Monsignor
Robert J. Coll
The Legacy of Monsignor Robert J. Coll
Priest, Visionary, Humanitarian, and Inspiration for a Sacred Place of Renewal
The St. Francis Spirituality and Retreat Center is owned and operated by the Monsignor Robert J. Coll Foundation, Inc., established by its founding benefactors in honor of Monsignor Coll's extraordinary life of priestly service, compassion for the poor, and unwavering commitment to the Catholic Church's mission.
Inspired by his example, the founding benefactors sought to preserve the former St. Francis Retreat House as a sacred place dedicated to prayer, spiritual renewal, retreat ministry, and encounter with God. Through their vision and generosity, these beautiful grounds continue to welcome individuals, families, clergy, religious communities, parish groups, and all who seek peace, reflection, and a deeper relationship with Christ.
Few priests leave a legacy that touches both the local Church and the world as profoundly as Monsignor Robert J. Coll. A beloved priest of the Diocese of Allentown for more than sixty years, Monsignor Coll dedicated his life to serving God’s people with humility, compassion, and extraordinary vision. His priesthood reflected a deep commitment to parish life, Catholic education, missionary outreach, and care for those most in need.
As pastor of St. Thomas More Parish, Monsignor Coll helped build a thriving Catholic community rooted in prayer, stewardship, faith formation, and service. His leadership inspired generations of parishioners to live their faith with conviction and generosity, strengthening one of the Diocese of Allentown’s most vibrant parishes.
Monsignor Coll is perhaps best known as the founder of Operation Rice Bowl, one of the most successful charitable and educational initiatives in American Catholic history. During the global food crisis of the 1970s, he was moved by the suffering of families facing hunger worldwide. In response, he created a simple Lenten program that invited families to pray, fast, learn about global poverty, and share their blessings with those in need.
What began as a local initiative in Allentown in 1975 soon spread throughout the Diocese and was later adopted nationally by Catholic Relief Services as the CRS Rice Bowl program. Over the past five decades, Rice Bowl has raised hundreds of millions of dollars to combat hunger, support humanitarian relief efforts, and provide life-changing assistance to vulnerable communities worldwide.
Monsignor Coll often summarized the inspiration behind Rice Bowl in simple yet powerful words: “I have food, my brother has no food, so I will give him some of my food.” He believed that true charity begins with recognizing the dignity of every person and responding with generosity and love. His vision transformed the family dinner table into a place of prayer, sacrifice, and solidarity with the poor.
His commitment to serving those in need extended far beyond the United States. Through his work with Catholic Relief Services, Monsignor Coll traveled throughout the world, including famine-stricken regions of Africa and areas affected by war and humanitarian crises. His ministry brought hope and assistance to countless individuals and communities and reflected the Church’s call to serve Christ in the poor and marginalized.
When Monsignor Coll passed away in 2026 at the age of ninety-five, he left behind a remarkable legacy of faith, compassion, and service. His life demonstrated how one priest, guided by the Holy Spirit and rooted in the Gospel, could inspire millions to live with greater generosity and concern for others.
The founding benefactors of the Monsignor Robert J. Coll Foundation found inspiration in that very legacy. His lifelong dedication to prayer, service, and the dignity of every human person became the guiding vision for preserving and renewing this sacred place. Through their stewardship, the St. Francis Spirituality and Retreat Center continues Monsignor Coll’s mission by offering a welcoming environment where people can step away from the demands of daily life, encounter God’s presence, and experience spiritual renewal.
Today, every retreat, day of reflection, pilgrimage, and quiet moment of prayer on these grounds stands as a living tribute to Monsignor Robert J. Coll and his belief that faith must be lived, shared, and offered generously for the good of others.
May all who come here be inspired by his example—To pray deeply. To serve humbly. To give generously. To love without measure.
"It was a moment in time, divinely inspired," Monsignor Coll once said of Rice Bowl. His life itself was such a gift—one whose impact continues to be felt throughout the Church, in communities around the world, and here at the St. Francis Spirituality and Retreat Center.