Pope Francis proclaimed Jubilee 2025 as a holy year of hope, which began Christmas Eve 2024 and concludes Jan. 6, 2026. Additional information about observing Jubilee 2025 is available at https://stcdio.org/jubilee-2025-pilgrims-of-hope/.
The practice of pilgrimage has a special place in the holy year because it represents the journey each person makes in this life. The St. Cloud Diocese is home to many sacred sites for people to visit. Bishop Patrick M. Neary, CSC, has encouraged parishioners to pray at these sites throughout the year as well as with the diocese’s religious communities.
The Central Minnesota Catholic introduced a Jubilee Passport to encourage people to participate in pilgrimages and perform corporal and spiritual acts of mercy which may provide eligibility to receive plenary indulgences during this year. The passport may be downloaded at https://stcdio.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/2025-Jubilee-Passport-11-19-24-FINAL-web.pdf.
Over the coming weeks, we will feature diocesan pilgrimage sites identified in the Jubilee Passport.
St. Clare’s Monastery is the first religious community to be highlighted. Praying with the Poor Clare Sisters is one of the 24 practices promoted in the passport.
Where is the chapel located?
The St. Bartholomew Chapel is where the public gathers to share Mass with the Poor Clare Sisters. The altar faces St. Anne’s Oratory — behind the wooden grate on the far right — where the sisters gather for Mass.
St. Clare’s Monastery is the home of the Poor Clare cloistered contemplative religious community. The Poor Clares were invited to the diocese by Bishop Joseph Busch on May 3, 1923, and the sisters moved into a newly constructed monastery July 16, 1924.
The monastery is located at 421 S. 4th St. in Sauk Rapids, on the hill overlooking Speltz House (the retirement apartments for priests of the diocese) and just above the former Sacred Heart School and playground.
After entering through the glass door of the main entrance, turn right and pass through the Holy Door. The certificate of designation from Bishop Neary hangs on the brick wall to the right of the holy water font (just right of the Holy Door.)
What are the important features of the chapel?
The chapel is one long room with a vaulted ceiling, divided by a “reredos,” a wooden screen about halfway to the ceiling. The altar for Holy Mass faces sideways, toward St. Anne’s Oratory where the cloistered Poor Clare sisters can participate in Mass. This small room is separated from the main chapel by a wooden “grate” which is opened only for Mass or retreat conferences.
The public chapel is named for St. Bartholomew in honor of a former chaplain. On the front of the ambo [lectern] is a large picture of the Divine Mercy image, here for the Year of Hope, though otherwise on the wall to the right of the sanctuary. Large statues of Our Lady, St. Joseph and St. Clare grace the public chapel. On the west end above the candelabra (a votive candle stand) is a large stained glass window depicting Christ’s crucifixion, with his precious blood giving relief to the holy souls in purgatory.
The early sisters had a great devotion to the holy souls and the cloistered chapel is dedicated to them. That chapel, though unseen by the public, is where the Poor Clare community gathers seven times a day for the Liturgy of the Hours and eucharistic adoration. As prayer is the primary devotion of the sisters, Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament in this room is the heart of their house and the center of their lives.
What to do when you visit:
The chapel door opens to the public about 6:30 a.m. and is open until about 5 p.m. daily. All are welcome. The public chapel can comfortably hold about 30 people and has been known to stretch to 60 or 70.
- Holy Mass is celebrated every day (including Saturday and Sunday) at 7 a.m.
- In commemoration of the 2025 Jubilee Year “Pilgrims of Hope,” the Poor Clare Sisters have scheduled additional opportunities to pray with their community in their chapel. On the last Friday of each month at 6:30 p.m., the sisters plan to celebrate either a Mass or Divine Mercy Chaplet with the faithful in the St. Cloud Diocese.
- These special Masses will be celebrated at on March 28, May 30, July 25, Sept. 26 and Nov. 28. The Divine Mercy Chaplet will be prayed April 25, June 27, Aug. 29, Oct. 31 and Dec. 26. For more details, check The Central Minnesota Catholic calendar.
- The sisters also invite others to join them: for the Divine Office at 11 a.m., followed by praying the rosary daily at about 11:15 a.m.; at 1:30 p.m.; or for vespers at 4:15 p.m.
Prayer requests may be sent by mail, brought to the door or called in at 320-251-3556. A message may be left on the answering machine.
Pictured above: The Poor Clare Sisters process out of their chapel after prayers. (Dianne Towalski / The Central Minnesota Catholic)