ON JULY 19, 1964, His Eminence Rufino J. Cardinal Santos, D.D., Archbishop of Manila, inaugurated and blessed Loyola Retreat House (LRH). Located on top of Nieves Hills with vistas of Laguna de Bay and the surrounding hills, the building complex, designed by Architect Felipe M. Mendoza, occupied a land area of 7.0 hectares, donated by Don Mariano J. Santos and heirs.
Built during the initial phase of the Second Vatican Council (1962-1965) and managed by Jesuits of the Philippine Province, LRH became the center for the spiritual formation and renewal not only of Ateneo de Manila students but also of other religious groups and professionals in the Philippines.
AFTER 1986, the Philippine Jesuits partnered with other religious institutes for the management of LRH: Hijas de Jesus (1986-2006), and Marian Missionaries of the Holy Cross (2007-2022).
ON 15 AUGUST 2022, LRH began to renovate its facilities after the successful renovation done in Mirador Jesuit Villa Retreat House in Baguio (2017-2019), and Jesuit Retreat House-Cebu Center for Ignatian Spirituality- (2019-2021). Fr. Jose V.C. Quilongquilong, S.J. and Fr. René B. Javellana, S.J. supervised the renovations of these retreat centers.
ON 23 OCTOBER 2023, His Excellency Most Rev. Ruperto C. Santos, D. D Bishop of Antipolo, presided at the Rededication and Blessing of LRH-SACA. He was assisted by Very Rev. Primitivo E. Viray, Jr., S. J., Provincial Superior of the Philippine Province of the Society of Jesus with the active participation of retreat ministry collaborators: Jesuits, benefactors, staff and local authorities.
FUNDING for the renovations was made possible through the generosity of the LH FOUNDATION and the LIU FAMILY in honor of the Founder, DAME NORMA H. LIU.
Other generous benefactors and friends of the Philippine Jesuit Aid Association, Inc., also contributed toward the improvement of facilities and the renovation of other parts of the property.
With the resumption of retreat operations, especially after the COVID 19 Pandemic, LRH-SACA aims to make this renovated complex a space conducive to prayer for everyone and a place to experience God’s eternal benevolence and beauty through the legacy of Ignatian Spirituality and its Arts Program.
AD MAJOREM DEI GLORIAM
ET AD HONOREM SANCTAE MARIAE, DEIPARAE
ET SANCTI IGNATII LOIOLAE
