![]() This area of the retreat house includes the beautiful Southern Colonial style chapel and a second-floor with 12 bedrooms and bathroom/shower area for those rooms. Although its primary thrust was the spiritual development of women (a direction vigorously supported and sustained by the still existent Women’s Retreat League), the Washington Retreat House was, from the beginning, used by various clergy, religious & lay associations, as well as social justice organizations.ĭespite sometimes very limited resources, the physical development of the original building was transformed in 1953 when “Our Lady’s Floor” was created and completed. On October 28, 1930, just a little over a year after the groundbreaking, the Washington Retreat House opened its doors for the first time. did not come easily, but Lurana was one to risk, and so she pursued the desire for retreat ministry with great zeal. At that time, aware that retreat houses for men existed in the area of the Nation’s Capital, Mother Lurana was determined to establish one for women. Then, in 1925, Father Paul Wattson, SA, deeded five acres of property to the Sisters for the purpose of building the retreat house. Thus, this was the inspiration behind Mother Lurana’s wish to establish the Washington Retreat House. Even if the retreat house were to be instrumental in saving but one soul, it would be well worth all our time and labor and expense.” It is with this thought in view that we are to build a retreat house where women can get away for a little space from the world to find refreshment for the soul and rest for the body, by leaving their busy lives to seek God in peace and in prayer …. From her writings we read, “Retreat work has been a desire of mine from the beginning. Our Foundress, Mother Lurana Mary White (1870 – 1935) was directly responsible for the establishment of the Washington Retreat House.
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