Centennial Spring is in the air at The Jesuit Retreat Center of Los Altos.
Conception became a reality 100 years ago when the Jesuit Western Province founded El Retiro San Iñigo, giving the Catholic Laymen’s Retreat Association a permanent home.
Former Governor Jerry Brown, Bishop Oscar Cantú of the San Jose Diocese, and the Rev. Sean O. Carroll, S.J., Jesuits West Provincial, will lead the celebration of the 100th anniversary of The Jesuit Retreat Center on Saturday (March 15).
Cantú and Carroll will celebrate the Masses. Brown, who recalls attending retreats when he was a high school student, will deliver the keynote address.
The impetus for the retreat center started in 1896 when The Catholic Laymen’s Retreat Association was formed and met at various locations. When the association moved to O’Connor Hall at the University of Santa Clara in 1911, discussions began about finding a permanent retreat center.
In 1924, Fr. Provincial Joseph Piet, S.J., a staunch supporter of the laymen’s retreats, assigned Fr. Joseph Stack, S.J., a frequent retreat director for the laymen’s association, to search for a suitable property.
The search was over when Rev. Stack discovered the Wellman property that soon became El Retiro San Iñigo. The Wellman home was adapted for retreats.
A temporary chapel was fashioned from the billiards room and on March 15, 1925, a first Mass was held, celebrating opening the doors to The Jesuit Retreat of Los Altos – El Retiro San Iñigo. The first retreat was attended by 15 men in April.
During the first 50 years there was rapid growth at El Retiro. But the decades also saw the retreat center adapt to an ever-changing society. From 1950 to 1975, women formed their own retreat association. Parishes, high schools, university faculties and service organizations begin to fill the El Retiro retreat calendar during the week.
The next 25 years saw the weekday calendar expand to retreats for men and women of all faiths. Fr. Robert Fabing, S.J., oversaw the integration of psychotherapy and Ignatian spiritual direction as founder of the Institute for Family Life. Family retreats, married couples’ retreats and counseling services became a staple.
Fr. Greg Boyle, S.J., founder of the largest gang-intervention, rehabilitation and reentry program in the world, and recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom, brought Homeboy Industries of Los Angeles to El Retiro for the first time in 2007.
An ancient symbol that represents a journey of life and a path to spiritual growth, and now a popular spot for visitors to discover their own path to spiritual growth, Tom Nann built a labyrinth as a tribute to his father Raymond Nann nearing his 80th birthday, at El Retiro, rock by rock, ring by ring.
El Retiro was a beacon of light for people of all ages, nationalities and ethnic backgrounds when the United States faced tragedies and crises.
After suffering extreme damage from the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake that shook the entire Bay Area for 15 seconds, the retreat center was fully operational the next day thanks to staff and volunteers.
Solace was found at the retreat center when a grieving population reached out for the Infinite God following the 911 attacks.
Closed doors during the COVID pandemic was the greatest challenge to the retreat center’s survival. Donors, contractors, volunteers and Jesuits Dedicated went to work during the lock-down, refurbishing retreat houses, facilities, grounds, offices. It was a time of prayer in action in service of the founding vision of El Retiro to live by the Ignatian norm that calls us to find God in all things; to discover where God will best be served and where people will best be helped, and to show love in deeds and not just words.
Known as God’s Inn to many, El Retiro is in full swing again. The centennial celebration began in spring 2024 with the launch of Community Day. Centennial Spring 2025 is now!
For more information about the Centennial Mass Celebration on March 15, visit The Jesuit Retreat Center at jrclosaltos.org.
