Celebrating 100 Years of Retreats at Mater Dolorosa Retreat Center

In 1924, the Passionists acquired a beautiful hillside property overlooking the San Gabriel Valley that has since grown into a sacred place where generations have encountered God’s love, found healing and discovered hope.

The first retreat was preached beneath the shade of the beloved “old rubber tree,” a Moreton Bay Fig that still stands on the property today. That first gathering in 1926 marked the beginning of a ministry that has transformed countless lives.

A Century of Retreat Ministry

When Mater Dolorosa Monastery was dedicated in 1932, it became the first monastery in Holy Cross Province built specifically for the Passionist retreat movement. As interest in retreats continued to grow, a new retreat house was built in 1950, increasing capacity to 70 retreatants each weekend. Additional expansion in 1985 added 17 retreat rooms, meeting space and accommodations for retreat leadership and those making extended personal retreats.

Over the decades, the ministry broadened to welcome more people into the Passionist tradition. Spanish-language retreats began as early as 1960, retreats for married couples were introduced in 1966 and women’s retreats followed in 1974.

Today, more than 10,000 people visit Mater Dolorosa and its beautiful grounds each year. Retreats are offered for men, women and married couples in English and Spanish, along with programs for high school students, parish groups, ecumenical gatherings and those seeking personal renewal.

Each Good Friday, an additional 2,500 to 3,000 pilgrims come to pray the retreat center’s beloved Stations of the Cross, making it one of Southern California’s cherished Holy Week traditions.

Faith Through Every Season

The history of Mater Dolorosa has also been marked by remarkable perseverance. A devastating 1991 earthquake claimed the historic monastery, but from that loss emerged the beautiful Monastery Memorial Gardens, including the Garden of the Seven Sorrows, the Plaza of the Sacred Heart and an outdoor amphitheater. These spaces stand as a reminder that hope and new life can emerge even after profound loss.

More recently, the Eaton Fire once again tested this sacred place. While the retreat center experienced damage, its spirit remained unshaken. The Passionist community, staff, volunteers and supporters responded with extraordinary faith, resilience and generosity. Even in the face of uncertainty, the mission continued, and Mater Dolorosa remains a place where people are welcomed to find peace, healing and hope.

Looking Ahead with Gratitude

As we celebrate this centennial, we give thanks for every Passionist who has served here, every retreatant whose life has been touched on this holy hill and every supporter whose prayers and generosity have sustained this ministry over the past century.

The story of Mater Dolorosa is more than the story of buildings or milestones. It is the story of people who have encountered Christ through the Passionist charism, discovered hope in times of suffering and carried that hope back into their families, parishes and communities.

Happy 100th anniversary, Mater Dolorosa Retreat Center! May this sacred place continue to welcome all who seek rest, renewal and the compassionate embrace of Christ for the next hundred years.