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Siena University Friary

Welcome to the Siena University Friary pages, where you can meet the friars and learn about our life and ministries.

St. Bernardine of Siena Friary is home to 18 Franciscan friars from Our Lady of Guadalupe Province who minister at Siena University and in the local community.

 

MESSAGE FROM THE GUARDIAN

Mullen headshot
Brothers & Sisters,
 
Welcome to the webpages of the St. Bernardine of Siena Friary (The Friary) on the campus of Siena University. In one form or another, a Friary has been on the campus since the founding seven friars came to Loudonville in 1937. While the friary buildings have changed on the campus, the spirit and the purpose of the men who live there has remained the same, namely, to serve the academic community of Siena University and the people of the greater Capital Region of New York. 
 
I am very pleased to invite you to learn about our fraternal life and to meet the eighteen men who currently make-up our local fraternity. As Franciscans, we are joined to Our Lady of Guadalupe Province which has fraternities and ministries across the United States, and which is linked to the world-wide Order of Friars Minor (OFM) – The Franciscans.
 
I hope you enjoy your visit. If I or any of my brothers can be of service to you or if you would like more information about the Franciscans, please feel free to contact us at friary@siena.edu.
God bless you and give you peace.
Fraternally,
 
Fr. Kevin Mullen, O.F.M.
Guardian

 

Pictorial History of the Friars at Siena

7 friars posing
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In 1937, Seven priests and two lay brothers open Siena and place it under the patronage of St. Bernardine of Siena, the 15th century Franciscan scholar. The seven founding fathers of Siena University (formerly Siena College): Front row (left to right): Adalbert Callahan, Cyprian Mensing, Lambert Zaleha. Back row (left to right): Bernard Tobin, Alcuin Shields, Benjamin Kuhn, Joseph Vann.

Garrett Mansion
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The original campus building, once well known in the area as the Garrett Mansion, became St. Francis Hall. This building served for all functions at the college, including as a residence for the friars.

Rock statue on Siena's lawn
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This rock on the front lawn of the campus marks the location of the original St. Francis Hall.

Men breaking ground with shovel
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In 1938, ground was broken for Siena Hall.

Siena Hall
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Siena Hall was completed in 1939.

Hines Hall
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In 1950, St. Mary of the Angels Chapel and St. Bernardine of Siena Friary opened.

Old Siena College Chapel
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The chapel and friary were dedicated in the same year (1950).

Friary outside front of building
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The new St. Bernardine of Siena Friary was dedicated on September 16, 1981. It is the home of the friars today.

Rock grotto on Siena College campus at dusk
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The Grotto, modeled after the famous shrine in Lourdes, France, was dedicated in 2014. It is a place of welcome, a place of hope, and a place of reconciliation. It is a sacred place for prayer, contemplation, healing and peace.

Bells of Remembrance at Siena Grotto
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In 2020 Siena received three Bells as a gift from the Franciscan Friars of the Province of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Named from the book of the prophet Micah: Justice, Love and Humility, in 2022 the Bells were installed near the Siena Grotto. They are rung in the spirit of universal love and for just and right relationships.

Overhead photo of Siena campus
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The Franciscan friars of Siena University support the mission of advancing the ideals of a liberal arts education that instills the values and knowledge of its graduates to lead a compassionate, reflective, and productive life of service and leadership.

Siena University Friary

515 Loudon Road Loudonville, NY 12211
(518) 783-4147
friary@siena.edu