About Mother of the Redeemer Retreat Center · Bloomington, Indiana
Mother of the Redeemer Retreat Center is a Catholic retreat center in Bloomington, Indiana, owned and maintained by Mary's Children Inc., a non-profit organization. The center provides a place of peace and prayer for those seeking to deepen their Catholic faith, and since 2005 has been under the spiritual care and direction of the Franciscan Friars of the Immaculate. It is located within the Archdiocese of Indianapolis and offers daily Mass, Confession, Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, retreats, and a Guest House for overnight stays.
- Established
- 1993
- Patron
- Blessed Virgin Mary (Mother of the Redeemer / Mother of Jesus)
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Indianapolis (Metropolitan Archdiocese)
Why belong here
Mother of the Redeemer Retreat Center offers Catholics and seekers a peaceful rural setting in the hills of central Indiana for spiritual rest, prayer, and renewal. Whether joining a guided weekend retreat, attending daily Mass in the Sacred Heart Chapel, spending a Holy Hour in adoration before the Blessed Sacrament, walking the Rosary Path and Stations of the Cross, or staying overnight in the Guest House, visitors are welcomed by the Franciscan Friars of the Immaculate and a community of lay volunteers dedicated to fostering love of Christ and the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Mass times at Mother of the Redeemer Retreat Center
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Monday – Friday: 6:30 AM – 6:50 AM (before 7 AM Mass)
- Saturday: 11:00 AM – 11:45 AM (before Noon Mass)
- By appointment with the Friary: 812-825-4742
Adoration times
- Monday – Friday: Exposition of Blessed Sacrament 3:45 PM – 5:30 PM
- Monday – Friday: Holy Hour with Vespers, Rosary, Litany and Benediction begins at 4:30 PM
- Thursday: Special Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM (Holy Hour begins 4:30 PM)
- Saturday: Eucharistic Adoration 11:00 AM (with Exposition & Benediction)
- Sunday: Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM; Holy Hour with Vespers, Rosary, Litany and Benediction 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM
- Visitation Hours for Sacred Heart Chapel: 6:00 AM – 6:00 PM daily
About Mother of the Redeemer Retreat Center
Mother of the Redeemer Retreat Center is a Catholic retreat center in Bloomington, Indiana, owned and maintained by Mary's Children Inc., a non-profit organization whose purpose is to provide a place of peace and prayer for those who come for a retreat, scheduled services, or private visits. The center is dedicated to fostering love and respect, among families, friends, and visitors, for the Supreme Pontiff and the local Ordinary. Located within the Archdiocese of Indianapolis, the center receives the blessing of the Archbishop. Through the intercession of Blessed Mary Ever Virgin, the community prays for the Lord's guidance and protection for the Pope and the Archbishop (currently Pope Leo XIV and Archbishop Charles Thompson).
Our Beginnings and Founders
The retreat center began with Jim and Ruth Ann Wade, both educators in the Bloomington public school system. They gave up their home, their farm, and the future they had planned, dedicating the land to the Lord Jesus in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Ruth Ann Wade felt very strongly inspired to begin the retreat center in 1993. When the messages began, Ruth Ann shared them first with her priest and then with her prayer groups. Eventually both the Intercessory Prayer Group and the Medjugorje Prayer Group began to meet in the basement of the Wades' family home, and at the request of our Lord Jesus, their home and farm were blessed by their priest.
Timeline of Construction and Growth
The Farm has been steadily improved since 1993 through a series of building projects funded and directed by Mary's Children Inc.
- 1993 – First building: a simple pole barn. First Mass celebrated in October 1993.
- 1993 – Stations of the Cross erected along a path up to near the top of the hill; adjoining properties acquired.
- 1995 – Weekly Saturday Masses celebrated; restroom facilities and parking added.
- October 18, 1997 – Chapel of the Resurrection and the Glorification of the Sacred Heart of Jesus dedicated at the top of the hill. The Pole Barn was fully renovated into the new Retreat Center.
- May 1999 – A retired priest moved to the Farm, living in the Wades' former home.
- October 1999 – Permission granted to reserve the Blessed Sacrament at a room in the Retreat Center for Adoration.
- October 2000 – Large two-story Guesthouse (30 furnished rooms) completed and dedicated.
- May 2001 – Rosary Path dedicated; Stations of the Cross pathway paved and improved.
- June 2001 – Sacred Heart of Jesus retreats begin on the first weekend of each month.
- October 6, 2001 – New Bookstore dedicated.
- May 4, 2002 – New Dining Hall/Kitchen dedicated; infirmary added.
- 2003 – Dining Hall Annex completed (overflow dining and children's retreats).
- 2005 – Franciscan Friars of the Immaculate arrive at the invitation of Archbishop Daniel M. Buechlein.
- After 2005 – Chapel addition with seven confessional rooms; new larger Friary built behind the chapel; new conference hall; old Retreat Center renovated into the new bookstore and annex; Rosary Path and Stations of the Cross redone with concrete paths and new monuments; Path of the Rosary of the Seven Sorrows of Our Lady added at the top of the hill next to David Drive; memorial for unborn children added near the top of the hill.
Franciscan Friars of the Immaculate
As of 2005 the retreat center has been under the spiritual care and direction of the Franciscan Friars of the Immaculate, who occupy the premises and strive to live a life of love for God and neighbor by following their community schedule and observing their vows of Total consecration to Mary, Obedience, Poverty, and Chastity. The friars — along with dedicated lay volunteers — attend to the needs of those who come for spiritual rest and renewal. The retreat center follows all the liturgical norms of the Roman Catholic Church in all of its spiritual exercises. The friary is located at 8212 West Hendricks Road, Bloomington, IN; mail address and phone (812-825-4742) are listed on the Friars page of the website.
Sacred Heart Chapel
The Chapel of the Resurrection and the Glorification of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, completed in 1997, is the heart of the Retreat Center. The Blessed Sacrament is reserved in the chapel for the adoration of the faithful, and daily Mass, Confession, and other devotions are conducted here on a regular basis. The chapel is accessible either by walking the Stations of the Cross path or by car via Garrison Chapel Road to Hendricks Road and a right turn onto David Drive. A shrine in memory of aborted babies is located to the right of the Chapel. Liturgies are live-streamed from the chapel and recordings are archived at AirMaria.com.
Retreats and Special Events
The retreat center offers a calendar of scheduled retreats each year. Information about speakers, topics, schedules, and online registration is available through the Retreat Days link on the home page. In addition to retreats, the center hosts Marian Days of Prayer and Reflection, Corpus Christi processions, Marian processions, and a Marian Day of Prayer facilitated by friars such as Fr. Isaac Siefker (per the Archdiocese of Indianapolis Criterion events calendar).
- Guided retreat every third weekend of the month (except November and December; dates then announced; no retreat in August).
- Sacred Heart of Jesus retreats on the first weekend of each month (since June 2001).
- Marian Days of Prayer and Reflection.
- Corpus Christi Procession.
- Marian Processions.
- Marian Day of Prayer with Fr. Isaac Siefker (facilitating, procession, prayer, talks).
- Children's retreats (held in the Dining Hall Annex since 2003).
Guest House and Accommodations
The Guest House, completed in 1999 and dedicated in October 2000, is located to the left of the main entrance as you enter the Retreat Center from West State Road 48. It provides a place for peaceful meditation and prayer while staying at the Retreat Center. The Guest House has 30 furnished rooms, each consisting of a private bathroom and shower, two queen-size beds, a table and chair with a lamp. Rates are $70 for a single and $75 for a double, with continental breakfast included. Reservations can be made by calling 812-254-0469 or 812-825-4642 ext 200; please leave a complete and clear message indicating the best time to reach you.
Dining and Facilities
The Dining Hall, completed in 2002, offers pilgrims excellent meals in a quiet, serene atmosphere. In addition, the Dining Hall Annex (completed 2003) has its own kitchenette for small groups or families. An infirmary was added to the Retreat Center in 2002. All of the buildings on the Farm are air-conditioned and easily accessible to those who are handicapped.
Mary's Children Bookstore
The Mary's Children Bookstore, dedicated on October 6, 2001, offers a wide variety of religious articles such as rosaries, medals, and statues, as well as a large selection of Catholic books and audio. Priests are available to bless items after purchase. Bookstore hours are Wednesday through Saturday, 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM (per the 2021 newsletter). After the friars' arrival, the old Retreat Center was renovated once again to serve as the new bookstore and annex.
Outdoor Prayer Spaces
Several outdoor devotional spaces are located on the hillside of the Farm, including the Rosary Path and Stations of the Cross. The Stations of the Cross follow a path up the hillside that ends at the Retreat Center Chapel. A Path of the Rosary of the Seven Sorrows of Our Lady was added at the top of the hill, next to David Drive. A life-size statue of Our Lady of Fatima greets visitors from the hillside upon arrival, and a memorial for unborn children has been added near the top of the hill.
Contact and Support
Inquiries about retreats, events, and Guest House reservations, and donations to support the retreat center, can be directed to the Guest House staff. Mary's Children Inc., the non-profit organization that owns and maintains the center, accepts donation checks payable to 'Mary's Children.'
- Address: 8220 W State Rd 48, Bloomington, IN 47404
- Phone: 812-825-4642 ext 1
- Email: [email protected]
- Guest House reservations: 812-254-0469 or 812-825-4642 ext 200
- Friary (for Confession appointments and friar contact): 812-825-4742
- Donation mailing address: Mary's Children Inc., P.O. Box 27, Washington, IN 47501
Live-Streamed Liturgies and Media Archive
Liturgies from the Sacred Heart Chapel are live-streamed through AirMaria.com, and past presentations and retreat talks are available on the AirMaria YouTube page. The AirMaria archive of 'Mother of the Redeemer Events' includes retreat talks by Msgr. Charles Mangan (April 2010), Fr. Peter Fehlner, and news segments on Marian devotions, Corpus Christi processions, and the friars' procession around a Bloomington abortion clinic.