History of El Retiro San Iñigo, The Jesuit Retreat Center of Los Altos
For some years previous to 1924, there had been persistent and serious talk, both among Jesuits who had been interested in the retreat movement and among the men who had been making annual retreats at Santa Clara University, about the establishment of a permanent retreat house. Santa Clara had many advantages, but the main disadvantage was that its availability was restricted to June.
When
Fr. Joseph Piet, S.J., was appointed the Provincial
Superior of the California Province of the Jesuits,
he decided to search for a suitable site. On December 9,
1924, while Fr. Piet, Fr. Joseph Stack, S.J., who
had been assigned to the new work, and Fr. Zacheus Maher,
S.J., President of Santa Clara , were making inquiries
about a Morgan Hill property, their informant mentioned
a property near Los Altos that might be
suitable.
William Wellman was a San Francisco businessman, director of the wholesale grocery firm of Wellman, Peck and Co. After he moved away from his Los Altos property in 1924, it was occupied by a caretaker and his wife. The Jesuits visited the property and decided almost immediately that this was a perfect spot for the retreat house.
Accordingly, the property was acquired, and Fr. Zacheus Maher helped to get the place in order, physically and economically. The house had to be cleaned and furnished. The only alteration of note was the conversion of Mr. Wellman's billiard room into a chapel by extending it about 25 feet. Pews and altar were a gift from Santa Clara University. The altar was the work of Brother Chiotti, S.J.
On Saturday afternoon, March 14, 1925, while Fr. Stack was in the East to review how other retreat houses were operated, Fr. Dominic Giacobbi, S.J., and Brother Stephen Vlasich, S.J., along with Antonio Rossi, who was to function as the cook, moved to Los Altos and took possession of the property. The next morning, the first Mass was celebrated in the Chapel and the Blessed Sacrament placed in the tabernacle.
The name "El Retiro San Iñigo" was suggested by the Most Reverend Edward J. Hanna, Archbishop of San Francisco, who heartily approved of the Jesuits' move to Los Altos and who encouraged the retreat work. He agreed to officiate at the formal blessing and opening of the retreat house at 3:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 2, 1925, a joyful celebration attended by about 125 people. The Archbishop spoke briefly after a Benediction, as did Mr. Paul McCarthy of San Francisco, President of the Laymen's Retreat League. A number of altar boys from Santa Clara University came to serve, and the young Jesuits from the Juniorate at Los Gatos provided the music.
The numbers of those coming for retreats continued to grow. The original Wellman home, which is currently the main office building, quickly became inadequate for all the services a retreat house should offer. Twelve more acres were purchased, and Loyola Hall, a residence hall and conference area for retreatants, was built in 1927. Rossi Chapel, a gift of Fr. Carlo Rossi, S.J., in memory of his parents, followed in 1928.
JRC Circa 1957
The Retreat Center thrived, and after World War II, when the contiguous Prosser estate became available, 22 more acres were purchased. This property boasted a large Mediterranean-style mansion, now St. Robert's Hall. Pereira Hall, which included a large dining room and kitchen and the residence for the Jesuit Community, was dedicated in 1947. The pressure of increasing numbers necessitated an annex to St. Robert's in 1951. Marini Hall, 1958 and St. Joseph's Hall, 1959, completed El Retiro retreatant residence facilities.
The next ten years saw the retreat movement and the 50 acres of The Jesuit Retreat Center continuing to flourish. Many shrines were erected, especially during the second term of Fr. Neal O'Mara, S.J., after whom the main Conference Room in Loyola Hall is named. The numbers of strong supporters and regular retreatants began to wane in the sixties, as successive generations did not choose to join their Fr.s and grandFr.s for the annual weekends.
The 1970's brought new life to The Jesuit Retreat Center: women's retreats and retreats for married couples were instituted; retreats for recovering alcoholics began, drawing large numbers. Other retreats were developed, devoted either to special groups, such as Charismatic Renewal, or with a special focus, such as healing or the understanding of grief. At the same time, individually directed retreats became popular here.
Under the leadership of Fr. Robert St. Clair, S.J., in the early eighties, the Retreat Center sold about 12 acres for development. This sale produced the first, modest endowment; since then, the generosity of our benefactors has increased the endowment year by year. The interest from the endowment and the annual gifts donated by retreatants and foundations allow us to keep our retreats affordable.
Through all the change, one thing is constant: the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius. The Spiritual Exercises, written in the 16th century by Ignatius Loyola, invite men and women into an experience of prayer and discernment leading to greater spiritual freedom. Given in various forms and adapted for different times, groups and persons, the Exercises inspire all the preaching and retreat direction El Retiro offers.
Today, a team of Jesuits and their lay colleagues combine their talents to guide people in their search for God. It is a graced ministry, a work of God's Spirit.
