Franciscan Monastery of St. Clare
First Established Monastery of Poor Clares in America
(Protomonastery)
Omaha, Nebraska

Learn About Mother Mary Bentivoglio

In response to an appeal to His Holiness, Pope Pius IX, by Father Bernardino, Minister General of the Friars Minor, The first Poor Clare Foundation in America began to be realized. Mother Mary Magdalen Bentivoglio and her sister, Mother Constance Bentivoglio, left their home land for the United States on the feast of St. Clare, 1875

After enduring many trials and rejections in several localities they received a friendly welcome from Bishop James O'Connor of Omaha. Through the great generosity of Count John A. Creighton, the first foundation of the Poor Clares in the United States was made possible. Mother Mary Magdalen and two novices arrived to Omaha on August 15, 1878. Their first residence was in a five room house on 17th Street. On November 5 of the same year they moved to a larger home on Burt Street.

 Learn More About Mother Constance Bentivoglio
Mother Mary Bentivoglio
 

Mother Constance Bentivoglio
 
 
 
John Creighton
After two devastating tornadoes, a sturdy brick convent was completed and dedicated on June 24, 1881, with the title Monastery of St. Clare of St. Joseph. In April of 1890 the sisters began to supply alter breads to the parishes of the Diocese of Omaha.

In 1900, because of the extension of 29th street, the monastery was left on the edge of a precipice. It was, therefore, claimed unsafe and the old structure was leveled. A new monastery was erected and dedicated on September 15, 1904.

1878 Burt St.

John Creighton
 

Year: 1878
1612 Burt St.
 
 
 
 1904 29th St.
A new monastery was erected and dedicated on September 15, 1904. In 1908 a south wing and burial vaults were added to the building. The year 1910 saw the erection of the enclosure wall. There was no further construction until the completion of the Mass chapel in October of 1960.

In early 1970 negotiations began with the Good Shepherd Sisters for their purchase of our monastery. We then brought and moved into the Saint Bernard Parish Convent on June 2, 1971. The Present Monastery of St. Clare is located at 3626 North 65th Avenue, Omaha.

1908 29th St

Year: 1904
1310 N 29th St.
 

Year: 1908
1310 N 29th St.
 
 Present Monastery
 
 

Present Monastery
 

 

The Blessing of St. Clare

May Almighty God bless you.

May he look upon you with the eyes of his mercy and give you his peace.

May he pour forth his graces on you abundantly,
and in heaven may he place you among his saints!

For more information on the life of a Poor Clare in Omaha, Nebraska
please write, telephone, fax.


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*** This page was last updated on:    Thursday, July 20, 2000 at 06:18 PM ***

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