The Franciscan friary and retreat house were built on the former property of Sylvester and Florence Surrat.  The friars purchased the property in May, 1954.  The retreat house in DeWitt was originally named “Portiuncula in the Pines.”  “Portiuncula” is Italian for “little portion” which aptly describes this little garden of Eden amid the high pressure hustle and bustle today’s world. 

 

In September of 1960, Bishop Albers dedicated a separate Friary.  This allowed the entire community to live under one roof and freed up space in the Retreat House for retreatants.  In 1966, the friars, concerned that the vacant land west of the original acreage might be developed into housing, purchased the additional sixty-five acres that now is part of the ninety-five acres of inspirational beauty. 

​In 1988, the number of brothers residing at Portiuncula in the Pines had declined.  The responsibility of caring for the land and buildings had become too much for the remaining friars.  With the approval of Bishop Povish, the Diocese of Lansing purchased the entire complex. In 1989, Father Larry Delaney was appointed its founding Director.  

 

To address the growing awareness of the needs of the youth of the diocese, construction began on Bethany House in 2000. The project revamped the interior of the Friary and added fifty-two overnight rooms, a conference room and a large common area.  With the strong support of the Lansing area Knights of Columbus, Bethany House was completed in the fall of 2001 and is serving the needs of our diocesan youth and various other groups. 

 

The Retreat Center continues to provide the rich tradition of offering retreats for men and women, the work begun by the Franciscans and carried on since 1989 under the prayerful guidance of our founding director, the late Fr Larry.