175th Anniversary

Many Gifts, One Spirit

A Celebration 175 Years in the Making
2021-2022-2023

In 1847, stewarding the vision of the Troubadour from Assisi, six Franciscan brothers (Giles Carroll, Dominick Lee, Vincent Welstead, Joseph Corcoran, Peter McDermott, and Jerome O’Kieffe) departed Roundstone, Ireland to fulfill a dream, rooted in Francis’ teachings. As part of their spiritual mission to educate the local population, they cleared land in the forests of Loretto, Pennsylvania and built a school on top of the mountain. Thanks to these friars, Saint Francis University, the oldest Franciscan college in the United States, is fast approaching its 175th anniversary. To commemorate 175 years of rich educational and religious tradition, the University will host a multi-year celebration beginning later next year with the official Dodransbicentennial in 2022.