Mount Manresa Jesuit Retreat House

This beautiful place is one of the first sacred places I remember, and it stands out vividly in my memory. I was young, my brother was younger..we lived in the apartments next to it. In the winter the boys would slide down the hill towards the road. I found a secret way into the back where I found a wonderful sacred place with beautiful statues placed all around. As an adult I have visited several Catholic Churches and I imagine the beautiful statues I saw were perhaps stations of the Cross. I was viewing on google maps and saw that maybe they are considering taking this wonderful place down. I think it should stay. But just know this, that this sacred place will always remain in my memory! It would be wonderful if the gardens and statues could be memorialized in pictures on the website of Mount Manresa Jesuit Retreat House for others like myself. May God Be with you!

The loss of Mount Manresa to housing development is a travesty that now cannot be reversed. Perhaps the single greatest loss to Staten Island since Sandy. Possibly greater in that this was not nature's fury, but a monetary decision resulting in a great loss of this revered facility. Shame that a city could not preserve this rustic peaceful place as a public refuge from encroaching urban development. I hope we do not regret years from now not saving Mount Manresa.
John DeMaio

Mount Manresa is one of Staten Island's best kept secrets. This is a classic retreat house with dormitories on incredibly beautiful acreage. You will immediately feel a sense of peacefulness as you make the easy hike through the trails which include a grotto, a hilltop with a view of New York City's skyline, lush gardens, and a gazebo. I will never forget the generosity of this Jesuit retreat house to all the workers who were stranded during the 9/11 tragedy when the boroughs of New York City were closed off. These folks housed and fed these innocent victims for days with no charge. One visit to the grounds of this facility and you will experience its spiritual power and awesome beauty. Mount Manresa is located close to the Staten Island side of the Verrazano Bridge, walking distance from the Staten Island Expressway exits near the VZ bridge. Look for any reason to visit, including their numerous retreats, trainings, or... just visit! It's open to the public as long as you respect its quiet serenity and keep it clean.