Centennial of the First Retreat
The Passionists purchased this land in 1924 and offered the first retreat in July 1926. We will celebrate the centennial of the first retreat throughout the 2026-2027 retreat season.
Special Events:
We will kick off the festivities on September 26, 2026, with "Century on the Hill: Remember, Rejoice, Renew." There will also be a spring event to wrap up the centennial season, so please save the date for May 8, 2027.
Retreat Season:
The retreat theme for 2026-2027 reflects the centennial theme of "Remember, Rejoice, Renew." The retreat season will start with a women's retreat in Spanish July 31 - August 2, followed by the first men's retreat of the season September 11 - 17, and the first women's retreat of the season October 2 - 4.
Registration is open for the centennial season! We expect retreats to fill up early for this special season, so please register early!
Merchandise:
Our bookstore and gift shop will have a variety of centennial-related materials. We already have the shirt below in grey and burgundy. More materials will arrive throughout the summer!
Donate to the Centennial Campaign
A Century of Preaching,
Hospitality and Compassion
At the center of the logo is a large "100," representing the Centennial years 1926-2026, placed over a tree that symbolizes deep roots and our history, specifically the historic Moreton Bay fig under which Mater Dolorosa's first retreat was held in 1926. A deer, a familiar presence on our grounds, reflects the peaceful, lively spirit of Mater Dolorosa and the spiritual longing of retreatants seeking silence and connection with God.
Across the "100" is the Spanish phrase "Años de Ministerio" "Years of Ministry,"emphasizing a century of retreats, prayer, healing, and reconciliation, not just the age of the building. Surrounding the central image are the words "Remember • Rejoice • Renew,"inspiring us to honor the past, celebrate the present, and look to the future of the mission.
Below is Our Lady of Sorrows, Mater Dolorosa, symbolizing compassion, fidelity, and hope amid suffering, with seven stars representing Mary's Seven Sorrows. On either side are Passionist signs with the words "Jesu XPI Passio" (The Passion of Jesus), linking the logo to the Passionist spirituality focused on Jesus' Passion as God's love. The outer ring features the name "Mater Dolorosa Passionist Retreat Center," and the circular shapesignifies continuity and ongoing mission, with no definitive end. Golden rays radiate outward, symbolizing the grace, celebration, and thanksgiving flowing from Mater Dolorosa over the past century, highlighting the milestone as part of an ongoing journey.
The summary of the Logo: "Rooted in one hundred years of Passionist ministry, we remember God's faithfulness, rejoice in the grace that has been given, and renew our commitment to carry the healing love of Christ into the next century."