Familiar Fargo-area icon finds a new home

Did you know that the Fargo Diocese once had its own seminary? It was located just south of the Edgewood Golf Course in Fargo and closed down in June of 2011. In 2014, the complex was razed to make room for a housing development. Many items from the seminary were saved, from furniture to windows to works of art.

One of the most recognizable features of the seminary was the iconic cross that stood high above the chapel. The demolition contractor tried to preserve the cross for future use, but it was slightly damaged when it was lowered from its perch. Since then, a proper home has been sought for the cross, but none was found… until now.

Blessed Sacrament Church in West Fargo once had a cross in its prayer garden until it was damaged by a wind storm. Parishioner John Mrozla held possession of the seminary cross and suggested to the parish council and Father Gary Luiten that it be used for the prayer garden. The Cardinal Muench Seminary cross was repaired and installed in October 2020. It now stands in the garden, accompanied by a statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary, on the north side of the church.

On a side note, in 2018 a young parishioner of Blessed Sacrament, Matthew Fischer, now a senior at West Fargo Sheyenne High School, contacted Father Luiten about an Eagle Scout Project. He hoped to do something for Blessed Sacrament to enhance the landscape. Father Luiten and the Pastoral Council members gave approval for Matthew to build three wooden benches. Two of the benches are anchored on each side of a flower bed and the third has been placed in front of the Mary Statue. These benches, along with the Cardinal Muench cross, make the prayer garden a peaceful and prayerful place at Blessed Sacrament.