Meeting & Conference Rooms
Meeting and Conference Rooms at the Monastery are intended for religious organizations and schools that want to hold retreats or religious education classes. The Monastery reserves the right to review all requests to determine if an event is appropriate to be held in its church, facilities or gardens.
The Monastery prohibits events that:
- Are of a political nature or intend to conduct lobbying activities or press conferences
- Charge admission, fees or request contributions
- Intend to promote or sell commercial or professional products or services
- Want to use the facilities or premises as a venue for parties, receptions, luncheons or dinners
Please remember that the Franciscan Monastery is a Roman Catholic church and national shrine. Any groups utilizing our facilities must fully respect our faith, theology, and traditions. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation.
The Conference Center
Spacious and modern conference room perfect for retreats, classes, and meetings for religious organizations. Please reserve at least 1 to 2 months in advance.
Features:
- Capacity: up to 75 (auditorium set-up); 63 max (classroom set-up), 36 max (rectangular conference set-up), 30 max (U-shaped conference set-up)
- High-res video projector
- Next gen lectern with built-in computer, USB ports and Blu-ray DVD player
- Stereo system
- Custom lighting settings
- Wi-Fi
- Reservation fee – $325 for room + $125 for A/V equipment
To request a reservation to use the Conference Center, simply click the ‘Reservation Request’ button and complete the online form.
Meeting Rooms
Classroom-style meeting rooms available by donation. Please reserve at least 1 to 2 months in advance.
St. Francis Room
- Accommodates 68 people – Classroom set-up
- Wide-screen TV monitor
- Rectangular tables and folding chairs
- Suggested donation – $250
To request a reservation to use the St. Francis Room, simply click the ‘Reservation Request’ button and complete the online form.
St. Bonaventure Room
- Accommodates 48 people – Classroom set-up
- Wide-screen TV monitor
- Whiteboard
- Rectangular tables and folding chairs
- Suggested donation – $200
To request a reservation to use the St. Bonaventure Room, simply click the ‘Reservation Request’ button and complete the online form.
Sacred Heart Room
- Accommodates 30 people – Classroom set-up
- Chalkboard
- Rectangular tables and folding chairs
- Suggested donation – $150
To request a reservation to use the Sacred Heart Room, simply click the ‘Reservation Request’ button and complete the online form.
Visitor Notes
- Rooms are available for rent between the hours of 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM (inclusive of your time needed to set-up and tear-down).
- Wide screen TV monitors are available only in the St. Francis and St. Bonaventure meeting rooms. There are no monitors available in the Sacred Heart Room.
- You are welcome to bring in your own food for your gathering or have it delivered by a caterer or local restaurant.
- Groups will have access to the upper and lower gardens in front of the Monastery. Pray the Rosary in the Rosary Portico, follow the Stations of the Cross in the garden, meditate at the Lourdes Grotto, and wander the beautiful flower gardens.
- Please let us know if you’d like to include a church tour or plan a liturgy at the time of booking.
- Ample, free parking is available across the street from the Monastery Main Gate. Please do not leave valuables in your car.
- Buses park on the street in front of the Monastery. The Security Guard at the main gate will direct your driver when you arrive.
Questions? Please email Visitor Programs or call (202) 526-6800.
Frequently Asked Questions
The room should be reserved several months prior to the event.
Please click the ‘Reservation Request’ button and complete the request form or call (202) 526-6800 ext 364 to reserve the room. After the initial request and contact, we will send you the necessary reservation and agreement forms via email. Please complete, sign and return the forms in order to confirm your booking.
The required forms for signature will be sent to you via email so it is not necessary to come to the Monastery for this purpose. However, you are welcome to set up an appointment with the Visitor Programs Manager to visit the Monastery in advance of your event if you would like to see and familiarize yourself with the space(s) you will be using.
The rooms are available from 8:00 a.m. until 4:30 p.m.
No, the Franciscan Monastery is not open in the evening.
Large groups of 100 can be accommodated in the St. Francis Hall. Find information about St. Francis Hall here.
There is no cafeteria.
Yes, you may bring food or make arrangements with a caterer.
There are tables in the rooms where food may be placed
There is no microwave or refrigerator.
Lunch is generally taken in the room you have reserved. The Monastery also has a park directly across the street. It contains park benches and tables to accommodate up to 40 people.
If you wish to use another room, you must also reserve that room in advance.
The New Conference Center contains a projector, but the others do not.
Yes, Wi-Fi is available.
Tours of the church and catacombs are available and must be arranged in advance. Mass and confessions can also be scheduled if you have your own priest. You may also wish to pray the Rosary in the Lourdes grotto, weather permitting.
It may be possible to have a priest from the Monastery if his schedule permits.
For The Conference Center, the arrangement is agreed with you in advance and the room will be set up for you. For the other meeting rooms, you may rearrange the tables and chairs, but we ask that you return the setup to the same classroom configuration as you found them as another group may be using the room the following day.
Please leave the room in the same condition as when you arrived. The room may be booked for another organization the following day so the Monastery appreciates your cooperation in maintaining a clean meeting space ready for the next visitors. As a guideline:
- Please place all trash in the containers provided in the room
- Lights, AC or heating should be turned off
- Windows should be closed and locked
- Chairs should be pushed back in against the tables
The New Conference Center rate is $325 for the room ($125 for A/V equipment) and the conference rooms are by donation, usually $150-$200.
You are responsible for your group on the day of the event as no one will be available to provide a greeting. You will be sent specific directions on how to get to your respective meeting room which you should communicate with your group. Please note that the St. Francis, St. Bonaventure and Sacred Heart rooms are not accessed via the ‘Visitor’s Entrance’ door. Depending on the time of day, either the security guard at the front gate or the concierge inside the Visitors’ Entrance will also be able to direct you should you need any assistance. If your schedule permits, it is always a good idea to meet with the Visitor Program Manager in advance of the event in order to familiarize yourself with the Monastery and meeting space.