Pilgrims of Hope

Jesuit Retreat Center is once again participating in #weGiveCatholic—Northeast Ohio’s annual day of Catholic generosity. As a ministry whose mission touches thousands each year, we’re grateful to join this community of faith-filled giving. 

On Thursday, November 13, the Feast of St. Stanislaus Kostka, we celebrated the dedication of our 2024 Giving Tuesday project: the beautifully restored statue of St. Stanislaus, brought back to life through the craftsmanship of Milano Monuments & Restoration. 

40+ Saint Ignatius High School students and dozens of supporters gathered for the blessing—a moment made possible by last year’s Giving Tuesday donors. Their generosity didn’t just restore a statue; it helped restore a piece of our spiritual history and welcomed a new generation into the legacy of this place.

Before and after photos of the restored St. Stanislaus statue, completed by Milano Monuments & Restoration.

Tertianship Building, Jesuit Retreat House, 1975. St. Stanislaus statue can be seen in the foreground.

The outpouring of support for that project sparked a deeper question:

How can we continue renewing sacred spaces across our 57 acres—spaces where thousands encounter God each year? 

In the months that followed, a small group of generous friends stepped forward. Their leadership gifts helped raise nearly $350,000 toward our Pilgrims of Hope initiative—our Jubilee Year effort inspired by the late Pope Francis’ call to bring renewal, restoration, and hope to our communities.

This initiative focuses on two transformational goals: 

1. Restoring the 12 key statues and prayer spaces across our 57 acres
2. Expanding and improving our natural pathways, opening more of the grounds to retreatants for prayer, solitude, and healing 

 Pilgrim Trail Design

Restored St. Stanislaus statue, located near JRC's front entrance

Now, as we prepare for Giving Tuesday on December 2, we invite YOU to join us in bringing this vision to its completion.

Thanks to the extraordinary generosity of Bill Murman and Mary Kay Cabot, every gift made to the Pilgrims of Hope initiative from November 22 through December 2 will be matched dollar-for-dollar up to $25,000.

This means your gift will go TWICE as far toward restoring sacred places, expanding access to God's creation, and enriching the experience of the 6,000+ retreatants who visit the JRC each year.

We are so close to crossing the finish line.

With your help, we can complete this Jubilee Year initiative and transform the grounds for generations to come.

Every gift will be DOUBLED—please consider helping us reach our $25,000 Giving Tuesday goal.