). It is home to two universities, a technical college and two major hospital systems. The area is known for its recreational opportunities, including hiking and biking trails, and a vibrant arts community. The spirituality center is housed within the St. Rose Convent, offering guests access to daily Mass in the historic Mary of the Angels Chapel. Guests also can enjoy a kitchenette, beautiful courtyard, lending library, bookstore, art room and laundry facilities. Several workshops, programs, body movement classes and support groups are offered throughout the year.
Christiana Ajagu, Missionary Sisters of the Holy Rosary, recently completed a three-month sabbatical at the Franciscan Spirituality Center. She traveled here from Ireland, having found our space through an online search.
“Having been very busy, especially last year, I decided to take some time off, get some rest and be renewed for my well-being and for better service in the ministry,” she said.
“I have been enriched, inspired, renewed and refreshed during these three months. The staff are very nice people, and I have been blessed through their presence and support. I attended different programs here both in-person and Zoom. I have been part of the liturgy/prayer in the magnificent Mary of the Angels Chapel. There were times for rest; other times, I went for a walk or just shopping. The Perpetual Adoration Chapel is a great place of intercession for the whole world, and I am happy that it was part of my routine. It was also easy for me to take some courses online from another institution during my time here.”
Dominic Michael Hart, Franciscan Brothers of Peace, also recently completed a four-month sabbatical at the Franciscan Spirituality Center. Having come from the Twin Cities, he learned about our center through longstanding friendships with a couple of Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration.
He has since relocated to the area, decided to become an affiliate of the FSPA and continues to volunteer at the FSC front desk.
“Being here connected to the Adoration Chapel was a great source for my rejuvenation,” he said. “I really appreciated renewing relations with several of the sisters and developing new relationships with the staff here [at the FSC].”
He described being on sabbatical as “a time to rejuvenate and be renewed.” Much of his time was spent in personal prayer and study. Although he didn’t come here to participate in programs, he said he appreciated the diversity of programs and the new friendships he made.
“If God wants you to be involved in certain programs, you’ll find them here. There’s something for everyone."
