In keeping with the vision of St. Paul of the Cross, Holy Name Passionist Retreat Center supports and encourages the great human and spiritual adventure: the discovery of God and God’s loving compassion through Christ Crucified.
Holy Name provides hospitality, healing, compassion and opportunities for spiritual growth for all people.
In the latest news from Holy Name, that same spirit continues, offering hospitality, compassion and meaningful opportunities to experience God’s presence today.
A New Flame of the Passionist Charism: First English-Speaking Cohort Graduates in 2026
With great joy and gratitude, on May 13, 2026, we celebrated the graduation of the first English-speaking cohort of 2026, a historic and hope-filled milestone in the life of the Passionist Family.
After three years of formation rooted in prayer, discernment, theological reflection, and compassionate accompaniment, 13 Passionist spiritual directors completed their training and were invested with the black scapular of The Sacred Passion as a sign of their commitment to live and share the Passionist charism. Formed in the spirit of St. Paul of the Cross, they are now prepared to accompany others through the sacred ministry of spiritual direction with compassion, faith, and hope.
What makes this moment especially meaningful is that these newly commissioned spiritual directors now return to their parishes and communities carrying the Passionist spirit with them, ready to serve and accompany. Their ministry becomes a living extension of the Passionist mission, multiplying the charism far beyond the retreat center and into the everyday life of the Church.
Filled with excitement and hope for the future, we look forward to the many lives that will be touched through their presence, guidance, and witness. This first graduating cohort is not simply the completion of a program; it is the beginning of a growing movement of Passionist spirituality bringing healing, compassion, and deeper encounters with God to countless communities for years to come.
Please keep our 13 new Passionist spiritual directors and the 64 students still in formation in your prayers as they continue bringing the hope and compassion of the Passionist charism to the world.
St. Gemma Holy Hour for Vocations
On May 27, more than 100 people gathered for a beautiful bilingual Holy Hour dedicated to praying for Passionist vocations through the intercession and example of St. Gemma Galgani.
Through imaginative prayer, the assembly spiritually entered into the Garden of Gethsemane, contemplating the sorrowful Heart of Jesus and His anguished prayer for humanity. The spiritual direction students gently guided the congregation through meditations inspired by the devotional manual of St. Helena Guerra—foundress of the Sisters of Saint Zita in Lucca, whose school St. Gemma once attended—leading all present into a deeper encounter with the Passion of Christ in a spirit of silence, reflection, and faith.
The evening unfolded as a profound moment of grace, uniting English and Spanish-speaking participants in prayer, Scripture, and adoration before the Blessed Sacrament. Hearts were moved to intercede for new vocations and for all those discerning God’s call in their lives.
In this sacred atmosphere, the gathering became a living invitation to remain with Jesus in his suffering love and to hear anew his call: “Lord, bring forth workers into Your vineyard.”
As the Passionist family continues its mission in the Church, this evening stood as a powerful witness that vocations are born and nourished through contemplative prayer and encounter with the Passion of Christ.
