In 2026, the Province of Our Lady of Consolation (OLC) is commemorating 100 years of living the Gospel in the spirit of St. Francis of Assisi – serving in parishes, teaching, healing, consoling, and accompanying God’s people across the US and beyond.
Friar Dennis Moses, archivist for the OLC Province, has been busy creating a commemorative book for the celebration which will be available at the seven celebrations around the regions served by the OLC Province as well as at an alumni reunion at Mount St. Francis (in Mt. St. Francis, Indiana). (There will be a small cost for the books to cover the printing expense.)
The centennial celebrations are as follows:
April 12, 2026: St. Paul’s Parish in Louisville, KY
May 3, 2026: the Basilica and Shrine of Our Lady of Consolation, Carey, OH
May 7, 2026: Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish, border ministry, El Paso, TX
Oct. 4, 2026: St. Benedict & St. Joseph Parishes, Terre Haute IN
Oct. 17, 2026: Our Lady of Guadalupe Shrine San Antonio TX
Dec. 6, 2026: Mount St. Francis IN (The Province’s spiritual home)
Friar Dennis became the Archivist in 2013, taking over when +Friar Larrry Eberhardt retired. Friar Larry founded the OLC Province Archives in 1991. Officially, it is the depository for all correspondence, personal papers, photographs, and other records and artifacts of the province.
Preserving Province history highlights the unique ways OLC Friars have lived the Franciscan charism – not only in the central and southwestern parts of the US, but also in Zambia, Denmark, Central America, and even Australia. In addition to artifacts from around the world, there are several examples of Americana, such as the trophies for athletic competitions won by high school student friars when the province maintained a minor seminary at Mount Saint Francis.
“Working down here and learning more all the time – I couldn’t be prouder of the province: the things we’ve done and the new areas we have gone into.” Br. Dennis said. “Its’ been exciting. I’ve always been an amateur historian. …I continue to read history. I’m fascinated to learn more, and I truly believe that we must know where we’ve been to know where we’re going. And to not judge.”
