La Verna Centre of Spirituality & Hospitality

Ballinderry, Mullingar, Co. Westmeath

Meet the community:

Sr. Abebech,  Sr. Clare   Sr. Cecilia

The Franciscan community in Ballinderry is an international one: We are a registered charity in Ireland.

La Verna Centre of Spirituality & Hospitality

was opened to the public in 2014 as the new venture for the work of the FMOL community in Ballinderry and their vision became a reality.

The sisters look forward to welcoming you to the Centre.

The Name

‘La Verna’ is a place much associated with the Franciscan tradition

and was a sacred place of retreat for St. Francis himself.

	La Verna is a remote place in the Tuscan hills, situated in the centre of the Apennines, about 120km northwest of Assisi. In the year 1213 Count Orlando, having heard Francis speak of God, gifted this land to Francis as a place of retreat and contemplation for him and his friars.
It was here that St Francis, while taking time apart for prayer and fasting in 1224, received the Stigmata (the wounds of Christ) in answer to his prayer.  ‘La Verna Sanctuary’ remains a sacred place of pilgrimage today where the friars offer a warm Franciscan welcome to those who ‘climb the mountain’ and stay awhile to rest, reflect and nurture their spirit.

Our mission as Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady in Ballinderry today is to extend the warm Franciscan welcome to all who, in the spirit of St Francis, wish to “come away and rest awhile” (Mk 6:31).

            “In quietness and in trust shall be your rest” (Is 30:15).

We offer you a place to …rest your body,

                                                                                      quieten your mind,

                                                                                                       nurture your soul,

                                                                                                                        refresh your spirit.

Hospitality

La Verna Centre of Spirituality & Hospitality is open throughout the year for individuals and small groups, from all walks of life, who wish to take some quiet time to rest, reflect and pray in beautiful relaxed surroundings. We offer hospitality to you for a few hours, a day, a few days or longer, depending on your needs. Workshops on issues of faith, self-development and other areas of human growth are hosted by us from time to time. we also have regular prayer gatherings, adoration and one on spiritual accompaniment, visualisations and healing sessions by appointment.

See “What we Offer” for current and upcoming events