In Our Own Backyard
San Damiano Spiritual Retreat Center By Sandra Mcmullen, Resident since 1992
W
ell, here I go again wandering around our little town discovering “New to Me” places. This time I followed a recommendation to discover San Damiano, and WOW! It’s beautiful. I’m glad I made an appointment to meet with the Interim Director, Lisa, because there are signs on the way up the hill announcing this is a private road for residents and guests only. No wonder it’s so mysterious. At the top of that long and winding road, nestled on 55 wooded acres, sits the resplendent San Damiano Spiritual Retreat Center. Run by the Franciscan Friars of the Roman Catholic faith, the center serves as a sanctuary for people of all faiths or spiritual longings. Built in 1961, it began as a men’s only retreat house, but quickly evolved to welcome men and women of diverse faith backgrounds and life circumstances to make the pilgrimage up the mountain.
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The gift shop
MARCH 2020
