The St. Francis Chapel stands as the central point of the retreat house. Above the doors to the church stands the ten foot concrete sculpture of St. Francis looking into the courtyard.  Behind, the depiction of Francis of Assisi is the great stained glass of the Canticle of the Creatures.

The quadrangle in front of the chapel showcases the entire retreat house.  Stations of the Cross interspersed in groves of white pines and forsythia hedges surround the courtyard.

We adore You, O Christ and we bless You, because by your
Holy Cross, you have redeemed the world.

The 17th century Franciscan, St. Leonard of Port Maurice, established devotion to the Way of the Cross where retreatants often walk during retreat.  Made of bronze, mosaic and brick, the Stations of the Cross outline our courtyard in front of the retreat house.  They were built and installed by faithful retreatants.

Forgive us our trespasses: “through your ineffable mercy; through the power of the Passion of your beloved Son together with the merits and intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary and all your chosen ones . . .” -- St Francis Of Assisi

The rendering of the Crucifixion at the north end of the courtyard stands as a reverent reminder to all who pass by while St. John and Mother Mary keep watch. The cross and landscaping were donated over the years by our benefactors and retreatants.

On the east side of the retreat house sits a pavilion with the Pieta.  Retreatants often gather here for the rosary.  This pavilion served as the baldachino in 1964 for the Mass celebrated by Pope Paul VI in Yankee Stadium, NYC.  An Allentown PA steel firm arranged to have the framework and canopy brought to the Lehigh Valley. Posh Construction Co. erected it.

Under the pavilion is a replica of Michelangelo's “Pieta,” imported from Italy. The sculpture, pedestal, shrubbery and electrical illumination were donated by the retreatants from Ss. Cyril & Methodius Church, Bethlehem, PA.