More on the Archive and Guild

See also the Purpose of the Archive and Guild.

The former archive office in St. Louis. The archive is now housed in Bardstown, KY.

The Fr. John A. Hardon, S.J., Archive and Guild opened in St. Louis, Missouri in November of 2007, after the Nihil Obstat was issued from the Vatican on May 31 of the same year. The Archive and Guild is now located at the Office of the Eternal Life Apostolate in the historic city of Bardstown, Kentucky. Fr. Hardon was a co-founder of the Eternal Life Apostolate which is very near the Proto-Cathedral of the Archdiocese of Louisville. Many of Fr. Hardon’s personal effects are temporarily housed at the archive, until the Fr. John A. Hardon Catechetical Center and Retreat House opens at the Our Lady of Guadalupe Shrine in La Crosse, Wisconsin.

The archive also serves as the repository for all documentation of the activity of the cause, such as testimonials collected, correspondence with the Vatican and Fr. Hardon’s academic files and materials. Since its purpose is to serve as the focal point for the work of the cause, opening the Fr. John A. Hardon S.J., Archive and Guild was an essential step forward.

Much work had been done at the archive in Saint Louis, to organize the hundreds of boxes that contained the bulk of Fr. Hardon’s personal library. With such a massive collection of books, it was a challenge to settle upon a suitable space for the library. Once the location was settled on however, work began immediately. Eventually this rich assortment of books, which includes Fr. Hardon’s preferred selection of books called the Catholic Lifetime Reading Program, will be available to the faithful for research purposes.

Another goal at the archive was the creation of a Fr. John A. Hardon, S.J., Room. This unique room contains a display case featuring a number of Fr. Hardon’s personal effects, copies of books written by him and a sample of some of the rare books found in his personal library.

As developments unfold, we will be sure to pass them along to the visitors of this site. This website is under construction, so please check back frequently to follow our progress! Please remember the work of the archive in your prayers and thanks for paying a visit!

Fr. John Hardon, S.J. Archive and Guild
902 West Stephen Foster Ave.
Bardstown, KY 40004