The rain on Saturday could not keep the visitors --- or the smiles--- away on Community Day. Guests from the San Francisco Bay came to discover the hidden gem of the Peninsula known as the Jesuit Retreat Center of Los Altos. The Centennial Celebration for the Retreat Center began with an open invitation for the public to tour the grounds, buildings, and trails. There were almost 140 guests who came to the Retreat Center for the first time. As they came to the O’Mara Conference room, they took a historic journey by way of the JRC Timeline created by the Retreat Center staff. After receivi ..read more

In the early 1920s, the Jesuits of Northern California, with the enthusiastic support of San Francisco Archbishop Edward Hanna, sought to establish a retreat center to serve the people of the Bay Area. With word that a property in Los Altos was available, they bought it almost on first sight with the intent to convert the property’s main structure into a retreat house. The first renovation was conversion of a billiards room into a chapel, and it was there that the first Mass was celebrated on March 15, 1925. Archbishop Hanna suggested the name El Retiro San Iñigo — the St. Ignatius Retreat. &n ..read more

For the second year, a group of very special friends will gather to celebrate and be celebrated. The El Retiro Society Annual Mass and Champagne Brunch will be held Sunday, February 25.  The Mass and Dinner is free and by invitation-only to El Retiro Society members. The good news is that anyone may join. More good news is that membership is free.  The El Retiro Society is a group of supporters who intend to remember the Retreat Center in their estate planning. Joining involves no dues, or obligations and allows us to thank and recognize members as ..read more

Last weekend I attended the Christmas Oasis virtual retreat with Fr. Auther.  At the retreat poems are presented to us and we spend some time reflecting on them.  I sat with a poem entitled “Nativity An Altarpiece” by Denise Levertov.  During my meditation, a little poem of my own bubbled up.  Perhaps some of it will resonate with others during this Christmas Season.  Thank you, Fr. Auther, for ministering to us using the gifts of poetry!  Everyone has their places, the scene is being set out. Where do I stand? What part do I play? Will I be a Wiseman ..read more

Guests carried lit candles into Rossi Chapel on December 6 as they prepared themselves for the voices and dancing of Lessons & Carols, the Jesuit Retreat Center Advent and Christmas Celebration.  Fr. John Auther, S.J. and Linda Cunha-Ricchio read the beautiful scriptures and St. Ignatius letters that took us on a journey from darkness to the birth of Christ. Each reading was highlighted by the Choir singing, Bethlehem A.D. Angels dancing and in some cases a combination that emphasized this sacred time of year.  Prior to the Lessons & Carols program, guest ..read more

Thank you for getting us to our #GivingTuesday finish line. With your help we are almost at our $25,000 goal and gifts to support our recovery retreats continue to arrive. #GivingTuesday was the culmination of a journey. A journey about personal stories of how Retreats Change Lives. We began on November 15 with a virtual celebration featuring Fr. Tom Weston and stories from retreatants. In his remarks, Fr. Tom spoke about how the Jesuit Retreat Center is a sacred space that allows everyone to be who they are. Your support will ensure that the one person who is on the way back from addiction ..read more

So, you’re on your way back from addiction. It doesn’t matter what kind: alcohol, drugs or even to another person. What you need in your life is a Recovery Retreat at the Jesuit Retreat Center. There could be many issues preventing you from attending. Time. Distance. Fear. But lack of resources should not be a reason. Retreats Change Lives is that most wonderful time of year when a collection of personal stories is posted to our social media that culminates on #GivingTuesday, November 28, 2023. We need your help to raise $25,000 to support the Recovery Retreats led by Fr. Tom Weston, S.J. We ..read more

A phone call this morning reminded me that we are less than a month away from our Astronomical Evening with Br. Guy Consolmagno S.J. on September 6. The caller told me that a group from her work, although not the company itself, was interested in attending. If they brought their spouses, that could mean as many as ten paid guests. Officially, the deadline to RSVP is August 23 but with the growing interest, I highly recommended that the group confirm attendance by Monday, August 14. That recommendation applies to anyone interested. Dinner spaces in particular are beginning to fill. There is mor ..read more

A few good volunteers. Well, probably more than a few. Although we are in the throes of summer, planning is underway for the Centennial Community which kicks off a year long celebration of the Jesuit Retreat Center’s first 100 years. The first Mass was held on Sunday, March 15,1925. Community Day will be held Saturday, April 13, 2024. There will be tours of the grounds, tours of the trails, and tours of the grounds and trails. Anyone with a solid knowledge of the Retreat Center, anyone who is learning about the Retreat Center, or anyone who wants to know more about the Retreat Center is encour ..read more

Try using these words in a sentence: Astronomy, Vatican, Techies. The answer is - we are kicking off the retreat season at the Jesuit Retreat Center of Los Altos, on Wednesday, September 6, 2023 with An Astronomical Evening with Br. Guy Consolmagno S.J. presented by our Galileo Sponsors Jim & Lia Whitehead and Stephanie & Phil Gatto. Proceeds benefit the Retreat Center of Los Altos and the Vatican Observatory Foundation. Br. Guy will discuss God's Mechanics: The Religious Life of Techies in a Reception Program, and The Heavens Proclaim: Astronomy and the Vatican in a Dinner Program. Co ..read more